Sections
Citizenship by investment programs grant a second passport in exchange for a qualifying financial contribution, typically a non-refundable donation or approved real estate purchase. Entry points range from $90,000 in São Tomé and Príncipe[1] to $250,000 in St. Kitts and Nevis[2], with Caribbean programs now operating under a regional $200,000 minimum floor from Q2 2026[3]. Processing times span 1–2 months for Vanuatu[4] to 4–6 months for most Caribbean jurisdictions[5]. The first step involves selecting a jurisdiction that aligns with your travel, tax, and residency goals, then engaging an authorized agent to submit due diligence documents and proof of funds.
What You Receive
Full Citizenship and Passport
A second passport with full citizenship rights, not a residency permit or temporary status. The passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to multiple jurisdictions depending on the issuing country.
Inclusion of Qualifying Dependants
Most programs allow you to include spouse, children, and sometimes parents or siblings in a single application. For example, Dominica permits up to three qualifying dependants for $250,000, with additional dependants under 18 requiring $25,000 each and those 18 or older requiring $40,000 each [6].
Processing Within 1–6 Months
Approval timelines vary by jurisdiction: Vanuatu processes applications in 1–2 months [4], São Tomé and Príncipe in approximately six weeks [1], Turkey in 3–4 months [4], and Caribbean programs such as Grenada and Saint Lucia in 3–6 months [5].
No Residency or Physical Presence Requirement
Most citizenship by investment programs do not require you to live in the country before or after approval. This applies to all five Caribbean OECS programs [3], Vanuatu [4], and Turkey [4].
Lifetime Validity and Generational Transfer
Citizenship is granted for life and can be passed to future generations by descent. The passport itself requires periodic renewal (typically every 5–10 years), but citizenship status remains permanent.
Optional Real Estate Investment Route
Some programs offer an alternative to direct donation: purchasing approved real estate. Antigua and Barbuda requires a minimum $300,000 property investment held for five years [7], Saint Lucia requires $500,000 in approved projects [8], and Turkey requires $400,000 with resale permitted after three years [4].
How to Acquire Citizenship by Investment
- Select a jurisdiction and investment route
Choose between donation-based programs (Caribbean nations at US$200,000–250,000 minimum[9][2], Vanuatu at $130,000[4], São Tomé and Principe at $90,000[1]) or real estate routes (Antigua at $300,000[7], Saint Lucia at $500,000[8], Turkey at $400,000[4]). Caribbean programs process in 3–6 months[5], while Vanuatu completes applications in 1–2 months[4] and São Tomé in six weeks[1]. Real estate routes require holding periods: five years in Antigua[7], three years in Turkey[4].
- Engage an authorized agent
Most citizenship programs mandate applications through licensed intermediaries. Verify agent credentials with the jurisdiction's official CBI unit before signing representation agreements or transferring funds.
- Prepare documentation and undergo due diligence
Submit passport copies, proof of funds, police clearance certificates, and medical reports for all applicants. Pay due diligence fees upfront—Saint Lucia charges $8,000 for the main applicant and $5,000 per dependant over 16[8]. Background checks typically account for half the processing timeline.
- Make the qualifying investment
Transfer the minimum contribution to the designated government fund or complete the real estate purchase through an approved developer. Dominica requires $200,000 for a single applicant or $250,000 for a family of four[9][6]; Antigua charges a flat $230,000 regardless of family size[7]. Real estate investments must meet jurisdiction-specific minimums and holding requirements[8][7][4].
- Receive approval and citizenship certificate
The CBI unit issues an approval letter once due diligence clears and investment confirmation is verified. Processing spans 1–2 months in Vanuatu[4], 3–4 months in Turkey[4], and 4–6 months in Grenada[5]. The citizenship certificate and passport arrive within two weeks of final approval in most programs.
- Verify passport validity and travel rights
Check the passport's machine-readable zone matches the citizenship certificate. Confirm visa-free access to target destinations through the jurisdiction's foreign ministry or IATA Timatic database before booking travel.
Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees
Citizenship by investment programs carry several risks and limitations that potential applicants should consider. One primary risk is the non-refundable nature of contributions. For instance, Dominica requires a minimum contribution of US$200,000, which is non-refundable[9]. Additionally, each jurisdiction has specific fees associated with due diligence; Saint Lucia charges US$8,000 for the main applicant and US$5,000 for each dependent over 16[8].
Limitations may arise from the requirement of holding investments for a specified duration. For example, Antigua mandates real estate investments of at least US$300,000 be held for five years[7]. Furthermore, processing times can vary significantly, with some programs taking up to six months[5].
Before proceeding, verify the credentials of authorized agents, as applications typically must be submitted through licensed intermediaries. Check the jurisdiction's official CBI unit for agent validation.
Refund policies are generally non-existent once the investment is made, making it crucial to conduct thorough research before committing funds. In case of application withdrawal, the investment may not be recoverable. Always ensure the chosen program aligns with personal travel and residency goals to mitigate potential issues.
Before you go
- Which country is the easiest to purchase citizenship in?
Vanuatu offers the fastest processing globally at 1–2 months with a minimum investment of $130,000 for a single applicant[4]. São Tomé and Príncipe completed its first approval within six weeks of submission in 2025, requiring a $90,000 donation[1]. Both programs impose no residency or physical presence requirements and process applications through straightforward donation routes without real estate holding periods.
- How much does it cost to buy citizenship?
Entry costs range from $90,000 in São Tomé and Príncipe[1] to $250,000 in St. Kitts and Nevis[2]. Caribbean programs operate under a regional $200,000 minimum floor from Q2 2026[3], with Dominica at $200,000 for a single applicant[9] and Antigua at $230,000 regardless of family size[7]. Add due diligence fees: Saint Lucia charges $8,000 for the main applicant and $5,000 per dependant over 16[8].
- How to get a golden passport?
Select a jurisdiction and investment route, engage an authorized agent mandated by most programs, then submit due diligence documents including passport copies, proof of funds, and police clearance certificates. Transfer the minimum contribution to the designated government fund or complete an approved real estate purchase, then await approval within 1–6 months depending on jurisdiction[5][4][1]. The citizenship certificate and passport arrive within two weeks of final approval in most programs.
- Can you buy citizenship to other countries?
Yes, citizenship by investment programs operate in multiple jurisdictions across the Caribbean, Pacific, and Europe. All five OECS Caribbean nations offer programs under regional oversight from Q2 2026[3], Vanuatu processes applications in 1–2 months[4], Turkey requires $400,000 in real estate with 3–4 month processing[4], and São Tomé and Príncipe launched its program in 2025[1]. Portugal's Golden Visa requires €500,000 in investment funds but grants residency, not direct citizenship[10].
- What is the cheapest passport to buy in the world?
São Tomé and Príncipe offers the lowest entry point at $90,000 for a single applicant through its National Transformation Fund donation route launched in 2025[1]. Vanuatu follows at $130,000 with 1–2 month processing[4]. Among Caribbean programs operating under the $200,000 regional floor from Q2 2026[3], Dominica matches that minimum for single applicants[9].
- What is the cheapest citizenship by investment in Europe?
No European Union member state currently offers direct citizenship by investment following the EU Court of Justice ruling in April 2025 that struck down Malta's program in Case C-181/23[10]. Portugal's Golden Visa requires a minimum €500,000 subscription to a CMVM-regulated investment fund with no real estate exposure[10], but grants residency rather than immediate citizenship. Turkey's $400,000 real estate route with 3–4 month processing[4] remains the lowest-cost citizenship program in the broader European region.
- What are the cheapest places to buy citizenship?
São Tomé and Príncipe at $90,000[1], Vanuatu at $130,000[4], and Dominica at $200,000 for a single applicant[9] represent the three lowest entry points globally. All five Caribbean OECS programs now operate under a $200,000 regional minimum from Q2 2026[3], with Grenada at $235,000[5] and Saint Lucia at $240,000[5] offering mid-tier Caribbean options.
Explore More Citizenship Options
Discover additional resources and insights on citizenship by investment.