The Ultimate Guide To 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.

It is a Government-run program that awards foreign investors and their eligible family members who contribute to the economy through an approved investment channel with the country's passport and citizenship. 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. 

There are currently five countries that offer citizenship by investment in the Caribbean.

They are:

• Antigua & Barbuda

• Dominica

• Grenada

• St Kitts & Nevis

• St Lucia

The cost of acquiring a Caribbean citizenship and passport starts varies depending on the donation option or by purchasing real estate.

Having a second citizenship is the best way to safeguard your family and wealth against political and economic instability, while it also provides you with a global mobility solution that allows you to travel freely throughout the globe. 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.

• 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. 

• Access to global mobility.
  

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

• 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.

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 agent. 

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, you will be safe in the knowledge that your immigration consultant that has already processed thousands of citizenship by investment applications, and will be able to help you obtain your Caribbean passport remotely. 

This is one of the most popular concerns. This myth probably appeared as people mix Caribbean citizenship by naturalization and Caribbean citizenship by investment. Naturalization typically requires residents to live in the country for a set period of time to become eligible to apply for naturalization whereas as citizenship granted through an investment program typically have low or no physical presence requirements. 

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

“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.

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 actively 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, three countries share the winner's podium: Japan, France and Singapore with 194 visa-free destinations.

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 a “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.

Availability. Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. 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.

Opportunity to choose an investment option.

The donation to a 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, health, medicine, infrastructure and so on.

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

Alternative investment options. It is currently possible to invest in a business in Antigua & Barbuda and St. Lucia or make a donation to the University of the West Indies Educational Fund in Antigua & Barbuda.

Freedom to travel the world. Caribbean countries are actively signing bilateral travel agreements with various countries. With the citizenship of one of these Caribbean countries, you can freely travel to many destinations.

Passports for the whole family. When applying for citizenship by investment, an investor includes or adds (after approval) eligible family members to the application.

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 should you do, and what steps must be taken 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 CBI-related services.

NTL Trust is a licensed company that provides citizenship by investment services in a number of countries, including all five Caribbean jurisdictions that offer citizenship-by-investment. In order to apply for your Caribbean citizenship, you will of course have to fulfill all Caribbean passport requirements.

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. Mandatory interviews either in person or virtually, at the discretion of the CBI unit, have been introduced for a all of CBI programs. They assist the application process and give chance to clarify any potential questions both sides have.

The next step is to prepare all necessary documents for participation in the program. The investor and the agent prepare all the required documentation, 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.

Next steps after the pre-approval? Now is the time to make your investments in the country.

Once the investment clears, the CBI Unit will issue the certificate of citizenship. The agent will then process the passports at a different office.  While some programs still allow for agents to courier the passports to the successful applicants, St Kitts & Nevis requires applicants to pick up the certificate and passport in person either in St Kitts or at a Consulate. Other programs will likely follow suit soon. 

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! 

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

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.  

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

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 about the cost? You might ask it. Caribbean citizenship through investment varies on the number of applicants and the 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. 

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

Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica and St. Lucia from US$ 100,000 for single investor *the cheapest Caribbean citizenship by investment and Caribbean passport). St. Kitts & Nevis from US$ 250,000 and Grenada from US$ 150,000 for single investor. 

To qualify, the investor must generally enter into a contract with a CBI-approved developer to purchase approved real estate with a certain minimum value. The highest is currently St. Kitts & Nevis, where an investment of US$ 400,000 will qualify you for citizenship by investment. Once the purchase contract has been signed and the funds are in escrow, the investor may apply for citizenship (Note: only a small part of the full investment amount must be paid into escrow before approval; please contact NTL Trust for the exact details and payment schedule.) The real estate purchase contract is usually contingent upon approval of the citizenship application. Once citizenship has been granted, the real estate purchase transaction will be completed.

The Property Investment can be sold after a minimum holding period depending on the country (3-7 years). Authorized 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!

• Simple process

• Tangible asset - can be resold in future

• Physical substance and connection to the country

• Potential return on investment - resale

• Short term jobs - Construction 

• Long term jobs created - Operation 

• Country Infrastructure built

• Multiplier effect

• Tourism boost leads to higher GDP

• 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 by investment programs instead.

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.

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. 

The Caribbean nation, one of the smallest in the region, boasts a reputation and economy much bigger than its size.

A highly frequented tourist destination and cruise liner port, St. Kitts & Nevis is well known throughout the tourism realm. Its natural beauty, stunning topography, magnificent cuisine, serene shores, unique culture, and friendly population have made it one of the world's most interesting places to visit.

Alongside its growing tourism sector, St. Kitts & Nevis' economy is bolstered by its agriculture sector, focusing on spices and sugar production and export, as well as its impressive financial services and banking sector.

Nevis, in particular, is home to one of the world's most interesting wealth management services sectors, allowing high net worth individuals to perform crucial tax planning and to utilize asset protection tools such as offshore trusts and bank accounts to safeguard their hard earned money while also obtaining an invaluable standard of privacy. 

However, there is one more foundation for the Caribbean nation's economy, the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program. The St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program has become a major contributor to the nation's economy, bringing in unincumbered foreign investment to bolster the nation's economic sustainability, real estate development, and tourism sector.

The St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program is the oldest of its kind. Established in 1984 when the country changed the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship act, the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program was the only one of its kind for almost a decade, allowing St. Kitts & Nevis to carve a name for itself in the world of investment migration. 

Since then, the government of St. Kitts & Nevis, through its Citizenship by Investment Unit, have continued to improve and evolve its program to cater to global investors from every part of the globe. 

The premise of the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship program is simple, as applicants who meet the government set criteria can apply and acquire citizenship if they make an investment into one of the following options:

• A real estate purchase for no less than US$ 400,000

• Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) starting at US$ 250,000 for a single applicant 

• The Public Benefit Option (PBO) where the minimum investment per application is US$ 250,000 in an Approved Public Benefit Project.

Once the main applicant has chosen their preferred investment route, they will only have to meet a simple set of criteria to qualify for St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment, which are:

• Absence of criminal records

• Be above 18 years of age

• Make a qualified investment

• Submit a compliant application

• Be in good health and no contagious diseases 

• Have not previously had a visa denied with any country that St Kitts & Nevis holds a visa-free agreement with 

It is important to note that due to political and due diligence restrictions, nationals of the following countries are not eligible to apply for the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program, even if they meet the required criteria set out by the government:

• Iran

• Afghanistan

• North Korea

• Belarus

• Iraq

• Russia

The process is straight-forward, taking on average between six to nine months for an investor to obtain St. Kitts & Nevis' citizenship by investment.

