Investment programs in the Caribbean region: opportunities and conditions

Research on the development of the Caribbean region

Irina Simonyan, looking at the development of the Caribbean region in recent decades, notes significant progress in infrastructure, housing and sporting opportunities. In line with this, the number of international flights within the Caribbean islands is growing year on year. One of the attractive aspects of the region is the possibility of obtaining alternative citizenship through a small investment.

Official investment programs

Today, five Caribbean countries have already established official investment programs in their legislation. In Antigua and Barbuda, there are two main conditions for obtaining citizenship: the first is a non-refundable contribution of $100,000 - $125,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF), depending on the size of the family, or an investment of at least $400,000 in real estate, which must be held for at least 5 years and must be approved by the government.

In addition, there will be additional costs such as government fees for purchasing real estate, a charitable contribution, and a legal due diligence check. However, the benefits of obtaining citizenship include visa-free access to 147 countries, expanded opportunities for the applicant's family, and a fast passport issuance process within 3-6 months.

Program in Saint Kitts and Nevis

The program in St. Kitts and Nevis also offers an investment opportunity, including a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Development Fund (SGF), depending on the number of family members of the applicant. The entire process includes counseling, support and ensures that new citizenship rights can be obtained as quickly as possible.

Obtaining alternative citizenship in the Caribbean today is an attractive solution for those seeking to strengthen their citizenship and expand their opportunities worldwide.

Joint investments in real estate are a strategy where two investors pool their financial resources to purchase property, starting with a minimum amount of $400,000 over a period of 5 years. This form of investing helps to lower the financial barrier for investments and allows for joint management of assets over a long period, such as 7 years.

In addition to the main investments, additional expenses include government fees: $35,000 for the primary applicant, $20,000 for the spouse, and $10,000 for each dependent family member. There are also costs for background checks: $7,500 for the primary applicant and $4,000 for each dependent family member over 16 years old.

One of the key benefits is the possibility of visa-free or simplified entry to 152 countries, including Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore. In addition, once the process is complete, citizenship can be obtained for the applicant's entire family: spouse(s), children under 30 and parents over 55. This makes the program attractive to those who want to obtain a second citizenship quickly, in less than six months.

Similar programs are also available on the island of Saint Lucia, where a non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund is required, ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 depending on the applicant's family composition and the type of investments. Investments start at $300,000 in approved real estate and also include additional costs for government fees and due diligence checks.

The Grenada citizenship program requires a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund ranging from $150,000 to $250,000, depending on the applicant's family composition. It is also possible to invest in the tourism housing sector, where a minimum investment of $220,000 is required.

Payment of the application processing feeIt is required for all individuals wishing to participate in the citizenship program of Grenada or Dominica. According to the rules, applicants aged 17 and older are required to pay a fee of $1500, while for those under 17, the fee is $500. This is just the beginning of the process, as an additional amount of $1770 must also be paid for each participant in the program, including the application fee and passport fees.

Additionally, if the application includes dependent family members of the main applicant, an extra contribution of $75,000 will be required. Furthermore, there is an option to change the investment option after submitting the application, but the cost of such changes will range from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the stage of the application review.

Advantages of the Grenada program

• Visa-free entry to 141 countries around the world, including Schengen countries, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.
• Visa-free entry to China for citizens of Grenada.
• The possibility of applying for a non-immigrant E-2 visa to the USA.

Program for obtaining citizenship in Dominica through investmentIt also has its own features. To participate, it is necessary to meet a list of conditions, including a charitable contribution to the government of Dominica. The amount of the charitable contribution will be $100,000 for a single applicant, $175,000 for an applicant and their spouse, and $200,000 for the main applicant and three family members.

• Additional costs include government fees on real estate investments, depending on the number of family members, up to $70,000.
• The necessity of paying the state fee for the consideration of the application and the charge for the reliability check.
• Visa-free entry to 135 countries around the world, including the Schengen area and other popular destinations.

The process of obtaining citizenship in Dominica usually takes between 3 to 6 months, which is relatively quick compared to similar programs.

In the Caribbean, there are several programs that offer the opportunity to obtain citizenship through investment, each with its own conditions and requirements. If you are considering investment options for yourself, the most economical choice would be the programs of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, or Dominica, where the minimum investment amount is around 100,000 dollars.

When it comes to a family application, the Antigua and Barbuda program is the most affordable option. For the same amount of $100,000, up to three family members can be included, making this program a favorable choice for family investors.

The speed of obtaining citizenship

The speed of obtaining citizenship depends on many factors, including the investment strategy, the speed of document submission, and the verification process. Investing in real estate can slow down the application review process.

Requirements for residence

Only the Antigua and Barbuda program requires participants to have a minimum stay on the island — 5 days over the last five years. Other countries do not have such requirements. All programs do not require personal presence to obtain citizenship and a passport.

Real estate in St. Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis offer the most diverse selection of real estate, including resort complexes with extensive infrastructure: pools, saunas, restaurants, fitness centers, and tennis courts.

Development and infrastructure

These islands are among the most developed in the Caribbean region, offering excellent air connections and well-developed infrastructure.

Visa-free access

St. Kitts and Nevis provides visa-free access to 152 countries, making it the leader among other Caribbean islands. However, it is important to consider which specific countries investors are interested in for visa-free travel.

E-2 visa for the USA

Grenada offers a unique opportunity for investors to obtain an E-2 Treaty Investor visa for the USA, allowing them to live, work, and conduct business freely in the United States.

Visa-free access for Russians

Russians can visit all five countries without a visa: St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. However, not all citizens of these states have visa-free access to Russia. In the future, such a regime may be extended to Antigua and Barbuda, but for the time being, citizens of St. Lucia need a visa to visit Russia.

Additional benefits

Citizens of Grenada can visit China without a visa, which is a significant advantage of this investment program.

Choice of program

Thus, the choice of a program for obtaining citizenship through investment in the Caribbean region depends on your personal preferences, family status, and the countries you plan to visit visa-free.

The Caribbean region has made significant progress in the last decade

Offering numerous opportunities for investors and those looking to acquire alternative citizenship. Investment programs approved by governments and enshrined in legislation have become an attractive option for many. For example, various programs in Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Grenada allow individuals to obtain citizenship through investments in real estate or charitable contributions.

Attractive conditions and benefits

• Visa-free or simplified entry:to many countries, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
• Fast Track Citizenship:possibly in a relatively short time, making the programs even more attractive to potential applicants.

A wide range of options

Investment programs in the Caribbean region offer a wide range of options, allowing investors to choose the path to obtaining second citizenship that best suits them. With a variety of conditions and benefits, these programs are becoming increasingly popular among those seeking new opportunities for themselves and their families.