Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Cost Comparison
The five Caribbean programmes set side by side on the figures their governments publish: minimums, fees and the all-in totals for four family make-ups. Which one is cheapest depends on who is on the file.
The published minimums.
The lowest headline number belongs to Dominica, at US$200,000 on either route for a single applicant. That ranking does not survive a family: a fund contribution that covers four people at one price beats a lower single-applicant price once a spouse and children are added.
| Programme | Lowest fund route | Lowest real estate route | Processing time (official) |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Kitts & Nevis | US$250,000Sustainable Island State Contribution | US$325,0007 years before resale | 120 to 180 days from the unit’s acknowledgment of a complete application |
| Antigua & Barbuda | US$230,000National Development Fund | US$300,0005 years before resale | Not stated by the unit |
| Dominica | US$200,000Economic Diversification Fund | US$200,0003 years from the grant of citizenship (5 if sold to another citizenship applicant) | 3 to 6 months (the CBIU FAQ says at least three months to approval in principle) |
| St. Lucia | US$240,000National Economic Fund | US$300,000Not stated on the CIU page. Confirm with the unit. | About 90 days to the grant of citizenship, counted from when the agent is told the application was accepted |
| Grenada | US$235,000National Transformation Fund | US$270,000Not stated on the IMA fees page. Confirm with the unit. | Not stated by the unit |
Cheapest by family: the contribution route.
The lowest-cost fund route in each programme, with every published government, due diligence and per-person fee. Legal and agent fees are not included.
| Family | St. Kitts & Nevis | Antigua & Barbuda | Dominica | St. Lucia | Grenada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | US$262,500Sustainable Island State Contribution · 2 to confirm | US$248,800National Development Fund | US$210,000Economic Diversification Fund · 2 to confirm | US$250,000National Economic Fund · 2 to confirm | US$244,000National Transformation Fund · 1 to confirm |
| Couple | US$272,000Sustainable Island State Contribution · 3 to confirm | US$264,100National Development Fund | US$265,500Economic Diversification Fund · 2 to confirm | US$256,000National Economic Fund · 2 to confirm | US$253,000National Transformation Fund · 1 to confirm |
| Family of fourtwo children under 12 | US$274,600Sustainable Island State Contribution · 3 to confirm | US$264,700National Development Fund | US$266,500Economic Diversification Fund · 2 to confirm | US$258,000National Economic Fund · 2 to confirm | US$257,000National Transformation Fund · 1 to confirm |
| Family of fivechildren 8 and 14, a student of 19 | US$282,100Sustainable Island State Contribution · 4 to confirm | US$281,000National Development Fund | US$312,000Economic Diversification Fund · 2 to confirm | US$284,000National Economic Fund · 2 to confirm | US$266,000National Transformation Fund · 2 to confirm |
Cheapest by family: the real estate route.
The lowest real estate route in each programme at its minimum price, with the government fees and the purchase costs that have a published rate. The property is an asset you can sell after the holding period; the contribution is not, so the two tables are not like for like.
| Family | St. Kitts & Nevis | Antigua & Barbuda | Dominica | St. Lucia | Grenada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | US$362,500Developer’s Real Estate Option · 5 to confirm | US$326,300Approved real estate · 2 to confirm | US$298,000Approved real estate · 3 to confirm | US$346,000Approved real estate project · 4 to confirm | US$356,000Approved real estate · 4 to confirm |
| Couple | US$387,000Developer’s Real Estate Option · 5 to confirm | US$341,600Approved real estate · 2 to confirm | US$328,500Approved real estate · 3 to confirm | US$367,000Approved real estate project · 4 to confirm | US$365,000Approved real estate · 4 to confirm |
| Family of fourtwo children under 12 | US$409,600Developer’s Real Estate Option · 5 to confirm | US$342,200Approved real estate · 2 to confirm | US$329,500Approved real estate · 3 to confirm | US$379,000Approved real estate project · 4 to confirm | US$369,000Approved real estate · 4 to confirm |
| Family of fivechildren 8 and 14, a student of 19 | US$432,100Developer’s Real Estate Option · 6 to confirm | US$358,500Approved real estate · 2 to confirm | US$375,000Approved real estate · 3 to confirm | US$395,000Approved real estate project · 4 to confirm | US$378,000Approved real estate · 6 to confirm |
"To confirm" counts the items a unit does not price, such as passport fees or dependants beyond four. They are left out of the total rather than guessed. Figures change. Confirm before you commit.
Run your own family through the cost calculator, or read the full schedule for each programme: St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada.
For mobility, tax and timing beside cost, see compare all programmes and costs, timelines and due diligence.
Cheapest is the wrong first question.
For an American family the passport is insurance, and the spread between the five all-in prices is small next to the differences that last: how long the capital is locked, whether you want to own property on that island at all, and how each programme’s standing holds up. All five allow dual citizenship. None changes your US tax position, because the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income and none of the five has a US income tax treaty; ask a US tax professional who works with foreign assets before you fund anything. Grenada’s E-2 treaty helps a family member without a US passport, not a US citizen.
The wider case is in second citizenship for Americans.
Comparing Caribbean citizenship costs: questions.
What is the cheapest citizenship by investment in the Caribbean?
For a single applicant on the fund route, Dominica, at US$210,000 with the published fees. For a couple with two children under 12, Grenada comes out lowest at US$257,000. Both totals leave out legal and agent fees and any fee the unit does not publish.
Why does the cheapest programme change with family size?
Antigua & Barbuda charges one contribution whatever the family size, and Grenada and St. Lucia cover up to four people at one price, while Dominica’s single-applicant price rises once dependants are added. Due diligence is charged per person and by age, so older children cost more than younger ones.
Is the real estate route more expensive?
On paper, yes: the minimum is higher and government fees are usually added. But the property can be sold after the holding period, which runs from three years in Dominica to seven in St. Kitts & Nevis, so the true cost depends on what the property is worth when you sell.
How current are these figures?
Every unit figure was read from the official page on 8 November 2026, and purchase-cost rates were checked against the statutes in August 2026. Figures change. Confirm before you commit.
Get the numbers for your family in writing.
The cost sheet lists every line for your family, programme by programme, with its source. When you are ready to choose a route and a property, apply for private access.