What is Caribbean Citizenship by Investment?

The Caribbean islands, and idyllic chain of islands also known as the West Indies, have long been known a top tourist destinations. Today, some of these islands attract not only tourists from all over the world coming to enjoy the beaches, weather and relaxed lifestyle, but also investors who care about their future and want to prepare a ‘Plan B’ in an uncertain world.

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment is not, however, about selling passports. The Caribbean Passport is the document that facilitates crossing borders or opening bank accounts - but Citizenship goes much deeper, creating “membership” of an exclusive Group that lasts not just for your lifetime, but can be passed on to future generations. The possibility to obtain Caribbean citizenship and Caribbean passport attracts investors all over the world. 

Why Getting Caribbean Citizenship by Investment?

We firmly believe that your citizenship and residence should be a matter of choice, not an accident of birth. Making sure you have the right citizenships and residencies is one of the smartest decisions you will ever make for yourself and your family.

Caribbean citizenship by investment provides numerous benefits, such as: 

• No taxation on international income in nations like St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda. Caribbean countries have an advantageous taxation system. 

• Little to no residency requirement: you don’t have to relocate.

• Attractive investment opportunities in the bustling tourism sector.

• Turquoise blue waters offering an idyllic lifestyle under the sun. 

• Visa-free travel to around 150 destinations allowing you to travel freely around the globe.

• What other benefits can Caribbean citizenship bring to you and what will you receive as a Caribbean passport holder?

• Freedom. You will feel the additional freedom with a second citizenship and multiple passports.

• Variety of investment options. Choose investment options that will suit you the most in order to qualify for Caribbean Citizenship by Investment.

• A second passport. A passport is a document that will help you to avoid many travel restrictions, that are mainly driven by political considerations.

• Real estate ownership. This is a stable asset that you can leave to future generations and use to create a solid connection with your new country. 

• Possibility to withdraw your money after some period of time. As a real estate owner, you will be able to resell your property after a fixed minimum holding period.

• Multiple nationality. Benefit from the best privileges of all countries when you have more than one citizenship and passport.

• US visa. After receiving Grenada citizenship by investment, you’ll be able to get US E2 visa. Other Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment opportunities also allow you to apply for a US multiple entry tourist visa.

• Minimal tax burden and opportunity to get tax benefits.

• Strong statutory asset protection via trusts.

With all the information online about benefits of having Caribbean citizenship by investment, investors often find themselves mislead by myths. So, let’s have a look at some misconceptions about Caribbean citizenship by investment programs that have nothing to do with reality.

1. Investors can apply for the citizenship by investment program by themselves.

This is not true. You can’t send your application directly to Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) by yourself. This process can be done only with a properly licensed and regulated immigration consultancy. 

However, this is best for the new citizen and investor, as licensed companies conduct internal due diligence checks for the applicants and their families to help to prepare all necessary documentation, and also conduct due diligence checks on real estate developers. Plus, safe in the knowledge that your immigration consultant that has already processed thousands of citizenship by investment applications, you will feel yourself in good hands more confident and you will be able to obtain your Caribbean passport remotely. 

2. Caribbean countries are in the offshore black list.

False. St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Lucia do care a lot about their business reputation: that is why only qualified investors can become a proud new Caribbean citizen in these countries. 

These countries attractive to the investors due to flexible minimal taxation and advantageous taxation system overall, and business environment. There are many different “blacklists” around the world – but the most significant ones are those of the OECD and the European Union. The Caribbean citizenship-by-investment countries do not appear on the OECD or EU blacklists.

3. You need to live in the Caribbean country in order to get Caribbean citizenship.

This is one of the most popular concerns. This myth probably appeared as people mix Caribbean citizenship by naturalization and Caribbean citizenship by investment. In the first example, you do have to live in the country for some period of time in order to get Caribbean citizenship.

 As for the citizenship by investment, you will find no minimum residence requirements.

