Agent commissions for citizenship-by-investment programs vary widely, influencing which programs are promoted to clients.
• Highest paying: St. Kitts & Nevis — $50,000 per approved client for contribution-based citizenship; real estate commissions separate ($60,000–$70,000). Minimum investment $250,000. • Vanuatu: $40,000 per approved application; investment $130,000–$160,000. • St. Lucia: $30,000–$35,000 depending on bond or National Economic Fund route; investment $240,000–$300,000; enterprise projects up to $3.5M. • Grenada: $30,000–$35,000 per client; contribution $235,000; real estate $270,000–$350,000. • Antigua & Barbuda: $25,000 per client; investment $230,000; real estate $300,000–$1.5M. • Dominica: 10% of total investment; Economic Diversification Fund $200,000 generates $20,000 agent fee. • Lower-paying programs: Nauru — $25,000 commission; São Tomé & Príncipe — $20,000; Sierra Leone — $12,000 per client; investments range $90,000–$140,000.
• Main caveat: commission levels are fixed for contribution-based programs and do not vary by client nationality or timing, but real estate paths often involve separate, negotiable fees.
Takeaway: Understanding agent commissions reveals why some citizenship-by-investment programs are heavily promoted over others and can help investors make more informed choices about cost, value, and program selection.
