Shamini 
(C): Twitter
As uncertainty rises worldwide, there are increasingly many remote and migrant workers turning to Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs for more mobility for a secure financial future. The five Eastern Caribbean countries of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Lucia has programs that provide citizenship in exchange for real estate investments starting from US $200,000, giving access to visa free travel to up to 150 countries including the UK and EU except Dominica and providing tax exemption on capital gains, inheritance and in some cases for income.
For workers who earn income abroad or online freelancers, these perks provide an attractive second home or backup option in the Caribbean.
Why Remote and Migrant Workers Are Joining In
Although high net worth investors continue to dominate these programs, they are becoming increasingly attractive to workers earning abroad, particularly Americans who now account for over 30 percent of all applicants through Henley & Partners. Others are from Ukraine, Turkey, Nigeria and China.
Most applicants don’t actually relocate. They consider citizenship as an “insurance passport”; a backup plan in case of political uncertainty or travel restrictions. Only about 10-15% of people who gain citizenship actually relocate.
How It Works: Investment, Benefits, and Oversight
Investment avenues include authorized real estate acquisitions or contributions made to government development funds, with respective applicant minimum thresholds of US $200,000 and up to $250,000 for families. Not only does this mean holders have very powerful passports and tax relief, but in certain cases direct visa immigration for investment purposes into the U.S. (e.g. Grenada’s E-2 treaty).
In response to international geopolitical scrutiny, these countries are implementing reforms backed by the USA including additional vetting, mandatory interviews and additional audits that will enhance transparency and protect the integrity of citizenship. Supporters advocate that this funding has provided critical national infrastructure, noting that Antigua’s leaders said that their CBI program was the one ‘lifeline’.
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