CBI Passports Ranked by Visa-Free Countries

Thirteen active citizenship-by-investment programs ranked by the number of visa-free countries their passports provide. St Kitts and Nevis leads at 157, followed by Antigua (154), Grenada (147), Dominica (145), and St Lucia (144). At the other end, Nauru (48), Jordan (51), and Egypt (53) offer fewer travel destinations but significantly lower investment thresholds. The right CBI passport depends on the balance between travel freedom, processing speed, cost, and specific destination access needed.

Programs

13

Countries

13

Types

CBI

From

$90,000

Key Takeaways

  • St Kitts (157) and Antigua (154) offer the strongest CBI passports by travel access
  • Grenada (147) adds unique US E-2 treaty access not available with other Caribbean CBIs
  • Vanuatu (89) processes fastest at 30-60 days despite lower visa-free count
  • Budget options (Nauru, Sao Tome, Sierra Leone) trade travel strength for affordability

All Programs at a Glance

Sorted by minimum investment. Click any country to explore in detail.

Country Program Type Min. Investment Processing Citizenship Path
🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment CBI $90,000 2-3 months Direct
🇳🇷 Nauru NECRCP (Climate Resilience Citizenship) CBI $90,000 3-6 months Direct
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment CBI $100,000 2-3 months Direct
🇻🇺 Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP) CBI $130,000 1-3 months Direct
🇩🇲 Dominica Citizenship by Investment CBI $200,000 3-4 months Direct
🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment CBI $230,000 3-6 months Direct
🇬🇩 Grenada Citizenship by Investment CBI $235,000 4-6 months Direct
🇱🇨 St Lucia Citizenship by Investment CBI $240,000 3-4 months Direct
🇰🇳 St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment CBI $250,000 3-6 months Direct
🇪🇬 Egypt Citizenship by Investment CBI $250,000 6-12 months Direct
🇹🇷 Turkey Citizenship by Investment CBI $400,000 6-12 months Direct
🇯🇴 Jordan Citizenship by Investment CBI $490,000 3-6 months Direct
🇸🇻 El Salvador Freedom Visa (Bitcoin Passport) CBI $1,000,000 2-3 months Direct

Explore Each Program

Detailed cards with investment requirements, timelines, and key benefits.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$90,000

$90K donation to National Transformation Fund (single applicant). $95K for families of 2-4. Total cost with fees ~$105K.

Processing

2-3 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

61

  • Cheapest CBI program globally ($90K)
  • Fastest processing (as little as 6 weeks)
  • CPLP member: fast-track to Portuguese/Brazilian residency
Nauru

NECRCP (Climate Resilience Citizenship)

Citizenship

$90,000

$90,000 standard contribution to Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Programme. Promotional rate of $80,000 available through June 2026.

Processing

3-6 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

48

  • Direct citizenship from $90K standard ($80K promotional through June 2026)
  • Zero-tax jurisdiction: no income, corporate, capital gains, or VAT
  • Only 48 countries visa-free — chosen for cost diversification, not mobility
Sierra Leone

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$100,000

$100K Heritage track (African descent) or $140K standard track contribution. Total cost with fees approximately $117K–$157K depending on track.

Processing

2-3 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

64

  • Two tracks: $100K Heritage (African descent) or $140K standard
  • Fully remote, no visit required
  • Fast processing (2 months)
Vanuatu

Development Support Program (DSP)

Citizenship

$130,000

$130K government contribution (single applicant). Additional fees for family members.

Processing

1-3 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

89

  • World's fastest CBI (approvals routinely in 30-60 days, some in 3 weeks)
  • Zero-tax jurisdiction: no income, corporate, capital gains, or inheritance tax
  • Schengen access revoked March 2022; UK requires a Standard Visitor visa
Dominica

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$200,000

$200K donation to Economic Diversification Fund or $200K+ real estate (3-year hold).

Processing

3-4 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

145

  • Most affordable CBI globally
  • No residency or visit requirement
  • No interview required
Antigua and Barbuda

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$230,000

$230K donation to National Development Fund (covers family of up to 4 at same price, unique among Caribbean CBI). Or $260K University of the West Indies Fund (family of up to 6, one member enrolled, inclusive of processing fees). Or $300K+ real estate (5-year hold, joint investment option: two families invest $200K each in same property). Or $1.5M direct business investment.

