5 Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs to Consider

What would it feel like to be “stateless?" Steven Spielberg’s “The Terminal” has an answer.

Victor Navorski (played by Tom Hanks), a citizen of Krakhozia (a fictional Eastern European country), became “stateless” because a coup d'état back home compelled the United States to withhold its recognition of Krakhozia. The hapless Victor, suddenly a citizen of a “non-existent” state, was trapped in John F. Kennedy International Airport, unable to get out or fly back.

Now, if only Victor had a second passport obtained through one of the citizenship by investment or CBI programs in the Caribbean. That would have solved his predicament.

What’s Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship by investment programs are a citizenship pathway. It is essentially what its name says it is: You can become a citizen by investing.

Every state that offers a CBI pathway has different approaches and provides distinct investment options. All of them, however, offer a citizenship through a real estate investment alternative. This is very different from traditional real estate investments, such as buying Dubai rental properties, for example. When you receive citizenship through your investment, it’s a big commitment.

Real estate investing for citizenship application purposes entails buying a house, a condominium unit, a share in a project, or some other property type or real-estate-based asset in the country of your choice. The property in question must be part of a government-accredited or authorized development. Furthermore, you need to meet the minimum required investment amount and meet other purchase (and retention) terms.

Once your purchase has been approved and finalized, you can use that in your CBI application. The great thing about the citizenship by real estate investment route is that, aside from citizenship, you get property you can rent out, lease out, stay in and, later (at least three or five years later), sell for (likely tax-free) capital gains.

Why Apply for Caribbean CBI Programs?

The Caribbean offers some of the best citizenship by investment options. Countries that have CBI programs include Antigua & Barbuda and St. Lucia.

Caribbean CBI programs offer excellent residence flexibility. They do not restrict their investor-citizens’ freedom to live and go where they want. They typically do not have residency requirements, and if they do, the terms are lenient. For instance, Antigua & Barbuda requires a residency of at least five days, but you have your first five years of citizenship to comply. In Grenada, you can complete the entire process, from application to passport collection, remotely, and there are no residency requirements at all.

Caribbean passports are also quite powerful, allowing their bearers to travel visa-free to many countries. If you like the jetsetter lifestyle and spend most of your time traveling the world, a St. Kitts & Nevis passport will give you visa-free access to more than 150 countries.

Finally, if the hypothetical (but, again, possible) scenario experienced by Victor Navorski happens to you, your Caribbean passport will open doors for you. You won’t get trapped in an airport because you will always have a backup passport in case your home country’s passport becomes unusable.

How Much Do You Need to Invest?

Here are the minimum investment amounts required in some Caribbean countries’ CBI programs:

1. Antigua & Barbuda

In Antigua & Barbuda, you can donate to the government, donate to the University of West Indies, buy property, or invest in business.

Government donation: Donate at least $230,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF).
University donation: Donate at least $300,000 to the University of West Indies.
Real estate purchase: Invest at least $300,000 in accredited real estate.
Business investment: Invest in an existing business or start your own; requires at least $400,000 in investment.

2. Dominica

Dominica’s CBI program requires a government donation or real estate purchase.

Government donation: Donate at least $200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
Real estate purchase: Invest at least $200,000 in a government-authorized real estate project.

3. Grenada

In Grenada, the CBI routes are government donation and real estate investment.

Government donation: Donate at least $235,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF).
Real estate project investment: Invest at least $270,000 for a share in a government-approved real estate project.
Real estate purchase: Purchase property valued at least $350,000.

4. St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts & Nevis’ CBI options include government donations and real estate investment.

Government donation: Donate at least $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).
Public benefit option: Donate at least $250,000 to an approved public benefit project.
Real estate development investment: Invest at least $325,000 in an approved real estate development or project.
Real estate purchase: Buy private property worth at least $600,000.

5. St. Lucia

St. Lucia has four CBI pathways, including real estate investment.

Government donation: Donate at least $240,000 to the National Economic Fund.
Government bond investment: Invest (and hold for at least five years) at least $300,000 in the non-interest-bearing National Action Government Bonds (NAB).
Real estate project investment: Invest at least $300,000 in approved high-end hotel, resort and boutique property projects.
Business investment: Invest at least $250,000 in an approved enterprise or project.

CBI: A Worthy Investment

If you’re looking for investment opportunities, consider buying real estate in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia. This will let you gain returns on your investment and apply for citizenship, too, so you can obtain a second passport. You can also gain citizenship through government contributions or business investment.

AUTHOR BIO
Jinky Elizan works as a content specialist for SEO Sherpa. She has 18 years of experience crafting long-form content on various topics, including real estate and citizenship by investment programs. She also develops WordPress websites in her spare time, enhancing her ability to optimize website copy for reader engagement and action.