Another important thing to note is that the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program does not require main applicants or their family members to meet residency requirements in St. Kitts & Nevis or even travel there on a personal visit to qualify for the program, and the process is done remotely through an authorized agent. St Kitts & Nevis now requires mandatory interviews for all applicants over 16 years of age either virtually or in-person, at the discretion of the CBI Unit. Successful applicants are now also required to pick up their certificate and passport either in person in St Kitts & Nevis or at a Consulate.  

The application process for obtaining a St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment is very simple and requires just a few steps to be completed. 

The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that the main applicant chooses a trustworthy authorized service provider to complete the citizenship and passport application process through, as any gaps of information or unreliable credentials can lead to massive delays or even the St. Kitts & Nevis government rejection the application outright, so of all the simple steps required under the program, choosing the right agent is the most important one. 

• Signing a contract with NTL Trust

• Deciding on which family members qualify for the program and who will be added to the main applicant's application

• NTL Trust will conduct a financial analysis to provide the best investment option, at which point the applicant must confirm their choice of investment.

• Collecting the required documentation and filling out the relevant application forms. The citizenship documents, along with the application, are then sent to St. Kitts & Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Unit. 

• St. Kitts & Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Unit will then conduct a due diligence process on the primary applicant and any adult family members (above 16 years of age) added to the application, and they will review all relevant application forms. 

• Once due diligence is complete, St. Kitts & Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Unit will send a letter of approval in principle to successful applicants, at which point the investor must make their investment to be granted citizenship.

• Once the investment is completed, St. Kitts & Nevis' government will issue passports and citizenship certificates to the applicant who needs to pick them up in person in St Kitts and Nevis or in the nearest consulate.

Once the main applicant and their family members obtain their St. Kitts & Nevis passport, they can use it immediately for travel purposes. Once the passport expires, they can renew it directly from an embassy or consulate that offers the service or through the agent they used to obtain the citizenship in the first place, and the entire process of renewal can also be done remotely.

The simplicity and brevity of the St. Kitts & Nevis program have made it a very popular option amongst the world's high net worth individuals, and its affordability has put it within reach of many people around the world that are seeking a second citizenship.

The sheer number of benefits the program offers for such an affordable price, along with the accelerated application process option, make St. Kitts & Nevis an excellent option for anyone looking for a second citizenship.

The St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program offers a wide array of perpetual benefits for investors and their families to take advantage of, and as the program has become a cornerstone of the country's economy, the St. Kitts & Nevis government continues to enhance the benefits of the program to entice more investors to apply, such as when they allowed the addition of dependent siblings to the application.

While the benefits gained from obtaining a St. Kitts & Nevis passport are too many to list and differ from one investor's needs and objectives to another's, there is a set of common benefits that everyone can take enjoy.

• The St. Kitts & Nevis passport is one of the most powerful worldwide as it currently ranks 21st overall.

• The St. Kitts & Nevis passport provides its holder stable and safe economic environment.

• The St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program offers investors the chance to obtain a robust second passport, as the St. Kitts & Nevis passport will excellently complement their original one and greatly boost their global mobility, making them true global citizens. 

• The St. Kitts & Nevis government also continuously strives to acquire greater political and economic stability for its passport by signing more bilateral treaties with countries all over the world, meaning that the passport can continue getting stronger as time goes by.

• The main applicant can add as many family members to their application as long as they are financially dependent on the main applicant or spouse, have the absence of criminal records, and meet the age criteria.

• A main applicant could potentially add their spouse, dependent children below 25 years of age, dependent parents and grandparents above 65 years of age, and dependent unmarried siblings to their application. 

• This flexibility allows investors to maximize the return on their investment by getting it for as many family members as possible.

• The twin island nation has a bustling financial services center and a global banking solution scene. This has led to various investors from throughout the globe setting up wealth management solutions in St. Kitts & Nevis.

• The larger island of St. Kitts & Nevis has various banks and a large number of private financial institutes that help investors conduct global financial activities. 

• In St. Kitts & Nevis, however, the banking scene is much more secluded and private, allowing investors to set up solutions such as offshore trusts and offshore bank accounts that can help them safeguard their wealth away from the eyes of creditors. 

• Offshore foundations and trusts, in particular, are a great option in St. Kitts & Nevis, as the government regulations ensure that they are safely tucked away from foreign court orders and that using them would require a lot of work and a fair amount of capital on behalf of creditors.

• St. Kitts & Nevis is considered by many as one of the world's most tax friendly nations. The country has a tax free worldwide income policy, and there are many exemptions on corporate income tax for businesses to take advantage of in order to maximize profits. 

• St. Kitts & Nevis does not impose capital gains, inheritance, or net worth tax on its citizens and residents, allowing those who obtain St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment to efficiently plan their tax obligations while offering them a legal corridor to maximize their tax burdens.

• St. Kitts & Nevis allows a main applicant who already got citizenship by investment to obtain it for future family members. 

• A main applicant who was single at the time of application can add their spouse once they get married. They will have to pay any required fees, but they will not need to make a completely new application with a new investment for their spouse to obtain citizenship. 

• In the case of real estate purchase option or the alternative investment options, they will only need to pay government, due diligence, and processing fees, as the investment itself remains constant no matter the family size. 

• In the case of a donation, they will need to add to the donation amount to match the new family composition, more on the intricacies of the investments below.

• One of the most intriguing aspects of St. Kitts & Nevis is its blanket acceptance of cryptocurrencies. The country is home to a large number of crypto investors, various shops that accept payment in cryptocurrency, and even a Bitcoin ATM.

• Bitcoin Founder Roger Ver even made St. Kitts & Nevis one of his homes, as he spends a large amount of his time on the island of St. Kitts & Nevis. This is a testament to how accepting of cryptocurrency the Caribbean country truly is. 

• Another important aspect for cryptocurrency investors, besides the ability to seamlessly trade cryptocurrency, is that the government does not impose taxes on profits from trading cryptocurrency. As there are no capital gains or worldwide income taxes, there is no mechanism for taxing cryptocurrency profits. 

• Banks in St. Kitts & Nevis have also started rolling out specialized services for cryptocurrency investors, quickly realizing the need for them within the growing crypto-community within the dual island nation.

• Renewing a St. Kitts & Nevis passport is a quick and simple process that can be done remotely through an embassy or consulate that offers the service. 

• Even if a country does not have a St. Kitts & Nevis embassy, another country's embassy may offer it through an agreement with St. Kitts & Nevis, or an applicant can do so through the agent that helped them get the passport in the first place. 

• The St. Kitts & Nevis passport also has a long validity compared to most passports around the world, as it has a validity of ten years before needing renewal. Applicants who travel a lot can also request a passport with extra pages to put off the renewal to match the lengthy timeline.

• One of the most appealing aspects of the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program is that it offers investors the chance to invest in extremely interesting real estate projects. 

