Caribbean citizenship-by-investment used to be a price war; since 2024 it's a floor. The five programs now cost broadly the same on paper, so the real cost question is which program fits your situation — single versus family — and what the layered fees add on top.
The five Caribbean CBI programs at a glance
| Program | Donation minimum (single) | Standout |
|---|---|---|
| Dominica | $200,000 | Cheapest single applicant |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $230,000 | Covers a family of up to 4 — best family value |
| Grenada | $235,000 | US E-2 treaty access |
| St Lucia | $240,000 | Flexible routes (incl. bonds) |
| St Kitts & Nevis | $250,000 | The original program; typically fastest |
The 2024 price floor and the end of the price war
The Eastern Caribbean states agreed a US$200,000 minimum donation, effective 1 July 2024, under an OECS agreement that also harmonised due diligence and made interviews mandatory. It ended years of undercutting, so donations now range only from $200,000 to $250,000 across the five. The upshot: you can no longer chase a bargain, and the programs compete on processing, family pricing and passport strength rather than headline price.
The fees that close the gap
The donation is the headline, but several fee layers follow:
- Due-diligence fees, commonly several thousand dollars per adult
- A mandatory interview fee of roughly $1,000–$1,500 (since 2024, for applicants 16+)
- Government and passport-issuance fees
- Licensed-agent and legal fees, plus per-dependent charges
Which program is cheapest for your situation
The cheapest program depends entirely on who's applying. For a single applicant, Dominica's $200,000 is the floor. For a family of four, Antigua's structure usually beats the others once dependants are added, even though its single-applicant figure is higher. Price your actual household across all five rather than comparing single-applicant headlines, because the ranking flips with family size.
Donation versus real estate
The donation is cheaper and faster in almost every case — it starts at $200,000, is simpler, but is non-refundable. Real estate runs roughly $200,000–$325,000 and must be held five to seven years, then resold with transaction costs into an uncertain market. The real-estate route only makes sense if you genuinely want the property; as a pure citizenship vehicle, the donation is usually the rational choice.
Comparing Caribbean CBI programs on the cheapest single-applicant number, or assuming real estate is the premium 'better' route. The floor means all five cost $200k–$250k, so the right pick depends on family size — Antigua for a family of four, Dominica for a single — and the layered fees (due diligence, the mandatory interview, government, agent) add materially on top. Real estate is generally pricier, slower and carries resale risk, so it's only worth it if you want the asset.
So what does Caribbean citizenship really cost, all in?
For a single applicant, plan for the $200,000–$250,000 donation plus roughly $15,000–$30,000 in due-diligence, interview, government, passport and agent fees — call it $215,000–$280,000 all-in depending on the program. A family of four costs more but Antigua's structure keeps it efficient. The donation is gone for good (non-refundable); only a real-estate purchase is a recoverable asset, and an imperfect one.
Caribbean (CBI) citizenship cost calculator
Set route + household for an indicative all-in — investment plus the fees most quotes leave out.
- Qualifying investment ($200,000)
- $200,000 non-recoverable
- Due diligence, government & agent fees
- $15,000–$30,000
Indicative estimate, not a quote. Built from Caribbean (CBI)'s published minimum plus typical fees, shown in USD.
FAQs
What's the cheapest Caribbean citizenship in 2026?+
Dominica is the cheapest Caribbean citizenship, at a $200,000 donation for a single applicant.
- •All five programs sit at or above the $200,000 floor agreed in 2024.
- •Antigua is structured around a family of four; Grenada is $235,000 with US E-2 access.
- •Fees on top (due diligence, interview, government, agent) add materially.
Why are all the Caribbean CBI programs around the same price now?+
A 2024 regional agreement set a Caribbean CBI floor.
- •The Eastern Caribbean states agreed a US$200,000 minimum, effective 1 July 2024.
- •It ended a long price war between the programs.
- •Donations now range only from $200,000 to $250,000 across the five.
Is the donation or real-estate route cheaper for Caribbean citizenship?+
The donation, in almost every Caribbean CBI case.
- •Donations start at $200,000 and are simpler and faster, but non-refundable.
- •Real estate runs roughly $200,000–$325,000 and must be held 5–7 years.
- •Reselling later carries transaction costs and an uncertain market.
What fees come on top of the Caribbean CBI donation?+
Several layers sit on top of the Caribbean CBI donation.
- •Due-diligence fees, commonly several thousand dollars per adult.
- •A mandatory interview fee of roughly $1,000–$1,500 since 2024.
- •Government, passport and licensed-agent fees, plus per-dependent charges.