Caribbean citizenship by investment 2026: Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and St Lucia compared
Five Caribbean nations run citizenship-by-investment programmes: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. They have tightened their rules together in recent years, and 2026 brought more changes. This guide compares what each costs and how long it takes.
Minimum investment compared
Figures are in US dollars for a single applicant and come from industry summaries reviewed in October 2026.
| Programme | Donation route | Real estate route | Family note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | USD 200,000 (Economic Diversification Fund) | From USD 200,000, held 3 to 5 years | Family of four about USD 250,000 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | USD 230,000 (National Development Fund) | From USD 300,000, held 5 years | USD 230,000 for a family of up to four; University of the West Indies fund option for larger families |
| Grenada | USD 235,000 (National Transformation Fund) | From about USD 270,000 (joint) or USD 350,000 (sole), held 5 years | USD 235,000 covers a single applicant or family of four |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | USD 250,000 (Sustainable Island State Contribution) | From USD 325,000 in an approved development (7 years) | USD 250,000 covers a single applicant or up to three dependants |
| Saint Lucia | USD 240,000 (National Economic Fund) | From USD 300,000 (5 years); a refundable USD 300,000 bond is also offered | USD 240,000 covers a single applicant or up to three dependants |
Government processing, due-diligence and passport fees are typically additional, roughly USD 10,000 to 25,000 depending on family size and programme.
How long it takes
Advertised timelines are shorter than what applicants experience. Late-2025 industry data on actual waits from application to passport showed:
| Programme | Reported average | Reported range |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | About 5 months | 3 to 8 months |
| Grenada | About 7 months | 4 to 9 months |
| Dominica | About 9 months | 4 to 18 months |
| Antigua and Barbuda | About 14 months | 10 to 18 months |
| Saint Lucia | About 18 months | 12 to 26 months |
What changed recently
- Regional standards: the Eastern Caribbean states agreed common rules including mandatory interviews for adult applicants, tougher due diligence and a shared database. A regional body, ECCIRA, was reported as established in late 2025. A proposed 30-day physical presence requirement had been agreed in principle but was not confirmed as in force in the sources we reviewed.
- Travel restrictions: reports say the United States applied partial visa restrictions to Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica from 1 January 2026, and that the UK reintroduced a visa requirement for Saint Lucian passport holders in March 2026. Check the current list of visa-free destinations for any passport before applying.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis: reports describe a move away from donation-only routes towards "genuine link" requirements and mandatory biometric enrolment for passport holders.
- Dominica: reports say it suspended new applications from Iranian nationals in 2026 and has revoked a number of passports since 2024.
- Grenada: often highlighted for the US E-2 treaty investor visa option, though rejection rates were reported to have risen in 2025.
These items come from industry summaries and are not all confirmed by government sources, so verify each one before relying on it.
Real estate or donation?
- Donation: simpler and faster, but non-refundable. Usually cheaper for small families.
- Real estate: requires a holding period before resale, and resale values and demand are uncertain, especially outside the main tourist areas. Fees and taxes apply on both purchase and sale.
- Saint Lucia's bond: the only refundable option among the five, according to summaries, but it ties up capital for five years.
Questions to ask before you apply
- What is the current visa-free list for this passport?
- Which fees are non-refundable if my application is refused?
- Will I be required to visit for an interview or biometrics?
- How is source of funds checked and how long does it take?
- Is the agent licensed by the government's CBI unit?
Programmes can change between the day you read an article and the day you apply. Confirm with the official CBI unit of the country you choose.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes change often and are frequently suspended, repriced or restricted without much notice. Amounts and timelines below were gathered in October 2026 from law-firm and industry summaries, which sometimes disagree with each other; they are not official price lists. Always confirm figures with the government's own CBI unit or a licensed agent before paying anything, and take independent legal and tax advice. Visa Ray is not an immigration adviser. You can run a free assessment on Visa Ray to compare residence and citizenship pathways.