Comparing Antigua and Barbuda CBI with other Caribbean citizenship programmes

Comparing Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI with the other Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes is an important step for investors choosing the programme that best fits their needs. The Eastern Caribbean currently has 5 active CBI programmes — Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica and Saint Lucia. All five belong to member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and signed a Memorandum of Agreement in March 2024 to standardise basic requirements and share information.

Under this Memorandum, the common minimum investment for all CBI options in the OECS was raised to $200,000 USD from 01/07/2024 — a move to protect the region’s shared reputation following international pressure from the EU and the United States. However, each programme retains its own features in terms of family structure, processing fees, real estate projects and accompanying benefits. This article analyses each programme in detail and compares it with the Antigua and Barbuda programme.

Detailed article onthe country of Antigua and Barbuda.

Overview of the 5 Caribbean CBI programmes

The five Eastern Caribbean CBI programmes have many important similarities and differences:

• Antigua and Barbuda: launched 2013, NDF minimum $230K for a family of 4, with the UWIF at $260K for families of 6+ — managed by theCIU Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: the oldest programme (1984), Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) minimum $250K for an individual
• Grenada: launched 2013, NTF minimum $235K,has a US E-2 treaty
• Dominica: launched 1993, EDF minimum $200K for an individual, $250K for a family of 4
• Saint Lucia: launched 2015, NEF minimum $240K for an individual

All 5 programmes allow dual citizenship, have a minimum physical residence requirement in the first 5 years after receiving citizenship, and issue strong passports with 140–160 visa-free destinations. However, differences in the details can decide an investor’s choice.

Detailed article onDual citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda.

Investment levels and costs

Cost comparison for a family of 4 (parents + 2 children under 16) using the cheapest option:

• Antigua and Barbuda (NDF): $230,000 contribution + ~$43,000 fees ≈$273,000 USD
• Saint Kitts and Nevis (SISC): $250,000 contribution + ~$45,000 fees ≈$295,000 USD
• Grenada (NTF): $235,000 contribution + ~$50,000 fees ≈$285,000 USD
• Dominica (EDF): $250,000 contribution (family of 4) + ~$30,000 fees ≈$280,000 USD
• Saint Lucia (NEF): $240,000 contribution (family of 4) + ~$45,000 fees ≈$285,000 USD

Antigua and Barbuda therefore has the lowest cost for a standard family of 4 — saving $7,000–$22,000 USD compared with the other programmes. For families of 6 or more, Antigua’s UWIF is even more advantageous.

However, when the comparison is extended to the real estate option:

• Antigua and Barbuda real estate: $300,000 USD, 5-year hold
• Saint Kitts and Nevis real estate: $325,000 USD condo / $600,000 USD villa, 7-year hold
• Grenada real estate: $270,000 USD shared / $350,000 USD sole, 5-year hold
• Dominica real estate: $200,000 USD, 3-year hold
• Saint Lucia real estate: $300,000 USD, 5-year hold

Dominica has the lowest requirements for the real estate option, while Saint Kitts has the highest. However, project quality and rental potential also differ significantly.

Passports and entry rights

The passports of all 5 Caribbean CBI countries are strong but rank differently according to theProsperous Passport Index:

• Antigua and Barbuda: 22nd globally, 154 visa-free destinations
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: 24th globally, 154 visa-free destinations
• Grenada: 27th globally, 146 visa-free destinations
• Dominica: 35th globally, 144 visa-free destinations
• Saint Lucia: 31st globally, 147 visa-free destinations

All 5 passports offer visa-free access to the Schengen Area for 90 days, the United Kingdom for 6 months, Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Antigua and Saint Kitts rank highest because they have the most visa-free destinations.

Relations with the United States

This is the most important difference between the 5 programmes:

• Antigua and Barbuda: 10-year B-1/B-2 visas for citizens,has no E-2 treaty. In December 2025, President Trump issued an executive order partially suspending visas for Antigua and Dominica
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: 10-year B-1/B-2 visas,has no E-2 treaty, not subject to Trump’s restrictions
• Grenada: has a US E-2 treaty— the ONLY Caribbean country with this benefit. It allows citizens to apply for the E-2 Investor visa and live in the United States while managing their investment business
• Dominica: also subject to Trump’s December 2025 restrictions
• Saint Lucia: not subject to the restrictions

For investors aiming to settle in the United States through investment,Grenada is the only optionin the Caribbean. The E-2 visa lets investors put about $100,000–$200,000 USD into a US business and live in the United States for as long as the investment operates — renewable indefinitely as long as the business continues to meet the requirements.

