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Citizenship by Investment

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Family Citizenship by Investment: Who Qualifies and What to Know

More investors are turning to citizenship by investment programs not only for personal freedom but also to create long-term advantages for their families. After all, a second citizenship can open doors to expanded travel access, business opportunities, and greater financial flexibility across generations.

However, family applications are not always as simple as adding names to a form. Every program has its own definitions, age limits, and dependency rules.

In this article, we discuss who qualifies as a dependent in CBI programs and how families can benefit from citizenship by investment.

We aim to share our expertise in CBI programs to help families make informed decisions about global mobility and investment.

Key Takeaways

  • Caribbean citizenship by investment programs allow applicants to include eligible dependents in a single application, which can reduce future immigration costs.
  • Dependent eligibility rules differ across Caribbean CBI programs, so families should review age limits and financial support requirements carefully.
  • Real estate investment pathways can provide families with a second home and long-term lifestyle flexibility.
  • Working with an experienced citizenship advisor can help families prepare accurate documents and avoid unnecessary delays during the application process.

Table of Contents

Five countries in the Caribbean currently offer second citizenship by investment programs.

These are:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • St, Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia

These CBI programs share similarities but also differ, including their family citizenship by investment rules.

Antigua and Barbuda

The country’s CBI program has been around since 2013 and is one of the most popular options for high-net-worth individuals. As a member of the Commonwealth, citizens of this country can access certain privileges in the United Kingdom, which is one of the passport’s main benefits. Its most sought-after pathway is real estate investment, which allows you to own a home in the country for a minimum amount of USD 300,000.

Family members of applicants can apply for a second passport under the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program. These include the:

  • Spouse
  • Dependent children below 31 years of age, their spouse and dependent children
  • Parents and grandparents 55 years and over
  • Siblings of the main applicant and their respective spouses, if any

If your application has been approved, you and your dependents aged 16 or older must attend virtual interviews.

Additionally, you and your dependents must reside in Antigua and Barbuda for at least five days within the first five years after obtaining citizenship.

In addition to buying a government-approved property, you can donate a non-refundable minimum amount to the National Development Fund or the University of the West Indies and invest in an eligible business to qualify for the CBI program.

Dominica

The Dominica citizenship by investment program offers only two pathways, namely through government donation and real estate investment, but it still attracts many applicants. The country’s main draws include its beautiful natural landscapes and stable government and economy, making it a popular option for families.

The program allows citizenship by investment for dependents and parents. Below is an overview of family members you can include in your application:

  • Your spouse
  • Your unmarried, dependent children under 31
  • Your parents and grandparents 65 years old and over

You can also have additional dependents apply for their Dominican citizenship once your application is approved.

If you choose to donate to the Economic Development Fund, a minimum amount of USD 250,000 is required for you and three qualifying dependents. You need to donate an additional USD 25,000 for each eligible dependent under 18 years old, and USD 40,000 for each eligible dependent over 18 years old.

Grenada

The Grenada citizenship by investment program stands out as the only CBI option that includes an E-2 Investor Visa Treaty with the U.S. This means that Grenada passport holders can apply for a non-immigrant visa after residing in the country for at least 3 years continuously.

You can include the following family members in your application:

  • Your spouse
  • Your children below 30 years of age
  • Your unmarried siblings who are at least 18 years of age
  • Your parents and grandparents, including those of your spouse, who meet the adult dependent rules

Making a non-refundable donation of 235,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) allows you and up to four eligible members of your family to apply for a Grenadian passport.

If you opt for a property investment, the required minimum amount is USD 270,000. You also need to make an additional minimum non-refundable donation of USD 50,000, which covers your application and up to four eligible dependents applying at the same time as you.

St. Kitts and Nevis

This country holds the distinction of having the oldest CBI program in the Caribbean, as the St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program was established in 1984. It is also a member of the Commonwealth, which means citizens have access to certain benefits in the UK and other Commonwealth states.

If you opt for this program, you can include the following members in your application:

  • Your spouse
  • Your children below 30 years of age
  • Your parents, if over 55 years of age

Your other qualified dependents can also apply for citizenship once you obtain your passport.

The program has three pathways: real estate investment, public benefit project donation, and Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). If you choose the SISC option, the non-refundable contribution of USD 250,000 covers your application and up to three eligible dependents.

