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Journalism of Courage
In the Eastern Caribbean, house-hunting now often comes with a surprising bonus: a second passport. Five island nations — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia, offer citizenship by investment (CBI) schemes starting at $200,000, a perk that’s attracting growing numbers of US buyers amid political and social turmoil back home.
These Caribbean passports grant visa-free access to as many as 150 countries, including Europe’s Schengen zone and, for most of these nations, the UK. For the wealthy, there’s also the appeal of zero capital gains, inheritance, or, in some cases, income tax.
In Antigua, demand is booming. “Up to 70 per cent of buyers now want citizenship, mostly Americans,” said Nadia Dyson of Luxury Locations, BBC reported. “This time last year, they were lifestyle buyers. Now it’s all about the passport.” While there’s no residency requirement, some US citizens are opting to move full-time.
According to Henley & Partners, US applicants now dominate the Caribbean CBI landscape, a sharp change from pre-pandemic years. The firm, which advises on global citizenship, said applications rose 12 per cent since late 2024, with many Americans viewing CBI as a political insurance policy.
“Only 10–15 per cent relocate. Most want a back-up passport,” said Henley’s Dominic Volek, BBC reported. “Some US clients even prefer to travel on less politically charged passports.”
The surge began during COVID-19 lockdowns, when mobility was restricted, and grew after the 2020 and 2024 US elections. “We had zero US offices before. Now we have eight,” Volek added.
Buyers like Robert Taylor from Canada, who invested in Antigua ahead of a price hike, pointed that CBI helps secure future mobility and business opportunities. “It’s beautiful, the people are friendly, and the weather’s perfect,” he said, BBC reported.
Still, CBI programmes remain controversial. As per BBC, critics argue they commodify citizenship and open doors for abuse. Caribbean leaders like St Vincent’s PM Ralph Gonsalves have called them unethical, while the EU and US have raised red flags over potential tax evasion and security concerns.
EU authorities are reviewing whether these schemes could threaten the bloc’s visa-free agreements with participating nations. In response, the Caribbean countries have pledged tighter controls — including regional oversight, stricter vetting, and mandatory applicant interviews.
Caribbean leaders, however, insist these programmes are vital for survival. CBI funds, now accounting for 10–30 per cent of GDP in these nations, have paid for hospitals, disaster relief, and even pension schemes.
Antigua’s PM Gaston Browne said the money had saved his country from economic collapse. In Dominica, the government said CBI revenues have exceeded $1 billion since 1993, helping to modernise critical infrastructure.
As per a report by BBC, journalist Andre Huie in St Kitts said, “The public supports CBI because they see the tangible benefits.” Still, with global scrutiny mounting, Caribbean nations now face the delicate task of proving that these golden passports are not for sale to just anyone — without shutting off a crucial financial lifeline.
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