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison

“I need the best Citizenship by Investment Program” and “What’s the TOP Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program” are frequently asked questions, but perhaps not phrased quite right. First of all, your future citizenship has to fulfill all your needs, right? And every family is different.  “What is the best Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program for me?”  might be a more appropriate question.

Do you want to obtain in the future US E-2 visa? Or do you plan to visit China visa-free as often as possible? Do you want your children to have the best educational advantages afforded to British Commonwealth citizens? Or maybe you have other wishes?

That is why for every client, we suggest the most suitable Caribbean citizenship by investment program – but the answers might be different.

Caribbean Passport Ranking

Often when choosing a particular Caribbean citizenship by investment program, investors will stumble upon a Passport Ranking.

Passport Index is a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom enjoyed by holders of that country's ordinary passport for its citizens. The list provides a ranking for 199 passports of the world according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free. 

This, of course, is not always a decisive factor for choosing a particular country for Caribbean citizenship, but for the feeling of freedom of movement, the number of visa-free countries is important.

So, as you can see a Caribbean passport is a pretty strong travel document. These countries are cactively signing new visa-free agreements with other countries to get higher positions. And we can confidently say that they are the best Caribbean passports by investment.

But what is the strongest passport in the world? This year, two countries share the winner's podium: Japan and Singapore with 192 visa-free destinations.

How to Obtain Caribbean Citizenship by Investment

The Caribbean is a region that includes a group of many island nations. It is difficult to overestimate the advantages of Caribbean citizenship by investment programs - in a short time and with relatively small investments, you and your family members will receive a second passport that opens the borders of the whole world… you will gain an “Plan B” in case of unforeseen circumstances… and you will be able to optimize taxes for yourself by being firmly in control of your residence and citizenship.

So, what are the benefits of Caribbean citizenship by investment programs and Caribbean passport benefits?

Availability. Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia require an affordable investment from new citizens. With a reasonable investment, you and your family can become Caribbean citizens and passport holders in a matter of just a few months.

We can’t say that these countries are the easiest countries to obtain citizenship, but they offer one of the most effective and easy application processes. St. Kitts and Nevis, for example, allow applicants to receive citizenship even faster via the Accelerated Application Process. 

Opportunity to choose an investment option. Caribbean countries offer several investment options:

The donation to an NGO fund for economic development. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to acquire Caribbean citizenship by investment. All money received through the fund is used for the development of infrastructure, medicine, tourism infrastructure and so on.

Investments in state-approved real estate projects. This option is quite popular with investors, as they have the opportunity to sell real estate after a while and recover the money.

Alternative investment options. It is currently possible to invest in a business in Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia or make a donation to the University of the West Indies Educational Fund in Antigua and Barbuda, or invest in Middle Income Housing or even a new private prison via the St Kitts and Nevis Alternative Investment Option.

Freedom to travel the world. Caribbean countries are actively signing visa-free travel agreements with various countries. With the citizenship of one of these Caribbean countries, you can freely travel to the European Union, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and get a business visa or visa on arrival to many other countries.

Passports for the whole family. When applying for citizenship by investment, an investor can easily add family members to the application.

Confidentiality. The entire process of applying and processing applications for Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs is strictly confidential and is guaranteed to be completely secure. And you can be sure that information about your second passport will not go beyond the borders of the country of which you have become a citizen.

Plan B. A Caribbean passport is not only a handy document for free travel around the world, but also the right to live in a modern and safe tourist paradise with incredibly beautiful ocean beaches in the event of black swan events like an epidemic, or political or economic unrest at home.

Imagine that the day when you decide to opt for the Citizenship by Investment program has come. What you should do and what steps have to be taken in order to obtain the coveted passport and citizenship?

First, you need to contact a licensed agent, since countries do not directly accept applications from investors. A licensed agent is a firm that has been accredited, regulated and licensed to provide services.

