The most appealing Caribbean citizenship by investment programs for families

A once-in-a-lifetime investment in a citizenship program can give a family of four a legacy, access to premium education and healthcare services, and a high standard of living in a stable and well-developed country. Investors looking for their family’s lifelong well-being have many options to select from. The Caribbean islands, mainly Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, offer an array of potential cheap passports for a family. In this article, we will shed light on the most affordable programs for a family of four and how investors can leverage these programs to provide a fertile and prosperous future for their families.

Best programs for families

Antigua and Barbuda: The Cheapest Program for Extra-large Families

Antigua and Barbuda islands are considered the cheapest option for an extra-large family. In May 2020, the country’s government introduced this new option for a family of six to gain citizenship by contributing to the program’s University of the West Indies (UWI) for a $150,000 base cost. This entitles one family member to a one-year tuition scholarship to the UWI. The total contribution, including government-associated costs, amounts to around $183,000.

The world’s most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education, has ranked the UWI among the top 1,000 universities[1] in the world for 2023, and the 25 best universities in Latin America and the Caribbean, where students can be reassured that they are graduating with a degree that has value internationally in this globalized age. Education in Antigua and Barbuda is compulsory[2] for children between the ages of five and 16. This basic level of education is free and provided to all without discrimination.

The country is also known for its high-quality and adequate healthcare services, having several qualified general practitioners and specialists and well-equipped testing clinics. Its facilities adhere to international standards. The main medical care facility in Antigua is the Mount St. John’s Medical Center. These features make it certainly an appealing place to live and raise a family.

Moreover, families holding Antigua’s citizenship can get a 10-year B-1/B-2 tourist visa to the USA, spend up to 180 days a year in it, and receive medical treatment at US clinics. They can also enter without a visa or a visa on arrival to 150 destinations, including Schengen countries, and stay in the region for up to 90 out of 180 days.

Dominica: Excellent health care services

The paradise island, with its mesmerizing shores, economic stability, and numerous entertainment activities, offers rich and fertile land for families to live, work, and savor life. Investors will need to make a non-refundable contribution of a minimum of $100,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), along with government processing fees and due diligence fees, raising the total cost approximately to $200,000.

Families can benefit from Dominica’s education system, which has been continuing its journey to a more standardized and high-quality system. Dominica has medicine colleges such as the All-Saints University of Medicine in Roseau and the Ross University in Portsmouth. The country has its own state college, which was formerly known as Clifton Dupigmy Community College.

Dominica’s hospitals are among the best medical institutions in the world, providing excellent healthcare services. Dominica offers a healthcare system that aims to cater to the varied needs of its residents. Doctors in Dominica come from various specialties, each playing a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of the population[3]. Therefore, parents can avail of Dominica’s strong educational and healthcare system to raise a healthy family.

Moreover, Dominica’s passport has been globally ranked 36th this year, providing visa-free access to 143 countries, comprising Europe’s Schengen Area, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Russian Federation, and lately, China.

St. Lucia: World-class education

By making a non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund (NEF) of a minimum of $150,000, a family of four can have the right to live, work, and study in St. Lucia.

St. Lucia is working with local organization, and university partners to help bridge the digital divide and develop youth leadership and skills for a strong future in an increasingly digital world[4]. It is also working to enhance the digital resilience of youth by integrating digital skill buildings and equipping educators to use technology in education and improve the quality of learning[5]. The American International Medical University (AIMU) was ranked[6] among the top universities in St. Lucia, followed by the Atlantic University School of Medicine, the International American University College of Medicine, and Monroe College of Business.

The government of St. Lucia has also been working actively to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure[7]; therefore, new healthcare centers are being continuously developed and hospitals updated with modern tolls and amenities to provide world-class and affordable healthcare to its citizens.

St. Lucia’s passport provides its holders with global mobility and access to 146 destinations, including Europe’s Schengen area and the UK, among others. Saint Lucia citizens enjoy various tax redemptions, as there is no tax on capital, wealth, or inheritance. St. Lucia additionally provides an appealing investment climate with cutting-edge solutions. It continually ranks at the top in factors like ease of doing business, economic freedom, and transparency, making it an irresistible and unique choice for investors.

St. Kitts and Nevis

The twin islands, with their impressive natural beauty, pristine beaches, and tropical landscapes, offer a family of four the ability to gain a second passport with a total investment of $350,000 by providing a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).

To enhance human capital, the government introduced free tuition to all students at the community college in addition to reducing the cost of university education via favorable student loan terms at the Development Bank[8]. The government also focused on the integration of technology in education and addressing the digital divide through the reintroduction of the One-to-One Laptop Program. The capital city of Basseterre is home to one of the most prominent medical schools in the Caribbean: The University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

St. Kitts and Nevis boasts a modest yet functional healthcare infrastructure that caters to the needs of its citizens. It has several medical facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and health centers. The main healthcare facilities in St. Kitts are the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital and Pogson Medical Center, while the Alexandra Hospital serves the residents of Nevis. The government has prioritized healthcare as a fundamental right, ensuring that all residents have access to medical services without facing financial barriers.

In addition to these services, St. Kitts and Nevis’s passport allows visa-free access to 155 destinations, including the Schengen area of the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, as well as easy obtaining of a B-1/B-2 visa for the United States, which is valid for 10 years. St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders can also get a 10-year tourist visa to Canada that grants multiple 180-day entries. Holders of St. Kitts and Nevis passports can also benefit from tax exemptions, as there aren’t any taxes on income received outside of their borders.

Grenada: A gateway to apply for US visa

By donating $200,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF), a family of four can gain a second passport within 60 days. As per the new laws, mandatory interviews will be applicable to all applicants 16 years of age. Parents looking to raise their children in a healthy environment in Grenada are considered a good choice. The education system is for all children over the age of 5, and there is no fee for elementary school because education is mandatory. The educational process is organized according to the system used in Britain. Teachers create a comfortable learning environment so children can learn a foreign language to continue their studies in secondary and high school. George`s University is one of the top universities in Grenada. It is ranked in 8th place in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The healthcare system of Grenada is one of the best in the Caribbean. In 2019, the Government of Grenada released its long-term strategic plan[9] (2020–2035), focusing heavily on sustainability and resilience, and placing a healthy population as the national outcome number and at the center of sustainable development. Equitable access to health care is detailed as one part of a wider move to strengthen the social safety net for all citizens. A strengthened community health infrastructure is planned to bolster programs for preventive health, for encourage healthy lifestyles among children.

Families striving to relocate to the United States and start their businesses can also achieve their dream of gaining a US visa after acquiring Grenadian citizenship. Grenada is considered the sole Caribbean country with a bilateral arrangement with the US for the E-2 non-immigrant visa, which opens the door to immense business, social, and educational opportunities in the US. The E-2 visa is considered one of the most cost-effective methods to start a business in one of the world’s most prosperous economies. However, to qualify for the E-2 non-immigrant visa, a Grenadian citizen must meet certain investment and eligibility criteria and also be able to prove that they have been domiciled in Grenada for the past 3 years prior to submitting an E-2 visa application.

Grenada’s citizenship can also provide its holders with global mobility and visa-free access to 146 countries.