• Through the real estate investment option, applicants can choose to invest in actual property or buy shares in massive luxury resorts on the island. They can rent out the property or gain a return through dividends, depending on their investment choice. 

• The real estate investment option opens the door for investors to make a profit from their investment while also getting a second citizenship. 

St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program offers main applicants three different investment options to choose from, these investments vary in pricing and structure, but their variety allows investors to choose the option that best suits them, their budget, and overall objectives.

However, there remain constants between the investment options, especially in terms of fees, as applicants will need to pay due diligence and processing fees no matter their choice of investment option as follows:

The first option is a non-refundable contribution to the government's Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). This is a one-time, non-refundable contribution that investors pay to get their citizenship and a second passport. 

Applicants will also need to pay the standard due diligence and processing fees associated with the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment program.

The table below highlights the St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship cost associated with the SISC investment option:

The Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) donation is an excellent option for investors who do not want to deal with a mandatory holding period, or for smaller families that want to minimize the total outlay as much as possible.

The real estate investments option allows investors to purchase actual property or shares in luxury resorts on St. Kitts & Nevis as long as their minimum investment is no less than US$ 400,000 and the property or share of choice is listed on the government's approved real estate project list. An investor must hold on to their investment for seven years before they can resell it.

Alternatively, an Approved Private Home can be also purchased under the Citizenship by Investment Programme, there are 2 options for that:

• Investing in a Condominium for a minimum of US$ 400,000

• Investing in a Single-Family Dwelling for a minimum of US$ 800,000

The minimum holding period is also 7 years at both options.

During that time period, they can rent out their property for income, or if they bought a share they can earn profits through annual dividends paid by the resort.

The investment amount for real estate remains constant no matter how many family members are included, and like the rest of the investment options, applicants must pay due diligence and processing fees. However, applicants choosing the real estate option must also pay government fees for each person within the citizenship application. 

The table below highlights the amounts required under the real estate investment option for a single applicant or a family of four (or more):

The real estate option is an excellent one for investors who wish to recoup the majority of their investment, or for those who wish to make a profit during the holding period. It is also good for larger families as the investment amount remains constant and it is only the associated fees that increase as more family members are added to the application.

The Alternative Investment Option (AIO) under the current CBI Programme is to be replaced by the newly introduced Public Benefit Option (PBO) where the minimum investment per application is US$ 250,000 in an Approved Public Benefit Project, payable to an Approved Public Benefactor from 1 January 2023. Only Approved Public Benefit Projects qualify for the PBO. Investors of such developments are required to apply to the Board of Governors of the CIU to be designated as Approved Public Benefactor, whereby they can apply to have their investments designated as Approved Public Benefit Projects.

A member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dominica plays an important role in the region's economic and political spheres.

The country, in which English is the official and predominant language, uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), a currency that is pegged to the USD, giving it greater economic stability compared to many of its other neighboring countries in the region. 

Dominica remains a popular tourist destination, and it is one of the main major cruise liner destination ports, making it a familiar nation among many tourists in the Western Hemisphere. However, most of Dominica's global fame can be attributed to its illustrious citizenship by investment program, which allows a foreign national to gain a Dominica passport by investing in the nation's economy through an approved investment corridor.

The Dominica citizenship by investment program has become so popular that it has generated massive amounts of unencumbered funds for the Dominican government treasury, allowing Dominica to pursue important infrastructural and socioeconomic projects for national development such as affordable housing, boosting the tourist section, and even begin construction on the country's first ever international airport, all of which is funded by citizenship by investment proceeds.

The airport will mark a significant milestone in Dominica's economic history, as it will become a hub in a region where international airports are rare and hard to come by, allowing Dominica to be the main landing and departure zone in the Eastern Caribbean region, giving it a massive boost to its economy and tourism sector, while also providing an influx of cash into the government's coffers. 

The Dominica citizenship by investment program has literally elevated the country's prospects, and investors who wish to take part in it can do so easily, as this guide will highlight.

Dominica launched its citizenship by investment program in 1993 after modifying its citizenship act, just nine years after St. Kitts & Nevis launched the first ever one of the citizenship program of that nature, making Dominica’s citizenship program one of the first citizenship programs in the world.

The Dominica citizenship by investment program's framework is very similar to that of St. Kitts & Nevis, and it is also similar to the other ones in the Caribbean that came after Dominica's, no surprise as they will have used the Dominica citizenship by investment program as an inspiration and a sort of roadmap to produce a formidable program of their own.

The Dominica citizenship by investment program has a very simple premise; investors who contribute to the country's economy through an approved investment route can obtain Dominica citizenship and a Dominica passport within a few months of application. 

Dominica has two official investment streams; a direct non-refundable contribution to the country's Economic Diversification Fund, or the acquisition of government approved real estate. 

Dominica allows dual citizenship, so an investor can apply for Dominica citizenship by investment to gain citizenship and become a full fledged Dominica dual citizenship holder.

This simplified route to gaining a second citizenship has attracted investors from every part of the globe, especially those with weak passports that have limited global travel ability, as the Dominica passport is a very powerful travel document, allowing its holder to conduct visa-free travel to a variety of highly desirable locations, eliminating the need for visa application and increasing one's visa-free access abilities. 

The requirements of the program are also very simple, however, to qualify, an investor must do so through a Dominican government approved and authorized agent to qualify for full citizenship, which Dominica has a wide array of inside and outside of the Caribbean country. The agent will help an applicant understand, invest, and apply for the program, but the first step is checking whether the prospective investor qualifies for the program in the first place. 

To qualify, applicants need to meet the criteria set out by the government for the Dominica citizenship by investment program, an applicant must:

• Be over 18 years of age.

• Absence of criminal records.

• Make a qualifying investment under one of the two approved categories.

• Be in good health with no contagious diseases 

• Has never been denied a visa to any country to which citizens of Dominica have visa-free travel 

• Submit a full citizenship application through one of the government's authorized international agents or a Dominican government approved local agent.

One important thing to note about the investment requirement is that investors make the investment after they are pre-approved, which lowers the risk of financial loss greatly. Applicants must show that they have the necessary funds to make the investment and that those funds are readily transferable to Dominica, but they won't have to make the investment until they receive a letter of application approval in principle. 

The qualification criteria are very simple, however there are some other criteria an applicant must meet to ensure their application does not get delayed or rejected. 

The first one is ensuring that they have no visa rejections from countries on Dominica's visa-free travel list. An applicant must ensure that they have no standing visa rejections from any country that is a visa-free destination for Dominica passport holders. If they do have a visa rejection from one of the countries that a Dominica passport has visa-free access to, they must then reapply for that visa and gain approval before applying to the Dominica citizenship by investment program. This rule is set in place to maintain good international relations with all the countries that the Dominica passport has visa-free access to. 

