The cheapest citizenship & residency solutions are found in the Caribbean: Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St. Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda are the five countries that offer the citizenship by investment (CBI) programs most economical options. Each island has different investment requirements, but all of them have visa-free travel to over 150 to 165 countries all over the world including access to the European Union countries, the Schengen zones and the United Kingdom.
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programmes
The Dominica government requires that you either donate at least US$100,000 to the Dominican Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) for a single applicant, or US$200,000 for a family of four, or purchasing real estate for a minimum of US$200,000. Family members are included for additional amounts.
St Kitts and Nevis is the oldest Citizenship by Investment program in the world. The government requires a real estate purchase of at least US$400,000 for seven years or a donation of at least US$150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund. The applicant can include his immediate family for additional charges.
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment program requires a minimum donation of US$150,000 to the National Transformation Fund or a minimum of US$220,000 investment as co-owner in a real estate project government approved project for five years. Immediate family members can be included in the application. Once a citizen of Grenada, the holder can apply for the United States E2 Investor Visa and set-up a business in the United States.
The qualifying amounts for the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment program can vary from a minimum of US$100,000 donation to the National Economic Fund to a minimum of US$300,000 for a real estate purchase that you must hold for at least five years. The entire family can be included in the application.
The island of Antigua and Barbuda requires a minimum US$100,000 donation to the National Development Fund or US$400,000 in a government-approved real estate project. Applicant may also invest US$1,000,000 by setting up a business. The Antigua Citizenship by Investment program includes family members.
In South America, Panama has two types of investor visa that ranges from a minimum of US$40,000 to US$750,000.
Other citizenship programmes by investment
In Europe, The Latvia Golden Visa has a minimum requirement of €60,000 in equity capital while the North Macedonia has a minimum requirement of €200,000 in a private investment fund.
In Asia, Thailand’s Privilege Entry Visa is valid up to 20 years. The minimum investment required is about US$19,000.