St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica citizenship
St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica run the two oldest Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes, established in 1984 and 1993. Dominica's fund route starts at USD 200,000 for a single applicant; St Kitts and Nevis asks USD 250,000 for a main applicant or a family of up to four. Both run due diligence on every applicant.
Updated
Their travel access now differs: Dominica nationals need a UK visa and face a partial US visa suspension, while St Kitts and Nevis nationals visit the UK with an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Every figure below is dated and sourced to the two governments' citizenship units.
| Criterion |  St Kitts and Nevis |  Dominica |
|---|---|---|
| Main fund contribution | USD 250,000 (SISC) for a main applicant or a family of up to four | USD 200,000 (Economic Diversification Fund) for a main applicant; USD 250,000 with up to 3 dependants |
| Fund route, further dependants | USD 25,000 under 18; USD 50,000 aged 18 or over | USD 25,000 under 18; USD 40,000 aged 18+ |
| Approved real estate | USD 325,000 in an approved development, resaleable after 7 years; private home from USD 600,000 | USD 200,000, held 3 years (5 if resold to a CBI applicant) |
| Processing time | Decision 120–180 days after acknowledgment of a complete file | Notification within 3 months of submission (2024 regulations); 3–6 months to approval (CBIU) |
| Interview | Mandatory for the main applicant; dependants aged 16+ if the CIU deems it necessary | Mandatory for all applicants aged 16+ |
| Children who can be included | Under 18; 18–30 if in full-time education and fully supported | Under 18; 18–30 in higher education; unmarried daughters under 25 living at home |
| Parents and grandparents | Parents aged 55+ and fully supported, of the applicant or spouse | Over 65 and substantially supported |
| Regional presence rule (pending) | 30 days within the first 5 years after citizenship | 30 days within the first 5 years after citizenship |
| UK visits | Electronic Travel Authorisation required since 2025-01-08 | Visa required since 2023-07-19 |
| Schengen short stays | Visa-free, up to 90 days in any 180-day period | Visa-free, up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| US entry | Not covered by Proclamation 10998 | Immigrant, B, F, M and J visas suspended since 2026-01-01 |
| Programme established | 1984 | 1993 |
- Main fund contribution: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, SISC (2026-10-02); Dominica CBIU, Economic Diversification Fund (2026-10-25).
- Further dependants: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, SISC (2026-10-02); Dominica CBIU, Economic Diversification Fund (2026-10-25).
- Approved real estate: St Kitts and Nevis CIU (2026-09-25 and 2026-09-17); Dominica CBIU, real estate (2026-10-25).
- Processing time: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, SISC (2026-10-02); Dominica SRO 8 of 2024 and CBIU, investment options (2026-10-25).
- Interview: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, Sustainable Island State Contribution; Dominica CBIU, programme page and fees. As of 2026-10-25.
- Children: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, eligibility criteria (2026-09-25); Dominica SRO 8 of 2024 (2026-10-25).
- Parents and grandparents: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, eligibility criteria (2026-09-25); Dominica SRO 8 of 2024 (2026-10-25).
- Regional presence rule: ECCIRA Agreement; applies once the regional regulator is operating. As of 2026-10-25.
- UK visits: GOV.UK, Appendix ETA National List (St Kitts and Nevis); UK Parliament, written statement HCWS979 (Dominica). As of 2026-10-25.
- Schengen short stays: EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex II. As of 2026-10-25.
- US entry: Federal Register, Proclamation 10998. As of 2026-10-25.
- Programme established: St Kitts and Nevis CIU, citizenship options (2026-09-17); Dominica CBIU, programme page (2026-10-25).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Approval always rests with the institution or authority.
Our take
Dominica suits single applicants and small families looking for the lowest contribution and real estate threshold, who can accept a UK visa requirement and the current US visa restrictions.
St Kitts and Nevis suits applicants who value the longest-running programme, a wider choice of routes and easier UK visits, and who accept higher contributions. Both programmes face the same regional changes, including a pending presence rule and the European Commission's request to phase out by 2028.
Questions
Is Dominica's programme less expensive than St Kitts and Nevis?
In government contributions, yes: Dominica's fund route starts at USD 200,000 for a single applicant and USD 250,000 with up to three dependants, while St Kitts and Nevis asks USD 250,000 for a main applicant or a family of up to four. Compare the total for your family.
Which passport has better travel access?
As of October 2026, St Kitts and Nevis nationals visit the UK with an Electronic Travel Authorisation and are not covered by Proclamation 10998. Dominica nationals need a UK visa and face suspended US immigrant, B, F, M and J visas. Both are visa-free in the Schengen area for short stays.
How long does each programme take?
St Kitts and Nevis issues a decision 120–180 days after acknowledging a complete file. Dominica's regulations require notification within three months of submission, and its unit cites three to six months to approval. Due diligence findings can extend either.
The jurisdictions in this comparison
- St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investmentCitizenship by investment in St Kitts and Nevis is a discretionary grant of citizenship to applicants who pass due diligence and an interview and then make a qualifying investment. In 2026 the main routes are a USD 250,000 Sustainable Island State Contribution, the Public Benefit Option and approved real estate from USD 325,000.Learn more
- Dominica citizenship by investmentDominica's citizenship by investment programme grants citizenship, at the government's discretion, to applicants who pass due diligence and an interview and then invest. In 2026 the two routes are a non-refundable Economic Diversification Fund contribution from USD 200,000 and approved real estate from USD 200,000.Learn more
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