Which Caribbean Passport to Choose in 2026: Comparing Five Programs by Cost Per Family, Timeline and Risk

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What Caribbean passport selection actually compares

A Caribbean passport in 2026 is chosen by four parameters: the full cost for your family size, processing time, residency requirement, and stability of the access granted. The contribution is the most visible figure and simultaneously the least useful for comparison: passport cost does not end with it, because the contribution does not include background checks, government fees, or passport processing fees.

Five countries — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis — have operated under a common regional minimum of $200,000 since July 1, 2024. How this minimum developed, why a single regulator appeared, and what the European Commission's requirement to wind down the programs means are covered separately in our guide on Caribbean citizenship by investment. Here, the task is different — to understand which of the five Caribbean passports to choose.

We checked the official websites of all five citizenship units on September 3, 2026, and verified only information about price and passport issuance that the government agencies themselves published. Where an agency publishes nothing, the tables show a dash, not a figure from industry publications.

Five programs in one table: contributions, real estate, holding periods

A Caribbean passport via the fund option costs $200,000 to $250,000 contribution, while the real estate option is more expensive in all five programs.

Country	Fund, minimum	Real estate, minimum	Holding period	Source of the figure
Dominica	$200,000 (EDF)	$200,000 + government fees from $75,000 per applicant	3 years	citizenship unit website, Investment Options section
Antigua and Barbuda	$230,000 (NDF)	$300,000	5 years	citizenship unit website, Schedule of Fees
Grenada	$235,000 (NTF)	—	—	not published on the program website
Saint Lucia	$240,000 (NEF)	$300,000 + administrative fee $30,000–45,000	per project terms	program website, Investment Options section
Saint Kitts and Nevis	$250,000 (SISC)	—	—	citizenship unit website, SISC section

Three clarifications without which the Caribbean passport price table is misleading.

• The contribution covers different family sizes. For Antigua and Barbuda, $230,000 applies to a family of up to 4; for Saint Kitts and Nevis, $250,000 also to a family of up to 4; for Saint Lucia, $240,000 to the principal applicant and 3 dependents. For Dominica, the official page ties $200,000 to a single applicant: "A single applicant must contribute US$200,000 to the EDF, though fees will increase if they wish to apply for additional dependants" — but the exact increase is not stated.
• The fifth and subsequent family members cost extra. Saint Kitts and Nevis charges $25,000 for a dependent under 18 and $50,000 for a dependent 18 and older. Saint Lucia charges $10,000 and $20,000 respectively. Antigua and Barbuda adds $10,000 to the fee starting with the 5th dependent.
• The real estate option for Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia costs $300,000 — $70,000 and $60,000 more than the fund option. Return of investment is possible no earlier than the end of the holding period and depends on the liquidity of the specific resort project.

How much a Caribbean passport costs for a family of four

The full cost of a Caribbean passport for a family of 4 according to official rates is calculable for 2 of 5 programs: $266,700 and $274,600. We calculate the price for the same family composition: principal applicant, spouse, and 2 children aged 10 and 15, fund option.

Expense item	Antigua and Barbuda	Saint Kitts and Nevis
Fund contribution	$230,000	$250,000
Government fee	$20,000 (family of up to 4)	not itemized separately
Background check	$15,500	$17,500
Biometrics and passport	$1,200 (4 × $300)	$7,100
Total	$266,700	$274,600

How the check amounts were calculated. Antigua and Barbuda breaks down the tariff by age: $8,500 for the principal applicant, $5,000 for the spouse, $2,000 for a child aged 12–17, and zero for a child 11 and under — total $15,500. Saint Kitts and Nevis is different: $10,000 for the principal applicant and $7,500 for each dependent 16 and older; children under 16 are not charged — total $17,500.

The biometric fee for Saint Kitts and Nevis is $2,500 for an adult 16 and older, $2,000 for a second adult, and $1,300 for a child under 16; the fee is stated as comprehensive and includes both biometric collection and passport renewal. If the procedure is completed in the window from July 20 to December 31, 2026, a 10% discount applies, and the calculated amount drops to $6,390.