The second criterion is limited to two investor nationalities, Sudanis and North Koreans

If an applicant holds a Sudan or North Korean citizenship they can only qualify for the Dominica citizenship by investment program if:

• They have not lived in those countries for the past ten years

• They have no substantial assets in those countries

• They have not conducted business or relevant economic activities in those countries

Fully restricted countries:
Also restricted: 

• Northern Iraq 

• Russia  

• Belarusian

• Kurdistan Region 

All applicants must also pass the Dominica government due diligence process

The due diligence process is the backbone of the Dominica citizenship by investment program, ensuring that prospective applicants that will be granted citizenship are not a threat to the safety and security of the nation and its citizens and residents.

The due diligence process consists of various background checks to ensure that an applicant has the absence of criminal records and has not been involved in any suspicious criminal behavior.

If an applicant is currently facing criminal charges but has not yet been convicted, their application will be rejected or postponed until a verdict is rendered; if they are cleared of all charges, then they can apply to the Dominica citizenship by investment program, otherwise their application will be denied. 

However, it is important to note that that is not the case with civil lawsuits that do not contain a criminal element, as civil lawsuits can be about minor disputes or business related, and they have no impact on the safety and security component. Applicants currently in the midst of a civil lawsuit can still apply for the Dominica citizenship by investment program and pass due diligence and their eligibility will be determined per case.

The only possible exception to this rule is that if a civil lawsuit concerns the full custody of minor dependent children that an applicant wishes to include in the application, as these children will require the approval of one or both of their parents, depending on who has partial or full custody of them, before they can be granted Dominican citizenship under the Dominica citizenship by investment program as qualifying dependents.

In this case, an application may not be rejected, but postponed until the court reaches a final verdict to ensure the authenticity of the application and that all parties involved go by the letter of the law. 

However, if an applicant does not have full custody, or is currently undergoing a civil lawsuit for custody, they can still add their children to the application if and only if they obtain a letter of approval from the other parent during the procedure, then they can still apply for their children as dependents but only if they are truly financially dependent on them. 

The Dominica citizenship by investment program has a wide array of family members that can qualify as dependents for Dominican citizenship with the primary applicant other than minor children, which is one of the factors that make the Dominican citizenship by investment program such a popular option, especially for an investor with a large family composition, as they can add as many eligible dependents they want to the same application to maximize the benefit of their investment.

• A spouse of the main applicant.

• A financially dependent minor child of the main applicant or spouse of the main applicant who is under 18 years of age.

• A child of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant under the age of thirty years but above the age of 18 years who is in full time attendance at a higher learning institution and is fully financially dependent on main applicant or the main applicant's spouse.

• An unmarried daughter of the main applicant or the spouse who is under 25 years and resides with the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant and is fully financially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.

• A child of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant who is physically or mentally challenged and who is substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant no matter the age of the child.

• Dependent parents or grandparents of the main applicant or the dependent parents or grandparents of the spouse of the main applicant. The dependent parents and grandparents must be above the age of 65 years who are financially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.

Financial dependence can be proven in a variety of ways, such as bank transfers from the principal applicant or spouse to dependents, living in the same registered address, official letters of custody or care, and other relevant documents. 

Proving financial dependency is one of the most important criteria for dependents to qualify to the Dominica citizenship by investment program, and failing to do so may result in an application being massively delayed until the relevant evidence is submitted, or, in some extreme cases, a full rejection in which case an investor must reapply with all the necessary information. 

The Dominica citizenship by investment program requirements are extremely simple, and the process is equally straightforward and is very quick, taking on average three to six months for an applicant to gain their Dominica passport and citizenship certificate. 

The steps to gaining Dominica citizenship by investment can be summarized quite neatly as follows:

• Signing a contract with NTL Trust as the official authorized agent to represent the applicant.

• Deciding on which family members qualify for the program and who will be added

• NTL Trust will conduct a financial analysis to provide the best investment option, at which point the applicant must confirm their choice of investment.

• Collecting the all the documents required and filling out the relevant forms. The citizenship documents, along with the application, are then sent to Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Committee. 

• Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Unit will then conduct a due diligence process on the primary applicant and any adult family members (above 16 years of age) added to the application.

• Once due diligence is complete, Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Unit will send a letter of approval in principle to successful applicants, at which point the investor must make their investment.

• All applicants sixteen years of age or over will be required to attend a mandatory interview, either in person or virtually at the discretion of the CBI Unit 

• Once the investment is completed, Dominica's government will issue passports and citizenship certificates to the applicant and their family members, which will be delivered by courier to the applicant's agent for collection.

The financial analysis part of the process is extremely important and can only be done by experts in the field. Choosing the right investment option will have an effect on the total outlay, and may even have future repercussions such as gaining profits or tax burdens. Understanding the intricacies of what investment option to choose and how it will affect an investor is paramount, which is why NTL has devoted a team to help clients make a financial plan that aligns with their citizenship by investment objectives.

Once they receive their passports, investors and their family members are free to use them for visa-free travel to an abundance of destinations worldwide as they become full-fledged Dominican citizens.

There are a multitude of benefits to gaining Dominica citizenship by investment, which makes it difficult to list them all in one piece, but below are the most common and sought after benefits investors can enjoy under the Dominica citizenship program.

• The Dominica passport ranks 34th worldwide.

• As international traveling becomes more exclusive, getting a passport with a high quality and high count travel ability is crucial.

• Dominica is considered a very tax friendly nation. Dominica's government does not impose tax on global income, capital gains tax, inheritance taxes, or wealth tax.

• Getting a second citizenship from Dominica allows investors to restructure their tax framework in a very favorable way.

• Dominica has a bustling financial center and is rapidly becoming a major business hub in the region. With the new international airport on the way, Dominica is set to elevate its economy further.

• By becoming a Dominica citizen by investment, a businessperson can access the business environment in Dominica as a local and take advantage of the banking and business setup to bypass any restrictions their home country has due to political issues. 

• A Dominican passport is a great tool for business people, as Dominica passport holders are able to travel freely and at a moment's notice to close deals, expand, and generate global business. 

• Holding a second citizenship allows for greater international business and those who gain citizenship through the Dominica economic citizenship program will have an upper hand. 

• An investor can always add future family members as Dominican citizens if they were not around during their time of application. A future spouse or future generations (biological or legally adopted) can also get their Dominica passports through the family addition process. The investor has to pay certain fees (like they would have if they added them in the initial application) and their new family members can become holders of a second citizenship and proud owners of their own Dominica passports.

• Dominica is a highly cryptocurrency friendly nation, allowing cryptocurrency trade without any major restrictions. The absence of capital gains taxes and global income tax also means that cryptocurrency traders can conduct more profitable business from Dominica. 

• The Dominica economic citizenship program is one of the simplest and fastest in the world. It does not require any prior residence in Dominica, and the citizenship application is very easy.