Once you have submitted your application to the agent, that company begins its own due diligence process on you, the applicant. This is important to minimize the risk of refusal to obtain citizenship by investment, since after the refusal it will be almost impossible to obtain citizenship of another country through the program. If, for example, there are false positives such as someone with the same name as you who is blacklisted on international databases, this initial due diligence gives you a chance to address the problem before the final citizenship application is submitted.

The next step is to prepare all necessary documents for participation in the program. The investor and the agent prepare all the necessary papers, in order to send them for verification to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to help you to obtain your citizenship and the related Caribbean passport by investment.

As soon as the government receives the documents, the formal due diligence of the investor and additional people in the application (such as family members or sponsors) begins. Each country conducts the verification at its own pace, but this may take a month or two, or even longer. Timescales for due diligence also depend on how many countries you have lived or done business in, and how many citizenships you already hold. Also, CIU might send additional requests to which the agent responds – consulting with you if necessary.

Passed due diligence? Now is the time to make your investments in the country.

Each of these steps of application process can be completed at a calm but professional pace if you have a professional agent with you who knows the procedure for obtaining citizenship by investment and has gone through all the stages more than once.

Become a proud bearer of Caribbean passport by investment and get dual citizenship!

Wondering how to obtain Caribbean Citizenship as fast as possible? A Caribbean Citizenship by Investment program will help you with this! In order to become a Caribbean citizen under this program, you have to wait around 3-6 months (could be more, or less, depending on the program). 

If you’re looking for the fastest way – take a closer look at St. Kitts and Nevis’ citizenship by investment program: with its Accelerated Application Process, you can get Saint Kitts and Nevis passport and citizenship in as little as 60 days!

There is also an option to become a citizen under the Citizenship by naturalization option, but in this case you’ll have to reside in the country and citizenship process will take years.

A Caribbean passport opens huge opportunities for the passport holder. One of these advantages of course is visa free travel. 

How to travel with a Caribbean passport during a pandemic?

A Caribbean passport is one of the best if we’re talking about travelling around the world. Depending on which of the Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs you choose, a passport holder has access to around 140 countries visa-free, plus many other countries where obtaining a visa is quite easy. These countries are small, neutral countries known for their friendly people, so they are welcome anywhere – without any of the political or religious controversy that you might experience travelling on the passport of a bigger nation. 

As for pandemics, Caribbean passport definitely makes life easier. There are situations when you need to enter a country ASAP, but due to some restrictions it is impossible to get visa to this country. In this case, a Caribbean passport could help you.  

In some countries, you can become a member of a Trusted Traveler Program. Under this program you will be able to get a unique membership card, which can act as a means of photo I.D. for entry by port authorities.

All in all, a passport opens world with unlimited opportunities that you can discover!

Cost of Caribbean Citizenship by Investment

Investors around the world speak highly of investment opportunities in the Caribbean as a Caribbean passport is such a powerful tool. When it comes to return on investment, receiving lifetime citizenship that you can pass on to future generations is surely the best ROI you can get! An Investor can therefore open a world of opportunities and prepare a robust Plan B. 

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs are the most affordable in the world and open incredible opportunities to passport holders. What bout the cost? Caribbean “passport price” varies on the number of applicants and Caribbean country that you choose as a second homeland.

In addition to investment contribution, you can expect some additional costs, such as processing fees, due diligence fees, legal and escrow fees etc. 

As for the due diligence fee, it depends on the country. For the investor St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and Dominica require US$7,500 and for the Grenada this amount will be US$5,000. As for the due diligence fee for spouse, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica require US$4,000, St. Lucia and Grenada US$5,000 and Antigua and Barbuda US$7,500. 

So, how much do you need to invest to get a Caribbean citizenship?

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St. Lucia from US$100,00 for single investor *the cheapest Caribbean citizenship by investment and Caribbean passport). St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada from US$150,000 for single investor. 

