Comparing the five Caribbean citizenship programmes in 2026
The Caribbean is the birthplace of citizenship by investment (CBI): the St Kitts & Nevis programme has operated since 1984, the oldest in the world. In 2024 the islands agreed to raise the minimum contribution to around USD 200.000 to strengthen credibility and due diligence. Below are the five active programmes, side by side:
- St Kitts & Nevis — programme in operation since 1984; current investment levels and due diligence requirements should be checked.
- Dominica — offers contribution and real estate routes; costs depend on the size of the application.
- Grenada — a rare advantage: it has an E-2 treaty with the United States (opening a route to a US business visa).
- Antigua & Barbuda — favourable terms for larger families; requires a short stay of a few days within the first 5 years.
- St Lucia — a newer programme with several flexible options (contribution, bonds, real estate).
Common features
- Processing times are estimates and depend on the application, due diligence and backlogs.
- Presence requirements vary by programme and may change.
- Cho phép multiple citizenship; Caribbean passports are visa-free for many Schengen countries and the UK.
- All apply due diligence that is strict on the source of funds — a decisive factor in long-term credibility.
Note: CBI costs and conditions change with policy from year to year. The figures above are for reference — always check the latest conditions with the programme authority or an authorised agent before making a decision.
Compare the strength of each Caribbean passport directly on the Passport Index, or see the global investment migration picture on the Opportunity Map. All figures in this article can be checked on these same tools.
Official sources
Last checked: 29 Aug 2026
