If you are looking to acquire a second passport, the Caribbean countries offer advantageous citizenship by investment programs. St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada are two of these countries: In just a few months, in exchange for a reasonably affordable financial contribution, you and your family can obtain a second citizenship and a Grenada or St Kitts and Nevis passport.
But which citizenship program to choose? This article gives you a detailed overview of both Caribbean citizenship programs so you can find the right one for your family.
Grenada and St Kitts Citizenship Benefits
Quick application process: Grenada and St Kitts are two Caribbean countries offering citizenship with fast processing times of just three to six months.
Passport for your family members: Foreign investors can acquire Caribbean citizenship for themselves and their family members
Favorable tax regime: The tax advantages of Grenada vs St Kitts and Nevis citizenship are relatively even, with no inheritance, wealth, or capital gains tax; however, St Kitts also imposes no personal income tax.
No stay requirements: Obtaining citizenship does not require visiting the country or maintaining residency in the St Kitts or Grenada program.
Affordable investment options: Caribbean citizenship programs have reasonably affordable investment options, starting from $235,000.
Grenada vs St Kitts Comparison at a Glance
Program characteristics | Grenada Citizenship by Investment | St Kitts Citizenship by Investment |
Application time | Nine months | Twelve months |
Passport Global ranking | 74th. Visa free entry to EU Schengen States, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and China, amongst others. | 53rd. Visa free entry to EU Schengen States, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia, amongst others. |
Qualifying investment | NTF minimum donation: $235,000 (single applicant) / $235,000 (family of four) Real Estate investment: $270,000 minimum Investment routes: National Transformation Fund, real estate | SISC minimum donation: $250,000 (single applicant) / $250,000 (family of four) Real Estate investment: $400,000 minimum Public Benefit Option (PBO): $250,000 non-refundable contribution Investment routes: Sustainable Island State Contribution, real estate, Public Benefit Option |
Taxes | No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax. | No personal income tax, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax. |
Residence rule | No stay requirements. | No stay requirements. |
Family eligibility | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 30, parents and grandparents, siblings over 18 (unmarried with no children) | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children up to 25, and parents aged 65 and older |
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Grenada — also called ‘The Spice of the Caribbean’ — is praised for its beautiful nature, tranquility, and relaxed lifestyle. Since 2013, the government has had its very own Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program. This successful immigration scheme grants foreign investors and their families a Grenada passport in exchange for a minimum investment of $235,000 in the country’s economy.
With a Grenada passport, investors can travel to over 140 Grenada passport visa-free countries to over 140 countries, such as China, the EU, the UK, and Russia. In addition, the passport is also the only Caribbean passport offering the opportunity to apply for the E2 visa in the US – which allows you to enter and work in the US when investing a substantial amount of capital in a US business.
Grenada investment options
Grenada’s CBI program offers two foreign investment routes obtain citizenship:
- A non-refundable contribution of $235,000 for a single applicant or family of four to the Grenada National Transformation Fund (NTF).
- Investment in a government -approved real estate project:
- $350,000 for a sole purchase
- $270,000 for a joint purchase in tourist accommodations
In addition to the required financial investment, applicants must pay additional fees, including due diligence fees, application fees, processing fees, government fees, and interview fees.
St Kitts Citizenship by Investment
St Kitts and Nevis is a two-island country in the Caribbean Sea. Praised for its pristine beaches and luxury, this is the ideal place for those seeking an exclusive lifestyle. It is also the first Caribbean country to have launched a CBI Program, paving the way for many others. Implemented in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program grants applicants and their families investment citizenship in exchange for a qualifying contribution of at least $250,000 to the development of the country.
A St Kitts and Nevis passport allows easy entry to over 150 St Kitts passport visa free countries, such as in Europe’s Schengen zone, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia.
St Kitts investment options
St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI program offers three investment options:
- A $250,000 minimum contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). A donation of $250,00 also qualifies for a family of four.
- A $400,000 pre-approved real estate purchase in a joint investment or $800,000 for a sole investment.
- A minimum donation of $250,000 in a public benefit scheme known as Approved Public Benefit Project.
Which one to pick?
or Grenada citizenship by investment benefits compared to St Kitts, both Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship are very appealing and share many similarities, such as a quick application process, affordable and similar investment routes, no-stay requirements, flexible application requirements, and a very attractive tax regime. Both programs require applicants to partake in mandatory interviews, and both countries accept dual citizenship.