How to Invest in Caribbean Real Estate for Citizenship

The Property Investment cannot be sold for a minimum holding period depending on the country (3-7 years). Authorised real estate developments ensure that ownership is a hassle-free experience. Tourism is the future driving force behind the islands’ economy and the governments are keen to maintain quality in the sector.

Buying real estate in the Caribbean may well be a good decision for the investor and Caribbean real estate prices varies depending on the country. Contact us to see what investment route will suit you the most!

 Benefits to investor to make real estate investments:

• Simple process 

• Tangible asset - can be resold in future

• Potential Return on Investment - Rental 

• Physical substance and connection to the country

• Can lead to Tax Residence 

• Potential Return on Investment - Resale

Benefits to country: 

• Short term jobs - Construction 

• Long term jobs created - Operation 

• Country Infrastructure built

• Multiplier effect

Negatives: 

•  More upfront costs 

There is contractual real estate documentation added in this route. Sometimes you may need to pay extra transfer taxes or stamp duties. In some cases developers may pay these for you as an incentive.

As for the real estate options, investors will be surprised by the number of real estate options that they can buy in order to obtain Caribbean citizenship by investment. 

Depending on your goals and needs, you choose a country to buy real estate. For those who are planning to live in Europe, a Caribbean passport is not designed for them as it does not provide any European residency rights. In that case, you could look at one of our European residence bí investment programs instead.

Is Caribbean real estate a good option?

Caribbean real estate investment is a good choice for those investors who want not only citizenship by investment, but also to create a stronger connection with the future home country. We believe that in the future, this physical connection will become more and more politically and socially important, if not essential. Also, owning a Caribbean property may bring benefits to the investor, as they can resell it and return money. Not to mention the obvious lifestyle benefits: jet-setters from actors and celebrities to businesspeople and royalty have long loved the Caribbean as a place to relax and enjoy a private, luxurious lifestyle.

What is the average real estate investment return?

If you are planning to resell your property after mandatory holding period, you should know that your return depends on the price you will sell your real estate. Bear in mind that the main return on investment is the actual citizenship. 

Please, contact us to get more information about calculations based on your personal circumstances.

 Let’s now take a look at every country that offers Citizenship by Investment program. 

Benefits of St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment:

• A St. Kitts & Nevis passport allows visa-free travel to more than 155+ countries, including all European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Caribbean, and Commonwealth nations. Citizens can often acquire long-term, multiple entry travel visas to the United States of America.

• The island federation imposes no residency requirements and no income, wealth, or inheritance taxes.

• There is no obligation to visit St. Kitts & Nevis in order to qualify for citizenship, although it is encouraged. 

• All applicants are subject to a strict background check. This keeps the reputation of the program high. It is branded as the “Platinum Standard” Citizenship by Investment program.

• Siblings can be also added.

• The granting of citizenship is at the sole discretion of the government; there is no guarantee that the applicant will be approved.

An investor has several investment options under St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program:  

The Sustainable Growth Fund allows future citizens to be part of the St. Kitts and Nevis success and development story. This investment channel enables both you, and your newly adopted nation, to thrive. 

The SGF will channel resources to priority areas like education, health, climate change and resilience, infrastructure, tourism and culture, and the promotion of indigenous entrepreneurship, to the benefit of all citizens, including you.

Tourism is the main fuel for the Federation's economy. In a move to increase tourism-related development, the Citizenship by Investment programme allows for real estate purchase in approved developments. 

Real Estate Investment Option has been divided into: 

The minimum real estate investment required by law is US$ 200,000 (resalable after 7 years) or US$ 400,000 (resalable after 5 years) for each main applicant.

Once citizenship has been accepted, the real estate purchase will be completed. The property may not be sold within the five or seven year holding period. Afterwards, it can be resold, and the new buyer can also qualify for Citizenship by Investment. This benefit is intended to help maintain a liquid market and maintain prices.

