Compare Citizenship by Investment Programmes: Cost, Passport and Rules
The seven citizenship by investment programmes we cover start between about US$90,000 and US$400,000 and open 83 to 157 destinations without a prior visa. Compare them side by side on price, passport rank, time in the country, family cover and the rules that can change.
When you are ready to narrow the list, use Find my program and tell us your goal.
Key Takeaways
- Price is not the only gap. Entry prices run from about US$90,000 to US$400,000, and the passports open 83 to 157 destinations.
- Most ask for little or no stay. Five require none today, Antigua and Barbuda asks for 5 days in 5 years, and Turkey lists no requirement.
- Two carry a US entry restriction. Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda nationals have faced it since 1 January 2026.
- The cheapest passport opens the fewest doors. Nauru has the lowest price and ranks lowest of the seven.
- Every programme can change. Fees, stay rules and approval times move, so we confirm the current terms before you file.
How do the seven citizenship by investment programmes compare?
They differ most on price, passport strength, time in the country and the rules that can change. The table puts all seven side by side, with passport rank and access filled from live data. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every programme.
| Criteria | St Kitts and Nevis | Antigua and Barbuda | Grenada | Dominica | St Lucia | Turkey | Nauru |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World rank | 22nd | 24th | 27th | 30th | 31st | 51st | 62nd |
| Visa-free destinations | 157 | 154 | 148 | 144 | 143 | 112 | 83 |
| Schengen Area | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Visa needed | Visa needed |
| United Kingdom | Electronic authorisation | Electronic authorisation | Electronic authorisation | Visa needed | Visa needed | Visa needed | Visa needed |
| Contribution route | US$250,000, up to four family members | US$230,000, family of up to four | From about US$235,000, main applicant plus three dependants | From US$200,000, single applicant | From about US$240,000, main applicant plus three dependants | Not offered | About US$90,000 offer price, principal applicant |
| Real estate route | From US$325,000, held 7 years | From US$300,000, held 5 years | From about US$270,000, held 5 years | From US$200,000, held 3 years | From about US$300,000, held 5 years | From US$400,000, held 3 years | Not offered |
| Typical timeline | Often 4 to 6 months | Often 3 to 6 months | Often 3 to 6 months | Often 3 to 6 months | Often 3 to 6 months | Often 4 to 9 months | Often 3 to 4 months |
| Time in the country | None today | 5 days in 5 years | None today | None today | None today | None listed | None |
| Who can join | Spouse, children under 18, older unmarried children you support, parents 55 and over | Spouse, children up to 30, parents 55 and over, unmarried siblings | Spouse, dependent children, other relatives for an added contribution | Spouse, children under 18, older children in higher education, parents over 65 | Spouse, children up to 30 you support, parents over 55 you support | Spouse and children under 18 only | Spouse, children, parents and siblings, with added contributions |
| US travel | Visa needed | Restricted since 1 January 2026 | Visa needed | Restricted since 1 January 2026 | Visa needed | Visa needed | Visa needed |
| Stands out for | The oldest programme, open since 1984 | Family pricing and a university fund route | US E-2 investor visa eligibility | The lowest Caribbean entry price | Three routes, including government bonds | A real asset and seven routes | The lowest price overall |
| Watch out for | A higher price and a 7-year property hold | The US restriction and the 5-day stay | An interview for adult applicants | The US restriction | An interview for applicants aged 16 and over | No Schengen access, and military service duties for male citizens | Fewest doors, and the offer price ends 31 December 2026 |
Prices and timelines were checked in October 2026 and can change. A regional 30-day presence rule is agreed for the five Caribbean programmes but is not yet in force. See the status table for where things stand.
Head-to-head comparisons. Want two programmes side by side? Pick a pair:
- Antigua and Barbuda vs Dominica
- Dominica vs Grenada
- St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica
- St Kitts and Nevis vs Antigua and Barbuda
- Grenada vs St Lucia
- Turkey vs Dominica
- Nauru vs Dominica
Real estate routes. Buying property instead of paying the contribution? See the costs, hold period and fees by programme:
- Dominica citizenship by real estate
- Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by real estate
- St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by real estate
- St Lucia citizenship by real estate
See what has changed in the programmes and when.
Which programme is the cheapest?
Nauru has the lowest entry price, at about US$90,000 under a limited-time offer for applications filed before 31 December 2026. Among the Caribbean programmes, Dominica starts lowest at US$200,000 for a single applicant. The cheapest passport also opens the fewest doors, so weigh price against reach.