Myth: "a Caribbean passport costs exactly the contribution amount." The difference between the headline contribution and the actual payment for a family of 4 is $36,700 for Antigua and Barbuda and $24,600 for Saint Kitts and Nevis — that is, 16% and 10% more than the contribution.

Figures "per family" also appear from major agents: the leading provider on this topic cites $265,450 for Grenada to $277,644 for Saint Kitts and Nevis for a couple with children aged 7 and 19. The difference with our calculation is fundamental, and it is not about the numbers: agent tables are not broken down by line item and are not tied to published government rates, and you cannot verify them against the primary source precisely where the rate itself is not published. Our calculation provides itemization and a link to the agency webpage for each line — and that is why it exists for only 2 programs.

For the other 3 programs, such a cost calculation from the primary source is impossible: Saint Lucia publishes the investment amount but not verification and processing rates; Dominica publishes the fee for a single applicant and mentions an increase for dependents without specifying amounts; Grenada publishes nothing.

Processing timelines: what the programs themselves promise

A Caribbean passport is promised within 3 to 6 months, and only 1 of 5 programs names an exact figure. Saint Kitts and Nevis states directly: within 120–180 days from confirmation of application receipt, the unit notifies whether it is approved in principle, rejected, or delayed with reasons stated.

Country	Timeline per official source	Form of commitment
Saint Kitts and Nevis	120–180 days to decision	unit response timeline
Grenada	3 to 4 months	guideline on homepage
Dominica	3–6 months in text, 3–4 months in FAQ section	estimate that contradicts itself
Antigua and Barbuda	not published	—
Saint Lucia	not published	—

Notably, there is a discrepancy in processing timelines on Dominica's website: in the eligibility criteria block it says "The process typically takes 3-6 months from application submission to approval," while in the FAQ section on the same page it says "It typically takes 3 – 4 months to receive approval for citizenship." Planning by the lower bound of such a range is an error.

Residency requirements: 5 days in Antigua and deferred 30 days

Of 5 programs, the obligation to physically appear in the country under penalty of losing status is published only by Antigua and Barbuda — 5 days in 5 calendar years. The language on the unit website is strict: citizenship may be revoked if a citizen has not spent a minimum of 5 days in the country within 5 calendar years after obtaining the status, and the citizen has no right to return of investment, contribution, or purchase price.

Saint Kitts and Nevis states the opposite on its main option page — "No mandatory travel or residency requirements." The requirement for a 30-day presence that the 5 countries agreed to as part of a regional package had been deferred by September 2026 and has not been incorporated into the program texts.

The oath for Antigua and Barbuda is taken either on the 1st visit to the country or at an embassy, high commission, or consular office — so the trip to collect the passport is not required by the oath itself.

What can be verified on the official website and what cannot

The terms for issuing a Caribbean passport are verifiable against government primary sources for 4 of 5 countries — Grenada's program website is non-functional. This is not a quibble about formatting: the site cbi.gov.gd is the only official channel referenced by both agents and industry press.

What we found on September 3, 2026:

• the homepage opens and contains a block with terms stating "Investment: Minimum contribution of USD 150,000";
• this figure has not been in effect since July 1, 2024 — the current minimum of $235,000 was set by the Grenada Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024, SRO No. 15 of 2024;
• the Schedule of Fees, National Transformation Fund, Application Process, Legislation sections and press releases return HTTP 404 — checked at both cbi.gov.gd and www.cbi.gov.gd;
• the footer of the Grenada passport-issuing program page carries a 2024 copyright notice.

The practical conclusion for selection: a passport buyer for Grenada must rely on an agent's account, because there is nothing to verify against a government source. For a quarter-million-dollar decision, this is a standalone risk factor, not a technical trifle.

Saint Kitts and Nevis biometrics: an obligation for already-issued passports

Holders of a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport must complete biometric registration by July 31, 2027, or the document will no longer be accepted for travel. The obligation applies to dependents and children and was introduced retroactively — for passports issued before the program launched on April 14, 2026.

