Economic Citizenship Country Programs: How To Get A Caribbean Citizenship

What is A Citizenship?

Up until the turn of the 21st century, there was no such thing as a passport. Though there are records dated back to Roman times where they used letters guaranteeing safe passage carried by persons who were traveling through distant lands. It was only until after World War I where passports were required to prove your identity when traveling. It was first made into law through the British Citizenship and Aliens Act of 1914 and later in the League of Nations where it was instituted into the global framework amongst nations.

Citizenship is the relationship between a specific individual and a nation-state whereby the state grants the resident particular rights, such as the right to vote, work and own property, and in return the resident accepts the authority of the state government and the supporting laws and custom of the state. 

Table of Contents:

• What is A Citizenship?
• What is an Economic Citizenship?
• Why You Need a Second Citizenship
• Benefits of Economic Citizenship by Investment
• How To Get A Caribbean Citizenship?
• What Countries have Economic Citizenship?
• Best Caribbean Economic Citizenship Programs
• Best Caribbean Passports Programs
• Conclusion

What is an Economic Citizenship?

Economic Citizenship or citizenship by investment is the process of getting a second citizenship and passport through a cash donation or through an investment in real estate. Many countries around the world offer some form of citizenship by investment program. They were established to encourage foreign capital into the country and stimulate local businesses and investment opportunities. 

Getting a second citizenship through the proper channels together in the right jurisdiction can open up opportunities in travel, investment as well as economic diversification. Many global entrepreneurs have sought out second citizenship programs as many programs do not require physical presence requirements in order to be eligible. 

Why You Need a Second Citizenship

There are numerous reasons why people invest in a second citizenship, whether it's diversification or personal safety reasons or whether it's to increase global movement. A second passport is perhaps the greatest insurance policy you can buy, especially for individuals living in politically repressive or unstable countries.

Applications who participate in the 'golden passport' programs in the Caribbean can be approved in as little as 3-6 months that offer citizenship for life, a legitimate passport, together with the possibility of passing on that citizenship to your family for future generations to come.

Benefits of Economic Citizenship by Investment

1. Financial Possibilities

Getting a second passport allows you the opportunity to have access to different regional financial opportunities by investing and operating businesses in different regions in the world.

2. Freedom Governmental Foreign Policy

Free yourself from being solely identified with just one nationality. A second citizenship allows you to break free from rigid stereotypes that can follow you from place to place depending on the passport you carry.

3. Visa-Free Travel

Increase the number of countries you can visit without applying for a visa. Having a second passport gives you more visa-free travel opportunities.

4. Control of Movement

Having a second passport allows you to bypass control of movement restrictions that may be imposed. You are likely able to bypass travel restrictions if you have a second nationality. During the pandemic, citizens of many nationalities were unable to travel to loved ones because of their nationality.

5. Individual Sovereignty

Untie yourself from the domain of one single sate authority. Having a second passport frees you from being beholden to any single authority. You are more able to move and live where you want when you want without having to rely on any specific jurisdictions mandate.

6. Security

Having a Plan B in place should anything go wrong helps prepare yourself for the future. Being welcomed as a first-class citizen gives you a backup plan in case you are looking for a second country to live in should you need to implement Plan B.

7. Tax Reduction

You are likely to be able to optimize your tax structure through many of the beneficial tax initiatives that come with living in a low tax jurisdiction. You likely will be able to live tax-free if you are able to structure your business and assets properly.

8. Future Generations

Likely one of the most valuable gifts you can give to future generations. Passing down second citizenship to your children and their children will influence lives for generations to come.

Check out some of the easiest places in the world to get a second citizenship.

How To Get A Caribbean Citizenship?

There is no one standard requirement, as each country has its own set of laws however, generally speaking, there are some commonalities that are applicable to all the programs. A Citizenship by investment program is applied using an agent who is able to coordinate with the respective government authorities. Most economic citizenship programs last between 1-4 months with options to expedite the process in the case of several Caribbean countries.

In order to apply, you will be required to furnish your:

• Proof of identity
• Passport copy
• Proof of address
• Criminal record history
• Proof of funds
• Due diligence forms

What Countries have Economic Citizenship?

Many countries around the world provide citizenship by investment programs. The number of these programs are continuously increasing as a growing number of countries understand the financial advantages of opening their borders to highly skilled and wealthy individuals as most investors come with business or entrepreneurial background which has helped many countries with the brain drain they currently are facing.

While many countries offer citizenships through a variety of different programs, we deal mainly with citizenship opportunities in the Caribbean or in European citizenships through the Golden Visa program.

