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Caribbean Citizenship by Investment in 2025

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Citizenship-by-Investment programs in the Caribbean, also known as golden passports, are particularly relevant in 2025. These programs provide access to visa-free travel and international banking instruments, as well as a reliable alternative in case of political or economic instability. Countries such as Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada offer programs that allow individuals to apply for second citizenship within 4–12 months through investment in real estate, government funds, or approved commercial projects. These programs are popular among investors from around the world due to their simplicity, lack of residency requirements, and complete remote registration process.

Caribbean Countries with Citizenship by Investment Programs

Caribbean citizenship provides ample opportunities for visa-free travel to more than 140 countries, tax optimization and access to international financial infrastructure, while registration is carried out remotely without the requirement of residence. These programs are considered by investors as an effective tool for diversifying personal and corporate risk.

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda
Nancy Pauwels / shutterstock


The Golden Passport of Antigua and Barbuda
 is one of the most accessible options for family applications. With an investment of 230,000 dollars or more in the National Development Fund, investors can include their partners and relatives in their application for citizenship. The application process takes up to six months to review, and the visa-free travel regime covers more than 140 countries, including the European Union, the British Isles, and Singapore.

Tax benefits

Antigua does not levy taxes on inheritance, gift, dividends and capital gains in other countries. Corporate tax exists, but it can be optimized with the right structure. The country is suitable for tax residence due to the absence of taxation of foreign sources of income.

Accommodation requirements

After obtaining citizenship, it is required to spend at least 5 days in the country during the first 5 years, otherwise the passport will not be renewed. This condition is formal, but it must be fulfilled.

Dominica

Dominica
fivetonine / shutterstock


Dominica supports one of the most stable and low-cost programs on the market. The minimum contribution to the State Fund starts from 200,000 dollars per applicant. The procedure is completely remote, the registration period is 3-5 months. The Dominica Passport provides access to over 140 countries and is suitable for individual investors focused on confidentiality and flexibility.

Tax benefits

Dominica also exempts new citizens from taxes on global income, profits, inheritance and donations. Local taxes apply only to income earned in the country.

Accommodation requirements

Missing. The applicant does not need to visit the country either before or after obtaining a passport. The process is completely remote, and passport renewal does not require attendance.

Grenada

Grenada
Kevin Ruck / shutterstock

Among all Caribbean programs, Grenada’s citizenship stands out as a unique opportunity to obtain an E-2 visa to the United States (on a separate application), which makes it particularly in demand. The applicant is offered two investment options: either a non-refundable contribution to the state fund of 235,000 dollars or the purchase of real estate in the amount of 300,000 dollars. An additional advantage is visa—free access to China, which is rare for passports in the region.

Tax benefits

Grenada has a transparent tax system and allows for the creation of international companies with tax advantages. Citizens of the country may not pay taxes on income in other countries, as well as when transferring inheritance or as a gift.

Accommodation requirements

It is not necessary to stay on the island before or after obtaining citizenship. The investor may never visit the country and, nevertheless, retain the status.

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis
Robert Harding Video / shutterstock

Operating since 1984, the Saint Kitts and Nevis program is considered the longest-running of all citizenship-by-investment initiatives. In 2025, the minimum contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund is set at 250,000 dollars, reflecting stricter requirements. Obtaining a passport takes from 4 months to six months. The program is based on the British legal model and is characterized by a high level of institutional trust.

Tax benefits

There are no taxes on global income, capital gains, inheritance, gift and dividends. For tax purposes, citizens can apply for the status of a tax resident under certain conditions.

Accommodation requirements

Complete absence of stay requirements. You can obtain citizenship remotely and use your passport without having to physically stay in the country.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia
Nancy Pauwels / shutterstock


The Saint Lucia program
 provides for both individual and family applications, while offering flexible terms of participation. The minimum contribution to the National Economic Fund is 240,000 dollars. One of the key differences is the ability to invest in government bonds, an option available exclusively under this program. Citizens of Saint Lucia can travel without a visa to more than 146 countries around the world.

Tax benefits

Local taxes apply only to income generated by Saint Lucia itself.

Accommodation requirements

There is no need to visit or live on the island before, during or after obtaining citizenship. The entire process is carried out remotely through a licensed agent.

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison

Country

Minimum Contribution

Alternative: Real Estate

Processing Time

Visa-Free Access

Features

Antigua and Barbuda

$230,000 (NDF fund)

From $300,000

From 6 months

140+ countries (Schengen, UK, Singapore)

Suitable for families, low fees for additional family members

Dominica

$200,000 (EDF fund)

From $300,000

From 5 months

140+ countries (Schengen, UK)

Most stable and affordable program for a single applicant

Grenada

$235,000 (NTF fund)

From $300,000

From 6 months

145+ countries (incl. China, Schengen, UK)

Only country in the region with access to the US E-2 visa

St. Kitts & Nevis

$250,000 (SGF fund)

From $325,000

From 6 months

150+ countries (Schengen, UK, Singapore)

World’s oldest program, high reputation and reliability

St. Lucia

$240,000 (NEF fund)

From $300,000

From 5 months

145+ countries (Schengen, UK)

Only country offering investment in government bonds option

All five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs in 2025 provide the opportunity to obtain a second passport within a period of three to six months. These programs also offer visa-free entry to over 140 countries, minimal taxation, and, in most cases, no residency requirements.

The main distinction between these programs lies in the investment structure and additional benefits. For instance, only Grenada offers access to an E-2 visa for the United States, while Antigua and Barbuda require a minimum physical presence (5 days in 5 years), while other countries do not impose such a requirement.

