Second citizenship, compared
Citizenship by investment rules in 2026
Programmes compared
| Country | Government contribution, one applicant | Property option | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Kitts and Nevis | USD 250,000 | USD 325,000, held 7 years | Biometric enrolment since April 2026 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | USD 230,000 | USD 300,000, held 5 years | US entry restrictions since 1 January 2026 |
| Dominica | USD 200,000 | USD 200,000, held 3 years | US entry restrictions since 1 January 2026; UK visa needed since 2023 |
| Grenada | USD 235,000 (advisers report) | From USD 270,000, held 5 years (advisers report) | A minimum-stay bill is pending |
| St Lucia | USD 240,000 (advisers report) | USD 300,000, held 5 years (advisers report) | UK visa needed since March 2026 |
| Türkiye | None | USD 400,000, held 3 years (advisers report) | Other routes start at USD 500,000 |
| Vanuatu | USD 130,000 (advisers report) | None | Lost visa-free travel to the EU in February 2025 |
St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica publish their figures on official sites. (St Kitts and Nevis CIU, Antigua and Barbuda CIU, Dominica CBIU)
Fees on top
Due diligence and processing fees add several thousand dollars per person. Antigua and Barbuda charges USD 8,500 for the main applicant's due diligence and a USD 10,000 processing fee for a single applicant. Dominica charges USD 7,500 for the main applicant and USD 4,000 for each dependant aged 16 or over. (Antigua and Barbuda schedule of fees)
Travel access is changing
- Since 1 January 2026 the United States has suspended entry for immigrants and for B, F, M and J visa holders from Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, citing citizenship by investment without residence. (The White House)
- The EU revoked visa-free travel for Vanuatu from February 2025, and a 2025 regulation added investor citizenship schemes as a ground for suspending visa-free travel. (EUR-Lex)
- The UK has required visas from citizens of Dominica and Vanuatu since July 2023, and from St Lucia since March 2026.
Closed programmes
Malta ended citizenship by investment in July 2025 after the EU Court of Justice ruled against it. Cyprus closed its scheme in 2020 and removed the last legal basis in December 2025. (Court of Justice of the EU)
A regional regulator
Five Eastern Caribbean states have agreed to create a joint regulator for their programmes, but it was not yet operating when we checked.
Steps
- Choose a programme, weighing travel access as well as cost.
- Appoint an agent authorised by that country's citizenship unit.
- Submit the application and pay the due diligence fees.
- Make the investment once you are approved in principle, then receive the certificate and passport.
Rules change often. Confirm them with the government unit before you commit. See our rule changes log for recent changes.