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All About the Caribbean Citizenship in 2022

February 15, 2022
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Apex Capital Partners experts talk about citizenship programs for Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. Let's see about the similarities and differences between the programs, how the investment immigration industry works, and why the applicants need a licensed agent.

A Licensed Agent of Citizenship Investment programs – What Does It Mean

Countries offering citizenship for investment do not work directly with investors. Therefore, for potential applicants, governments have identified a kind of entry point - marketing and local agents. How do they work with clients?

Companies licensed as marketing agents of programs have the right to advertise investment schemes for citizenship and help the investor prepare the appropriate package of documents. But only local agents are authorized to transfer applicants' documents to special departments and represent their interests in the chosen jurisdiction.

Apex Capital Partners is a licensed local agent of Caribbean citizenship programs: Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada.

Direct interaction with the local agent is as effective as possible. Apex Capital Partners experts constantly receive up-to-date lists of documents and accurate data on the number of fees from the founders of the programs. They have great expertise in the issues of filing and registration of citizenship, as well as to conduct a free pre-check of the client and give recommendations on participation in a particular program.

Caribbean Citizenship Programs – What They Have in Common

The Caribbean States offering a passport for investment have a common currency - the Caribbean dollar, are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, CARICOM, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean Countries. English law and the general judicial system – the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court - operate here.

The citizenship program of Saint Kitts and Nevis is the oldest investment scheme in the world. She has been working since 1984. The newest one was launched in 2015 in Saint Lucia.

General details of Caribbean programs

Visa-free travel to EU countries (up to 90 days per half-year), the UK (up to 180 days per year). The opportunity to apply for a tourist visa to the United States for ten years.
The investor can choose whether to invest in a public fund (non-refundable investment), government bonds (an option available only in Saint Lucia, this is a returnable investment), approved business projects, or in real estate (a returnable investment).
The time of registration of citizenship is about six months, the level of checks is the same in all countries.
Citizenship can be issued to both the main applicant and dependent members of their family, including grandparents, sisters, and brothers (there are no analogs in the world).
All programs are issued remotely and there are no requirements for staying in the country, except for Antigua and Barbuda, but it has been temporarily canceled due to the pandemic.

Caribbean Citizenship Programs. Features

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Investment options

Non-refundable contribution to the state fund from $150,000 per applicant (investor), from $190,000 for a family of four.
Investment in real estate from $200,000 for the acquisition of a share in a luxury tourist facility approved for investment (hotels, villas, apartments). But unlike other countries in the region, an investor can purchase any real estate object to participate in the program.

In 2022, the Saint Kitts and Nevis investment program offers a new option for obtaining citizenship for a family (up to four people) - an investment in social infrastructure. The cost of participation from $175,000.

Examples of investments. The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Hotel is successfully operating in Christophe Harbor on St. Kitts, where the cost of the share is from $ 220 thousand. Also, pay attention to the private villas in the Ocean Grove project, they can be purchased in full ownership for $1.35 million.

Grenada

Investment options

Non-refundable contribution to the fund from $150,000 per applicant, from $200,000 for a package of four people.
Investment in real estate from $220,000 in government-approved development projects.

You can get an American E-2 visa and enter China without a visa with a Grenada passport.

Examples of investments. Silversands Legacy Hotel is a five-star hotel with 120 rooms. The share cost in the Silversands Legacy hotel from $220,000, villas from $7 million.

Six Senses La Sagesse luxury hotel under construction with 100 rooms. The share is from $220,000.

Mamora Bay in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

Investment options

Non-refundable contribution to the state fund from $100,000 per applicant, from $200,000 for a family package of four people.
Contribution to the fund of the local university - from $150,000 per investor + five dependents (or more).
Investment in real estate - from $220,000.

The best offer for large families is to apply for citizenship in a package for six people for minimal investment. In addition, the authorities temporarily lifted the requirement to spend at least five days in the country to take the oath.

Examples of investments. Moon Gate Boutique Hotel with 49 suites in Half Moon Bay. The opening is scheduled for the winter season 2022/23. The cost of a suite in the property starts from $250,000 (including furniture).

Saint Lucia

Investment options

Returnable investment in state bonds from $250,000. The term of return on investment depends on the number of people in the application: for one investor – five years, for an investor with a spouse - six years, for a family of four - seven years.
Contribution to the state fund from $100,000 per applicant, from $140,000 for an investor with a spouse, from $150,000 for a family of four.

The only program in the Caribbean where the state undertakes to return the investment to you. The offer is valid only until the end of 2022! Plus, here are the most favorable conditions for one applicant.

Caribbean Programs in Comparison

	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Grenada	Saint Lucia	Antigua and Barbuda
Year of the program establishment	1984	2013	2016	2013
Investment in the state fund (minimum)	$150,000	$150,000	$100,000	$100,000
The opportunity to purchase returnable state bonds	-	-	$250,000	-
Real estate investment (minimum)	$200,000	$220,000	$300,000	$200,000
The time of compulsory ownership of real estate under the program	7 years	5 years	5 years	5 years
Visa-free entry to the EU and the UK	+	+	+	+
Number of countries for visa-free entry	156	143	144	147
There are no requirements for accommodation and attendance	+	+	+	-
Visa-free entry to the Russian Federation	+	+	-	+
The opportunity to sell real estate to the next candidate for citizenship	+	+	-	-
Availability of a university with international certification	+	+	+	+
Visa-free entry to China	-	+	-	-
The opportunity to get a visa to the United States for 10 years	+	+	+	+
Agreement with the USA on the E-2 visa	-	+	-	-
The ability to enter brothers and sisters in the application	+	+	-	+
The ability to enter parents and children dependent on the investor	+	+	+	+
The ability to add grandparents to the application	+	+	-	+
Transfer of citizenship by inheritance to children	+	+	+	+

Caribbean immigration programs:

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship For 2 months

from 250 000 $

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program

Citizenship For 3 months

from 100 000 $

Grenada

Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program

Citizenship For 4 months

from 150 000 $

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program

Citizenship For 3 months

from 100 000 $

The Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining Citizenship

Step 1. Consultation with the agent to determine the goals, investment options and calculate the cost for the applicant.

Step 2. World Check (you will need the first page of the passport of the main applicant and all adults over 16 years old), which will reduce the risk of rejection in the future.

Step 3. Signing a contract with Apex Capital Partners for legal support, issuing an invoice for 50% for services, providing a personal lawyer, as well as preparing documents.

Step 4. Submission of documents and verification of trustworthiness. The documents are submitted by the agency's employees to the chosen jurisdiction. Due diligence is conducted by an independent company that gives the government its opinion on the candidate within three to six months. State fees and the cost of verification are paid at this stage.

Step 5. Approval of the application and direct investment. The final decision on the admission to citizenship is based on the results of in-depth independent due diligence. After the candidate is approved, the applicant must fulfill the investment condition, as well as pay the remaining 50% for the agency's services.

Step 6. Getting a passport. It will be sent to you along with the certificate of naturalization after the authorities receive confirmation of the transfer of funds.

Are you interested in getting a Caribbean passport? The experts of Apex Capital Partners will be happy to help