What is happening with the Caribbean Passport Programs in 2026?
Published at: 06/10/2026 09:52 am
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What is happening with the Caribbean Passport Programs in 2026?
Investment amounts remain the same, satisfying the common memorandum of 2024. However, biometric checks are mandatory and the due diligence fees are higher. The minimum investment structures of the five Caribbean CBI nations remained the same since 1. July 2024.
- Dominica
Current Minimum: $200,000 USD (Economic Diversification Fund) Official Portal
- Antigua and Barbuda
Current Minimum: $230,000 USD (National Development Fund) Official Portal
- Grenada
Current Minimum: $235,000 USD (National Transformation Fund) Official Portal
- Saint Lucia
Current Minimum: $240,000 USD (National Economic Fund) Official Portal
- St. Kitts and Nevis
Current Minimum: $250,000 USD (Sustainable Island State Contribution) Official Portal
The age of Caribbean citizenships costing around 100.000 USD is over, now the most affordable solutions are from Africa. Moreover, the relationship between Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs and the Schengen Area is currently undergoing major political pressure and regulatory changes. It means the European Union wishes to destroy all citizenship by investment programs and would allow only citizenship through residency schemes in the future.
Schengen Access Status of the 5 Caribbean countries with citizenship by investment programs
- Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia still enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Like other visa-exempt travelers globally, Caribbean passport holders will soon be required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorization before flying into the Schengen Zone.
The EU Ultimatum and the 2028 Deadline
The European Union drastically stricken its stance against investor citizenship programs through the revised EU Visa Suspension Mechanism (Regulation 2025/2441).
The European Commission gave the Caribbean nations the deadline of June 1, 2028, to completely phase out their CBI programs, or face the total suspension of their Schengen visa-free status.
To save the income of investors from immediate suspensions, the EU has forced the Caribbean states for stronger interim safeguards, such as tightening due diligence, enforcing mandatory applicant interviews, and strictly barring any applicants under EU sanctions.
How much are the due diligence fees in the Caribbean CIP countries in 2026?
Due diligence fees vary across the island nations with passport schemes. However, main applicants usually pay $7,500 to $10,000 for the screening, meanwhile the fee for spouses and adult dependents are from $4,000 to $7,500. Meanwhile underage children are usually exempt. The obligatory interview fee is generally 1000 USD.
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