Caribbean Citizenship by Investment

The previous 10 years have been characterised by significant progress in improving the Caribbean economy. The nations concerned have improved transport related infrastructure, developed new construction projects. New forms of entertainment regularly become available, enticing nationals from a wide variety of nations. The development of the economy is due not least to the substantial inflow of foreign investing.

Pros of a Caribbean passport

Everyone has the right to obtain a passport of one of the Caribbean governments for investing in the improvement of the economy. Investors, their relatives may not think about visa restrictions if they apply for nationality. Investment programs make it easy to obtain nationality of another government without a long stay on the territory of one of the nations. According to statistics, Caribbean citizenship programs are the most sought after. They provide those who have made investments with the ability to visit different governments without hindrance.

The candidate must fulfil the qualification requirements that are approved at the government level. Verification can be done to obtain nationality of the government in whose economic system the money is invested.

It is possible to obtain a Caribbean passport through various methods. The easiest is to become a member of an investment program. For example, naturalisation takes a minimum of 36 months. You can get a citizenship for investing within six months. The main advantages of obtaining a Caribbean passport under the investment program are as follows:

• the ability to choose where to live – you can enter 142 nations visa-free;
• extensive opportunities for business people – Caribbean nations are perfect for business projects;
• tax benefits – you can reduce your tax liabilities.

The pluses include the fact that all 5 Caribbean nations provide for dual nationality. You will not need to renounce the nationality of your native nation. It is not excluded that it will be required in future life.

Differences in Caribbean investment programs

Governments in different nations provide different programs. They vary in the number of options that are available to those who invest. One can invest in a government fund, purchase real estate. It is also possible to invest in business development.

Additional expenses include payment for security checks. These costs do not depend on what kind of investments is made. Investments in the government fund are the cheapest. The disadvantages include the fact that it is impossible to return the money, unlike other options. If the candidate wants to issue nationality to the whole family, it will be necessary to make additional payments for them. The total amount of payments is determined taking into account the number of relatives and their age.

List of Caribbean citizenship programs for investors

Now 5 Caribbean countries give the opportunity to obtain nationality for investing. Such an opportunity is provided for by the laws of the Caribbean Governments.

Investors seeking a Barbados passport may be disappointed. The government does not provide a program for them. This eliminates the possibility of obtaining citizenship for investing.

Insights into specific Caribbean CBI programs

When selecting an option, remember that the exact costs depend on the number of recipients of nationality. If only one applicant wants to obtain a passport, you can pay attention to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Lucia. It will be necessary to invest in government funds from 100 thousand USD.

If a citizenship is issued to several candidates, it is recommended to consider Antigua and Barbuda. 100 thousand USD will give the opportunity to add 3 relatives to the application. The applicant and his family will not need to confirm their language skills or to apply for a residence permit. It is only necessary to confirm the presence in the government for at least 5 days.

If the money is invested in immovable property, the application is considered longer.

St Kitts and Nevis

Under the rules of the investment program, an claimant for nationality must make a payment to the SGF. Its amount depends on the number of claimants listed in the application:

• 1 candidate – 150 thousand dollars;
• husband or wife of the applicant – 25 thousand dollars;
• additional relative – 10 thousand dollars.

Purchasing a real estate property, one candidate must spend 400 thousand USD. The period of ownership is a minimum of 60 months. If the immovable property is registered for 2 candidates, 50% of the indicated amount is distributed to each of them. The period of ownership is 84 months.

Additional expenses in real estate programmes:

• payment of government duty for the main applicant – $35,000;
• expenses for the 2nd relative – 20 thousand dollars;
• costs for each additional family member – $10,000.

The investor must pay $7.5 thousand for a security check. For each dependent relative who is 16 years of age or older, the applicant must pay $4,000.

Dominica

A charitable donation to the government of the nation is required to obtain a passport for the nation. The contribution amounts are as follows:

• 1 person – 100 thousand USD;
• 2 persons – 175 thousand USD;
• 4 persons – 200 thousand USD;
• each additional person – 50 thousand USD.

It is also necessary to buy real estate in the government in the amount of 200 thousand USD. The real estate must be purchased for 60 months.

