The four main Caribbean citizenship by investment programs all offer a direct route to a second passport without requiring long-term residency. But they are not interchangeable. The differences in cost, processing time, visa-free travel access, and treaty benefits are material enough that the right choice depends on your specific situation.
The Four Programs at a Glance
| Program | Donation (min) | Real Estate (min) | Processing | Passport-Free Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | $200,000 | $200,000 | 3–5 months | ~140 |
| St Lucia | $240,000 | $300,000 | 3–6 months | ~144 |
| Grenada | $235,000 | $270,000 | 4–6 months | ~147 |
| St Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | $325,000 | 4–6 months | ~157 |
Donation figures are for a single applicant. Family applications add per-dependent fees. Real estate hold periods vary by program and route.
Dominica: The Entry-Level Option
Dominica runs the longest-established Caribbean CBI program, having launched in 1993. At $200,000 for a single-applicant donation, it is one of the lowest-cost entry points in the Caribbean. The $200,000 minimum reflects the 2024 CARICOM Heads of Government agreement establishing a $200,000 floor across all Caribbean CBI programs. The previous $100,000 minimum no longer applies.
What you get: A Dominican passport valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely. Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 140 countries, including the Schengen zone and Singapore. Note: the UK revoked visa-free access for Dominican passport holders in July 2023. UK entry now requires a visa.
What you do not get: US visa-free access. Dominica does not have a treaty with the United States that provides visa-free entry for Dominican passport holders. If US market access is a priority, Grenada is the correct program (see below).
Processing: The Economic Citizenship Unit processes applications in 3–5 months under the accelerated option, slightly longer under the standard route.
Due diligence: Dominica has strengthened its vetting significantly since 2019 following international pressure on Caribbean CBI programs. Background checks are conducted by approved third-party firms. Any criminal record, even minor, will likely disqualify the application.
Family pricing: Add $50,000 for a spouse, $25,000 per dependent child under 18. Dependent parents or grandparents over 55 can be included at $50,000 each.
Best for: Cost-conscious applicants who need a second passport for travel flexibility and do not require US access.
St Lucia: Newer, More Flexible, Slightly More Expensive
St Lucia launched its CBI program in 2015, making it the newest of the four major Caribbean programs. The program has worked to differentiate itself through faster processing and additional investment options.
Investment routes: Donation ($240,000 single applicant, reflecting post-2024 CARICOM reform pricing), real estate ($300,000), government bonds ($300,000, held 5 years, interest-free), or enterprise projects. The bond option is unusual, it allows investment without an ongoing real estate commitment, but ties up capital interest-free for 5 years.
Visa-free access: Approximately 144 countries (Henley March 2026), including the Schengen zone and Singapore. UK entry now requires a standard visitor visa (added to the UK Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor Visa National List, April 2026). No visa-free US access.
Processing: St Lucia has invested in reducing processing times. Target is 3–6 months, with some applicants reporting approval under 90 days through the standard route.
Government credibility: St Lucia’s program has maintained a clean record without major public controversies. The Citizenship by Investment Unit operates with published pricing and transparent due diligence requirements.
Best for: Applicants who want Caribbean pricing with slightly faster processing, or who want the flexibility of a government bond investment rather than a donation or real estate commitment.
Grenada: The US Treaty Advantage
Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI country with a bilateral investment treaty with the United States that makes Grenadian citizens eligible to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa.
What the E-2 means: The E-2 is a US non-immigrant investor visa. Grenadian passport holders can apply to live and work in the US by investing in a US business (minimum investment is typically $100,000–$200,000 in a real business, though there is no fixed statutory minimum). The E-2 does not lead to a green card, but it is renewable indefinitely as long as the business operates.
For applicants who want a path to operating in the US without qualifying for a green card, the Grenada passport is the primary vehicle available via CBI.
Donation minimum: $235,000 (single applicant), following post-2024 CARICOM reform pricing adjustments.
Real estate route: $270,000 in approved developments, held for 5 years.
