Dominica and St Lucia are the ‘cheapest’ Second Passports

Dominica and St Lucia compete for the ‘cheapest’ second passport program in the the World.  Both countries run citizenship by investment program which is priced at $100,000 under donation route.

Dominica CIP established since 1993, whereas St Lucia launched in 2015, reformed their CIP in 2017 to compete with Dominica for $100,000

However there are subtle differences between the two programs:

• Investment amount: $100,000 same for St Lucia and Dominica (donation route)
• Processing time: The passport processing time for Dominica is over 6 months, whereas St Lucia, is much faster 3 months. Hence St Lucia is much faster.
• Family citizenship: Family citizenship with St Lucia is little cheaper than Dominica under donation route. There is a $10,000 difference with St Lucia ($165,000 for main applicant with spouse) and Dominica ($175,000 for main applicant with spouse).
• Real Estate: Dominica requires $200,000 for citizenship through approved real estate investment. St Lucia requires $300,000 for citizenship under real estate option. Hence Dominica is cheaper compared to St Lucia.
• Fees: St Lucia charges processing fee $2000 per applicant, whereas Dominica charges $3000 per application. Both countries charge $7500 due diligence fees,  but for children under 16, Dominica charges $4000 whereas you have to pay $5000 with Lucia
• Passport validity: St Lucia passport valid for 5 years, Dominica passport valid for 10 years until expiry
• Government bonds: St Lucia offers citizenship through purchase of $500,000 Government bonds (limited issue), whereas Dominica does not have this provision.
• Business Enterprises: St Lucia has option to receive citizenship through joint enterprise investment with each investor needs to contribute $1,000,000. Dominica does not have business investment option for citizenship.
• Visa waiver travel: Dominica has visa waiver travel to 119 countries, St Lucia has 127 countries, according to Henley visa index 2017.
• Geography: St Lucia is more mountainous whereas Dominica is full of waterfalls, rain forests.
• Population: St Lucia (184,000) almost 2.5x times has more population than Dominica (72,385)

Here are a quick summary of CBI programs in the Caribbean

• Dominica – $100,000 (donation)
• St Lucia – $100,000 (donation)
• St Kitts and Nevis – $150,000 Hurricane fund or $250,000 (donation includes $50,000 Government fee)
• Grenada – $150,000 (donation)
• Antigua and Barbuda – $100,000 (donation)

 

Comparing countries? Read our Top Citizenship By Investment Programs 2026 guide – every program ranked by price, visa waiver access and processing time.