What this means in practice for a passport holder:

• passports issued before April 14, 2026, are valid for travel only until July 31, 2027;
• citizenship is not affected — the unit explicitly states this is about document modernization, not status;
• registration is exclusively through the government platform and only after an authorized agent is appointed; third-party platforms are prohibited;
• as of September 2026, there are 12 reception points: Saint Kitts, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Ottawa, Toronto, London, Abu Dhabi, the Washington DC area, Lagos, Jeddah, Singapore, and Iraq, plus diplomatic missions.

For a passport holder living in Russia, the nearest working locations are Istanbul and Dubai. This is an additional trip per family member by July 2027, and it is usually not factored into the cost calculation of passport ownership.

US measures: who they affect and in what form

US restrictions of 2025–2026 affected not only Dominica: Antigua and Barbuda published 2 statements — on the December 16, 2025, proclamation and on a pilot visa bond program. Both documents are in the news section on the citizenship unit website itself.

From the statement by Antigua and Barbuda's ambassador to the USA dated December 19, 2025:

• all valid visas issued to holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports continue to be accepted upon entry, including categories B-1, B-2, J, and M;
• visas issued before December 31, 2025, are not revoked;
• new applications after that date fall under arrangements for collecting biometric data for compatibility with American systems;
• biometric alignment applies to all citizens of the country — by birth, descent, naturalization, and by investment.

From the January 7, 2026, statement: the country is included in the US Visa Bond Pilot Program, the bond applies to a narrow category of new applicants and does not extend to holders of valid visas; governments were not notified in advance.

What happened with Dominica is a separate story: the issuance of B-1, B-2, F, M, and J category visas was suspended, and the proclamation text identifies the investment program itself as the reason. A detailed analysis is in our article on US restrictions on Dominica citizenship.

Access for citizens of Russia: what is officially published

Of 5 Caribbean programs, 4 officially publish a denial of applications from citizens of Russia — Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Country	What is published	Document date
Dominica	banned nationality section: Belarus, Russia, Yemen, northern Iraq	current website version
Grenada	policy denying applicants from Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Iran	unit clarification dated December 15, 2023
Saint Lucia	memorandum on suspension of applications from citizens of Russia and Belarus	memorandum March 18, 2022, confirmation June 9, 2022
Antigua and Barbuda	published list of restricted countries: Afghanistan and Iran	cabinet decision February 26, 2020
Saint Kitts and Nevis	list in eligibility criteria: applications not accepted from citizens of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Russia	current citizenship unit website version

A clarification on Saint Lucia, which we correct from our own earlier publication: the program does publish its position — the statement is in the news section, not in a country list, and refers to a memorandum from March 18, 2022. No more recent confirmation is on the website; the latest page update is dated August 2022.

A clarification on Saint Kitts and Nevis, which we correct from the first draft of this article: the earlier version stated that the program does not publish a list of countries. Re-checking showed: the list exists and is located in the eligibility criteria — on the same line as conditions on criminal record and bankruptcy. That is, it is a standing condition of participation, not a temporary measure from 2022.

There is also an indirect filter that is rarely noticed. Antigua and Barbuda directly classifies as inadmissible an applicant who was denied a visa of a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free access and who has not subsequently obtained that visa. For a Russian applicant with a Schengen visa refusal in their history, this is a standalone ground for rejection.

Real estate as grounds: why the option is more expensive than the fund

Real estate for a Caribbean passport is purchased only within a list of government-approved projects and costs $60,000–100,000 more than a fund contribution. The open market is not suitable for this purpose: a property outside the list does not entitle you to apply.

What programs publish on this option:

• Antigua and Barbuda — $300,000, holding period minimum 5 years;
• Saint Lucia — $300,000 plus an administrative fee of $30,000 for a single applicant and $45,000 for an applicant with a spouse; property categories are limited to branded high-end hotels and boutique properties; the investor receives title to the property;
• Dominica — $200,000 plus government fees from $75,000 per applicant, holding period 3 years;
• Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis — option parameters are not published in a verifiable form on the websites.

Separately on Saint Lucia: of the 2 projects open for investment as of the verification date, 1 is marked as fully purchased. The actual choice of property in the program is 1 project.

