The Caribbean Islands That Grant Passports When You Buy a Home
For those dreaming of sun-soaked beaches and a second passport, several Caribbean nations are making that dream a reality—through real estate. As of July 2025, five island countries in the region offer citizenship by investment (CBI) programs that grant passports to foreign nationals who invest in government-approved real estate.
Where Property Buys You a Passport
The nations leading this trend include St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia. These countries offer citizenship in exchange for property investments starting at $200,000, with processing times as fast as three months.
The CBI programs typically require investors to purchase designated real estate, which must be held for a minimum number of years—usually five—before resale. In addition to the property price, applicants must pay government fees and pass due diligence checks.
The benefits of Caribbean CBI programs include visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and parts of Asia. It also opens doors to favorable tax regimes and business opportunities in tourism and offshore services.
Critics of such programs argue that they can create loopholes for illicit money flows if not properly regulated. However, proponents stress that these initiatives bring critical foreign direct investment to small island economies still recovering from the twin impacts of COVID-19 and climate-related disruptions.
With global interest in second citizenships on the rise, the Caribbean continues to position itself as a premier destination for investors looking to blend lifestyle, mobility, and opportunity.
