Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI passport that unlocks the US E-2 investor visa route. For non-E-2 nationals with US business plans, that single feature can be worth multiples of the program cost.
St. Kitts and Nevis: The Original and Still Competitive
St. Kitts and Nevis launched the world's first CBI program in 1984 and remains a benchmark. The non-refundable Sustainable Island State Contribution route starts at $250,000 for a single applicant, with processing typically running 45 to 90 days under the accelerated option. The passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 157 countries, including the Schengen zone and the UK, which puts it among the most powerful Caribbean options.
Dominica: Lowest Entry Cost in the Region
Dominica consistently offers the cheapest Caribbean passport, with the Economic Diversification Fund contribution starting at $100,000 for a single applicant. Processing runs approximately 60 days and the passport covers around 145 visa-free destinations. For buyers whose primary goal is a backup travel document rather than maximum visa access, Dominica gives the best value per dollar spent.
Grenada: The Only Caribbean Passport with US E-2 Treaty Access
Grenada's program starts at $235,000 via the National Transformation Fund and processes in roughly 60 to 90 days. The critical differentiator is that Grenada has a bilateral E-2 investor visa treaty with the United States, meaning a Grenadian passport holder can apply for an E-2 visa to live and operate a business in the US. No other Caribbean CBI jurisdiction offers this, making Grenada the default choice for anyone with US business ambitions who holds a passport that does not itself qualify for E-2. See how Grenada compares against global programs in the 2026 rankings.
Antigua and Barbuda: Family Value at Scale
Antigua's National Development Fund contribution starts at $130,000 for a family of four, which is one of the better per-head cost structures in the Caribbean. Processing typically takes 60 to 90 days. One requirement to note: the applicant must spend five days in Antigua within the first five years, a minimal threshold but one that some fully location-independent applicants find inconvenient.
St. Lucia: Flexible Routes and a Unique Bond Option
St. Lucia's National Economic Fund starts at $100,000 for a single applicant, matching Dominica on price. St. Lucia also offers a government bond option starting at $300,000, which is partially refundable after five years, giving investors with larger capital a way to offset net cost. Visa-free access sits around 146 destinations, and processing runs approximately 60 to 90 days.
Real Estate Routes Across All Five Programs
Every Caribbean CBI program offers a real estate investment alternative, typically ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 depending on jurisdiction and whether the property is approved-project inventory. Real estate routes carry higher headline costs than donation routes but can be partially recovered on resale, usually after a five-year holding period. Buyers should factor in due diligence fees, government processing fees, and agent commissions, which can add $30,000 to $50,000 or more to the total outlay regardless of which jurisdiction they choose.
Things people ask first.
Which Caribbean CBI program is cheapest?
Dominica and St. Lucia both start at $100,000 for a single applicant via the donation route, making them the lowest-cost entry points. For a family of four, Antigua at $130,000 often beats both on a per-person basis.
Do Caribbean CBI passports allow visa-free travel to the US?
No Caribbean CBI passport currently qualifies for the US Visa Waiver Program, so US travel still requires a separate visa. Grenada is the exception in a different sense: its E-2 treaty with the US allows Grenadian citizens to apply for a long-term investor visa to live and work in the US.
How long does Caribbean citizenship by investment take?
Standard processing across all five programs runs roughly 60 to 90 days. St. Kitts offers an accelerated track that can reduce this to 45 days, but it comes with a higher fee.
Do I need to live in the Caribbean to keep my citizenship?
Antigua requires five days of physical presence within the first five years. The other four programs, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, currently have no ongoing residency requirement once citizenship is granted.
Can I include dependents in a Caribbean CBI application?
Yes, all five programs allow spouses, minor children, and in most cases dependent parents and siblings to be added to a single application for incremental fees, typically $25,000 to $50,000 per additional adult dependent.
Is Caribbean CBI citizenship passed to future children?
In most cases yes. Children born to a citizen of these countries after naturalization are generally entitled to citizenship by descent, though each jurisdiction has its own rules and it is worth confirming the current law with a licensed agent before applying.
Which Caribbean passport is actually right for your situation?
The Offshore Playbook goes deeper on CBI due diligence, how to vet licensed agents, and how to layer a Caribbean passport into a broader tax and residency structure without leaving gaps. gramps.chat can walk you through the comparison in real time.
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