How to get Caribbean citizenship by investment in real estate
Caribbean nations make good "Plan B" countries. They offer tax optimisation, convenient business opportunities, profitable real estate, comfortable life in a tropical climate, and more.
A minimum contribution of $100,000 can make investors and their families Caribbean nationals. If an investor chooses to purchase real estate, they can earn profit. Opportunities differ from island to island, — but all Caribbean citizenship programs conveniently have common features.
Explains how to invest in Caribbean real estate and get citizenship
What is Caribbean citizenship by investment?
Only five Caribbean countries offer citizenship by investment: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. Becoming a Caribbean citizen means obtaining a passport from one of these countries by contributing to the economy. The minimum investment sum is $100,000.
Caribbean citizenship programs are government-sanctioned and secure, with an excellent global reputation. Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia investment programs are ranked the best in the global Citizenship by Investment Index edition.
Benefits of a Caribbean passport
Travel mobility. Caribbean citizens can visit more than 140 countries visa-free. This includes the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Citizens of Grenada and Dominica can also enter China without visas.
Long-term US visas. Caribbean citizens can obtain a B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa in 2—3 weeks; the visa is issued for 10 years. Grenada citizens can get an E‑2 investor visa and open a company in America.
International banking access. Caribbean citizens can open accounts in European and Commonwealth banks with more ease. Foreigners are usually asked to submit more documents to open a bank account, and only some Caribbean banks work with non-residents.
Tax optimisation. For Caribbean citizens, there are no inheritance or capital gain taxes.
Taxation depends from state to state, but the systems are generally favourable. A few examples: St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda have no income tax. Individuals won’t pay property transfer taxes in Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Global education opportunities. All Caribbean states with citizenship programs are British Commonwealth of Nations members. Caribbean students can obtain grants and other benefits for studying in the Commonwealth countries, including the UK.
Keeping the first passport. Dual citizenship is permitted in the Caribbean states with investment programs. This means that Caribbean nationals that have citizenship of another country, or countries, don’t have to give it up.
“Plan B”. Citizens can move to the Caribbean any time, even if the borders are closed.
All Caribbean countries that offer citizenship by investment are island states. They are surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and are the definition of a tropical paradise.
Dominica is one of the quietest Caribbean countries to live in. It’s ¾ rainforests and nature reserves, and the rest is colourful and cosy towns
Requirements for Caribbean citizenship by investment program applicants
When applying for Caribbean citizenship, there are no condition differences for European Union and non-European Union citizens.
The investor is considered the primary applicant. The requirements for them include the following:
age over 18 years;
no criminal record;
legal income;
funds for the investment conditions fulfilment;
good health.
Family members. The investor can include their family in the application: their spouse, parents, and children under 18, as well as disabled children of any age.
Different Caribbean states have different rules for that. For example, in Antigua and Barbuda, non-disabled adult children must be no older than 28. The investor’s parents must be at least 55 in Dominica and 58 in Antigua and Barbuda.
The investor’s siblings can’t be included in Dominica, and the investor’s grandparents can’t be included in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Everyone but the spouse, children younger than 18, or disabled children of any age must be financially dependent on the investor.
Benefits of real estate options in the Caribbean citizenship program
There are two to five investment options across all Caribbean citizenship programs. The real estate option is presented in all of them.
Available real estate includes government-approved projects; depending on the country, it can be villas, tourist accommodations, hotels, resorts, and even yacht marinas.
Investors buy shares or obtain full ownership. Average real estate prices vary from $5,000 to $8,000 per 1 ㎡, depending on the Caribbean country.
Profitability. Investors can earn money on the purchased property. Residential and commercial investment property in the Caribbean can be rented out and operated for profit. Annual yield is usually 3—5%.
Convenience. Management companies handle most investment properties. Thus, investors don’t have to search for tenants and look after real estate while earning passive income.
Liquidity. Investors can resell their property in 5—7 years and return the investment.
Affordability. The minimum investment requirement in Caribbean real estate starts at $200,000. Investors who want to become Caribbean citizens are exempt from additional expenses: for example, they don’t have to buy an Alien Land Holding License.
With Caribbean real estate investment, the minimum amount doesn’t depend on the number of applicants. However, the state fee will be different for single applicants and applicants with families.
Real estate expenses in the Caribbean by country
Country
Minimum real estate investment
State fee for a single applicant
State fee for a family of 4: spouses with two underage children
$200,000
$30,000
$30,000
$200,000
$25,000
$35,000
$400,000
$35,050
$75,200
$200,000
$30,000
$55,000
$220,000
$50,000
$50,000
Some Caribbean states impose restrictions on property types for investors. For example, in Antigua and Barbuda, a property can only participate in a citizenship program twice, and Dominica doesn’t allow buying land plots to construct custom houses or marinas.
Such nuances, as well as the legality of a property that an investor wants to purchase, can be confirmed by a licensed real estate agent.
Investment real estate for sale in the Caribbean
274 m² — 407 m²
3 
3 
Other investment options in the Caribbean
The state fund contribution is a non-refundable investment option. The minimum investment is $100,000 in Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Lucia, and $150,000 in Grenada and $250,000 in St Kitts and Nevis.
The University of the West Indies Fund contribution is a non-refundable option available in Antigua and Barbuda. Only families of six or more can choose this option. The minimum investment is $150,000.
Government bonds purchase is a refundable investment option available in St Lucia. The minimum investment is $300,000.
Business investment is a refundable option available in St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda. The minimum investment starts at $1,000,000 in St Lucia and $400,000 in Antigua and Barbuda.
Individual cost calculation of the Caribbean passport
How to obtain Caribbean citizenship by investment in real estate
Four steps lead to Caribbean citizenship by investment. The whole process usually takes 2 to 6 months.
Contacting a licensed program agent
The agent runs the preliminary Due Diligence checks with the investor and other applicants and helps prepare the documents. This can be done remotely. You can’t apply for a Caribbean citizenship program directly.
The agent runs the preliminary Due Diligence checks with the investor and other applicants and helps prepare the documents. This can be done remotely. You can’t apply for a Caribbean citizenship program directly.
Passing Due Diligence
The lawyers of Immigrant Invest submit the documents to the Citizenship by Investment Unit of the chosen Caribbean country. The unit studies the documents and runs its own Due Diligence check.
The lawyers of Immigrant Invest submit the documents to the Citizenship by Investment Unit of the chosen Caribbean country. The unit studies the documents and runs its own Due Diligence check.
Choosing a real estate property in the Caribbean and fulfilling the investment condition
The investor chooses a government-approved property in the Caribbean, enters into a preliminary agreement and buys the property when their citizenship application is greenlit.
This, too, can be done remotely with the assistance of the Immigrant Invest real estate team.
The investor chooses a government-approved property in the Caribbean, enters into a preliminary agreement and buys the property when their citizenship application is greenlit.
This, too, can be done remotely with the assistance of the Immigrant Invest real estate team.
Getting a Caribbean passport
In 2—6 months, after investment conditions are fulfilled, the country issues passports for the investor and other applicants.
In 2—6 months, after investment conditions are fulfilled, the country issues passports for the investor and other applicants.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean.
Practical Guide
Download the guide of comparison of the Caribbean and Vanuatu programs
Frequently Asked Questions
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