Comparison guide
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Compared (2026)
How the five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes - St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia - compare in 2026.
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Investors comparing Caribbean economic-citizenship optionsFamilies weighing a donation fund against approved real estateApplicants who want a neutral, source-linked overviewAt a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Kitts & Nevis | St Kitts and Nevis CBI - Sustainable Island State Contribution | No | Full citizenship, granted for life and transmissible to future generations, once the contribution is made and the application is approved. | ✓ Yes |
| Antigua & Barbuda | Antigua and Barbuda CBI - National Development Fund | No | Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved; a short physical-presence step applies in the early years (see FAQ). | ✓ Yes |
| Dominica | Dominica CBI - Economic Diversification Fund | No | Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved. | ✓ Yes |
| Grenada | Grenada CBI - National Transformation Fund | No | Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved. | ✓ Yes |
| Saint Lucia | Saint Lucia CBI - National Economic Fund | No | Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved. | ✓ Yes |
Detailed comparison
All five Eastern Caribbean programmes are bound by the March 2024 CARICOM Memorandum of Agreement, which sets a minimum price of US$200,000 across every qualifying investment option (in force since 1 July 2024) and prohibits discounting below that floor.
Each programme offers a non-refundable contribution to a government fund as its lowest-entry option; the five states also offer approved real-estate routes, and some add enterprise or government-bond options.
Physical-presence rules differ: Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia currently require no presence, while Antigua and Barbuda asks for a short stay within the first five years. A proposed common 30-day rule has not taken effect.
Grenada is the only Caribbean programme whose citizens can later apply for the United States E-2 treaty investor visa - a separate, non-immigrant US route with its own requirements.
Visa-free travel and programme terms can change, and applications must be filed through a government-licensed agent. Always confirm the current options and prices on the official Citizenship by Investment Unit page.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
St Kitts and Nevis CBI - Sustainable Island State Contribution· Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
For people who want to become a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis by making a one-time, non-refundable contribution to the government, rather than buying property. This is the country's main donation route.
No sponsorship needed · Full citizenship, granted for life and transmissible to future generations, once the contribution is made and the application is approved.
Antigua and Barbuda CBI - National Development Fund· Antigua and Barbuda
For people who want citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda by making a one-time, non-refundable donation to the National Development Fund, rather than buying property or a business. This is the most popular route.
No sponsorship needed · Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved; a short physical-presence step applies in the early years (see FAQ).
Dominica CBI - Economic Diversification Fund· Commonwealth of Dominica
For people who want citizenship of Dominica by making a one-time, non-refundable contribution to a national fund, rather than buying property. This is Dominica's main donation route.
No sponsorship needed · Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved.
Grenada CBI - National Transformation Fund· Grenada
For people who want citizenship of Grenada by making a one-time, non-refundable contribution to a national fund, rather than buying property. This is Grenada's main donation route.
No sponsorship needed · Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved.
Saint Lucia CBI - National Economic Fund· Saint Lucia
For people who want citizenship of Saint Lucia by making a one-time, non-refundable contribution to a national fund, rather than buying property or bonds. This is Saint Lucia's main donation route.
No sponsorship needed · Full citizenship once the contribution is made and the application is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Which Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programme is cheapest?+
Since 1 July 2024 all five programmes share the same US$200,000 minimum price across their qualifying options under the CARICOM agreement, so headline entry costs are similar; differences come from family size, due-diligence and processing fees, and whether you choose a donation or real estate. Confirm current amounts on each official Citizenship by Investment Unit page.
Do I have to live in the country to keep the citizenship?+
Generally no - Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia do not require physical presence, and Antigua and Barbuda asks only for a short stay within the first five years. A common 30-day presence rule was proposed but has not taken effect. Rules can change, so verify on the official page.
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