The real estate market in five island countries in East Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher, Nevis and Agia Lucia, can secure second citizenship and passport, thanks to the “CBI” programs (CBI).

With a minimum investment of $ 200,000, you buy a home and get a passport. Antigua, where brokers find it difficult to respond to demand, says Nadia Daison, owner of a real estate company. “Up to 70% of all buyers right now want citizenship and the vast majority are from the US“, He tells the BBC.

Demand is increasing rapidly by US citizens, due to political instability, increased crime, but also as an alternative escape plan. In addition, tax reliefs and the ability to own double citizenship make the program attractive to wealthy investors.

Although the Antigua program does not have a need for residence, some buyers want to settle there and have full -time employment.

Reactions

The measure also has reactions. The European Union has threatened to withdraws the coveted visa exemption For the Caribbean countries, while the US has previously expressed concerns about the possibility of such plans being used as a means of tax evasion and financial crime.

For their part, the five Caribbean nations reacted angrily to claims that they do not do enough to check the applicants.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skyritt described his country’s CBI program as “correct and transparent”, adding that authorities were working hard to ensure his integrity.

Government reports that the Passport sales have raised more than $ 1 billion Since the start of the initiative in 1993, funding vital infrastructure, including a state -of -the -art hospital.

OR Ukraine, Turkey, Nigeria and China They are among the countries of origin of the applicants, according to the broker British company that has offices around the world. According to the data of this company, total applications for similar programs in the Caribbean have increased by 12% by 2024.

Despite the EU concerns And the US on security and transparency issues, the islands defend their programs, stressing that they are implementing strict controls and that revenue supports their economy and infrastructure. It is only worth noting that passport sales account for 10-30% of islands’ GDP.

In addition to buying property, passport can also be acquired by donation to state funds, e.g. $ 260,000 at the University of Western India (UWI).