Processing

3-6 months

Stay Requirement

5 days in first 5 years

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

154

  • Family of 4 covered at same $230K donation price (best family value in Caribbean CBI)
  • Only Caribbean CBI with any residency requirement (just 5 days in 5 years)
  • UK access via Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £20, valid 2 years)
Grenada

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$235,000

$235K donation to National Transformation Fund (single applicant or family of up to 4), or $270K+ shared real estate (+$50K NTF), or $350K+ sole ownership real estate (+$50K NTF).

Processing

4-6 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

147

  • E-2 treaty with US (can apply for US investor visa)
  • Only Caribbean CBI with US E-2 access
  • Visa-free access to China and Russia
St Lucia

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$240,000

$240K donation to National Economic Fund (single applicant; $300K for family of 4). Or $300K+ approved real estate (5-year hold). Or $300K+ government bond (non-interest-bearing, 5-year hold, plus administration fee set by the CIU). Or enterprise investment from $3.5M (3+ jobs created).

Processing

3-4 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

144

  • UK: full Standard Visitor visa required (added to UK visa national list April 2026)
  • Schengen visa-free; 144 countries total (Henley March 2026)
  • Only Caribbean CBI with a capital-recoverable bond route
St Kitts and Nevis

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$250,000

$250K Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC, flat rate for family of up to 4). Real estate: $325K+ (Developer's Real Estate, 7-year hold) or $600K+ (Private Real Estate, 7-year hold).

Processing

3-6 months

Stay Requirement

None (genuine-link due diligence required)

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

157

  • No mandatory physical residency requirement for citizenship
  • Genuine-link principle enforced: enhanced due diligence, background checks, no illicit ties (CARICOM 2024 agreement)
  • Oldest CBI program (since 1984)
Egypt

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$250,000

$250K+ real estate or $300K+ government treasury deposit (refundable after 5 years).

Processing

6-12 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

53

  • Affordable entry point for CBI
  • Property investment qualifies
  • Treasury deposit is refundable
Turkey

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$400,000

Property purchase ($400K+) or bank deposit ($500K+) or government bonds ($500K+).

Processing

6-12 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

118

  • Strategic location (Europe/Asia bridge)
  • E-2 treaty with US
  • Property can be sold after 3 years
Jordan

Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship

$490,000

Framework reformed July 2025; all passive treasury-bond routes eliminated. Five active citizenship routes (thresholds in JOD; approximate USD conversions at 2026 rates): Existing Project retroactive recognition JOD 350K-700K (~USD 490K-990K); New Project with 10-20 Jordanian jobs JOD 500K-700K (~USD 700K-990K); Share Purchase in Jordanian companies JOD 1M (~USD 1.4M, 3-year profit lock-up); Sector-Specific in pharmaceuticals/logistics/priority sectors up to JOD 3M (~USD 4.2M); Employment-Only (no capital floor) with 100-150 Jordanian national hires. Annual cap of 500 approvals across all routes.

Processing

3-6 months

Stay Requirement

None specified

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

51

  • July 2025 reform eliminated all passive routes; citizenship now requires active investment or job creation
  • Approximately 51 countries visa-free (Henley 2026), chosen for regional business access, not mobility
  • Dual citizenship recognised (no renunciation of existing nationality required)
El Salvador

Freedom Visa (Bitcoin Passport)

Citizenship

$1,000,000

$1M contribution (can be paid in Bitcoin or USD).

Processing

2-3 months

Stay Requirement

None

Visa Duration

Citizenship (permanent)

Work Rights

Yes

Citizenship Path

Direct

Visa-Free Countries

134

  • First Bitcoin-accepting CBI program
  • 100% online, no visit required
  • No capital gains tax on Bitcoin

More Travel Access Comparisons

Get the Free Comparison Guide

A comprehensive breakdown of CBI and RBI programs worldwide, delivered to your inbox.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.