Grenada and St Lucia are two new comers in the citizenship-by-investment industry. I will point out the main differences between the two citizenship by investment programmes which are currently running. In my opinion,Grenada passport has more value but expensive, while St Lucia passport is much cheaper, almost half the price.
Grenada |
St Lucia |
|
| Economic Citizenship CIP started in | 2013 | 2015 |
| Citizenship Act | Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013 | Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 |
| Minimum investment | US$ 150,000 | US$ 100,000 |
| National economic fund donation |
Single Applicant: $150,000 Main Applicant + Spouse: $150,000 Family of four family members: $150,000 Family over four family members: $150,000 + $25,000 per additional dependant after the third dependant
|
1. Applicant applying alone: $100,000
2. Applicant applying with spouse: US$165,000 3. Applicant applying with spouse and up to two (2) other qualifying dependents: US$190,000 4, Each additional qualifying dependant, of any age: US$25,000 |
| Passport validity | 5 years | |
| Processing time | 3 months | 3 months |
| Residency time | none | none |
| Dual citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Personal visit | not required | not required |
| Visa free travel countries | 121 ** | 125 ** |
| Passport rank | 39 ** | 37 ** |
| Real estate investment | $350,000 in approved approved properties qualify under CIP
USD 50,000 and USD 25,000 per additional dependant after the third dependant |
$300,000 in approved properties qualify under CIP
$50,000 administration fee applies |
| Government bonds | option not available | $500,000 (fully refunded after 5 years lockout period. Investor can keep his citizenship)
$50,000 administration fee applies for bonds |
| Business enterprise | option not available | $1,000,000 joint venture enterprise investment
$50,000 administration fees apply |
| Additional fees | Application fee: $1,500 / person
Due diligence fee: $5,000 / person above 18 years ($2000 for children aged between 12-17 years) Processing fee: $1,500 / person above 18 years ($500 under 18 years) |
Processing fee: $2000 per person ($1000 per dependent)
Due diligence fees: $7,500 per person ($5000 over 16 years) |
| E-2 Treaty | The E-2 Treaty allows a national of a treaty country to be admitted to the United States (E2 visa) when investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business of their choice. There is no minimum investment limit (it can be as low as $50,000). E2 treaty visa is a cheaper alternative to EB-5 green card. | not available |
| Visa required * | United States, Canada, Australia (visitor e600 visa online), New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, UAE, Japan, South Africa | United States, Canada, Australia (visitor e600 visa online), New Zealand, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, UAE, Thailand |
| Visa not required * | EU schengen states (incl Switzerland), United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Malaysia, Egypt, South Korea | EU Schengen states (including Switzerland), United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, Egypt, South Korea |
| Population | 109,590 | 184,999 |
| GDP | $1.45 billion (2016) | $2 billion (2016) |
| Geography | Grenada is “Isle of Spice” known for jagged mountain peaks, hidden coves, spice plantations, and lush verdant rainforests. Its beaches are idyllic, with white or golden sand, palm trees, and the delicate aroma of the island’s native spices. | Saint Lucia known for dramatically tapered mountains, coastline is home to volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts and fishing villages. Trails in the interior rainforest lead to waterfalls like the 15m-high Toraille, which pours over a cliff into a garden. The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise port. |
** * Sources:
- * Wiki visa requirements
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Grenadian_citizens
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Saint_Lucian_citizens - ** Henley visa restrictions index 2016
https://www.henleyglobal.com/international-visa-restrictions/
