The Caribbean citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) market has been trimming its fees in recent years, but the cuts now focus on family applications rather than single applicants. A de‑facto price floor of roughly US $100 k for a single applicant has emerged, while most programs lower the cost per additional family member or broaden the definition of “family” to make group applications more attractive.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Donation level: US $150 k (permanent reduction from the earlier US $250 k “sugar fund” donation).
- Family scope: The $150 k amount can now cover a family of four, aligning the cost with other Caribbean programs.
- Couple pricing: Previously US $195 k for a couple; now effectively the same $150 k tier when adding a spouse and children.
St. Lucia
- Spouse addition: Total cost for a couple reduced from US $165 k (US $100 k + US $65 k) to US $140 k.
- Bond investment option:
- Government bond of US $250 k–$300 k (no interest, 5–7 year lock‑in).
- Processing fee cut from US $50 k to US $30 k.
- For a couple, the bond route can lower the net outlay by roughly US $110 k compared with the donation route, though the capital is tied up for several years.
Dominica
- Family definition: Age limits for dependent children have been raised, allowing older children to qualify.
- Spouse cost: Reduced from US $75 k to bring the couple price down to US $150 k (down from US $175 k).
- Single applicant fee: Remains at US $100 k.
Antigua and Barbuda
- Real‑estate option: Price lowered by permitting joint purchases; processing fees for this route cut by US $20 k.
- Family package: Previously US $125 k (US $100 k donation + US $25 k fee) for a nuclear family of four; now US $130 k.
- University donation: A US $150 k contribution to a university fund allows a larger family to be included, though it adds US $20 k compared with the standard family package.
Grenada
- Pricing: No reduction; US $150 k for a single applicant remains unchanged.
- Eligibility flexibility: Rules have been liberalized to admit non‑dependent relatives (e.g., parents) into the application, making Grenada attractive for extended families despite the unchanged fee.
- Benefits: Visa‑free access to additional destinations (including China) and eligibility for the U.S. E‑2 treaty investor visa.
General Trends and Considerations
- Price floor: Single‑applicant fees have stabilized around US $100 k–$150 k across the region; further cuts are unlikely because a portion of the fee funds commissions to international marketing agents and filing firms.
- Family‑centric discounts: Most programs achieve lower per‑person costs by encouraging spouses, children, and, increasingly, non‑dependent relatives to be added to a single application.
- Alternative investment routes: St. Lucia’s bond option and Antigua’s co‑ownership real‑estate model provide non‑donation pathways, though they involve longer capital lock‑in periods or shared ownership structures.
- Risk factors:
- Bond investments carry no interest and are illiquid until maturity.
- Real‑estate projects may be harder to liquidate than government bonds.
- Changes in program rules can occur with short notice; prospective applicants should verify the latest requirements before committing funds.
Overall, while Caribbean CBI programs are no longer slashing single‑applicant fees, they remain competitive by offering family‑friendly pricing structures and diversified investment choices. Prospective investors should compare the total cost—including processing fees and any ancillary expenses—against their family composition and liquidity preferences.