• The entire citizenship application procedure takes between three to six months on average, with the due diligence process being the longest one within that time frame. Applicants can obtain Dominica citizenship by investment remotely through their authorized agent, and their new Dominica passports and citizenship certificates are even mailed to them, making it one of the easiest ways a person can obtain a second passport and become a holder of Dominica dual citizenship. 

• Another major point is renewing the passport, which is done easily. Dominica passports can be renewed through an embassy or consulate, or through an authorized agent. The process is also done remotely and will take a very short amount of time, especially if the expedited passport issuance fee (US$ 1,250) is paid. 

Dominica's citizenship program offers investors two investment categories to choose from:

• A non-refundable donation to the Economic Diversification Fund starting at US$ 100,000 for a single applicant, OR

• Purchasing government approved real estate for no less than US$ 200,000. 

The donation and real estate investment options give investors a much needed variety in terms of personalizing their investment, as they have different price points, vary in the long term, and can affect the total amount paid depending on the family size and composition.

There are financial differences too between the donation and real estate investment options in terms what the applicant must pay at the end of the day, but there are some standard fees that apply to both investment options, which are:

• Due diligence fees: US$ 7,500 for the main applicant and an additional US$ 4,000 per dependent aged 16 or above

• Expedited passport issuance fee: US$ 1,200 per person

• Processing fee: US$ 1,000 per application

• Certificate of naturalization fee: US$ 250 per person

However, in addition to these fees and the investment amount, the real estate investment option requires applicants to pay a government fee as well. This fee is exempted in the non-refundable donation option. Below is a more detailed look at both investment options.

The donation to the Economic Diversification Fund is exactly what it sounds like, a one time government fund contribution that is non-refundable.

Investors pay the amount depending on their family composition and then they get their Dominica citizenship and become proud Dominica passport holders. 

The fund option starts at US$ 100,000 for a single applicant, but the amount increasing slightly as more family members are added to the application. To see what the fund option would cost for a single applicant, a couple, a family of four, or a family bigger than that, take a look at the detailed table below that includes the investment and all accompanying fees. 

The fund option is a great one for investors who want to end things quickly without having any future assets. There is nothing to do after an investor gets their Dominica passport and citizenship, and there are no future tax burdens to consider. 

The fund option is also highly economical, especially for smaller families, making it an excellent option for those who want to spend a minimal initial outlay.

The real estate investment option allows investors to purchase government approved real estate within an authorized project to obtain Dominica citizenship.

The Dominica citizenship program offers a wide array of real estate options to choose from, and investors can purchase actual property or instead choose to buy preferred shares in a luxury resort being built on the island. 

The real estate option starts at US$ 200,000, and the investment amount remains fixed no matter how many family members are added to the application.

However, in addition to the investment amount and administration fees, the real estate option requires investors to pay government fees for each person in the application, these fees can be seen in the table below alongside the investment amount and the other fees required by the government of Dominica.

It is important to note for the real estate option under the Dominica citizenship program that an investor must maintain their real estate investment for a period of three years before they can resell it, but during that holding period, an investor can profit from their real estate investment through dividends. 

After the holding period is over, an investor can resell their investment. Shares normally sell for the same price range as it is fixed, but property can be sold for a profit depending on market value, meaning an investor can make a solid return through the real estate investment option. They can also sell it directly to a person who wants to apply for the Dominica citizenship by investment program.

This option is excellent for those who wish to recoup most of what they pay to the Dominica citizenship by investment program, making the total outlay very low. It is also excellent for larger families since the investment amount remains constant, meaning large families can all get Dominica citizenship by investment for a fixed amount with only the secondary fees increasing. 

Since then, the Antigua & Barbuda program has become one of the most popular in the world thanks to a variety of factors such as its powerful passport with access to many countries, easy process, and affordability, especially for families with large compositions.

Antigua & Barbuda's citizenship by investment program has a very simple premise; the government grants applicants citizenship in exchange for an investment bolsters the country's economy.

The Antigua & 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 & 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.

• Absence of criminal records.

• Submit a compliant citizenship application.

• Make a qualifying investment.

• Make a personal visit to Antigua & 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 licensed citizenship by investment agent such as NTL Trust, and the steps are:

1. NTL Trust conducts a cost analysis and provides the investor with quotes showing the investment scenarios, and the investor must confirm their choice of investment type and their acceptance of the quote.

2. The investor signs the NTL Trust agreement.

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

4. Antigua & 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. The Passports and Certificates of Registration, are collected by the local agent and are couriered to the desired destination per the client instructions.

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

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

• The Antigua & Barbuda passport is a very powerful one, granting its holder access to 150+ destinations worldwide.

• Antigua & 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.

• The Antigua & Barbuda citizenship by investment program allows the principal applicant to include or add (after approval is granted) a wide array of qualifying dependents such as the spouse, as well as the or the spouse's financially dependent children below 30 years and parents and grandparents above 55 years of age. They can also add the principal applicant's or the spouse’s unmarried siblings of ANY age. Antigua & Barbuda is the only jurisdiction offering this perk.

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

• Antigua & 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.

• The process to attain lifetime citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda is done remotely, from the comfort of the applicant’s location and with the qualified assistance of the Marketing and Authorized Agents, who ensure that the application meets the Program’s requirements. There is no residency requirement inherent to obtaining or maintaining the citizen status. Once the first passport is issued, it will be sent together with the Certificate of Registration to the desired destination instructed by the client via any reputable courier service.

• The Antigua & 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. And it is the only program utilizing the proceeds of investment to foster the development of high level academic institutions like the University of West Indies (UWI). It benefits not only Antiguans but also the rest of the Caribbean nations and other regions.

• The entire process to obtain an Antigua & Barbudan passport takes about 3-6 months on average, making it one of the fastest ways of gaining citizenship by investment in the world.

• Antigua & Barbuda's UWI found is an investment pathway under the Antigua & Barbuda 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.

• Antigua & 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.

The Antigua & Barbuda citizenship by investment program has four different investement 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.

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.

Antigua is the only jurisdiction offering two fixed investment amounts, both equally low comparatively:

• US$ 100,000 for a family up to 4 applicants and

• US$ 125,000 for families with 5 applicants or more (without limit in number).

The rest of the jurisdictions present different and higher investment amounts depending on the number of applicants.

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.

Antigua & Barbuda has three options in terms of real estate purchase investments:

1. Either complete a purchase of real estate valued at minimum US$ 400,000 or

2. making a joint investment for no less than US$ 200,000 by each applicants - title to the property will be held jointly - who are handled by the same Local Agent.

3. Singly owning a property valued at minimum 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. These shares, however, do not grant investors administrative rights.

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.