However, the programs differ on several crucial points, which can help you choose.
St Kitts and Nevis vs Grenada passport visa free countries
First and foremost, St Kitts and Nevis’s passport ranks 53rd and gives St Kitts and Nevis passport holders visa free access to over 150 countries. The Grenada passport ranks in the 74th position, a bit lower. However, it gives Grenada passport holders access to China and offers the possibility of applying for a US E-2 visa. The E-2 visa permits you to enter and work in the US, provided you’ve invested substantial capital in a US business. Investors seeking access to the US market are encouraged to apply for Grenada citizenship.
So, if you want more visa free countries and global mobility in general, St Kitts is better. Grenada may be the best option if you have specific needs, such as access to China or the US E-2 visa.
St Kitts and Nevis vs Grenada citizenship for families
Concerning family inclusion in Grenada and St Kitts citizenship by investment, each program has slight differences that may affect your decision. Both accept spouses and children, but Grenada has an upper age limit of 30 years old, whereas St Kitts and Nevis only accepts children up to 25, and between 18 and 25, they must be in education.
Grenada accepts siblings over 18 (as long as they are unmarried and have no children), while St Kitts and Nevis no longer accepts siblings or grandparents. Additionally, they only accept parents aged 65 and above, whereas Grenada accepts both parents and grandparents and has no age requirements for either group.
Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship cost
The cost of citizenship by investment in Grenada versus St Kitts appoints Grenada as the clear winner, with a minimum investment requirement for the government fund option of $235,000 versus St Kitts’ requirement of $250,000. There is also a wide margin in real estate investment requirement, with $350,000 for a sole investment in Grenada versus $800,000 for a sole investment in St Kitts.
Grenada also wins regarding real estate investment opportunities in Grenada vs St Kitts for citizenship, with 33 available real estate projects to invest in versus 29 in St Kitts and Nevis.
Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship processing times
St Kitts previously held an advantage when it came to Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship program processing time comparison through its Accelerated Application Process; however, since the repeal of the accelerated process, Grenada second citizenship now has a faster average processing time or nine months compared to twelve months to obtain a St Kitts passport.
In conclusion, both programs are very appealing for similar reasons, and your decision should be based on your long-term goals and specific circumstances. Is your priority global mobility and visa free travel? Access to the US? Lenient eligibility criteria Passport ready in a short time? Family reunification? All of these factors should be considered to choosing St Kitts or Grenadian citizenship.
Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?
- Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
- 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
- Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
- An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
- Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Caribbean citizenship application, click here.
Don’t forget to check our other Caribbean comparison articles:
- Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
- St Lucia vs Dominica Citizenship
- St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport
- Grenada vs St Lucia Citizenship
- St Kitts vs St Lucia Citizenship
- Grenada vs Dominica Citizenship
- Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship
- Antigua vs St Kitts Citizenship
- Antigua vs Grenada Citizenship
- Antigua vs Dominica Citizenship
Frequently Asked Questions about Grenada and St Kitts Citizenship
What is the Grenada Citizenship by Investment program?
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment program is a successful second citizenship scheme launched in 2013, which grants investors and their families a Grenada passport in three to six months in exchange for investing at least $235,000 in the country. As one of the five Caribbean programs, all applications were previously processed by the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit, which has now been replaced by the Investment Migration Agency Grenada.
What is the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program?
St Kitts offers the oldest Caribbean citizenship by investment scheme. Launched in 1984, it grants qualifying investors and their families a St Kitts and Nevis passport in just four to six months in exchange for investing at least $250,000 in the country. As one of the five Caribbean CBI programs, applications to the CBI program are processed by the St Kitt Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Grenada vs St Kitts citizenship: which program to pick?
Both Grenada and St Kitts citizenship are very appealing. The strength of having a St Kitts passport is that you can travel visa free to over 150 countries. With a Grenada passport, you have visa free access to over 140 countries and can apply for the US E-2 visa, which allows you to stay in the US in exchange for a qualifying investment.
Concerning the ease of obtaining citizenship in Grenada compared to St Kitts, both the Grenada and St Kitts citizenship by investment application process have no residency requirements or mandatory visits to the country to obtain dual citizenship; however, the lower overall investment requirement may make Grenadian citizenship easier to acquire.
What is the validity of Grenada and St Kitts passports?
The Grenadian passport is valid for five years. The St Kitts passport has a longer validity period of ten years.