Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) is an opportunity for individuals to legally obtain a new citizenship and passport in a relatively short timeframe via an investment into the country’s economy. Applicants may either make a donation directly to a government fund or invest in government approved real estate projects. The funds are used to benefit local projects and programs, build and create jobs, and stabilize the local economies of once struggling nations. 

A: Obtaining a second passport and citizenship offers many advantages. It can give you the freedom to travel without restrictions; greater security for personal or business purposes; additional banking privacy; and investment opportunities. To view the full list of benefits visit Benefits of Alternative Citizenship page.

A: Caribbean passport brings an unrivaled freedom of travel to over 140 countries visa-free, including places such as the U.K, Schengen countries, Singapore, Russia and China so you no longer have the burden of applying for countless business and leisure travel visas.

A list of visa-free countries per each jurisdiction:

1. St Kitts & Nevis
2. Grenada
3. Saint Lucia
4. Dominica

A: No. Applications for citizenship cannot be submitted directly to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) and must only be handled by an Authorized Government Agent such as CSL.

A: Yes, at CSL we follow a careful six-step process, beginning with a signed written agreement for your protection that ensures your Citizenship-by-Investment application will be handled in a confidential, professional, and timely manner.

As for the state review, the application process is confidential, with no disclosure of or exchange of information, except where necessary checks are to be carried out by an authorized due diligence agency. Moreover, the governments of Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda do not disclose the information on new citizens to other countries.

A: Everywhere. The passport that you obtain as a Citizen by Investment is a fully legal passport, and is universally recognized by all state parties to the UN.

A: We offer our clients clearly defined Six Steps to streamline the citizenship application process. A detailed breakdown of the 6 steps can be found on this page.

A: Any individual who is over 18 years of age, of good character, without criminal records and who is able and willing to make the required contribution can become a principle applicant. He/She may also include financially dependent family members into his/her citizenship application. Please refer to this page for the detailed list of qualifications and investment requirements.

A: Yes, the following Nationalities are restricted:

• Kitts and Nevis: Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea (irrespective of place of legal residence)
• Antigua and Barbuda: Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Sudan, North Korea, Somalia (unless Individuals migrated before the age of majority and/or have maintained permanent residence for at least 10 years in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, or UAE and maintain no economic ties to any restricted country)
• Dominica: Iraq, Chechnya, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Sao Tome Principe (Applicants from these territories may be accepted based on enhanced individual screening by authorities)
• Grenada: Iran (As of October 2018 the Program will not accept citizenship applications from the nationals of Iran, regardless of the place of permeant residence. The change is made due to inability to carry out due-diligence checks inside Iran as well as receive any bank transfers originating from Iran.) 
• Saint Lucia: Syria, Iran (Syrian nationals must reside outside of Syria; income must be generated outside; bank transfer must be made from outside. As of August 2018 the Program will no longer accept citizenship applications from the nationals of Iran, regardless of the place of permeant residence. The change is made due to inability to carry out due-diligence checks inside Iran as well as receive any bank transfers originating from Iran)

Please note that some exceptions apply respective of the applicant’s place of current and past residence. Please contact us for more details.

A: The Government may reject the citizenship application if:

• Applicant has a criminal record, is subject to criminal investigation or unable to pass the due diligence clearance;
• Applicant is a potential national security risk or is involved in any activity likely to cause disrepute to the country’s good name;
• Applicant has been denied access to a country that is listed as a visa free country with a particular CBI program and who has not subsequently obtained a visa to the country that issued the denial;
• If false information was presented in the citizenship application;
• Applicant is in poor physical health.

Are you in doubt about your eligibility? Every client’s situation is unique. Contact our professional advisors today, we will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Let us analyze your situation carefully, discuss the available options, and help you develop a plan of action to achieve your goals.

A: There is no numerical limit on the number of permitted dependents.

A: The Laws of St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica define “spouse” as one partner of the opposite sex by officially registered marriage.

A: There is currently no mandatory interview requirement for the Citizenship by Investment Programs of Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia however an interview may be required at the discretion of the government.

There is no requirement to travel to Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia as part of the application process. However, Antigua approved citizens must spend 5 days in the first 5 years to qualify to have their passport renewed.

St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica and Saint Lucia have no physical residency requirement.

A: As every case is unique in nature our expert consultants will provide you with a complimentary pre-screen questionnaire so that we are able to consult you on a comprehensive list of required documents and carefully guide you thru the application process. Please contact our representatives today.

A: No. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted in English.

A: No. The citizenship application forms can only be obtained through an authorized government agents such as CSL.

A: Police Clearance Certificate is a document provided by a law enforcement agency confirming the absence of a criminal record.