The Real Estate investment amount will not vary, remaining at US$ 200,000 irrespective of the number of applicants. Whether a single applicant or a family of 6 or more, the investment amount is not increased.

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.

The UWI Fund makes it a great option for families with a large number of dependents since UWI offers a 1-year tuition-only scholarship for one of the family members to attend the university.

The UWI Fund investment option is a donation akin to that of the NDF, as investors make a non-refundable contribution to the UWI Fund 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 & Barbuda citizenship program one of the most economical for families with a large composition.

Find the costs in details in the table below:

The UWI Fund 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.

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 & 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.

St Lucia is a commonwealth country with close ties to the UK, and it is an integral part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The country's economy relies heavily on tourism and agriculture, and its currency, the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), is pegged to the US Dollar, giving the country even greater economic stability.

The population of St. Lucia is a bit higher than 180,000 people, with English being their main, and official, language, while Spanish and French are also prevalent on the Island.

While St. Lucia is known for its natural beauty, amazing culture, intriguing cuisine, and welcoming people, what really puts it on the map is the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program. 

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program is extremely popular among investors looking to become dual nationals and enhance their visa-free travel capabilities to become true global citizens, and in light of that popularity, the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program has been grabbing headlines in high net worth circles throughout the globe

The St. Lucian citizenship by investment program is an efficient and simple way for foreign investors to obtain St. Lucia's citizenship and a St. Lucia passport, allowing them to gain great global mobility and financial safety opportunities. 

The St. Lucian citizenship by investment program has a simple premise; investors with a clean criminal background who contribute to St. Lucia's economy through an approved investment can apply to get a St. Lucia citizenship and St. Lucia passport through the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program. 

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program is quick and efficient; it takes a few months for successful applicants to obtain a St. Lucia citizenship and St. Lucia passport, making it one of the fastest citizenship by investment programs in the world. 

To qualify for the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program an investor must

• Be over 18 years of age

• Absence of criminal records

• Make a qualifying investment in one of the approved routes that meets the minimum investment required by the government

• Submit a full application

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program allows investors to add a wide array of family members to their applications, including:

• The spouse of the principal applicant;

• A child under the age of eighteen of the principal applicant or their spouse;

• The child of the principal applicant or their spouse under the age of 30;

• Parents or grandparents of the principal applicant or their spouse aged 55 years old; and

• Unmarried siblings younger than 18 years old.

The ability to add various family members to the application allows investors to maximize the benefit gained from their investment. The program also allows the main applicant to add future family members to their application, such as a future spouse (in case they were single at the time of application) and any future dependent children they may sire. 

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program has four different approved investment options for applicants to choose from, which are:

• A minimum US$ 300,000 investment to the National Action Bond (NAB) as a new non-interest-bearing Government bond 

• A non-refundable donation to the National Economic Fund with a minimum investment starting at US$ 100,000

• A minimum investment in real estate from an approved real estate developer for no less than US$ 200,000

• A minimum investment in an approved enterprise project for at least US$ 3,500,000

It is important to note that the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program only requires investors to make their investments after approval, as long as they meet the minimum investment required by the government set out in their application. This gives the program a heightened sense of financial security and authenticity. 

Investors interested in applying to the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program must do so through one of its accredited agents, such as NTL Trust. The St. Lucia citizenship by investment unit keeps a list of accredited agents on its website, and an agent will consult and advise investors on their application to the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program and help them by applying on their behalf. 

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program can be completed remotely, without the need for applicants to reside or even visit St. Lucia prior to applying, which makes it much easier for those who have limited visa-free travel capabilities. 

The application is submitted by the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program's accredited agent, and the St. Lucia passport and St. Lucia citizenship certificates are mailed to the accredited agent, who then delivers them to the investor.

The St. Lucia citizenship application process under the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program is extremely simple and constitutes of a very short list of steps, which are:

1. An investor must decide on which dependents will be added to 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. An applicant then collects all the documents needed, and the application forms are filled out and sent to the St. Lucia citizenship by investment unit

4. The St. Lucia citizenship by investment unit, along with relevant St. Lucia government departments, conduct 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. The St. Lucia passport and the naturalization certificate are issued and sent to NTL Trust for delivery to the investor and their family members.

Once applicants receive their passport, they are free to immediately use it for visa-free travel. 

The due diligence process is the longest procedure under St. Lucia's citizenship by investment program, and the most important one at that. 

Proper due diligence ensures that any investors and their family members who are granted citizenship through the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program do not pose a potential security risk to any St. Lucia citizen, ensuring the safety of the country while maintaining the integrity of the program.

Safeguarding the integrity of the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program through conducting a proper due diligence process is vital, as it is the cornerstone that allows St. Lucia to sign more visa-free travel treaties with various countries around the world. The fact that St. Lucia keeps out any people with a criminal record allows more countries to sign visa-free travel agreements without worrying about any serious implications. 

• The St. Lucia passport is a very powerful travel document, granting its holder ability to travel to wide array of countries internationally.

• St Lucia does not impose any personal income tax rates on worldwide income generated abroad, nor does it impose wealth taxes, capital gains taxes, or inheritance taxes on its citizens. It provides investors with a route to legally minimize their tax burden.

• The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program allows the principal applicant to add their financially dependent family members, such as their spouse, as well as their or their spouse's financially dependent children below 30 years and parents and grandparents above 55 years of age. They can also add the principal applicant's dependent, unmarried siblings below 18 years of age. 

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

• Having a second citizenship is the best way to mitigate any political and economic instability in one's home nation. As a second citizenship offers them and their families another home and a strong travel document with great visa-free access capabilities in case they need to use it to get out of a rough situation. This is a major reason why many investors choose St. Lucia as their second home. 

• St Lucia is very business friendly, and its close proximity to the US, as well as Latin America, makes it a great option for those looking to expand their business footprint into the Americas.

• St Lucia has a growing financial services sector that allows its citizens to take advantage of various asset protection solutions such as offshore bank accounts and well-managed offshore trusts.

• The entire process of gaining a St. Lucian citizenship by investment can be done remotely without the need to visit St. Lucia to apply.

• The entire process to obtain a St. Lucia passport takes about 3-6 months on average, making it one of the fastest ways of gaining dual citizenship by investment. 

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program offers investors four different investment options to choose from. This variety makes the program popular for a varied platform of investors with different investment preferences. 

Investment minimum thresholds differ from one investment option to the next, while some investment options have different associated fees allocated to them.

However, whichever one of the investment routes an applicant chooses, they will have to pay a processing fee or administrative fee and due diligence fees as follows:

• Administrative fee: US$ 2,000 for the main applicant and US$ 1,000 for each additional qualifying dependent

• Due diligence fee: US$ 7,500 for the main applicant and an additional US$ 5,000 per dependent aged 16 or above

The donation to the National Economic Fund option is a very straightforward one; an applicant pays a non-refundable contribution to the fund and is granted citizenship.

