What Is Citizenship By Investment?
Citizenship By Investment (CBI) is, in essence, a legal and strategic path to acquiring a second nationality through investment. Although this may be viewed as a relatively modern trend, it is rooted in long-standing economic development goals. Governments offer these programs to attract foreign capital, while investors gain powerful advantages—mobility, asset protection, tax strategy, and generational security.
More importantly, CBI is not just a passport—it is a tool. It grants the freedom to reposition yourself in a changing world. As I have said before, the key lies in selecting a program that aligns with your priorities, risk appetite, and long-term goals.
Aligning Your Goals with the Right Program
Before reviewing your options, it is essential to determine what success looks like for you. For instance:
- Are you pursuing greater visa-free mobility?
- Is speed of approval critical to your timeline?
- Do you require inclusion of multiple generations in your application?
- Are you seeking asset diversification through real estate investment?
- Do you want to mitigate future tax exposure?
Altogether, these answers will guide you toward the programs best suited for your objectives. In this case, the best strategy is not just about where you can go—it’s about what you can build from that citizenship.
Current Citizenship By Investment Program Landscape in 2025
Given the sweeping reforms across Europe and the Caribbean, not all Citizenship By Investment programs remain active. Nonetheless, the Caribbean continues to offer some of the most accessible, fast-tracked, and tax-neutral options in 2025.
Caribbean Options (Efficient, Established, and Strategic)
| Country | Minimum Investment | Timeline | Residency Requirement | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | $200,000 donation or $200,000 real estate | 4–6 months | None | Most cost-effective |
| St. Lucia | $240,000 donation (family of 4) or $300,000 real estate | 6–12 months | None | Multiple investment paths |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | $250,000 donation or $400,000 real estate | 3–6 months | None | Longest-standing CBI |
| Grenada | $235,000 donation or $220,000+ real estate | 4–8 months | None | E-2 visa access to U.S. |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $230,000 donation or $300,000 real estate | 4–7 months | 5-day visit in 5 years | Ideal for large families |
Accordingly, Caribbean CBI programs offer the strongest combination of speed, affordability, and flexibility. Additionally, these nations impose no tax on foreign income, capital gains, or inheritance—making them particularly attractive to globally mobile entrepreneurs.
Oceania
While the Caribbean remains dominant, the Pacific islands provide niche options.
- Vanuatu offers citizenship in as little as one month for a $130,000 donation. However, due to recent EU suspensions of visa-free access, its mobility score has decreased.
- Nauru, introduced in 2024, requires a $105,000 donation and offers limited mobility (~89 visa-free countries). Nevertheless, it may serve those seeking straightforward second citizenship without relocation obligations.
Europe and Surrounding Regions
In contrast to previous years, Europe has largely closed its doors to direct citizenship routes.
- Malta formally ended its CBI program in April 2025 following legal pressure from the European Commission.
- Cyprus and Bulgaria had already terminated similar programs due to reputational and regulatory risks.
- Turkey, however, remains active. With a $400,000 real estate requirement, it offers citizenship within 3–5 months. Still, its passport grants access to fewer countries than Caribbean options, albeit with unique business opportunities in Eurasia.
Key Decision Factors (Beyond the Headlines)
Timeline vs. Permanence
If your primary concern is speed, then Vanuatu, Dominica, or St. Kitts & Nevis may be ideal. Conversely, if you are looking for deeper integration or relocation potential, options like Turkey may hold more value—despite the longer-term responsibilities.
Donation vs. Real Estate
Not only do real estate pathways offer the potential for returns, but they also create a tangible foothold in the jurisdiction. However, they come with resale restrictions and minimum holding periods. Donations, by comparison, are irrevocable but administratively simpler.
Family Inclusion
Both Dominica and St. Lucia lead the Caribbean for family inclusivity. St. Lucia, for instance, accepts siblings and adult dependents up to 30. Additionally, neither programs exclude elderly parents or grandparents.
U.S. Access
Grenada remains the only Caribbean nation whose citizens are eligible to apply for a U.S. E-2 investor visa. Consequently, this program stands out for those interested in building or relocating a business to the United States.
Tax Considerations
Although citizenship doesn’t automatically confer tax residency, it can open the door to more favorable regimes. As has been noted, most Caribbean CBI jurisdictions operate on a territorial tax model—meaning no tax is due on foreign-sourced income. Therefore, these passports are strategic tools in long-term wealth preservation.
Common Investor Scenarios
Speed is the top priority
Choose Dominica or Vanuatu. They offer straightforward processes, minimal documentation, and fast-track approvals.
The goal is U.S. market access
Choose Grenada. It’s the only program with an E-2 treaty benefit.
Your family includes adult dependents or extended relatives
Consider St. Lucia or Dominica, both of which allow multi-generational inclusion.
You plan to invest in appreciating property
St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda offer more mature real estate markets.
You want a low-risk, long-standing program
Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis are time-tested, stable, and well-regarded globally.
Citizenship By Investment Application Process (How It Works with Apex Capital Partners)
With this in mind, Apex Capital Partners offers a seamless, confidential, and fully guided path to second citizenship:
- Initial assessment: We evaluate your eligibility, preferences, and goals.
- Strategic planning: We recommend the most suitable jurisdictions based on your situation.
- Document preparation: We assist in gathering, verifying, and submitting required documents.
- Application submission: Apex liaises directly with CIUs and legal bodies on your behalf.
- Approval and issuance: Once approved, we coordinate the oath of allegiance and passport delivery.
- Post-citizenship advisory: We support integration, relocation, tax planning, and renewal.
Citizenship By Investment Program Changes to Watch in 2025
- Minimum donations have increased across all OECS member countries following a joint agreement to eliminate undercutting.
- Stricter due diligence procedures are now in place, increasing application scrutiny but also improving program legitimacy.
- European citizenship programs have been formally shut down; do not expect Malta, Cyprus, or Bulgaria to re-open in their previous formats.
- Visa-free mobility is dynamic: Some nations, such as Vanuatu, have experienced temporary suspensions. Therefore, it’s critical to confirm passport power at the time of application.
Citizenship By Investment Summary Comparison Chart (2025)
| Program | Investment | Family-Friendly | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | $200,000 | Yes | Most affordable |
| St. Lucia | $240,000 | Yes | Broadest inclusion |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | $250,000 | Yes | Strongest passport |
| Grenada | $235,000 | Yes | U.S. access |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $230,000 | Yes | Best for large families |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | No | Fastest path |
| Turkey | $400,000 | Yes | Regional business gateway |
Your Next Move
Whether you are safeguarding your wealth, future-proofing your family, or creating new opportunities, Citizenship By Investment is a serious asset in today’s geopolitical landscape. That said, choosing the right program is not a matter of picking from a list. It requires precision, strategy, and foresight.
At Apex Capital Partners, we offer more than execution—we offer insight. Not only do we manage your application end-to-end, but we also ensure that every decision aligns with your long-term plan.
To that end, we invite you to book a consultation with our team of global advisors. We’ll help you identify the program that suits you best, prepare your application with precision, and remain your partner well beyond the passport.