It is important to note that the advertised investment amounts include mandatory government fees and legal support services.

Caribbean Citizenship Benefits

  • Quick registration.
  • Obtaining citizenship takes only 3-6 months, and the whole process takes place remotely, without the need for personal presence.
  • Visa-free entry.
  • Caribbean citizenship allows you to travel freely in the EU, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.
  • Low tax burden.
  • An optimized taxation system that allows you to avoid paying taxes on income in other countries, inheritance transfer and capital gains.
  • There are no accommodation requirements.
  • With the exception of Antigua and Barbuda (5 days in 5 years), other jurisdictions do not require physical presence before or after obtaining citizenship.
  • Family reunion.
  • All programs allow you to include the closest relatives in the ascending and descending line, and in some cases, brothers and sisters in the application.
  • Confidentiality.
  • Obtaining citizenship takes place without notifying the country of the original citizenship, while dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Access to international infrastructure.
  • With a second passport, you can open accounts and register companies in any country in the world without additional bureaucracy.
  • Flexibility in conditions of instability.
  • Citizenship serves as a «plan B» in case of political, economic or social risks in the country of residence.
  • Investment options to choose from.
  • The opportunity to choose between a non-refundable contribution, the purchase of real estate or an investment in government bonds (in Saint Lucia).
  • A reasonable entry threshold.
  • The cost of citizenship starting at $200,000 makes the programs accessible to wealthy foreigners.

How to Get Caribbean Passport

Foreigners can obtain a passport from one of the five Caribbean countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia) through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program.

Caribbean Passport Requirements

  • Age from 18 years.
  • No criminal record or visa refusals to countries with visa-free travel (for example, the United Kingdom).
  • Confirmation of the legal origin of funds.
  • Passing a security check (financial, legal, reputational). For this purpose, international databases are used (Interpol, World-Check, OFAC, EU sanctions lists, etc.).
  • It is necessary not to suffer from serious infectious diseases or mental disorders.

Caribbean Passport Cost

Country

Fund (1 applicant)

Real Estate

Other Expenses (approx., 1 applicant)

Antigua and Barbuda

From $230,000

From $300,000

$25,000—$35,000

Dominica

From $200,000

From $300,000

$20,000—$30,000

Grenada

From $235,000

From $300,000

$30,000—$45,000

St. Kitts & Nevis

From $250,000

From $325,000

$40,000—$55,000

St. Lucia

From $240,000

From $300,000 / bonds from $300,000

$25,000—$40,000

Applying for the Caribbean Passport

The main stages:

  1. Choosing a country and an investment option. Investment options: irrevocable contribution to the state fund (from 100,000 dollars), purchase of real estate (from 200,000 dollars), government bonds (only in Saint Lucia, from 300,000 dollars), combined options (for family applications and large investors).
  2. Selection of a licensed agent. Self—submission is not possible — the investor must apply through an officially accredited intermediary registered in the selected country.
  3. Preparation and submission of documents. The agent collects the full package of documents for the investor. The documents are then submitted to the immigration service of the selected country.
  4. Conducting a Due Diligence check. The CBI Department checks each applicant against international databases, sanctions lists, credit history, travel history, and source of funds.
  5. Approval and investment. If the application is approved, a notification of approval (Approval in Principle) is sent. The investor deposits funds into the state fund or completes a real estate transaction within 30–90 days.
  6. Obtaining citizenship and passport. After confirmation of receipt of funds, a Certificate of Naturalization is issued. The passport is issued and sent by courier.

Caribbean Passport Online

The entire process of obtaining Caribbean citizenship, from consultation to passport issuance, can be completed online. Foreigners do not need to visit the country either at the application stage or after receiving it. Communication, document signing, verification, and payment are all carried out remotely through a licensed agent.

Caribbean Passport: Visa-Free Countries and Ranking

Country

Henley Ranking 2025

Visa-Free / e-Visa / On-Arrival Access

St. Kitts & Nevis

24th place

155 countries

Antigua and Barbuda

26th place

152 countries

St. Lucia

~29th—30th place

146 countries

Grenada

31st place

147 countries

Dominica

32nd place

143 countries

Caribbean Second Passport

All countries offering Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs officially allow dual citizenship. This means that the applicant does not need to renounce his current citizenship.

For foreigners, obtaining a Caribbean passport does not lead to the loss of their first citizenship. Moreover, the Caribbean authorities do not share information about new citizens with third countries. The passport can be used in parallel with another national passport.

FAQ

Do you need a passport to go to the Caribbean?

Yes, most travellers need a valid passport to enter Caribbean countries.

What Caribbean islands don’t require a passport?

U.S. citizens can visit the following Caribbean islands without a passport:

— Puerto Rico (including the main island and Vieques);

— U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island.

Which Caribbean passport is the best?

The St. Kitts & Nevis passport is considered the best among Caribbean options due to its strong visa-free access and long-standing reputation.

Where can I travel in the Caribbean without a US passport?

You can travel visa-free to several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados.

Why is Caribbean citizenship so popular?

Caribbean citizenship is popular due to its affordable investment options, fast processing, and extensive visa-free travel access.

Which Caribbean country has the strongest passport?

St. Kitts and Nevis currently has the strongest Caribbean passport, offering visa-free access to over 150 countries.

Do US citizens need a passport to go to the Caribbean?

Yes, U.S. citizens do need a passport to visit most Caribbean countries, except they can travel passport-free to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands using just a government‑issued ID or a birth certificate.

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