Family structure and dependants

The flexibility on dependants differs between the programmes:

• Antigua and Barbuda: spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents 55+, unmarried siblings — one of the most generous programmes
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: spouse, children under 30, parents 55+ and grandparents 55+
• Grenada: spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents of any age, unmarried siblings under 30
• Dominica: spouse, children under 30, parents 65+
• Saint Lucia: spouse, children under 30, parents 56+, unmarried siblings under 18

For large families with several older members, Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada are the most flexible options. For small families of just a couple and their children, the other programmes are also suitable and may cost less.

Residence requirements and processing

Physical residence requirements after receiving citizenship:

• Antigua and Barbuda: 5 days in the first 5 years (the lowest requirement in the region)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: no formal residence requirement
• Grenada: no formal residence requirement
• Dominica: no formal residence requirement
• Saint Lucia: 5 days in the first 5 years

Application processing times:

• Antigua and Barbuda: 4–6 months (backlogs since 2025)
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: 3–6 months (the most efficient programme)
• Grenada: 3–4 months
• Dominica: 3–6 months
• Saint Lucia: 3–4 months

Unique features of each programme

Antigua and Barbuda

• The UWIF at $260K for families of 6+, with a 1-year UWI scholarship
• A 5-day residence requirement — helping maintain a genuine connection with the country
• Crypto-friendly: accepts cryptocurrency for the real estate investment option
• The strongest passport in the region (together with Saint Kitts), with 154 visa-free destinations

Saint Kitts and Nevis

• The oldest programme in the Caribbean (since 1984)
• Periodic Limited Time Offers with discounts for families
• No physical residence requirement
• Saint Kitts was not subject to Trump’s December 2025 restrictions

Grenada

• The ONLY Caribbean programme with a US E-2 treaty
• The largest Vietnamese community in the Caribbean
• Visa-free entry to China (90 days)
• Higher processing fees than the other countries

Dominica

• The lowest cost for small families using the real estate option
• A real estate holding requirement of only 3 years — the shortest in the region
• Subject to Trump’s December 2025 restrictions
• Eco-tourism is the country’s highlight

Saint Lucia

• An exclusive Government Bond option — $300K for an individual, refunded after 5 years
• The Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a world-class attraction
• Not subject to Trump’s restrictions

Recommendations by need

Depending on specific needs, different programmes have different advantages:

• A standard family of 4 on a low budget: Antigua and Barbuda NDF $273K
• A family of 6+ on a low budget: Antigua and Barbuda UWIF, saving $45K compared with the NDF
• Aiming to settle in the United States through the E-2: Grenada is the ONLY option
• Real estate investment with the shortest holding period: Dominica (3 years)
• The strongest passport: Antigua and Barbuda or Saint Kitts and Nevis (both 154 countries)
• Avoiding current US restrictions: Saint Kitts and Nevis or Saint Lucia
• The oldest and most stable programme: Saint Kitts and Nevis (since 1984)
• An existing Vietnamese community: Grenada

For Vietnamese people, the top three options are:

1. Antigua and Barbuda— low cost, a strong passport, broad family eligibility
2. Grenada— a US E-2 treaty and a Vietnamese community
3. Saint Kitts and Nevis— no residence requirement, the most stable programme

Details of the Antigua and Barbuda programme are set out in the articleAntigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investmentand the other in-depth articles in this series.

The 2024 OECS Memorandum of Agreement

In March 2024, the five OECS countries with CBI programmes signed a Memorandum of Agreement through theOECSto:

• Standardise the minimum investment: $200,000 USD for all options from 01/07/2024
• Share due diligence information: through the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) in Barbados
• Mandatory interviews: for all applicants aged 16+
• Strengthen oversight of agents: with a unified licensing system
• Hold joint dialogue with the EU and the United States: to protect the region’s reputation

Although each programme keeps its own features, this cooperation ensures common basic standards and reduces unhealthy competition between the countries. Vietnamese people interested in Caribbean CBI should note that large discount promotions have no longer been common since mid-2024.

Comparing Antigua and Barbuda CBI — a summary

Comparing Antigua and Barbuda CBI with the other Caribbean programmes shows that each programme has its own advantages suited to particular needs. Antigua and Barbuda stands out for the lowest cost for a standard family of 4, the UWIF benefit for large families and the strongest passport in the region. However, for investors targeting the United States, Grenada is the only option thanks to its E-2 treaty.

The choice of CBI programme should be based on specific factors: the number and ages of family members, the ultimate settlement goal (United States, Europe, Asia), budget, investment preference (contribution or real estate) and other personal factors. Working with a professional agent experienced in all 5 Caribbean CBI programmes helps ensure the right decision.