Grounds for denial published by the programs themselves

Not every program publishes grounds for denial of a Caribbean passport, and Antigua and Barbuda's list is the most detailed of 5. It is also the most useful for self-screening beforehand, because it is built on biographical facts rather than discretion.

An application is rejected if the applicant provided false information; if a doctor finds the applicant or a family member has a contagious disease or serious health problems; if the applicant was convicted in any country of a crime with a maximum penalty exceeding 6 months' imprisonment and has not been pardoned; if the applicant is the subject of a criminal investigation; if the applicant poses a threat to the national security of any country; if the applicant's activities could harm the reputation of the state.

Saint Lucia has conducted identity verification interviews — in person or remote — at the due diligence stage since September 1, 2023. Saint Kitts and Nevis requires an interview from the principal applicant always, and from dependents 16 and older at the unit's discretion.

The June 1, 2028, deadline and how it changes the choice

The European Commission requirement to wind down Caribbean programs by June 1, 2028, is the single factor that influences choice more strongly than price. It does not annul citizenship already granted, but it sets the horizon for evaluating visa-free access to the Schengen area as the main benefit of the passport.

The practical logic is straightforward. If the passport is purchased for travel in Europe, its value is tied to a decision that does not depend on the program provider. If it is purchased as a backup jurisdiction and a mobility tool outside the EU — the Schengen component ceases to be decisive, and the focus shifts to timelines, maintenance cost, and the stability of the program itself.

Grenada stands out in this framework from the other 4: on the program homepage, the state lists China, Russia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom among visa-free travel destinations. You cannot verify this wording on the website itself for the reason described above — but it at least describes a set of destinations not tied to a Brussels decision.

Which program to choose for which task

Caribbean program selection comes down to 4 standard situations, and in 3 of them, factors other than price decide.

Applicant's goal	Program	Why
Minimum amount for 1 person	Dominica	$200,000 contribution — the bottom of the regional range
Transparent calculation for a family of up to 4	Antigua and Barbuda	full tariff is published, total $266,700
Clear government response timeline	Saint Kitts and Nevis	120–180 day commitment in program text
No residency requirements	Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica	obligation to appear in the country is published only by Antigua and Barbuda

A situation in which a Caribbean passport is not suitable at all is also described briefly. It does not grant the right to live and work in the European Union, does not replace a residence permit, and does not automatically affect the applicant's tax residency. For a citizen of Russia who remains a tax resident of the Russian Federation, 2nd citizenship does not eliminate the obligation to declare foreign accounts and assets or the rules on controlled foreign companies.

Comparison: citizenship by contribution and real estate for residency in Europe

A Caribbean program grants citizenship immediately but does not grant the right to live in Europe, while European programs grant the right to live but do not grant citizenship. These are not 2 options for the same task but 2 different tools, and confusing them is expensive.

Parameter	Caribbean program	Real estate purchase for residency
What the applicant receives	citizenship and a 2nd document	residence permit if the country's threshold is met
Return of investment	contribution is non-refundable; property — after holding period	property remains in ownership
Right to live in the country	yes	yes, if renewal conditions are met
Right to live in the EU	no	depends on the program country
Asset upon exit	none with fund option	real estate

We maintain a summary of countries where real estate purchase remains grounds for residency, with thresholds and change dates, on the [residence by investment in real estate](/residence/) page, and countries with active investment programs — on the [citizenship by investment](/citizenship/) page. The closest by meaning from the catalog is [real estate in Turkey](/turkey/), where there are now 9,143 properties from €33,300, and a thematic collection [for citizenship](/turkey/citizenship-by-investment/).

Pros and cons of 2nd citizenship for a real estate buyer

A Caribbean passport solves the mobility task and does not solve the residency task — a real estate buyer must understand which task is actually theirs.

What it provides:

• 2nd citizenship in 3 to 6 months without a relocation requirement;
• status transferable to children and subsequent generations without a new application;
• absence of worldwide income tax in the Caribbean jurisdictions themselves;
• ability to include spouse, children, and — in some programs — parents in 1 application.