Major real estate developments in St Kitts and Nevis cater to those applying under the Citizenship by Investment programme and make every effort to ensure ownership is a hassle-free experience.

And one more option: home purchase. The Cabinet has approved the sale of private homes under the citizenship by investment program. This refers to any home, villa etc available on the open market, without it needing to be an Approved Development under the Citizenship by Investment program.

 You can buy any house with an appraised value of more than US$ 400,000.

• The property shall be owned by certificate of title, by the vendor.

• The value of the land shall not be included in determining the value of the home.

• A single-family home shall be sold as one unit and shall not be converted to apartments or condominiums or otherwise divided for sale under the Citizenship by Investment program.

• An apartment building or more than one apartment buildings on the same piece of island shall be sold as one unit and shall not be divided.

• The use of shares is prohibited.

 The offer is valid until November 1, 2022

The Alternative Investment Option (AIO) is the third and newest form of investment under the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme. It was launched in late 2021. The aim of the AIO is to channel foreign investment from the citizenship programme into qualifying infrastructure and social projects. 

Projects approved under the AIO are essentially co-investment projects between government, local business-people and foreign investors. The Government’s aim is to ensure that AIO approved projects will not only maximize local employment and bring new funds into the country’s economy, but also result in transfer of technology and capacity building.

Those participating in AIO projects can be proud that their investments are directly supporting concrete, sustainable and vetted projects that make a real difference to the people of St Kitts and Nevis. They are building long term infrastructure, and improving resilience of the islands’ economies.

Additionally, this option is arguably the most flexible of the three, allowing for sophisticated investors to find creative solutions to development goals.

Benefits of Dominica Citizenship by Investment:

• A Dominica passport allows visa-free travel to more than 145+ countries, including the United Kingdom, Caribbean, and many Commonwealth nations.

• The island imposes no residency requirements and no income, wealth, or inheritance taxes.

• There is currently no mandatory interview requirement for the Dominican Citizenship by Investment Programme. However, an interview may be required at the discretion of the government.

• The programme recognises dependent children up to 30 years old, and dependent parents from 55 years old.

• The biological or legally adopted siblings of the main applicant or of his/her spouse who are aged 0 to 25, and are single, childless, and financially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.

• The granting of citizenship is at the sole discretion of the government; there is no guarantee that the applicant will be approved.

An investor has several investment options under Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program:

To qualify for citizenship under this investment option, there are five categories with different contribution amounts, based on the number of dependents included in the application, as follows: 

Dominica’s citizenship by Investment programme also allows for real estate purchase in approved developments. 

To qualify, the investor (or investors) must enter into a contract to purchase real estate worth US$ 200,000 or more. 

OVERVIEW OF THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

• Antigua and Barbuda's citizenship by investment program has a very simple premise; the government grants applicants with a clean criminal record citizenship in exchange for an investment that bolsters the country's economy.

  The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program has four different investment options:

  • A non-refundable donation to the government's National Development Fund (NDF) with a minimum investment starting at US$ 100,000

  • A real estate investment with a minimum investment starting at US$ 200,000

  • A non-refundable donation to the University Of West Indies Fund (UWI) with a minimum investment starting at US$ 150,000

  • A business establishment investment option starting at US$ 1,500,000

  It is worth noting that a government fee applies and will vary depending on the investment option; more on this below.

  The wide array of investment options makes Antigua and Barbuda's citizenship by investment program suitable for all types of investors and family compositions looking for enhanced visa free travel.

  The requirements of the program are also very straightforward, as to qualify, an investor must:

  • Be over 18 years of age

  • Have a clean criminal record

  • Make a qualifying investment

  • Submit a full citizenship application

  • Make a personal visit to Antigua and Barbuda for a minimum number of five days in the five years following obtaining citizenship in order to renew the passport

  The process is equally simple, as it is done remotely through a certified citizenship by investment agent such as NTL Trust, and the steps are:

  1. An investor must decide on who will be joining them in the application.

  2. NTL Trust conducts a cost analysis and provides the investor with the best investment option for their case, and the investor must confirm their choice of investment type.

