Ocean views and infinity pools aren’t the only draws for luxury homebuyers in the Eastern Caribbean. Increasingly, U.S. buyers are purchasing properties that come with something more: a second passport.
“We’ve never seen demand like this before,” says Nadia Dyson, a real estate agent based in Antigua and owner of Luxury Locations. “Right now, 99% of our buyers are looking for properties that qualify for citizenship by investment. It’s not just about the lifestyle anymore—it’s about having a Plan B.”
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Five Caribbean nations—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia—currently offer Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs. Through these, foreign nationals can obtain citizenship in exchange for investing in real estate, typically starting at $300,000. In return, they gain visa-free access to as many as 150 countries, including most of Europe and the United Kingdom, along with the right to hold dual citizenship.
The programs are attracting a wave of interest from U.S. citizens, particularly amid growing political polarization and cultural uncertainty back home. According to global investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners, applications for CBI programs rose by 64% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Inquiries were up 53%.
“It used to be a side benefit,” Dyson explains. “We used to cater mostly to lifestyle buyers looking for a vacation property. But over the past 18 months, everything has shifted. Now, buyers come in saying, ‘I want citizenship—and I want a house that feels like home.’”
The appeal of a second passport, especially one offering global mobility and potential tax advantages, has become a major motivator for U.S. high-net-worth individuals. For many, Caribbean real estate is no longer just an escape—but an insurance policy.