Additional costs include government duty. It is equal to 25 thousand dollars for the applicant and husband, wife, 35 thousand for the main claimant and 3 relatives. For the processing of the application will need to pay a thousand USD.

A security check for one claimant costs 7.5 thousand USD. For each additional participant 4 thousand USD is paid additionally. It takes about 7 months to process the application.

Grenada

A Grenadian passport can be issued using one of 3 programs. Payment is provided to the government transformation fund:

• one applicant – 150 thousand;
• applicant and 3 relatives – 200 thousand;
• each additional applicant – 25 thousand.

A minimum of 2 individuals may jointly invest in a property project for tourists. The minimum investing is $220,000 per applicant.

Another option is to purchase a minimum of $350,000 worth of luxury real estate in a project that the Grenada authorities have approved. The fee for performing the security clearance is quite large. For each claimant who has reached the age of 17 years, it is necessary to pay 5 thousand USD. A government duty is also envisaged. Everyone who is over 17 years old pays 1.5 thousand USD. People who are less than 17 years old pay 500 USD each.

Grenada is a government that allows you to enter China without a visa. In addition, having Grenadian nationality, it is possible to get an American non-immigrant visa. Emigrants can obtain a Grenadian citizenship in 4-5 months.

Antigua and Barbuda

Claimants must invest from 100 thousand USD in NDF. Such contribution is sufficient for the main claimant, 3 relatives. If there are more claimants, the size of the payment increases to 125 thousand.

An alternative option is the purchase of real estate for a minimum of 400 thousand USD. The real estate must be included in a government project. 1-4 claimants pay a government fee equal to 50 thousand USD. For each additional claimant, 15 thousand USD is paid.

Making a charitable payment, the investor will have to pay a fee equal to 25 thousand USD for 1-4 claimants. For each additional relative 15 thousand USD will be charged.

Having obtained nationality, it will be possible to travel around the world, enter 147 governments visa-free.

Any relative, including children under 28 years old, mother and father over 58 years old, can get a passport.

The application will take six months to be considered.

St Lucia

The applicant must make a payment of at least 100 thousand USD to the economic fund. It is also possible to buy immovable property for at least 300 thousand USD. The government fee for processing the application is small, if compared to other nations, is equal to 2 thousand USD. For the security check it will be necessary to pay 7.5 thousand USD.

How to apply for Caribbean citizenship by investment

Capital holders can make an application by contacting a law firm that is accredited.

Application algorithm

You can apply in the following way:

1. Collect a set of documents; check whether they comply with the applicable regulations.
2. Register with the relevant programme.
3. Get an approval letter after you have passed the security check.
4. Fulfil the required payment obligations.
5. Obtain documents.

Legal regulations and residency

Any investor can apply for a second nationality without leaving their home government. The only exception is Antigua and Barbuda. In order to naturalise, you must stay in the islands for at least 5 days during the first 60 months.

Why choose Caribbean citizenship?

The Caribbean certificate is particularly relevant for Americans. It allows to legally reducing the tax burden. By arriving in a Caribbean nation and obtaining a second certificate, rich people can preserve their own capital for their descendants. This is due to the fact that the tax system on the islands is much more flexible than in the United Governments.

Nationality for investing can be called a kind of investing in medicine and education. By becoming a participant of the programme, you can help your family members to obtain a second nationality. This will provide access to high quality healthcare, free movement. Children who have not reached the age of 18 will be able to study in good schools at a much lower price than in America and the European Union.

Tax benefits and financial privacy

Caribbean nationality allows you to develop business, conduct financial transactions through offshore. Such transactions are allowed, as they are carried out on behalf of organisations registered in Caribbean nations. The certificate allows for trade and unhindered visits to the Caribbean Community.

Travel freedom and global access

Having received a certificate, you can visit 140 nations without a visa. You can enter England, European nations. You can also visit the nations of Asia and Africa. If we talk about America, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the Caribbean certificate greatly facilitates the issuance of a tourist visa. According to the current norms, investors have the right to travel freely in America for 120 months. The Grenadian certificate allows applying for an American residence permit if a person has been in the government for 36 months or more. It is free travelling around the world that is one of the main reasons for applying for a Caribbean certificate.