Grenada is the only CBI passport that creates a legitimate path to a US E-2 visa. For any non-US national who wants the option to live and operate a business in the United States, this alone justifies the price premium over cheaper Caribbean alternatives.
St. Kitts and Nevis: The Original and Still Competitive
St. Kitts has run the oldest CBI program in the world since 1984, and its passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 157 countries including the UK, EU Schengen zone, and Singapore. The minimum donation route starts at $250,000 for a single applicant through the Sustainable Island State Contribution fund. Processing runs 45 to 60 days under the accelerated route, or four to six months under the standard timeline.
Grenada: The Only Caribbean CBI with US E-2 Treaty Access
Grenada is the single Caribbean CBI program whose passport qualifies holders to apply for a US E-2 investor visa, making it exceptionally valuable for non-US nationals who want a legal path to live and operate a business in the United States. The donation minimum is $235,000 for a single applicant, or $270,000 for a family of four. Schengen and UK access are included, and processing typically takes three to four months. For a full comparison of how Grenada stacks up across cost, speed, and passport power, see Citizenship by Investment Best Programs Ranked.
Antigua and Barbuda: Cheapest Entry for Families
Antigua's donation option drops to $100,000 for a family of up to four people, the lowest flat-family price in the Caribbean, which makes it the mathematically obvious choice when you are including a spouse and two children. The passport covers roughly 150 countries visa-free, including Schengen and the UK. One condition worth knowing: you must visit Antigua at least once within five years to maintain the citizenship.
Vanuatu: Fastest Passport in the World by Investment
Vanuatu's Development Support Program issues passports in as little as 30 days from a clean application, faster than any competing program. The minimum contribution is around $130,000 for a single applicant. The passport's reach is narrower than Caribbean options, covering roughly 98 countries, and notably excludes the US, UK, and Canada, but it does cover the EU Schengen zone and is particularly useful for applicants from restricted-travel-document countries who need immediate mobility.
Jordan: The Only Arab-World CBI with Broad Schengen Access
Jordan's citizenship by investment program requires a minimum deposit of $1 million in a Jordanian bank at zero interest for three years, or a real estate investment of $750,000 held for ten years, making it a significantly higher-cost option. What it delivers is a passport with access to around 70 countries and, critically, the ability to hold citizenship in an Arab country without triggering the political complications that some nationalities face elsewhere in the region. It suits a narrow profile, primarily high-net-worth nationals from South Asia or Africa who want Arab-world credibility alongside other passports.
St. Lucia: The Balanced Middle-Ground Program
St. Lucia's National Economic Fund donation starts at $240,000 for a single applicant and $280,000 for a family of four, placing it competitively between St. Kitts and Grenada on price. The passport covers roughly 147 countries visa-free including Schengen and the UK, and processing runs three to four months under the standard route. St. Lucia also offers a zero-interest government bond option at $300,000 that is fully refunded after five years, which appeals to applicants who prefer a recoverable outlay over an outright donation.
Things people ask first.
Which citizenship by investment program gives the strongest passport?
St. Kitts delivers the most country coverage at roughly 157 destinations, but Grenada is functionally stronger for many applicants because it adds US E-2 treaty eligibility on top of comparable Schengen and UK access.
What is the cheapest citizenship by investment program?
Antigua at $100,000 flat for a family of four is the cheapest for multi-person applications. For a single applicant, Vanuatu at around $130,000 is the lowest entry point among programs with a recognized, broadly accepted passport.
How long does citizenship by investment take?
Vanuatu is fastest at roughly 30 days. Most Caribbean programs run three to six months under standard processing, with accelerated tracks available in St. Kitts for an additional fee.
Do I have to live in the country to keep the citizenship?
Most CBI programs have minimal or no ongoing physical residency requirements. Antigua is the main exception, requiring one visit to the country within the first five years of citizenship.
Can Americans get a second citizenship through investment?
Yes, US law does not prohibit holding dual or multiple citizenships. However, Americans remain taxed on worldwide income regardless of which passports they hold, so CBI alone does not solve US tax exposure without also breaking US tax residency.
Is citizenship by investment legal?
Fully legal. The programs listed here are sovereign government programs established by national legislation. The investment goes directly to government-designated funds or approved real estate, and citizenship is granted through the same legal process as any other route in that country.
Which CBI passport is actually right for your situation?
The Offshore Playbook walks through how to stack a CBI passport with the right banking, tax residency break, and entity structure so the passport does real work rather than sitting in a drawer. gramps.chat can help you pressure-test a specific program choice against your actual nationality, tax situation, and travel needs.
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