The benefits of Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship by investment (CBI) differ, but both citizenships include improved visa free travel to over 140 countries, investment opportunities, enhanced personal protection, and favorable taxes.
If your primary motivation is financial optimization, St Kitts may be more suitable due to its absence of personal income tax, whereas the Grenada citizenship program shows its strength in the number of qualified dependents for those focused on securing citizenship for their entire family group.
This guide covers all the bases to help you determine which CBI program and Caribbean passport offers the most value for your circumstances and goals.
- Grenada and St Kitts citizenship benefits
- Overview of St Kitts vs Grenada citizenship
- Grenada citizenship by investment
- St Kitts citizenship by investment
- Main differences between Grenada and St Kitts citizenship
- Which program to pick?
- St Kitts vs Grenada passport power
⚠️ St Kitts and Nevis Public Benefit Option Limited Time Offer
The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit has announced a limited time offer that will waive government application fees for the Public Benefit Option (PBO) for applications with up to four family members, replacing the previous single-applicant waiver. The new pricing incentive will remain in effect until 31 December 2025.
Grenada and St Kitts Citizenship Benefits
- Quick application process: Grenada and St Kitts are two Caribbean countries offering a second passport with fast processing times of as little as four months.
- Improved travel freedom: Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis passport holders can travel to over 140 countries without a visa.
- Passport for family members: Foreign investors can acquire Caribbean citizenship for themselves and their family members.
- Favorable tax regime: The tax advantages of Grenada vs St Kitts and Nevis dual citizenship are relatively even. There is no inheritance, wealth, or capital gains tax; however, St Kitts also imposes no personal income tax.
- No stay requirements: Obtaining citizenship does not require visiting the country or maintaining residency in the St Kitts or Grenada program.
- Affordable investment options: Caribbean citizenship programs have reasonably affordable investment options, starting from $235,000.
- US visa eligibility: St Kitts citizens qualify for the US B1/B2 Visa, and Grenada citizens are among the few Caribbean citizens who qualify for the US E2 Visa Program.
Grenada vs St Kitts Comparison at a Glance
| Program characteristics | Grenada Citizenship by Investment | St Kitts Citizenship by Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Timeline | Six months | Four to six months |
| Global Passport Index Ranking | 71st | 45th |
| Passport Global ranking | 148 visa free countries, including EU Schengen States, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and China, and Saudi Arabia | 154 visa free countries, including EU Schengen States, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia |
| Minimum Investment | $235,000 for a single applicant and family of four | $250,000 for a single applicant and family of four |
| Qualifying investment | – National Transformation Fund (NTF) donation – Real estate investment (joint or sole) | – Donation to Sustainable Island State Contribution -Real estate investment -Private home purchase -Public Benefit Option contribution |
| Taxes | No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax. | No personal income tax, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax. |
| Residence rule | No stay requirements. | No stay requirements. |
| Family eligibility | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 30, parents and grandparents, siblings over 18 (unmarried with no children) | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children up to 30, and parents aged 55 and older |
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Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Grenada — also called ‘The Spice of the Caribbean’ — is praised for its beautiful nature, tranquility, and relaxed lifestyle. Since 2013, the government has operated the Grenada citizenship by investment program.
This successful immigration scheme grants foreign investors and their families a Grenada passport in exchange for a minimum investment of $235,000 in the country’s economy.
With a Grenadian passport, investors can travel to 148 visa free destinations, such as China, the EU, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. In addition, the passport is also the only Caribbean passport offering the opportunity to apply for the E2 Visa in the US – which allows you to enter and work in the United States with a substantial investment in a US business.
Grenada investment options
Grenada’s CBI program offers two foreign investment routes to obtain citizenship:
- A non-refundable contribution of $235,000 to the Grenada National Transformation Fund (NTF).
- An Investment in a government-approved real estate project:
- $350,000 for a sole purchase
- $270,000 for a joint purchase
Applicants must pay additional fees, including due diligence fees, application fees, processing fees, government fees, and interview fees.
St Kitts Citizenship by Investment
St Kitts and Nevis is a two-island country in the Caribbean Sea. Praised for its pristine beaches and luxury, it is the ideal place for those seeking an exclusive lifestyle. It is also the first Caribbean country to have launched a citizenship by investment (CBI) program, which was implemented in 1984.
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program grants applicants and their families investment citizenship and a Caribbean passport in exchange for a qualifying contribution of at least $250,000 to the development of the country.
A St Kitts and Nevis passport allows easy entry to 154 visa free countries, such as in Europe’s Schengen zone, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
St Kitts investment options
St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI program offers three investment options:
- A $250,000 minimum contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). A donation of $250,00 also qualifies for a family of four.
- A $325,000 pre-approved condominium purchase or a joint investment.
- A $600,000 investment in an approved single-family private home.
- A minimum donation of $250,000 to the Public Benefit Option (PBO).
Main Difference between Grenada and St Kitts Citizenship
While Grenada CBI is reputable and relatively new, having been established in 2013, St Kitts’s CBI program is the oldest with the strongest reputation and proven track record among economic citizenship programs.
Both nations offer powerful Caribbean passports, but they have distinct advantages: St Kitts provides more visa free access, with 154 destinations compared to Grenada’s 148, whereas Grenada grants eligibility for the US E-2 Visa.
Grenada is significantly more family-friendly. Though both programs allow spouses, children, and parents to get citizenship, Grenada allows dependent children up to age 29, regardless of student status, compared to St Kitts’ cap of 25 for full-time students. Siblings and grandparents can also be added to applications in Grenada—dependents not eligible under the St Kitts program.
