For families evaluating citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) schemes, the decisive factor is often who can be included in a single application. While many programmes quote a “family of four” as the baseline, actual eligibility for parents, grandparents and siblings varies widely.
Caribbean programmes – the most extensive family inclusion
| Programme | Children (age limit) | Parents / Grandparents | Siblings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Up to 30 (any status) | From age 55 (both sides) | Unmarried siblings of applicant or spouse, any age |
| Grenada | Up to 30 (must be in full‑time education) | No fixed age limit; must be financially dependent | Unmarried siblings aged 18 or older |
| Saint Lucia | Under 21 | From age 55 | Unmarried siblings under 18 with guardian consent |
| St Kitts & Nevis | Up to 30 (full‑time education) | From age 55 | Not eligible |
| Dominica | Under 18 (or 18‑30 if full‑time education & financially dependent) | From age 65 (highest threshold) | Not eligible |
Antigua and Barbuda offers a dedicated “University of the West Indies Fund” route starting at US $260,000, aimed at families of six or more. Grenada also extends eligibility to the spouse’s parents and grandparents, a distinction not shared by the other Caribbean options.
Vanuatu – straightforward but limited
- Includes spouse and dependent children.
- Additional dependants (typically from a fifth family member onward) are added at a flat fee per person.
- Parents may be included if financially dependent and over 50.
- Siblings are not eligible under the standard rules.
São Tomé and Príncipe – still being defined
- Allows a spouse and financially dependent children, plus parents.
- The framework for adult dependent children (over 18) is pending final issuance by the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU).
- Families with adult dependants should verify the current criteria before proceeding.
Egypt – the most restrictive major programme
- Only a spouse and children under 21 qualify as dependants.
- No provision for parents, grandparents, parents‑in‑law, or siblings, regardless of dependency.
- The spouse’s citizenship is granted approximately two years after the principal applicant’s citizenship is confirmed, not simultaneously.
Sierra Leone – per‑person pricing with broad eligibility
- Standard dependants (spouse, children < 18, parents, grandparents) are added at US $10,000 each.
- “Special dependants” – adult children, siblings < 30, siblings’ spouses < 30, and other qualifying relatives – are added at US $20,000 each.
- This structure can be cost‑effective for larger families, comparable to the most generous Caribbean options.
Recent U.S. development affecting Caribbean CBI holders
On 16 December 2025, the United States issued Presidential Proclamation 10998, imposing partial visa restrictions on citizens of certain Caribbean nations, specifically Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia were not included. Families for whom U.S. travel is a key consideration should factor this restriction into their programme selection.
Quick reference of family inclusion
| Programme | Children age limit | Parents / Grandparents | Siblings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua & Barbuda | Up to 30 | From 55 (both sides) | Any age, unmarried |
| Grenada | Up to 30 (education) | No fixed limit, dependency‑based | From 18, unmarried |
| Saint Lucia | Under 21 | From 55 | Under 18, with consent |
| St Kitts & Nevis | Up to 30 (education) | From 55 | Not eligible |
| Dominica | Under 18 (or 18‑30 with education & dependency) | From 65 | Not eligible |
| Vanuatu | Dependent children | From 50, dependency‑based | Not standard |
| São Tomé & Príncipe | Dependent children | Eligible | Framework pending |
| Egypt | Under 21 | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Sierra Leone | Priced per person | Priced per person | Priced per person, under 30 |
When selecting a CBI programme, families should match their actual composition—considering ages, dependency status, and the need for extended relatives—against the specific inclusion rules and associated costs of each jurisdiction. This ensures a single, comprehensive application rather than fragmented, later‑stage additions.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