Visa-free access: Approximately 147 countries (Henley March 2026), including Schengen and Singapore. UK entry requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £20, valid 2 years), not a full visa.
Best for: Applicants who want the E-2 treaty access to the US market. Grenada’s $235,000 NTF donation is $35,000 above Dominica’s $200,000 EDF; that premium is trivially small if the E-2 benefit or UK ETA (vs full UK visa) is relevant to your situation.
St Kitts and Nevis: The Original and Most Expensive
St Kitts and Nevis launched the world’s first CBI program in 1984. The program commands a premium on the basis of its track record, political stability, and the strongest visa-free access of the four programs.
Donation minimum: $250,000 (single applicant) via the Sustainable Island State Contribution route. This is $50,000 more than Dominica for essentially the same product category.
Real estate route: $325,000 in Developer’s Real Estate or $600,000 in Private Real Estate, both held for 7 years. The 7-year hold is longer than any other Caribbean program.
Visa-free access: Approximately 157 countries (Henley March 2026), the highest among Caribbean CBI programs. Includes Schengen, Singapore, and Hong Kong. UK entry requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £20, valid 2 years), not a full visa.
Accelerated processing: St Kitts offers a 45-day processing option at an additional fee, the fastest guaranteed timeline in the region.
Program history: St Kitts has faced scrutiny over the years and has periodically tightened its due diligence requirements. The current standards are considered rigorous.
Best for: Applicants for whom maximum visa-free access or processing speed is the priority, and cost is not the primary constraint. The St Kitts passport opens doors that the cheaper programs do not, particularly in certain business and financial contexts where the St Kitts brand is recognized.
How to Choose Between Them
On cost alone: Dominica and St Lucia are the lower-cost options. Dominica’s donation route starts at $200,000 (single applicant) following the 2024 CARICOM reform. St Lucia pricing varies by route.
If you need US access: Grenada is the only option. The E-2 treaty makes it categorically different from the other three.
If you need maximum travel access: St Kitts, but you pay a significant premium for the additional 10–15 countries.
If processing speed matters: St Kitts (45-day option) or St Lucia (aggressive standard timelines). Dominica is slightly slower on average.
If you want real estate investment over donation: All four offer this. Grenada’s real estate route at $270,000 with 5-year holding compares well against St Lucia at $300,000. St Kitts starts at $325,000 (Developer’s Real Estate) with a 7-year hold, the longest in the region.
What the Total Cost Actually Looks Like
The headline donation figure understates the real cost. Budget for:
- Government due diligence fees: $7,500–$10,000 per adult applicant
- Processing fees: $1,000–$2,000 per person
- Agent/legal fees: $10,000–$25,000 depending on complexity and agent
- Medical examination: Required by all programs
- Document preparation and authentication: Variable by country of origin
A single-applicant Dominica application at $200,000 donation typically lands at $220,000–$235,000 all-in once government due diligence fees, processing, and legal costs are added. A Dominica family of four (main applicant $200K + spouse $50K + two children at $25K each) runs $300,000 in base contributions, plus $280,000–$320,000 in total once fees are added. St Kitts is different in structure: the SISC contribution is $250,000 flat for a single applicant or a family of up to four, with additional dependants charged at $25,000 (under 18) or $50,000 (18+). A family of four through St Kitts on the SISC route lands at $250,000 base, but all-in with due diligence, processing, and legal can reach $350,000–$400,000.
For investors comparing Caribbean CBI to non-Caribbean alternatives: El Salvador offers direct citizenship at $1 million via its Freedom Visa, with a Bitcoin-payment option and zero income tax, but no Schengen access. Turkey at $400,000 in real estate provides E-2 treaty access to the US market that no Caribbean CBI country except Grenada can match. Vanuatu processes a second passport in 30–60 days at $130,000 but without Schengen access. For the full picture across CBI programs globally, use the compare tool or go directly to each country page for current investment requirements and program details.