Imagine swapping cold winters and tight visa restrictions for sun-soaked beaches and a passport that opens up over 150 doors around the world.
That’s the dream now being offered by five Caribbean nations—if you’ve got the money to match.
Luxury Homes with a Side of Citizenship
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia are rolling out the red carpet for wealthy foreigners.
Through their citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, these nations are offering dual citizenship to people who buy approved real estate, starting at around $200,000 (roughly £149,700).
And we’re not talking about a grueling process.
These schemes boast no residency requirement, no language exam, and in many cases, no income or inheritance tax either.
Even better? If all your paperwork’s in order, you could be holding that Caribbean passport in less than 90 days.
Why It’s Catching On
The appeal is clear: you get a tropical second home and a passport that allows visa-free travel to over 150 countries, including the UK and countries in the EU’s Schengen Zone.
For some, it’s a lifestyle move.
For others, it’s a smart investment in global mobility.
Take Robert Taylor, a Canadian investor who’s already planning to retire in Antigua.
“I chose Antigua because it has beautiful water,” he told the BBC. “I find the people very, very friendly and it also means great weather for the later part of my life.”
But Here’s the Catch
As enticing as it sounds, experts say it’s not all smooth sailing.
The European Union and the United States have raised red flags over how easily these passports are being granted—especially when it comes to money laundering and individuals trying to dodge the law.
In response to mounting pressure, the five island nations agreed in 2024 to tighten their CBI policies.
That means raising the minimum investment threshold, enhancing background checks, and overall making it harder to slip through the cracks unnoticed.
Passports Being Revoked and Delays in Processing
Authorities are taking action where needed.
In Dominica, for instance, 68 passports were revoked after individuals were found to have lied or failed verification, according to Global Citizen Solutions.
Even those with honest intentions are starting to feel the effects of the tighter controls.
Some applicants now face delays of up to a year, especially in places like Saint Lucia, where the real estate pipeline and approval system are struggling to keep up with demand.
So, Is It Worth It?
For those who can afford it and pass the checks, Caribbean citizenship is still a golden ticket to global mobility and a laid-back lifestyle in paradise.
But for anyone thinking this is an easy loophole, the rules are getting stricter, and scrutiny is getting sharper.
In other words, the Caribbean dream is still alive, but it’s no longer as easy to buy your way in without proving you’re playing by the rules.