Anyone who has been paying attention to global mobility lately will have noticed a shift: More and more wealthy Americans, families, and retirees are heading south of the border for Plan B residence and citizenship.
Rising demand for Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) among US citizens, along with a fresh wave of friendly Latin American Residency by Investment (RBI) programs, is dimming the once-bright European dream, redirecting wealth and mobility south instead of east.
But is it only down to convenience and economic citizenship? We’ll lay out the trends and motivations behind the “Plan B exodus.”
The South’s Increasing Pull on American Wealth and Mobility Ambitions
Recent market intelligence and migration reports show material interest from Americans in Caribbean and Latin American mobility options. The Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report, produced by Global Citizen Solutions, underscored the Caribbean’s unrivaled leadership in citizenship by investment, as Caribbean programs claimed the top five spots in the CBI Index.
Although Latin American countries have yet to make their mark on the RBI side of the report, emerging programs are reeling in European options. Argentina’s program is set to offer a fast-track path to citizenship, while Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa is in demand due to its low price point and tax breaks. This is a far cry from Europe, where several nations have phased out Golden Visas, narrowed investment routes, and imposed stricter tax regulations.
What a “Plan B Exodus” Looks Like: Motives and Mechanics
Global Citizen Solutions’ view of a Plan B exodus is a purposeful and broad-based re-evaluation of priorities concerning residence, assets, and personal goals. Common motivations for Americans include:
Mobility and travel freedom: Post-pandemic realities made it clear how fragile global access can be. Second passports obtained through Caribbean Citizenship by Investment open visa free travel and even regional freedom of movement.
Financial pressures: The median US property tax bill rose by about 2.8 percent from 2023 to 2024. At the same time, the Governor of Maryland proposed a 6.25 percent increase in state income taxes for high earners in his 2025 budget plan.
Americans are feeling governmental pressures, alongside inflation, and Caribbean and Latin American countries offering investment migration present favorable tax rates. Successful applicants of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program who transfer their tax residency to the country do not pay income tax, capital gains, inheritance, or wealth taxes. Panama’s territorial tax system allows Qualified Investor Visa holders to benefit from zero income taxes on foreign earnings.
Political uncertainty: From shifting regulations to a polarizing political environment, many Americans feel an increasing lack of predictability at home. A second passport or residence provides political insulation, opening up the option to relocate or operate from a more neutral base.
Quality of life: Beyond politics, Americans crave a simpler, healthier, and slower-paced life. The Caribbean and Latin America offer warm climates, strong community cultures, and a lower cost of living — without sacrificing access to modern infrastructure or safety.
Long-term security and family planning: American families acquire a Plan B passport not only for immediate benefits but also for their descendants to secure access to education, healthcare, and a safe haven.
Why the Caribbean Remains the “Gold Standard” for CBI
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment set the bar for economic citizenship programs.
St Kitts and Nevis was the first sovereign nation to offer citizenship by investment, now backed by decades of operation and known for its speedy processing and thorough background checks. Joe Rice, Head of Citizenship Programs at Global Citizen Solutions, shared that the popularity of St Kitts and Nevis’s CBI program also stems from it being the first of its kind.
Caribbean passports deliver the best cost-to-power ratio. Although Austria offers a powerful passport that no Caribbean passport can compete with on the Global Passport Index, its multimillion-dollar price tag and limited accessibility make it less desirable. With donation and real estate options starting at $200,000, Caribbean passports are valuable for anyone aiming to access destinations such as the Schengen Area, the UK, China, Russia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Beyond lower entry points, taxes are a significant consideration for Americans looking abroad. Europe has become less attractive, as Italy plans to raise its flat tax regime from €200,000 to €300,000, and Portugal is withdrawing its NHR regime. All Caribbean CBI countries offer measurable tax relief, with no inheritance, capital gains, or wealth tax; St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda go further with the added advantage of zero income taxes.
The Caribbean is easily the top choice for family CBI applications. Of course, most programs let applicants include their spouse, children, and even parents. Options like Grenada and St Lucia Citizenship by Investment allow grandparents and siblings to qualify as well, a benefit unique to the Caribbean.
Through the St Kitts and Nevis Public Benefit Option, a main applicant and any three eligible dependents can secure citizenship with a single $250,000 contribution. Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda’s University of the West Indies Fund option stands as the most family-friendly route for investors applying with large families.
Smart adjustments to strengthen program integrity
Although the ability to complete the citizenship process without residency is one of the Caribbean’s most appealing factors when comparing Caribbean versus European citizenship, regulatory improvements have enabled the region’s programs to withstand the test of time. Joe Rice gave a heads-up about a possible change in the eligibility criteria.
“The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis has introduced a new bill that would introduce a 30-day physical presence requirement for all new CBI applicants.”
He went on to say that the proposal was part of a broader legislative initiative across all five Caribbean programs. This could add new layers to an otherwise fairly relaxed process, but it signals the region’s willingness to evolve in light of international scrutiny, thereby preserving the credibility of its programs.
Latin America’s Place in the Shift from East to South
Latin America has traditionally been less associated with fast paths to citizenship, but its residency by investment options have become far more attractive for US investors for several reasons:
- Investment migration options: Countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Paraguay offer residency by investment, with affordable and clear investment thresholds and family inclusions. Their programs often grant permanent residency, leading to citizenship in three to five years. Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa is an example that offers Americans an EU-like base without the associated costs. Brazil’s Viper Investor Visa allows foreigners to obtain permanent residency by buying property worth just $130,000.
- Lower cost of living: According to Numbeo, Panama’s cost of living is over 63 percent lower than that of the United States, making it one of the region’s top retirement destinations for Americans. Other countries offering residency by investment, such as Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia, also have growing expat communities due to their low cost of living.
- Strategic relocation and business opportunities: American firms are eyeing Latin America for business opportunities and establishing regional hubs; residency provides entrepreneurs with a base for regional operations.
- Regulatory stability: As Spain ended its Golden Visa program in April 2025 and Malta is in discussions to phase out its citizenship by investment program, Latin America offers pragmatic alternatives for American families still deciding or considering residency or citizenship abroad in the future.
The numbers and signals: How much has the needle actually moved?
Published investment migration indexes show movement trends. The Global Retirement Index for 2025, presented by Global Citizen Solutions, revealed that Europe remains the leading destination for retirees abroad, but Latin America’s momentum is undeniable, with two countries sitting in the index’s top ten retirement destinations.
Americans led a spike in Grenada Citizenship by Investment approvals, according to data from the second quarter of 2025. US nationals made up 12 percent of the 402 newly approved citizens — a sharp jump from just one percent in the first quarter.
Joe Rice weighed in on Grenada’s appeal, adding, “Grenada offers a unique combination of Caribbean lifestyle, economic security, and visa free access for Americans looking to diversify residency and citizenship options; it’s becoming an increasingly attractive choice.”
According to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Unit, Americans have averaged a seven percent share of applications since the CBI program’s introduction in 2013. However, that number topped ten percent in 2023 and 2024 and is projected to increase in 2025.
While the Caribbean continues to see record interest, Greece’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum reported a 47% decline in Golden Visa applications from January to July 2025 compared to the same period last year.
An Outlook for Southbound Investors
Evidence from current trends shows that more US investors are turning to the Caribbean and Latin America for citizenship and residency.
The Caribbean continues to be perceived as the gold standard for family-friendly citizenship programs, while Latin America is rapidly becoming a go-to option for residency by investment thanks to lifestyle, cost, and business opportunities. Together, they mark a clear southern pivot in how Americans pursue mobility, asset security, and new lives abroad.