What it does not provide and what you will pay for:

• the right to live, work, and study in the European Union;
• protection from changes in visa-free regimes: 2023–2026 showed that lists are revised faster than the investment pays back;
• liquidity: the fund contribution is non-refundable in full, real estate is tied to a holding period of 3 to 7 years and a limited buyer pool;
• predictability of expenses after obtaining status — the Saint Kitts and Nevis example with mandatory biometrics shows that a new expense item can appear years after passport issuance.

How we verify data

All amounts, timelines, and requirements in this article were drawn on September 3, 2026, from the websites of the 5 countries' relevant government agencies — the citizenship units of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Saint Lucia program. Where an agency does not publish a parameter, a dash appears in the table: we do not substitute figures from industry publications into government columns. The only exception is explicitly noted in the text — Grenada's contribution amount, which cannot be verified due to the program website being non-functional.

Homzer is a marketplace for overseas real estate with transaction support. We do not process citizenship and are not a licensed agent for any of the programs. This article is reference material: tariffs, lists of approved projects, and admission rules in Caribbean programs change by regulation and take effect without transition periods. Before any payment, verify the current version of the rules through a licensed program agent.

Sources:

• Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda — Schedule of Fees, NDF, Citizenship sections, statements from December 19, 2025, and January 7, 2026
• Citizenship by Investment Unit, Dominica — Investment Options section
• Citizenship by Investment Unit, Saint Kitts and Nevis — Sustainable Island State Contribution, Biometrics sections and eligibility criteria
• Citizenship by Investment Programme, Saint Lucia — Investment Options and News sections, memorandum from March 18, 2022
• Citizenship by Investment, Grenada — homepage, status as of September 3, 2026
• Grenada Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024, SRO No. 15 of 2024 — amount of NTF contribution
• Citizenship Unit Act 2024 (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Citizenship by Investment Act No. 15 of 2013 (Grenada)

Frequently asked questions about choosing a Caribbean program

Which Caribbean program is the cheapest in 2026?

By contribution amount — Dominica, $200,000. By the total cost for a family of four calculated using official rates — Antigua and Barbuda, $266,700. Comparing these two figures against each other is incorrect: the first applies to a single applicant, the second to four.

Can a Russian citizen obtain a Caribbean passport?

Four of the five programs officially publish a refusal to accept applications from Russian citizens: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Antigua and Barbuda does not include Russia in its published list of restricted countries, but this does not guarantee acceptance — the only correct way to learn the status before any payments is a written inquiry to the relevant unit through a licensed agent.

How long does application review take?

Only one program publishes a commitment with an exact timeline: Saint Kitts and Nevis responds within 120–180 days from the date of application confirmation. Grenada targets three to four months, Dominica targets 3–6 months in one place on the page and 3–4 months in another. Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia do not publish timelines.

Do you need to live in the country after obtaining status?

The obligation of physical presence under threat of status revocation is published only by Antigua and Barbuda — at least five days per five calendar years. Saint Kitts and Nevis directly states that there are no residency requirements. The 30-day requirement discussed at the regional level did not make it into the program texts by September 2026.

What is more beneficial — a fund contribution or real estate purchase?

By published thresholds, real estate is more expensive than a fund in all programs where both options are disclosed: in Antigua and Barbuda by $70,000, in Saint Lucia by $60,000 plus an administrative fee, in Dominica — with an equal $200,000 threshold, state fees of $75,000 per applicant are added. The property can only be sold after the holding period — from three to seven years.

Does a Caribbean document open access to the USA?

The situation varies by country and changed in 2025–2026. For Antigua and Barbuda, the state confirms that previously issued US visas are accepted, and new applications fall under separate biometric agreements; the country is included in a pilot visa deposit program. For Dominica, the USA has suspended issuing visas in categories B-1, B-2, F, M and J. None of the five programs provides visa-free entry to the USA.

What will happen to Caribbean programs after 2028?

The European Commission has demanded that all five programs be phased out by June 1, 2028, under threat of revoking visa-free access to the Schengen area. The decision applies to the issuance of new status, not the revocation of status already granted. Planning a purchase for Schengen visa-free access beyond this date means taking on a risk that none of the five countries can manage.