  3. Documents are collected, and the application forms are filled out and sent to Antigua and Barbuda.

  4. Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) then conducts due diligence on the main applicant and any adult dependents in the application.

  5. Approval in principle is granted, and the investor must then complete their investment.

  6. Passports and certificates of citizenship are issued and sent to NTL Trust for delivery to the investor and their family members.

  Applicants can then use the Antigua and Barbuda passport for visa free travel to various locations across the globe, allowing them to become true global citizens.

THE BENEFITS OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA'S CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program offers investors a a wide array of benefits to gain from their investment. Some of the most popular benefits to mention are:

• Enhanced global mobility - The Antigua and Barbuda passport is a very powerful one, granting its holder visa free access to 150+ destinations worldwide, including the UK, EU, Singapore, and many more.

• Tax breaks - Antigua and Barbuda does not levy personal income tax on worldwide income generated abroad, nor does it impose wealth, capital gains, or inheritance taxes. It provides investors with a route to structure their financials to pay taxes at a minimum.

• Adding family members - The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program allows the principal applicant to include a wide array of financially dependent family members such as their spouse, as well as their or their spouse's financially dependent children below thirty years and parents and grandparents above 55 years of age. They can also add the principal applicant's dependent, unmarried siblings.

• Plan for future growth - The principal applicant can obtain citizenship for their future spouse or children of the applicant and the future spouse through the initial application.

• A robust contingency plan - Having a second citizenship is the best way to hedge against political and economic turmoil in one's home country. As a second citizenship offers them and their families another home in case the worst was to happen.

• Greater business opportunities - Antigua and Barbuda's business-positive environment is great for those who want to expand their business on a global scale, and its proximity and close economic ties to the US are another boosts for its local businesses.

• Enhanced wealth management solutions - Antigua and Barbuda has formidable financial services and banking sectors that allow its citizens to employ advanced wealth management solutions such as offshore banking and offshore trust formation.

• A simple, remote process - The entire process of gaining a lifetime citizenship by investment can be done remotely without the need to have maintained permanent residence or even travel to Antigua and Barbuda to become a citizen. Even the Antigua and Barbuda passport and citizenship certificates are delivered by mail to successful applicants and their family members through the program's certified agents.

• Interesting investment opportunities - The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program is open to investors obtaining citizenship by investing in real estate projects such as actual property or shares in five-star resorts, which can be highly interesting investment options that could yield profit.

• A quick turnaround time - The entire process to obtain an Antiguan passport takes about 3-6 months on average, making it one of the fastest ways of gaining citizenship by investment in the world.

• A specialized route for large families - Antigua and Barbuda's UWI is an investment pathway under the Antigua citizenship by investment program designed for large families of six people or more, as it offers a significant cost reduction for large families and can prove highly economical.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

The Antigua & Barbuda citizenship by investment program has four different investment categories for investors to choose from.

Each of these categories comes with its own set of investment requirements as well as its own set of government fees. However, due diligence fees and passport issuances fees are constant no matter which investment option an investor chooses, and they are as follows:

Government fees, however, may differ depending on the investment option, along with the requirements of each investment.

I. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (NDF)

The first investment option available for investors comes in the form of a non-refundable government donation to the NDF. This is a straightforward investment option, as the applicant will just pay the amount directly to the NDF's account and the entire process is done.

The investor will not recoup the amount, however, priced at US$100,000 for a family of up to four people, the NDF donation option remains a very affordable route for investors.

The more dependent members an investor adds after the fourth the higher the investment amount will become. A family of five or more will require an investment amount of US$125,000.

The processing fee for a family of four is set at US$30,000, and any dependent after the fourth will incur an additional US$15,000 in processing fees.

