How shopping for a property for £175k may get you citizenship in Caribbean

Moving to a sun-kissed island for a slower pace of life is a dream held by many. 

But even if you have the funds and the freedom to do so, getting the right to live permanently in a different country often brings complications. 

Five countries in the Caribbean are willing to help expats with that, however – on the condition that they buy a property or invest money in the area. 

In some countries, properties that could qualify you for the scheme can be bought for as little as $212,000, or around £175,000 – £100,000 less than the average UK home. 

We explain how these ‘citizenship by investment’ schemes work, and look at some of the eligible properties on the market right now. 

How does citizenship by investment work?

Put simply, citizenship by investment schemes give people the chance to secure citizenship in a country via a licensed agent.

Five Caribbean countries offer ‘citizenship by investment’ opportunities: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia.

If you fancy taking advantage of a citizenship by investment programme, it is essential to get appropriate professional advice. This is not a process you can complete individually or on a whim.

You can either purchase a property in the country, though in some cases only approved developments can be used; invest in an approved business, or make a donation to an approved government fund or bond.

Edibility criteria apply and benefits vary, but, in Antigua, for instance, citizenship includes visa-free travel to 150 countries and longer stays than would otherwise be allowed. 

In Antigua, any property purchased to process the citizenship can be sold five years later and investors can earn rental income in the interim. Other countries taking part in the scheme have different rules. 

Citizenship through investment schemes are not without their critics and should not be entered into lightly. The process can only be completed via a licensed and regulated agent.

Thomas Scott, global head of real estate at citizenship by investment specialist Henley & Partners, told MailOnline: ‘While the process for investing in real estate through investment migration programs does not differ greatly from other property purchases, investors should work closely with their investment migration advisors to warrant the eligibility criteria of their selected programs are met and ensure they tick all the boxes in terms of compliance and due diligence requirements. 

‘Not only are there different minimum thresholds for real estate depending on the program, but there are also different types of property that qualify.’ 

How much do you need to spend on property?

Each Caribbean country operating citizenship by investment schemes has different minimum real estate purchase prices in place.

And buying property isn’t the only route to go down. Investments in appropriate businesses or a donation to a relevant government fund can be made instead.

Anyone opting for the citizenship for investment scheme in Antigua and Barbuda via real estate would need to spend at least $200,000 on a property. The minimum threshold in Dominica and St Lucia is also $200,000, experts at Henley & Partners told MailOnline.

In Grenada, the minimum purchase price is $270,000 and in St Kitts and Nevis, it is more, at a minimum of $400,000.

In Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis, properties on the open market, as well as those from approved developers, can be used as part of the citizenship by investment process.

Crucially, however, in Dominica, Grenada and St Lucia, only properties purchased from approved developers can be used for the scheme, Henley & Partners said. 

One estate agency boss in St Lucia, Micha Landers, of St Lucia Realty, told MailOnline that there were no approved developer properties in St Lucia available for use via the citizenship by investment scheme at present.

Certain aspects of the citizenship by investment schemes in the Caribbean are set to change soon, too. 

Experts at Henley & Partners told MailOnline that the thresholds changing do not include real estate purchases. However, it is essential to get professional advice in respect of any changes to thresholds. 

What sort of properties are available?

If you are on the hunt for warmer climes, have a look at three properties you can buy to help you qualify for the scheme.

1. Dominica villa, $212,000 

For $212,000, or around £175,000, you could buy a slice of paradise in the form of a two-and-a-half bedroom villa with three bathrooms located in Dominica and available to view via Henley & Partners. It is available to purchase via a fractional ownership scheme.

The property spans three storeys and boasts jungle-to-ocean views. It comes furnished with locally-crafted artisanal furniture and benefits from a plunge pool.

In Antigua, it is possible to purchase a property on the open market when using the citizenship by investment process.

This divine one-bedroom villa is located in Nonsuch Bay Resort, within a private gated resort community. It’s on sale for $250,000. 

It comes fully furnished and is located minutes away from Halfway Moon Beach. Inside, the property has air conditioning and is modern and spacious. 

The villa has a veranda, which is ideal for lounging or dining outdoors. The property is being sold by Stanley’s Estate Agents.

In St Kitts and Nevis, it’s possible to purchase real estate on the open market or via an approved developer when  using the citizenship by investment scheme. 

This two-bedroom apartment is on sale via St Kitts Nevis Realty for $495,000 and can be viewed on Zoopla. 

The beachfront apartment is located within a private gated community and comes with use of a swimming pool and tennis court. 

The apartment has a large open plan kitchen, dining and sitting room which opens out onto a full-length veranda.