Costs, processing times and visa-free access across the five Eastern Caribbean CBI programmes
All five islands harmonised their minimums in 2024 and share a regulator since 2025, so the material differences now are processing time, family pricing and each passport's visa-free access. Here is how we compare them for clients in the US and Canada.
Figures verified 27 September 2026 · Licensed CICC consultant, Toronto
Government minimums before due diligence and processing fees. Timelines are Q4 2025 averages from filed applications.
| St Kitts & Nevis | Grenada | Antigua & Barbuda | Dominica | Saint Lucia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant, donation | US$250,000 | US$235,000 | US$230,000 | US$200,000 | US$240,000 |
| Family of four, donation | US$250,000 | US$235,000 | US$230,000 | US$250,000 | US$240,000 |
| Real estate minimum | US$325,000 (7-yr hold) | US$270,000 + US$50,000 (5-yr) | US$300,000 (5-yr) | US$200,000 (3-yr) | US$300,000 (5-yr) |
| Average processing | 5 months (3–8) | 7 months (4–9) | 14 months (10–18) | 9 months (4–18) | 18 months (12–26) |
| UK visa-free | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (since Jul 2023) | No (since Mar 2026) |
| Schengen visa-free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| US Proclamation 10998 | Not named | Not named | Restricted | Restricted | Not named |
| Canada | eTA with conditions | Visa | eTA with conditions | Visa | eTA with conditions |
| Distinct feature | Oldest, most predictable | US E-2 treaty; China visa-free | Flat family price; UWI route | Lowest minimum investment | Bond option; low-cost dependants |
Canada's eTA is available to these nationalities only if the traveller held a Canadian visa in the last ten years or holds a valid US non-immigrant visa, and only by air. All five are on the US immigrant-visa processing freeze of 21 January 2026.
From US$250,000
Suited to applicants who prioritise speed, predictability and the widest visa-free access, including the UK.
From US$235,000
Suited to applicants seeking the US E-2 Treaty Investor visa route or visa-free China.
From US$230,000
Suited to families of four or more seeking the lowest total outlay.
From US$200,000
Suited to single applicants seeking the lowest minimum investment and the shortest real estate holding period.
From US$240,000
Suited to applicants who want the National Action Bond, which returns the capital, or to large families.
Jane Katkova has advised on citizenship and residence by investment since 1998. We confirm eligibility, the complete fee schedule and the realistic processing time before you pay anything, and we advise against a programme when it does not fit your circumstances.
UK and US access do not affect your choice; you already have both. Weigh predictability (St Kitts), price for your family shape (Antigua or Dominica) and whether you want capital back (Saint Lucia's bond, or real estate). The EU's June 2028 deadline is the same for all five, so it should not drive the choice between them.
Start from visa-free access requirements. If the UK matters, that excludes Dominica and Saint Lucia. If you or your children may need US student, work-transfer or immigrant visas, US Proclamation 10998 excludes Antigua and Dominica. If you need an E-2 route, only Grenada qualifies. The remaining choice is usually between St Kitts and Grenada, decided by budget and timeline.
Bring your nationality, family and budget. We will assess them against all five programmes and provide a written recommendation with the full cost.
St Kitts and Nevis, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 150–167 destinations including the UK and the Schengen Area, followed closely by Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada. Dominica and Saint Lucia trail because they have lost UK access.
St Kitts and Nevis, at about five months on average from a complete file, then Grenada at about seven. Dominica averages nine but ranges widely. Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia currently take more than a year.
Yes. The US, Canada and all five islands permit dual citizenship. You continue to enter the US or Canada on your own passport and must file US taxes as before if you are a US citizen.
The European Commission has asked all five governments to phase them out by June 2028 or face Schengen suspension. The governments have not agreed to close them. Citizenship already granted is not affected by any future closure; the risk is to the passport's visa-free reach, not to your status.
Compare them side by side: citizenship by investment programmes. Prefer residence to a second passport? See Latvia golden visa status or Portugal residence permits.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Programme rules change; we confirm every figure before you commit.
A confidential consultation with a licensed CICC consultant. We assess eligibility and total cost before you commit to any programme.