• St. Kitts and Nevis: Oath is not required.
• Dominica: Upon final approval of citizenship, each applicant is required to take an Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Dominica. The oath must be signed before a Notary Public, Justice of Peace or Commissioner of Oaths.
• Antigua and Barbuda: On your first visit to Antigua and Barbuda or through an Antiguan Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office. Oath of Allegiance is required prior to renewal of passport.
• Grenada: Upon final approval of citizenship, each applicant is required to take an Oath of Allegiance to Grenada. The oath must be signed before a Notary Public, Justice of Peace or Commissioner of Oaths.
• Saint Lucia: Oath of Allegiance is required to be taken prior to passport issue. The oath must be signed before a Notary Public, Justice of Peace or Commissioner of Oaths.

• St. Kitts and Nevis: Name change is permitted provided a valid Deed Poll from the country of birth is submitted with the passport application.
• Dominica: Name change is permitted provided a valid Deed Poll from the country of birth is submitted with the passport application.
• Antigua and Barbuda agreed that successful Citizenship by Investment applicants shall not be allowed to change their name via Deed Poll or any other means for the issuance of the Antigua and Barbuda passport.
• Grenada: Name change will be permitted in exceptional circumstances provided a valid Deed Poll from the country of birth is submitted along with the name change justification.
• Saint Lucia: To be confirmed.

• St. Kitts and Nevis: Passport will be valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16 and are renewable remotely thereafter without the recipient visiting St. Kitts & Nevis.
• Dominica: All Dominican passports are valid for up to 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16 years old and are renewable thereafter. Passports can be renewed remotely without the recipient visiting Dominica.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Passport will be valid for 5 years and will be considered for renewal subject to the recipient having spent a total of 5 days in Antigua & Barbuda since gaining citizenship, within the 5 year period.
• Grenada: Passports are valid for 5 years for both adults and children and are renewable thereafter. Passports can be renewed remotely without the recipient visiting Grenada.
• Saint Lucia: Passports are valid for 5 years for both adults and children and are renewable thereafter. Passports can be renewed remotely without the recipient visiting Saint Lucia.

A: Expired passports or those with no blank pages can be easily renewed for a fee through CSL.

A: No, you do not need an address in Dominica/St Kitts/Antigua/Grenada/Saint Lucia.

A: Yes, as long as you held the property for the required number of years after obtaining your citizenship.

All Caribbean CBI jurisdictions except Grenada: Yes, subject to Government terms and conditions at that time. At present real estate can be resold to the subsequent buyer in 5 years and will qualify for obtaining citizenship thru citizenship-by-investment program.

A: All rental business and maintenance are typically managed by the developer’s management company. We will be happy to guide you through the details of every property’s terms and conditions.

A: Yes, generally you can use the property, subject to terms and conditions. We will be happy to guide you through the details case by case as each property’s specific conditions vary.

A: Yes, it is possible, provided each has contributed the minimum required real estate investment amount.

A: Yes. Both donation and real estate investment funds are kept in escrow account during the time of application review. Should the government deny your application, the funds will be refunded less non-refundable government application fees, due diligence fees and professional fees. All payment and refund terms are listed in our service agreement that our clients sign with us at the beginning of six-step process.

A: No, you are not liable for any individual taxes in St Kitts, Antigua, Grenada, Dominica or Saint Lucia unless you decide to reside in the country.

A: In some programs it is permitted to add new qualifying dependents after the principal applicant’s citizenship was approved:

• St Kitts and Nevis: adding dependents at a later date is permitted provided the dependents meet the qualifying criteria and required government dues are paid.
• Dominica: adding dependents at a later date is permitted provided the dependents meet the qualifying criteria and required government dues are paid.
• Grenada: adding dependents at a later date is permitted provided the dependents meet the qualifying criteria and required government dues are paid.
• Saint Lucia: NOT permitted.

To learn more please contact our professional advisors today.

• St Kitts and Nevis: Yes, it is permitted.
• Dominica: Yes, it is permitted.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Yes, it is permitted.
• Grenada: Yes, it is permitted.
• Saint Lucia: NOT permitted.

A: You will be required to pay our professional fee together with non-refundable due diligence fee at the time we sign a service agreement. Once your application is approved in principle, you are required to pay the balance of all fees and dues for either the donation or the real estate purchase.

A: Yes, all funds must be from a legitimate source. The application forms require a source of funds declaration and documents are required to support the assets origin. The Citizenship by Investment Unit may deny the application pending further clarifications in case where there are doubts about the source of income that is being invested.

A: No, once they property conveyancing process starts, the funds can not be refunded.

A: Unfortunately, the level of investment does not speed up the process. The processing time depends upon the number of queued applications and the due diligence process.