List of Caribbean Citizenships

• St Kitts 
• St Lucia 
• Dominica 
• Antigua 
• Grenada

List of European Citizenship

• Malta
• Portugal
• Greece 
• Spain

Other Notable programs

• Vanuatu
• Panama

Best Caribbean Economic Citizenship Programs

Some of the most popular programs are found in the Caribbean mainly due to their cost which is 10% of what the programs cost in Europe. 

The most popular Caribbean countries that offer Economic Citizenship are:

1. St Kitts & Nevis
2. St Lucia
3. Grenada
4. Dominica 
5. Antigua & Barbuda

While this is not a full list they are generally the most popular in 2020 and going forward we recommend these especially. In 2020 in response to covid, both Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis dropped their price and as a result they have seen a massive increase in applicants looking for the freedom that comes with having a second passport.

Best Caribbean Passports Programs

1. St Kitts and Nevis Economic Citizenship Program

• Program start date: 1984
• Processing time: 1-2 months
• Visa-free Travel: 150 
• Cost: $150,000
• Residency Requirement: none

St. Kitts & Nevis's citizenship by investment was the first country to first implement the second citizenship opportunity and started the investment program in 1984; other nations quickly followed suit as a result of the success of the program. In the last two decades, Nevis has generated over 50 million USD in fees alone, as well as all of the spillover benefits that come through local business development and local investment. 

Since the start of the global lockdown and Covid-19, St Kitts and Nevis started offering a 40,00USD discount in its family price. Other Caribbean countries such as St Lucia and Antigua have also been offering reducing pricing in their attempts to attract individuals and clients through the 2020 calendar. 

2. Dominica Economic Citizenship Program

• Program start date: 1993
• Processing time: 2-4 months
• Visa-free Travel: 135 
• Cost: $100,000
• Residency Requirement: none

The Island of Dominica offers a passport through their Citizenship by investment program (CIP) for 100,000USD currently making in the cheapest country in the world to offer full second citizenship and passport. Dominica is more of a natural island known for its beauty and rainforest rather than a bustling tourist infrastructure. Their laid-back style can be seen by their low visa requirements. Many countries are even able to enter the country for up to 6 months without any visa.

Also known as a Golden Visa or Investor visa the CIP program gives an individual a Dominican second passport in 3-6 months without any need of physically applying in person. You can apply and be granted citizenship without needing to fulfill any residency requirements nor do you need to visit the country beforehand.

3. St Lucia Economic Citizenship Program

• Program start date: 2016
• Processing time: 3-4 months
• Visa-free Travel: 146
• Cost: $100,000
• Residency Requirement: none

Similar to the Nevis and Dominica Golden Visa program St Lucia offers citizenship through an investment that was started in 2016 and is currently priced at 100,000 USD making it one of the newest and cheapest programs in the world. The program was started by the government in order to promote development and infrastructure projects in the country. A second passport can be acquired also through a real estate investment of 300,000 USD.

The passport gives you visa-free travel access to 146 countries making it a top-tier passport. The requirements are only to pass a medical exam and have a clean criminal record.

4. Antigua and Barbuda Economic Citizenship Program

• Program start: 2012
• Processing time: 3-4 months
• Visa-free Travel: 150 
• Cost: $100,000
• Residency Requirement: none

Antigua & Barbuda offers an opportunity of acquiring citizenship by donation/investment which grants its citizens with access to over 150 different nations across the world for a donation of at least $100,000 or invest the same amount into Antiguan real estate, government bonds, or Business Development Funds (BDF). 

There are very few requirements, such as: no requirement to visit the country, no interview process, no education or professional background experience, as well as financially dependant children under the age of 30 and parents over 55 are included. 

5. Grenada Economic Citizenship

• Program start: 2013
• Processing time: 3-4 months
• Visa-free Travel: 150 
• Cost: $150,000
• Residency Requirement: none

The Caribbean Island nation of Grenada has an economic citizenship program that makes it on our list of one of the best Caribbean passports you can get as it along with our other picks above is one of the cheapest and fastest passports you can get. The country offers an ideal a special E-2 visa treaty with the United States, making it possible to obtain a visa for the US quite easily. Another big benefit is that the visa-free travel includes UK, EU Schengen countries and China.

Grenada offers citizenships to those who have no criminal record, are high net worth clients, of good character and in good health.

Conclusion

The Caribbean offers some of the most attractive places in the world to get a second citizenship. As an alternative to European citizenship programs, the Caribbean offers not only a cheaper and more expedited service but comes with a lifestyle that is hard to match. Get in touch if you have any questions or would like some more information.