The fee for each additional eligible dependent under 18 is USD 25,000, and USD 50,000 for those over 18.

St. Lucia

The St. Lucia citizenship by investment program may be the newest in the Caribbean, having been established only in 2015, but it still attracts many applicants. It is one of the most cost-effective second-passport pathways in the Caribbean and around the world.

Family members who qualify as dependents for this CBI program include your:

  • Spouse
  • Children below 31 years old
  • Siblings below 18 years of age
  • Parents 55 years old and over

You can have your other qualified dependents apply for citizenship after you obtain your St. Lucia passport.

The CBI options are:

  • Real estate investment of at least USD 300,000, which covers your application and any number of eligible dependents
  • Non-refundable donation of USD 240,000 to the National Economic Fund, which covers your application and up to three eligible dependents. Additional dependents younger than 18 require a further USD 10,000 contribution, and USD 20,000 for dependents 18 and older.
  • A minimum investment of USD 250,000 in a government-approved business or project and additional administration fees for the main applicant and three eligible dependents.
  • A minimum investment of USD 300,000 in non-interest-bearing government bonds plus a required administrative fee of USD 50,000.

Below are the requirements you need to add when including qualified dependents in your CBI application:

  • Proof of dependency of your children or parents, such as private school or university enrolment documents and documentation demonstrating you are financially supporting your dependents
  • Identification documents of dependents, such as passports and birth certificates
  • Financial documents to show you can support your dependents
  • Police clearance certificate for dependents 16 years and above

You and your dependents will also be asked to provide a medical certificate confirming that you are in good health. This requirement varies by country.

Caribbean citizenship by investment offers several advantages for families. These include:

Global Mobility

The passports issued by CBI programs provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many destinations, which makes international travel easier for parents and children. For instance, A St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows holders visa-free access to 158 countries.

If you have an Antigua and Barbuda passport, you can travel visa-free to 154 destinations.

Home Ownership

The property investment option of CBI programs allows you and your family to own another home in a stable and attractive destination. You can use this property as a vacation home or for long-term lifestyle planning.

You can also turn the property into a vacation home or long-term rental when you’re not in the country.

Financial Planning Support

The Caribbean countries with CBI programs offer favorable tax benefits that can help you protect your wealth and manage international assets more efficiently.

The programs also allow you to include eligible dependents in a single application, which can help reduce future immigration costs.

Lifestyle Flexibility.

With a Caribbean passport, you and your family have the option to live in a peaceful island destination while maintaining business and personal connections abroad.

The programs also have straightforward application procedures, and some nations do not require permanent relocation, which means you won’t be pressured to stay in the country for long periods.

Read more information about dependent children’s, parents’, and grandparents’ eligibility for Caribbean CBI programs:

Can adult children be included in a citizenship by investment application?

Adult children may be included in Caribbean CBI applications as long as they meet eligibility requirements, including age. Some countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, allow the adult child’s spouse and dependent children to apply as well.

Can parents be added as dependents?

Yes, all five Caribbean CBI programs allow parents to be added as dependents. However, minimum age thresholds differ. Dominica sets the threshold at 65, while Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia accept parents from age 55. Grenada extends eligibility to the parents and grandparents of the main applicant, as well as those of their spouse.

Which Caribbean programs are the most family-friendly?

Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada are widely regarded as the most family-friendly Caribbean CBI programs. Antigua and Barbuda accepts an unusually broad range of dependents, including siblings, grandparents, and a dependent child’s own family unit. Grenada extends eligibility to the spouse’s parents and grandparents as well.

What counts as financial dependency in a CBI application?

Financial dependency means the dependent relies on the main applicant as their primary source of financial support. Accepted documentation for proof of dependency includes school or university enrolment records for children, bank statements or financial records demonstrating ongoing support, and official identification such as passports and birth certificates.

Do dependent rules differ by country?

Yes, dependent rules, including sibling inclusion rules, differ across the five Caribbean CBI programs. Age limits for children range from under 30 to under 31, depending on the country. The minimum age for parents ranges from 55 to 65. Some programs, such as Antigua and Barbuda, extend eligibility to siblings and grandparents, while others apply narrower categories.

CBI programs can support your travel lifestyle and financial goals while providing greater peace of mind. Review each program carefully to ensure you can make the right move for your family.

Contact us to learn which CBI program best aligns with your personal and family goals.