Regarding social dynamics, St Kitts tends to attract affluent individuals, including yacht owners and seasoned investors, drawn to the luxury environment and absence of personal income taxes. In contrast, Grenada appeals to those prioritizing educational benefits, upheld by its broader dependent eligibility and respected institutions like St George’s University.
Which one to pick?
Both St Kitts and Grenada’s and Caribbean citizenship by investment programs are appealing. As two of the five Caribbean citizenship programs, they share many similarities, such as a quick application process, affordability, no-stay requirements, flexible application requirements, and a very attractive tax regime.
Comparing the processes and rights of Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship, both programs require applicants to undergo a Caribbean citizenship interview, and both countries accept dual citizenship. However, the programs differ on several crucial points.
Visa free countries
St Kitts and Nevis passport ranks 45th on the Global Passport Index and gives St Kitts and Nevis passport holders visa free access to 154 countries, including the UK, European Union countries, Russia, Taiwan, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.
The Grenada passport ranks in the 71st position, with 148 visa free destinations, including the Schengen Area, the UK, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Grenada passport holders can access China without a visa. Grenada is the only Caribbean country offering citizenship by investment that provides eligibility for a US E-2 Visa. The Grenada E-2 Visa permits you to enter and work in the US, provided you’ve invested substantial capital in a US business.
Family inclusion
Concerning Grenada and St Kitts citizenship by investment for families, both accept spouses and children, with Grenada’s age limit of 30 years old and St Kitts and Nevis’s age limit of 30. Both Caribbean programs allow parents and grandparents over 55 to obtain a Caribbean passport by investment. Grenada also accepts siblings over 18 (as long as they are unmarried and have no children).
Citizenship cost
The Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship cost leans to Grenada as the cheapest program. Grenada’s minimum investment for a single applicant or a family of up to four is $235,000 versus St Kitts’ requirement of $250,000. St Kitts and Nevis has a minimum real estate investment of $325,000 versus $270,000 in Grenada.
While St Kitts and Nevis has a higher minimum investment threshold than Grenada, it has lower application fees. The government fees for Grenada’s cheapest investment for single applicants amount to $13,500 versus $10,600 in St Kitts. For a principal applicant and up to three family members, the government fees amount to at least $27,400 in St Kitts versus $35,500 in Grenada.
Investment options
Grenada offers two investment routes, and St Kitts and Nevis offers four. Both offer donations to a state fund (the National Transformation Fund for Grenada and the Sustainable Island State Contribution for St Kitts) and real estate investment. St Kitts and Nevis also offer the option to donate to an approved public benefit project through the Public Benefit Option (PBO) and purchase a private home.
Grenada real estate investment opportunities vs St Kitts for citizenship leans to Grenada, with 33 available real estate projects to invest in versus 29 in St Kitts and Nevis.
Citizenship processing times
Grenada second citizenship now has a slower average processing time of six months compared to four to six months to obtain a St Kitts citizenship. Both Caribbean CBI programs’ dual citizenship application process is entirely remote, including the mandatory interview requirement.
Restricted nationalities
Nationals of seven countries are prohibited from obtaining Grenada citizenship by investment, and nationals of six countries are prohibited from obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment.
St Kitts and Nevis: Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan, Russia, and Belarus
Grenada: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, and Yemen
Residency requirement
Neither St Kitts and Nevis nor Grenada requires applicants to reside in the country to start the citizenship process. Successful applicants are also not required to reside in the country to maintain citizenship status after it’s granted.
Comparison of Taxes in Grenada vs St Kitts and Nevis
Though both Caribbean nations are tax-friendly, the key difference between the taxes of St Kitts vs Grenada citizenship is St Kitts and Nevis does not impose an income tax, whereas Grenada tax residents are liable to pay personal income tax on foreign income.
In terms of corporate taxation, St Kitts remains more favorable, with a 25 percent corporate tax rate versus 28 percent in Grenada.
| Tax | St Kitts | Grenada |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Income Tax | 0 percent | 0 to 30 percent |
| Corporate Income Tax | 25 percent | 28 percent |
| Social Security Contributions | 11 percent | 12.5 percent |
| Wealth, Inheritance, Capital Gains Tax | No tax | No tax |
Grenada vs St Kitts Passport Passport Power and Global Mobility
St Kitts holds a slight advantage in terms of visa free travel, offering access to 154 countries compared to Grenada’s 148. Ranking 45th on the Global Passport Index, St Kitts’s passport is also more powerful than the Grenada passport, which ranks 71st. Both provide access to key hubs, including the UK, EU Schengen countries, Russia, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.
Grenada presents a strategic advantage as its passport also allows visa free entry to China. Furthermore, through its eligibility for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Program, Grenada passport holders live and operate a business in the United States.
| Country | St Kitts Passport Visa Free Countries | Grenada Passport Visa Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| EU Schengen Countries | Visa free | Visa free |
| China | Visa required | Visa free |
| Russia | Visa free | Visa free |
| United Kingdom | Visa free | Visa free |
| South Africa | Visa required | Visa required |
| Taiwan | Visa free | Visa required |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa free | Visa free |
Why use Global Citizen Solutions?
Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family. So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship
- Global approach by local experts: We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
- 100 percent approval rate: We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
- Independent service and full transparency: We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
- An all-encompassing solution: A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
- Confidential service and secure data management: All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
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