- Citizenship by donation lets you obtain a second passport through a lump sum payment into a government-approved fund.
- It is popular in Saint Lucia, Grenada and other Caribbean countries.
- Countries offer this route to quickly finance public projects and advance national development through immediate revenue.
For travelers seeking a second passport, citizenship by donation can be an excellent option. As the term suggests, citizenship by donation enables individuals to acquire a new nationality through direct contributions to a government-approved fund, rather than by purchasing real estate or holding investments. The model has gained popularity around the world, especially in the Caribbean, with some island nations joining in. Easiest place to get citizenship,
Ahead, we detail everything you need to know about the citizenship through donation process – from costs and timelines to expert insight into what to expect along the way.
What does citizenship by donation really mean?
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Simply put, “citizenship by donation” refers to a non-refundable contribution to government funds – one of several routes within the Comprehensive Citizenship by Investment (CBI) framework, along with real estate and public-benefit projects. Unlike traditional programs, which require purchasing property or government bonds, donation-based options offer citizenship in exchange for a single contribution to a national development fund.
Dominic Volek as Group Head of Private Clients Henley & PartnersWith Dan explains, “You don’t own any investment assets; you contribute to the state, go through due diligence, and (if approved) receive citizenship under the laws and regulations of that program.” Unlike traditional CBI routes, there are no assets to manage or sell – the donation is a one-time payment, and the “return” itself is citizenship. Still, programs demand transparency and compliance. “Every file is subject to strict background checks; officials can reject applications,” says Volek, noting that the rules and contribution levels may evolve as governments update their frameworks.
Nicholas RG Stevens, CEO NTL TrustAdds that the charity and real estate routes attract different applicants. “The main advantages of the donation route are that the cash outlay is generally lower, and the process can be simpler as you bypass the responsibilities that come with ownership.”
“The donation route is simple and usually cheap, but you never get any money back,” he says. “It is also under political pressure, as it may seem like ‘selling passports’ to some people, whereas real estate investors often build long-term relationships with the country.”
Why do governments offer this path to citizenship?
For smaller countries, citizenship-by-donation programs have become an important revenue tool. As Volek explains, this is because they “give governments immediate, flexible fiscal revenue to fund national development priorities or approved public-benefit projects.”
Donation programs also have political appeal, giving governments quick access to money that can be invested in public projects. As Stevens explains, the money “can be spent immediately on initiatives that help the local population.”
Countries that grant citizenship by donation
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The Caribbean remains a hotbed of citizenship-by-donation programs, with five countries setting the standard for others.
And in addition to the prices listed below, Volek says applicants should also take into account government, due diligence and passport issuance fees on top of the base contribution. Finally, keep in mind that total costs vary depending on the program and family size.
Antigua and Barbuda
according to Henley & PartnersProspective citizens can donate $230,000 (for families of up to four) to the National Development Fund or $260,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund.
Dominica
Through Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), applicants contribute $200,000 for a single applicant or $250,000 for a family of up to four. The fund supports public and private projects throughout Dominica, including education, health care, sports and tourism.
Grenada
Per Henley & PartnersGrenada’s National Transformation Fund requires a donation of $235,000, which comprises either a single applicant or a family of up to four people.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis, long recognized as a leader in citizenship by donation, accepts donations through Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), starting at $250,000 for a principal applicant and up to three dependents.
Saint Lucia
In Saint Lucia, applicants can contribute up to $240,000 to the National Economic Fund Henley & Partners,
beyond the caribbean
Small nations, like vanuatu, NauruAnd Sao Tome and Principehave launched similar donation-based citizenship programs, with contributions starting at around $90,000 and varying by destination.
What you need to know before applying
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Choose a Licensed Agent—and Skip the Shortcuts.
All applications must be submitted through a government-approved agent, a licensed professional who handles your paperwork, conducts due diligence, and submits official documents. Therefore, it is important to choose the right one. “Beware of agents who offer it cheaper than the government-set price,” warns Paul Williams, CEO of . la vida golden visa“Governments have cracked down on this, and many former recipients have lost their citizenship or been asked to contribute more.” his advice? Stick with verified, government-licensed providers.
Approval is not guaranteed.
While citizenship by donation may proceed faster than traditional residency routes, approval is far from automatic. “Governments continue to tighten compliance rules through new interview and vetting requirements,” says Volek. he also tells travel+vacation Countries such as Saint Kitts and Nevis reserve the right to reject applicants who provide obviously false details or omissions.
Stevens says that “the selection criteria are very strict” and warns that no applicant can “dictate the terms” just because they are paying. “The biggest misconception is that a donation equals guaranteed approval,” he says.
Patience is important.
Patience is important when obtaining citizenship by donation. As Williams explains, “Getting citizenship is a big deal,” and it’s “much more than opening a bank account.” Luckily, that patience often pays off—though sometimes it means waiting longer than expected. According to experts, the processing time may vary depending on the destination and complexity of the documentation. “A reasonable average estimated processing time would be four to six months,” says Stevens. “São Tomé and Principe is currently processing at least six weeks, while St. Lucia is overloaded and could take much longer.”