The investment amount depends on the number of family members added to the application, as it grows accordingly.

A single applicant would incur a donation of US$ 100,000, while a couple would need US$ 140,000, and a family of four would need US$ 150,000. Any additional dependent after the fourth would also need an additional donation of US$ 15,000.

The table below highlights the costs associated with the donation to the National Economic Fund.

The donation option is an excellent one for those looking for a quick and simple process with no lingering assets. It is also very economical, especially for smaller families. 

The real estate investment option is a very popular one under the St. Lucia citizenship by investment program.

To qualify, and investor must make a real estate investment in a government approved project for no less than US$ 200,000. It is important to note that the minimum investment remains the same no matter how many family members are added to the application.

However, the real estate investment option does incur a government fee per each person added to the application, as the table below shows that fee alongside the entire cost breakdown under this option.

Investors can sell their investment after a holding period of five years and recoup their investment, making the real estate investment option a great one for those looking to make the smallest possible overall outlay.

The National Action Bond (NAB) is a new non-interest-bearing Government bond - to replace the Special COVID-19 Relief Bond. It's also an available investment option under the St. Lucia CBI Program. Applicants and qualified citizen must hold the bonds for a minimum of 5 years and then can recoup their initial investments. This makes this option one of a kind among all the others.

Those looking to qualify for St. Lucia's citizenship by investment program through investing in an approved business can do so for an investment of no less than US$ 3,500,000.

Investors must ensure that the project is approved before they invest the money. Multiple investors can make a joint investment together as well, as long as the minimum investment amount is no less than US$ 6,000,000 and that each applicant has invested at least US$ 1,000,000. 

The investment amount remains constant no matter how many family members are added to the application, and there is a fixed administrative fee of US$ 50,000 per application.

The table below shows the costs associated with this option.

The enterprise option is a good one for those looking to invest in a business in St. Lucia or expand their existing business into the Western Hemisphere. However, due to its much higher minimum investment, applicants usually go for one of the other, more affordable investments. 

Grenada is an English-speaking country with stunning natural scenery and quaint cities flocked by mountains and valleys lush with various spices. It is known for its trade and agricultural importance within the region.

Grenada also boasts a formidable banking service sector that has helped nurture a healthy business environment that keeps on attracting global businesses to its shores. Its favorable regulations towards cryptocurrency investment have also played a part in putting the country on the map, as it is one of the world's most crypto-friendly nations, a standing that has helped the country attract more cryptocurrency investors.

The nation's economy is on an upward path, and that is due in part to its magnificent Grenada citizenship by investment program, which awards foreign investors that have a clean criminal background and who make a qualifying investment into the country's economy with a Grenada passport and citizenship. 

The government of Grenada launched its citizenship by investment program in 2013 after it changed the laws regarding the naturalization process adding the citizenship by investment act, and since Grenada recognized dual citizenship, the change to the law was simple. 

After the addition of the citizenship by investment act and launching the program, it quickly became one of the most popular citizenship by investment programs in the world.

From the date of its launch to the first half of 2022, the Grenada citizenship by investment program has approved the applications of 1,776 investors and has granted citizenship to them and their families, while also bringing in over US$ 500 million of foreign direct investment into the nation's economy.

The Grenada citizenship by investment program's premise is very simple, those who make a qualifying investment and meet the requirements set out by the government can obtain citizenship and a Grenada passport for themselves and their qualifying family members. 

Grenada offers investors two distinct investment options to qualify for citizenship under its citizenship by investment program, which are:

• A non-refundable donation to Grenada’s National Transformation Fund (NTF) starting at US$ 150,000 for a single applicant

• An investment in government approved real estate for no less than US$ 350,000

To qualify, applicants need to meet the criteria set out by the government. An applicant must:

• Be over 18 years of age.

• Absence of criminal records.

• Make a qualifying investment under one of the two approved categories.

• Submit a full application through one of the government's authorized international marketing agents or a government approved local agent.

The program does not require applicants to hold temporary or permanent residence to apply, nor does it require a visit, as the entire process can be done remotely with the passports and citizenship certificate being mailed through a courier service to the applicant's registered agent for collection.

The application process is also very simple and consists of very few steps and takes, on average, between 3-6 months. However, to ensure that the application process is streamlined and free of mistakes, an applicant must make sure they choose a reliable certified agent with extensive experience in dealing with the Grenada citizenship by investment program. Working with an unauthorized agent will result in a rejection which will complicate future applications, so choosing the right agent from the beginning is of crucial importance. 

• Signing a contract with NTL Trust

• Deciding on which family members qualify for the program and who will be added

• NTL Trust will conduct a financial analysis to provide the best investment option, at which point the applicant must confirm their choice of investment.

• Collecting the required documentation and filling out the relevant forms. The citizenship documents, along with the application, are then sent to Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Committee. 

• Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Committee will then conduct a due diligence process on the primary applicant and any adult family members (above 16 years of age) added to the application.

• Once due diligence is complete, Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Unit will send a letter of approval in principle to successful applicants, at which point the investor must make their investment.

• Once the investment is completed, Grenada's government will issue passports and citizenship certificates to the applicant and their family members, which will be delivered by courier to the applicant's agent for collection.

Once they receive their passports, investors and their family members are free to use them for visa-free travel to an abundance of destinations worldwide as they become full-fledged Grenada citizens.

The brevity of the program, coupled with its affordability, has made it a highly popular option among investors worldwide, and it has become a popular economic venture in Grenada itself. 

The Grenada citizenship by investment program has become a foundation of the country's economic framework, and it continues to grow in popularity among the world's high net worth individuals due to its massive benefits. 

The Grenadian citizenship by investment program offers investors a way to elevate their entire lifestyle by acquiring a powerful passport and dual citizenship in one of the most naturally stunning nations on Earth. 

The benefits of getting dual citizenship are endless, but the most common, and important, benefits are worth mentioning. 

• The Grenadian passport is a very powerful passport, providing easy access to 146 destinations over the world.

• Grenadians are eligible to apply for the US E2 visa, a business treaty visa open to a select number of nationalities worldwide. This allows investors from countries not on the E2 treaty list to obtain a route to apply for the E2 visa, providing them with a pathway to get residency in the US while also being able to obtain Grenada citizenship. USCIS may require additional documentation to prove the applicant has been domiciled in the treaty country indicated in the application for a continuous period of no less than 3 years, any point before applying for E-1 or E-2 classification.

• The addition of family members - Grenada allows investors to add a wide array of financially dependent family members to their application, including the spouse of the main applicant as well as the couple's financially dependent children below 30 of age, dependent parents over 55, dependent grandparents over 55, and the unmarried financially dependent siblings of the main applicant above eighteen years of age.

