Passports in the Caribbean

In the Caribbean context there are two main types of programs:

1. Residency-by-Investment (RBI) — you invest in the country (real estate, business, etc) and get residence rights (living, working) and sometimes eventual citizenship.

2. Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) — you make a significant investment (donation, real estate, bond, business) and the country grants citizenship (with a passport) fairly quickly, often with minimal or no physical residence requirement.

In the Caribbean, the spotlight is on CBI programs. According to one source: “CBI programs provide a secure route to citizenship through a qualifying economic contribution”. Henley & Partners
Another says: “An investor can obtain a Caribbean passport within 6 months” in many cases. Imin Caribbea

Here’s a detailed overview of residency and passport (citizenship-by-investment) programs in the Caribbean: what they offer, how they work, major countries, benefits & risks. This is general information only — you should consult a legal/tax specialist for your personal situation.

✅ What these programs are

In the Caribbean context there are two main types of programs:

1. Residency-by-Investment (RBI) — you invest in the country (real estate, business, etc) and get residence rights (living, working) and sometimes eventual citizenship.

2. Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) — you make a significant investment (donation, real estate, bond, business) and the country grants citizenship (with a passport) fairly quickly, often with minimal or no physical residence requirement.

In the Caribbean, the spotlight is on CBI programs. According to one source: “CBI programs provide a secure route to citizenship through a qualifying economic contribution”. (Henley & Partners)
Another says: “An investor can obtain a Caribbean passport within 6 months” in many cases. (Imin Caribbean)

🌍 Which Caribbean countries offer these passport / CBI programs

Here are the main ones:

Antigua and Barbuda

• Offers a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program with options: government fund donation, real estate purchase, business investment. (Global Residence Index)

• Example figures: government donation starting ~$230,000+ for main applicant (varies) for the fund option. (Global Residence Index)

• Processing time estimated around 4-7 months. (Global Residence Index)

• Benefits: strong passport for visa-free travel, family inclusion.

Dominica

CBI program: tends to be among the more affordable in the Caribbean region. (Imin Caribbean)

• Investment options: include contributions to national development fund or real estate. (Henley & Partners)

• Minimal residence requirement (in many cases none). (Global Residence Index)

• Good for those seeking a second passport and mobility.

Grenada

Offers CBI routes including real estate investment, donation. (Henley & Partners)

• One special feature: some sources note that Grenada’s passport gives access to the US E-2 investor visa (for certain holders) which is rare in the Caribbean region. (Henley & Partners)

• Lifestyle benefits: attractive as a Caribbean base.

St. Kitts and Nevis

• Among the oldest CBI programs in the world (dating from 1984 in this region). (NTL Trust)

• Known for strong passport/visa-free access. (Get Golden Visa)

• Investment options: donation, real estate.

• Relatively fast process; minimal residency required.

St. Lucia

• Offers multiple investment routes: government bonds (in some cases), real estate, business investment. (Global Residence Index)

• Processing time slightly longer and due diligence more intensive in some cases. (NTL Trust)

• Attractive for flexibility of options.

Benefits of Caribbean CBI / Passport programs

Here are the typical advantages people seek:

• Global mobility: The passports give visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries altough recently many lost Schengen access. You can check the individual passport strength here

• Minimal residency requirements: Many programs don’t require you to live full-time in the country; you may not need to physically relocate.