In 2025, Caribbean programs are still the most popular in the world, thanks to well-established processing and the privileges of visa-free travel around the world. To maintain this status, the founding countries of the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs continue to constantly fight with European parliamentarians, proving transparency and a high level of processing.
In mid-May 2025, a series of meetings took place in the Caribbean between the heads of the units of the Citizenship by Investment programs of the states of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, as well as lawyers who are jointly developing a local Regulator. This is a continuation of the course announced in March 2024, when the so-called Memorandum was published.
Thus, the regional regulator will be responsible for such issues as licensing of program agents, approval of due diligence rules, audit of national CBI (Citizenship by Investment) units, maintaining a public register of licensees and combating fraudulent practices.
It is not yet clear how such initiatives will affect applicants wishing to obtain Caribbean citizenship. But it is already clear that the bar for program agents will be raised ever higher. In particular, this spring it became known that some major international industry players lost key licenses to work as investors and prepare their files for submission.
Nevertheless, APEX Capital Partners retained all licenses and continues to work with all five countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia.
Where can I go with a Caribbean passport?
Caribbean citizenship gives the right to visa-free travel to the Schengen countries (90 days every six months). Also, with a Caribbean passport (except Dominica), you can enter the UK without a visa and stay there for up to 180 days continuously.
Even Caribbean citizens will need a visa to visit the US, but there is a chance to get a long-term tourist visa (maximum 10 years). We also note the exclusive advantage of citizens of Antigua, Dominica and Grenada for visa-free entry to China (30 days without a visa).
Caribbean Citizenship – How Much Do You Need to Invest?
Saint Lucia Citizenship
In early May 2025, Saint Lucia announced that it would extend the validity of its national passport from 5 to 10 years. This was announced by the country’s Prime Minister, Philippe J. Pierre. Under the new policy, the passport’s validity will now depend on the age of the applicant:
— Adults (18 years and above): the passport will be valid for 10 years.
— Minors (under 18): the passport will remain valid for 5 years.
When the child turns 18, he/she can renew his/her passport, and the new passport will be valid for 10 years.
A unique option in this program is a 5-year returnable investment in government bonds. The amount is fixed at $300,000 (USD). Any number of dependent family members can be included in the application without increasing the investment amount or paying large fees.
Grenada Citizenship
The minimum investment in the National Transformation fund is $235,000 (USD) per applicant. In real estate – from $270,000. Currently, the most popular authorized project is Intercontinental Grenada.
The 150-room InterContinental Grenada hotel is under construction on La Sagesse Beach, approximately 30 minutes from the Maurice Bishop International Airport and the town of St. George’s. InterContinental Grenada Resort will be adjacent to Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada, another Range Developments property and brand in IHG’s luxury portfolio.
Dominica Citizenship
In 2023, Dominica citizens lost the ability to visit the UK without a visa, but retained entry to the Schengen area. The minimum investment under the program (The Economic Diversification Fund) is from $200,000 (USD) for one applicant and from $250,000 for a family of no more than 4 people.
In fact, Dominica now has the lowest rate for processing only one applicant compared to other Caribbean programs.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
The St. Kitts program has seen several cabinet changes over the last couple of years. The current head of the CBI unit wants to make the program the most significant and sought-after in the market again, and is implementing new mechanisms to automate processing so that applications are processed in record time. Any file is expected to be processed within 10 weeks with no additional fees.
Government fund contribution option – $250,000 (USD) per applicant or family of 4. Real estate investment – from $325,000.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship
This CBI program includes the opportunity to invest in a ready-made operating resort – a 5* hotel, Hodges Bay. You will need to invest $300,000, and after 5 years and 6 months you will be able to either put your share in the project on the market, or the developer will buy it for $135,000. Apex Capital Partners is the exclusive partner of the Hodges Bay Resort project.
There is also an investment option with a contribution to a state fund – from $230,000 (USD). And large families (from 6 people) can consider the option with a contribution to a local university – $260,000.