• Grenada does not impose a tax on worldwide income, nor does it levy capital gains or withholding tax. The country also does not impose an inheritance tax on its citizens or residents. This allows investors, especially those hailing from countries with brutal tax regimes, to find a route to structure their taxes in a favorable way, enabling them to pay minimum taxes.

• A formidable contingency plan - Getting dual citizenship is the best way to combat any political or economic instability in one's home country. By having dual citizenship and another home, an investor can protect themselves and their families against any turmoil in their country of origin, and provide them with options when they are in short supply.

• Grenada's top tier financial services and banking sectors provide an excellent environment for businesses. The government is also continuously working to attract international companies to Grenada, and anyone looking to incorporate a business in close proximity to Northern and Southern America can easily find a home in Grenada. The government also does not tax corporate worldwide income unless it is generated within Grenada at which point it is subject to a flat tax rate on corporate income paid in annual taxes.

• An applicant can always add a future spouse or children to their application even after they receive citizenship themselves.

• Grenada has a very cryptocurrency friendly government and provides qualified investors with the space they need to deal within the cryptocurrency realm. And since the government does not impose capital gains tax crypto-trading is more profitable in Grenada.

• Create investment opportunities that make financial sense - Investors who choose to apply under the real estate option can find very interesting investment opportunities, either in the form of actual properties that gain appreciation as time goes on, or through buying shares in top tier resorts in one of the world's hottest touristic destinations.

• The process of applying for citizenship by investment is simple and quick, taking an average of 3-6 months. The process is completed remotely without the need to travel or reside in Grenada prior, during, or after applying.

• Investors who obtain passports through investment can always renew their passport through a Grenada embassy or consulate, or, if they are unavailable in their country of residence, through an embassy of another country that handles Grenadian citizenship matters such as the UK embassy in some cases.

• Once an investor gains citizenship they can issue a Grenada driver's license and open a bank account as a citizen, among other benefits. 

• Wealth management possibilities - Grenada has a robust offshore banking sector that investors can take advantage of to protect their wealth and make easy transactions and bank deposits. They can also open offshore trusts to alleviate their tax burden and protect their assets.

Grenada offers investors the opportunity to obtain citizenship through one of two investment options, a donation to Grenada’s National Transformation Fund (NTF) or through a real estate investment. 

These investment options are accompanied by other constant fees, which are application, due diligence, and processing fees, as follows:

• Application fees: US$ 1,500 per person.

• Due diligence fees: US$ 5,000 for any member in the application above 17 years of age. Anyone under 17 years is exempt from this fee.

• Processing fees: US$ 1,500 for any member in the application above 18 years of age and US$ 500 for any member in the application below 18 years of age.

It is worth noting that while these fees are constant in both the NTF donation and real estate investment options, the real estate option does also levy a separate government fee, more on that below.

This option consists of a non-refundable donation to the government run NTF. The investment amount will not be recouped by the investor, however, this is an affordable and simple option.

The investment process is simple, as the investment amount is simply transferred to the NTF's account, and that completes the entire transaction.

The NTF requires an investment of US$ 150,000 for a single applicant and it increases as the number of family members added to the application grows. 

A family of four would incur an investment amount of US$ 200,000, while any additional dependent after the third would require an additional contribution of US$ 25,000.

This investment is made alongside processing, due diligence, and application fees. The table below highlights what the NTF would cost for a single application, a couple, a family of four, and a family of five or more:

The NTF is a very affordable option for investors that want an economical option that does not require any holding period, exit strategy, or resale. It is also very affordable for families with a smaller composition

The real estate investment option is a very popular one among Grenada citizenship by investment applicants. It slightly edges out the NTF option in the number of overall applications lodged under it for the Grenada citizenship program, but not by much. It requires an investment of US$ 350,000.

The real estate investment option under the Grenada citizenship by investment program allows applicants to invest in a government approved real estate project, and the government keeps an updated list of which projects are available under the program. It is important for applicants to choose a government approved project as their investment destination, otherwise their application will not be approved. 

Applicants have the choice between buying government approved property, or instead buying shares in top tier resorts being developed on the island. These shares give them partial ownership and allow their holders to annual dividends, however, they do not grant their owners any administrative powers over the project and resort operations. It is important to note that shares do not incur property tax, or property transfer tax.

• The real estate investment option's greatest attraction is the ability to resell the property after five years of holding on to it. Investors must maintain ownership of the property for five years after receiving their citizenship, but once that period is over, they are free to sell it or keep it.

• Another major benefit is the potential return on investment (ROI), as investors can profit from their real estate investment during the holding period.

The minimum investment amount of US$ 350,000 remains constant no matter how many family members are added to the application. However, the real estate option does incur a unique government fee. This fee is set at US$ 50,000 for families up to four people, while any additional family members after the fourth will incur an additional US$ 25,000 in government fees.

The real estate option also requires investors to pay due diligence, processing, and application fees just like those present in the NTF donation option. 

The costs of the real estate investment are shown in the table below for a single application, a couple, a family of four, and a family of five or more:

The real estate investment option is an excellent one for those looking to acquire Grenada citizenship while also getting back the bulk of what they pay for citizenship, or even possibly make a profit, as a property’s market value appreciates as time goes by and investors can make a profit from their investment during the holding period. 

The real estate investment option is also a great option for larger families as the minimum investment amount remains the same no matter what the family composition is, with the only addition being the government fees and the rest of the administrative fees. 

One of the main benefits of gaining a Grenada citizenship by investment is that it opens the door to people to apply for the US E2 visa.

The E2 visa is a treaty visa open to a certain number of nationalities. It is a business visa that gives investors the right to reside, work, and live in the US as a non-immigrant if they open a business or are employed in a business as an essential manager or employee. 

The E2 is a non-immigrant visa, meaning it does not lead to a green card, however, it is a temporary residence permit that can switch to another visa, such as the EB5, which grants a green card, if the conditions are met.

There is no minimum investment for the E2 visa, but most applications are approved at a threshold of no lower than US$ 100,000. This the venture to obtain Grenada citizenship by investment along with the E2 much more affordable than the US EB5 visa. 

Another important thing to note is that Grenada citizens can get a five year, multiple entry E2 visa, while other nationalities such as Montenegrins, Jordanian, Egyptians, and others can only apply for a one year, single entry E2 visa. 

This is why many people with limited E2 visa access such as Egyptians will apply for Grenada citizenship by investment, to gain a better passport with greater visa free travel and an easier route to get visa free access and reside in the US at the same time, allowing them to become true global citizens.

Note: USCIS may require additional documentation to prove the applicant has been domiciled in the treaty country indicated in the application for a continuous period of no less than 3 years, any point before applying for E-1 or E-2 classification.

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 onto 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.

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. Stay up to date with the latest CRBI News here.

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