The price you see is the contribution or investment. Government and due diligence fees come on top, and each programme page shows what to expect. Add your family’s ages to the cost calculator to see your own estimate for each programme.
Which programme has the strongest passport?
St Kitts and Nevis ranks highest of the seven today, at 22nd in the Global Passport Ranking. Rank counts the destinations a passport opens without a prior visa, and it changes as countries update their rules. See every passport on the passport ranking page.
A higher rank is not a better programme. Cost, stay rules, family cover and your home country’s law matter just as much.
Which programme asks for the least time in the country?
Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Nauru ask for no stay today, and Turkey lists no requirement. Antigua and Barbuda asks for 5 days in the 5 years after you become a citizen. A regional rule of 30 days in the first five years is agreed for the Caribbean programmes but is not yet in force.
Read the dual citizenship guide before you choose, because your home country’s law decides whether you can keep your first passport.
Which programme suits which goal?
Match your main goal to the programmes below. If you have two goals, start with the one you cannot give up.
Ready to narrow the list? Use Find my program to answer a few questions and get a shortlist. Once you have a shortlist, you can then book a strategy consultation.
What do all seven programmes have in common?
Every programme runs due diligence on you and your family, and none can guarantee approval. Each one is filed through a government-authorised representative, and each one can change its rules after you apply.
- Due diligence. Police certificates, source of funds and identity checks apply to every adult applicant.
- Your home country. Its law decides whether you keep your first passport. See the dual citizenship guide.
- No visa for Canada or the US. All seven passports still need one. See what you get and what you do not get.
- Residency is a different route. See citizenship vs residency by investment.
Frequently asked questions
Which citizenship by investment programme is the cheapest?
Nauru has the lowest entry price at about US$90,000 under a limited-time offer for applications filed before 31 December 2026. Among the Caribbean programmes, Dominica starts lowest at US$200,000 for a single applicant. A cheaper programme can open fewer doors, so compare the passport as well as the price.
Which citizenship by investment programme has the strongest passport?
St Kitts and Nevis ranks highest of the seven today, at 22nd in the Global Passport Ranking. The order can change as countries update their visa rules, and our passport ranking page updates daily. Rank measures visa-free reach only, not the quality of a programme.
Which programme is the fastest?
Nauru is often quickest at 3 to 4 months, and most Caribbean programmes often take 3 to 6 months. Turkey often takes 4 to 9 months. Timelines depend on your file and on due diligence, so we confirm the current time before you file.
Which programmes ask for the least time in the country?
Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Nauru ask for no stay today, and Turkey lists no requirement. Antigua and Barbuda asks for 5 days in 5 years. A regional rule of 30 days in the first five years is agreed for the Caribbean programmes but is not yet in force.
Which programmes can include my parents?
Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Nauru can include parents within their age rules, and Grenada can include other relatives for an added contribution. Turkey includes only a spouse and children under 18. Age limits change, so we confirm who qualifies before you file.
Which programmes can I use for the US E-2 investor visa?
Citizens of Grenada and Turkey may apply for the US E-2 investor visa because both countries have an E-2 treaty with the United States. You still need a real, active investment in a US business, and the United States decides each case. We check whether your nationality has a treaty before you plan around this route.
Do all seven programmes carry the same risks?
No. Every programme can change its fees, stay rules and timelines, and none can guarantee approval. Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda also carry a US entry restriction, and Turkey’s passport does not open the Schengen Area. We confirm the current position for your file before you pay.
More citizenship tools
Looking at residence rather than citizenship? Try the residence cost calculator or the residence finder. A residence permit is not a passport.
Which citizenship program fits you?
Tell us a little about your plans and we will match you with the programs that may suit your family.
We work with the government-authorised representative in each country, who files your application. Your details stay private.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases. 3rd generation in the immigration industry. We work only through officially authorized agents for every citizenship program we file, so you deal with one accountable team from first call to passport.
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We file only through officially authorized agents for each program, with no intermediaries in between.
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We match programs to your goals, budget and passport, not a template.
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Document and source-of-funds review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
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We track rule, fee and regulator changes across every program for you.
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What our clients say
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Written and reviewed by Amir Ismail, founder of Amir Ismail & Associates. Prices, timelines and rules were checked against official programme sources in October 2026. This page is general information and not legal advice.
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.