The table below highlights how much a single applicant, a family of four, or a family larger than four people would cost.

The NDF option is excellent for investors and smaller families who want to keep the cost low without having to consider any holding periods or exit strategies.

II. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Antigua and Barbuda has three options in terms of real estate purchase investments, either complete a purchase of real estate valued at US$ 400,000 or co-owning half of it for US$ 200,000.

The third option is singly owning a property valued at US$ 200,000, which is the most common option applicants are applying under.

Real estate investments can take the form of actual property or shares in five-star resorts. These preferred shares give ownership and rights to dividends from the resort operations in one of the world's most touristic countries in the world. These shares, however, do not grant investors administrative rights, but are more like silent partners

It is important to note that investors must hold on to their real estate investment for five years; however, they can profit from their investment during the holding period, either from earning rental income if it is actual property, or by acquiring dividends if it is a share in an elite resort on the islands.

Real estate investments do not change depending on the family composition, as the investment of US$ 200,000 remains constant. However, processing fees are added to the application, and as more family members are added to an application, the processing fees will increase accordingly.

The cost for real estate investment, including the processing fees, is as follows:

Real estate investment is an excellent option for investors who want to recoup the majority of what they pay for their citizenship while also aiming to make a profit with their investment.

III. UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES FUND (UWI)

The UWI fund was created for larger families, as the discounted processing fees make it a great option for families with a large number of dependents.

The UWI fund investment option is a donation akin to that of the NDF, as investors make a non-refundable contribution to the UWI and do not recoup any of the investment amount.

The investment amount is set at US$ 150,000 for a family of six and remains constant, no matter how many family members are added. This makes it one of the most affordable options for larger families, and makes the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program one of the most economical for families with a large composition.

The UWI requires a processing fee of US$ 30,000 for a family of six, while each applicant after the sixth member will incur an additional US$ 15,000. This is shown in detail in the table below.

The UWI is excellent for larger families that want to pay the lowest possible cost while not having to consider an exit strategy or liquifying their investment.

IV. BUSINESS INVESTMENT

The last option available to investors is the business investment option, which requires applicants to invest US$1,500,000 in an approved business in Antigua and Barbuda.

However, there are two business investment options, as two applicants can apply together if they make a joint investment of US$5,000,000, on the condition that the lowest amount one of the investors makes is no less than US$400,000 and that the total meets the required US$ 5,000,000 threshold.

The government also requires investors to pay US$ 30,000 in processing fees for a family of four, and an additional US$ 15,000 for any additional family member after the fourth, as shown below.

The business investment option is excellent for those who are looking to expand their business into the Western Hemisphere. 

Benefits of St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment

• A St. Lucia passport allows visa-free travel to more than 145+ countries, including the UK, EU, and Hong Kong.

• Favourable tax environment: no taxation on worldwide income. No capital gains, estate or inheritance tax.

• There is no requirement to visit St. Lucia in order to qualify for citizenship, although all applicants are subject to a strict background check.

• The CIP offers a variety of investment opportunities, including being the only Caribbean Citizenship by Investment program with a government sovereign bond option.

• Parents over 55, as well as dependant children and parents with disabilities can be included in the application.

• Any unmarried siblings of the Main Applicant, below 18 years of age who has received the consent their parent or guardian to make an application for citizenship by investment can also be included in the application.

• The granting of citizenship is at the sole discretion of the government; there is no guarantee that the applicant will be approved.

An investor has several investment options under St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program:

The St. Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) was established in 2015 under Section 33 of the Citizenship by Investment Act to receive donations under the Citizenship by Investment Program. Monies received into the NEF will be allocated for specific projects to help the national development agenda of St. Lucia.

Listed below are the investment requirements to qualify for citizenship. 

Once approved for citizenship, the government of St. Lucia will allow applicants to invest into qualifying real estate. St Lucia is a luxury tourism paradise with high-end branded hotels, resorts, and exclusive boutique properties. The applicant is required to execute a binding purchase and sales agreement of an approved project in order to qualify for citizenship.

