Video Briefing

IMI Daily: Cheapest Citizenship Programs for Families in 2026 (12 Programs Ranked)

Mar 19, 2026Video Briefing11:03Watch on YouTube

Citizenship by investment costs vary widely depending on route, family size, and program structure, with fees often exceeding the advertised base contribution.

Sao Tome and Principe – Base $90,000; minimal submission fees; total $95,750 for single applicant; no due diligence; low-cost across typical family sizes; 75 visa-free destinations; no Schengen, UK, or North America access.

Nauru – Base $90,000; higher per-member fees, $6,000 due diligence for principal; single applicant $101,000; 87 visa-free destinations; UK access revoked in 2025; temporary price increase to $115,000 from June 30, 2026.

Caribbean programs – Family of four ranges $258,000–$270,000; donation routes generally cheaper per passport than real estate; Grenada real estate can reduce net cost per passport to ~$9,575 after resale; processing times vary.

Turkey – Real estate minimum $400,000; three-year hold; government fees ~$5,000; liquid secondary market allows potential recovery; spouse and children included, but no parents or adult siblings.

Other notable programs – Egypt $250,000 donation (spouse citizenship deferred 2 years), Sierra Leone $140,000 + $10,000 per dependent, Vanuatu $130,000 solo / $180,000 family of four; processing 30–60 days; El Salvador’s Freedom Passport faster.

Main risk/caveat – Total cost per family is highly sensitive to dependent structure, due diligence, and program-specific fees; real estate routes offer partial cost recovery but are not guaranteed.

Takeaway: The most accurate CBI cost requires mapping your exact family composition against each program’s official fee structure and consulting a licensed agent; base contributions alone underestimate real-world outlay and practical value.