Whether you’re looking to retire in the Caribbean, own a second home in paradise, start a profitable business, or simply own a second passport without the commitment of living in the Caribbean, look no further. Five island nations, namely St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis all offer citizenship by investment with lucrative incentives to investors looking to diversify their assets and protect their wealth.
While the programmes are relatively similar in terms of costs, benefits and application processes, there are differences including timeline to acquiring a passport, best value for your money, visa-free travel, and investor requirements.
Dominica – cheapest investment for an individual
If you are seeking global mobility for yourself and your family, tax exemption and a beautiful place to live or retire, the Dominica passport is sure a fantastic asset to have. The country offers the cheapest and easiest way to obtain a second citizenship. For a minimum investment of just US$ 175,000 investment in the Economic Diversification Fund, you can get yourself and your immediate family, second passports in under 4 months. You do not need to live in Dominica to obtain the passport. The Dominica passport ranks 37th in the world because it offers exciting visa free travel to more than 130 countries, including the Schengen area in Europe.
The mountainous island is famous for its natural hot springs and beautiful tropical rainforests. Its magnificent scenery and weather have positioned it as a tourism hot-spot and home to foreigners and investors eyeing its citizenship.
St. Lucia – a myriad of investments
St. Lucia is a tropical eastern Caribbean island boasting a high earning population, impressive safety records, as well as swabs of stunning landscapes to soak in. The country is endowed with many beautiful scenery, including the towering twin volcanic peaks of the Pitons, crescent-shaped beaches, reefs, waterfalls, lush mountains, cruise ship port, Marigot Bay and excellent hotels in the capital.
The St. Lucia citizenship by investment programme is one of the most competitive ones purely in terms of the breadth of investment options available. The application is also smooth and straight forward with the entire process of citizenship rounded up in just 4 months. The current minimum investments for donation to the National Economic Fund are set at US$ 100,000 for a single applicant, US$ 165,000 for a couple, and US$ 190,000 for a family of four. For real estate, the minimum is set at US$ 300,000 for the main applicant. With a St. Lucia passport you can get visa free travel to 146 global destinations including the Schengen Area in Europe. Furthermore, living in St. Lucia is also very affordable.
Grenada – a route to the USA
Grenada is endowed with unmatched scenery which attract tourists from all corners of the world. It is also called the “Island of Spice” because of the abundance of spices that are grown on the island.
Aside from being a beautiful destination, Grenada citizenship by investment may be the most valuable in the Caribbean region because of its easy residency visa opportunity. Grenada is the only Caribbean citizenship by investment programme which holds an E-2 Visa Treaty with the USA. What this means is, if you hold a Grenadian passport, you can apply for a US non-immigrant visa and take this opportunity to relocate your family to the USA. The Grenada investment programme provides second citizenship in Grenada and a passport to investors offering visa free travel to over 153 countries including the UK and EU Schengen Area. Applicants need to invest either US$ 150,000 as a donation or US$ 350,000 in a government approved real estate project, and maintain the property investment in Grenada for at least one year. When applying for this programme, children and parents as well as unmarried siblings, can be included under one application.
St. Kitts & Nevis – the fastest path to a second passport
St. Kitts and Nevis is a dual-island nation that is bequeathed with beautiful nature, ranging from the sandy beaches of Majors Bay, the numerous volcanic mountains stretching at its interior, and the the marine life, among others.
The government of St. Kitts & Nevis has a long running citizenship by investment programme attracting foreigners who make a substantial contribution to the development of the country. With its passport ranking 26th in the world, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis requires an investment of either a minimum donation of US$ 150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund or an investment of US$ 200,000 in real estate. Once the financial contribution is made, the investor and his or her family are granted nationality and issued internationally reputable passports giving their bearers freedom of international mobility with visa free access to 156 countries. All this in just 2 months.
Antigua and Barbuda – most cost-effective for a family
Antigua and Barbuda is blessed with some of the most enrapturing beaches and surrounded by crystal clear blue waters. You get to cool off the heat in azure waters or perhaps lie in sublime white sands and watch the cloudless sky. The scenery is breathtaking and the pace of life can easily be described as relaxed. It is an ideal location for retirement while trying numerous aquatic sports including sail boating and scuba diving. The cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is typically 20% cheaper than north American and European countries.
This Caribbean nation has one of the most robust citizenship by investment programs. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment grants a second passport to investors who qualify. It is by far the cheapest option for a family of four. The application process has three alternatives applicants can choose from. This includes depositing a minimum of US$ 100,000 into the country’s National Development Fund in addition to investing in a local business or buying real estate.
Benefits of Caribbean Citizenship
Obtaining a second citizenship in any one of these five Caribbean countries, is touted as an essential component in wealth preservation and provides numerous benefits:
- Citizenship is valid for life
- No residency requirement or travel during application process
- Visa-free travel to around 150 countries
- No tax on worldwide income
- Attractive investment opportunities
Choosing the Right Citizenship Programme
Depending on your personal needs, requirements, and family situation we can assist you and your family with your citizenship needs and provide guidance on the jurisdiction of choice. Our team will work with you to understand your objectives and to provide you with a holistic view of your specific requirements and guide you through the process of obtaining your second citizenship.
For further information on citizenship by investment in the Caribbean, feel free to contact us.