In 2013, the independent island nation of Grenada re-launched their Citizenship by Investment Programme.

Minimum investment amount in order to get Grenada Citizenship by Investment is US$150,000, 

Benefits of Grenada Citizenship by Investment

• A Grenada passport allows visa-free travel to more than 140+ countries.

• Grenada offers no income, wealth, or inheritance taxes.

• There is no requirement to visit Grenada in order to qualify for citizenship through real estate investment, although all applicants are subject to a strict background check.

• Large Family Friendly Programme.

• E2 US Visa opportunity: Grenada is the only Caribbean Citizenship by Investment program that has signed an E2 visa treaty with the USA. E2 is an attractive and less costly route to starting a business in the USA.

• The granting of citizenship is at the sole discretion of the government; there is no guarantee that the applicant will be approved.

• Grenada is the only Caribbean country with visa free access to China.

An investor has several investment options under Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program:

In order to qualify for this program, the applicant makes a donation to the government-controlled National Transformation Fund (NTF). This option allows one to complete the process in two stages: the permanent residence stage and the citizenship application stage. However, you can also apply directly for citizenship only, which is the option most investors choose.

NTF DONATION AMOUNTS

The minimum investment is US$150,000 for a single applicant and US$200,000 for a family of 4 (four). Additional fees apply per family member.

To qualify, the applicant must invest in approved real estate with a minimum value of US$220,000.

The process of obtaining Grenada Citizenship by Investment usually takes 90 days. The applicant must enter into a sales and purchase agreement with an approved real estate project and transfer full investment and associated fees to an Escrow account controlled by an on island attorney. Once it is done, the authorized agent submits applications and required documents to the Government and receives the Approval and the Certificate of Naturalization. With these documents on hand, the authorized agent submits a request for passport.

Citizenship by Investment is not about selling passports, but rather offers a path to sustainable development and a win-win situation for the country and for foreign investors seeking a new passport. The Passport is the document that facilitates crossing borders or opening bank accounts, but Citizenship goes much deeper, creating a “membership” of an exclusive ‘club’ – a benefit that lasts not just for your lifetime, but can be passed on to future generations. The minimum cash outlay starts at a couple hundred thousand dollars, but there is no upper limit to the amount you can invest if you are buying into luxury property. At their core, the CBI programs are about transforming these developing nations into highly sought after tourism destinations.

Monies raised from Citizenship by Investment are directed into programs that benefit the local populations and build a base for economic stability and resilience via skills and technology transfer. They create both long - and short - term jobs developing industries that are crucial for the survival of these small nations. Implementation of social projects within schools, hospitals, agriculture, healthcare, and renewable energy create a much-needed infrastructure.

Take for example the acquisition of authorised real estate: construction jobs are immediately created, management and service-related employment follow, then lodging, which increases the tax base and positively impacts tourism.

Creating a successful vacation destination is very difficult.

In order to attract resort developers, the destination must show the ability to maintain high occupancy, which requires ample airlift. Conversely, the airlines require stiff guarantees that the planes will be full, which depends on the existence of multiple resorts, vacation homes, restaurants, and other underpinnings that can cost billions to develop. Thus, citizenship by investment programmes can be the lifeblood of a remote island, allowing these countries to break out of this dilemma: building the required tourism backbone, which then attracts the airlines while simultaneously providing revenue.

The citizenship by investment programmes are key elements to the success of these Island nations and economic success of their individual citizens.

The Caribbean islands are a slice of paradise offering a wonderful climate and ecology; a safe haven to reside and work; own and operate a business; and invest. The people are friendly, and they traditionally show great hospitality towards newcomers. 

The Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs are a fair way to combine the good with the great – obtain greater individual freedom and security while supporting a chosen country. 

Contact us to get more information about Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs and choose your best program today!