In 2025, interest in alternative passports remains at a record high. Businesspeople, investors, and families are seeking not only freedom of travel but also capital protection. Among the most popular destinations are Vanuatu and the Caribbean nations, offering citizenship by investment. At first glance, the programs appear similar: fast processing times, simplified procedures, and access to dozens of visa-free countries. However, there are key differences between them: from participation costs and tax implications to international reputation. The right choice depends on your goals: for some, the speed of acquisition is crucial; for others, the strength of image and financial prospects matter more. It is important to weigh all the pros and cons in advance to avoid unexpected restrictions.
If speed is important – choose Vanuatu. If you need the widest possible list of visa-free destinations – the Caribbean is a better choice. If you are planning a family application – Caribbean countries offer more flexible conditions. Our lawyers will help assess all the nuances, compare programs, and choose the optimal option for your goals.
What is the difference between the passports of Vanuatu and the Caribbean countries?
In recent years, the demand for alternative citizenships has grown significantly: investors, entrepreneurs, and families view such passports as tools for free travel, asset protection, and tax optimisation. Among the most sought-after destinations are the Pacific nation of Vanuatu and five Caribbean jurisdictions: Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Grenada. At first glance, their programs appear similar. However, the differences between them are significant.
Vanuatu is the only country in the Pacific Ocean offering a full citizenship by investment program. Its main advantage is record-breaking speed. A passport can be obtained in just 2–4 months, making it the fastest program in the world.
However, the Vanuatu passport also has a weak side: its international reputation is not as solid as that of the Caribbean countries. In recent years, some states have been reconsidering the visa-free regime with Vanuatu, which reduces the value of the passport in the long term. Caribbean passports are better perceived by financial institutions and are more often used for opening accounts in banks in Europe, Asia, and the UAE.
Comparison of Vanuatu and Caribbean countries:
- Speed: Vanuatu leads (up to 2 months), the Caribbean – longer (4–6 months).
- Cost: the minimum contributions are comparable, but in the Caribbean, there are more options and flexibility.
- Reputation: The Caribbean wins thanks to a long history of programmes and greater international trust.
- Visa-free opportunities: Caribbean passports provide broader access, including countries inaccessible to Vanuatu.
Vanuatu Citizenship program (DSP/CIIP)
Development Support Program (DSP) – an official state program approved in 2017. Its essence lies in a non-refundable monetary contribution to the National Development Fund. In return, the investor and their family receive Vanuatu citizenship.
Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) – an additional program aimed at attracting direct investments. It provides not only for a donation but also options for investments in the economy through special structures. Both programs are regulated by the legislation of Vanuatu and are under the control of the Citizenship Commission.
To participate, the investor must meet the basic criteria:
- Be over 18 years old.
- To have no criminal record or issues with the law.
- Confirm financial solvency (availability of legal income and capital).
- Submit the complete set of documents, including a medical certificate.
Within the DSP program, the minimum contribution starts from $130,000 for a single applicant. For a family, the amount increases depending on the number of members. CIIP requires a similar level of investment, but part of the funds can be directed to specific projects or structures. Additionally, government fees, due diligence checks, and agent and consultant services are paid separately.
Programs of the Caribbean countries
The Caribbean region has long been associated with some of the most popular citizenship-by-investment programs. For wealthy investors, these passports have become tools for mobility, tax planning, and asset protection. Today, five jurisdictions offer transparent and in-demand mechanisms for obtaining citizenship.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The St Kitts and Nevis program is considered the oldest and most reputable. It has been in operation since 1984 and is distinguished by a high level of trust from countries worldwide. The passport of this country opens doors to more than 150 countries, including the United Kingdom and the Schengen Zone, with processing taking approximately 4-6 months. Investment format: contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund (from $250,000) and purchase of real estate (from $400,000).
Dominica
Dominica is considered one of the most affordable countries in terms of participation costs. The minimum contribution to the state fund starts from $100,000, which makes the program attractive for individual applicants. A Dominican passport provides access to more than 140 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom and the Schengen Area. The program’s reputation is consistently high, and the processing procedure takes 4–6 months. Investment format: contribution to the State Fund (from $100,000) and real estate investments (from $200,000).
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda, in turn, is family-oriented. Here, the minimum contribution to the state fund starts at $100,000 and already includes spouses and children. The only condition is the requirement to visit the country once within the first five years. Grenada stands out with a unique advantage: it is the only country in the Caribbean region whose citizens can visit China without restrictions. Moreover, holding a Grenadian passport opens the path to an E-2 investor visa in the USA, making it particularly attractive for those focused on the American market. Investment formats: contribution to the National Development Fund (from $100,000 for a family of four), real estate (from $200,000), and business projects (from $400,000).
Grenada
Grenada is the only country in the Caribbean with visa-free access to China. Additionally, holding a Grenadian passport grants the right to apply for the US E-2 investor visa, which provides a pathway to conducting business in the United States. The cost of participation is comparable to other programs in the region: starting from $150,000, with processing taking approximately six months. Investment options include a contribution to the National Fund (from $150,000) and real estate (from $220,000).
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is relatively young in this market but has quickly gained popularity due to its flexible conditions. In addition to standard investments in a fund or real estate, it is possible here to purchase government bonds while retaining the invested funds. Investment format: contribution to the National Fund (from $100,000), real estate (from $200,000), government bonds (from $300,000).
Where can one obtain a passport faster – in Vanuatu or in the Caribbean?
The Vanuatu citizenship program is deservedly considered the fastest in the world. Provided a complete and correct set of documents, a passport can be obtained in just 2–4 months. This is achieved thanks to a simplified verification procedure and a minimal number of bureaucratic stages.
In the Caribbean region, the timeframes are slightly longer. Depending on the country, the process takes from 4 to 6 months. Here, the procedure includes a detailed check of the origin of funds, coordination with government authorities, and sometimes additional requests. On the other hand, Caribbean passports have a more stable reputation and provide access to a greater number of visa-free countries.
What is the cost of obtaining a passport?
Obtaining a second citizenship through investment is an investment in freedom, legal protection, and strategic opportunities. One of the main questions is the cost of such a program: how much will need to be spent to obtain a passport? A comparison by key jurisdictions is compiled in the table.
Vanuatu (DSP)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Dominica
Antigua and Barbuda
Grenada
Saint Lucia
To which countries can one travel with these passports?
Vanuatu citizenship is known as one of the fastest and most accessible programs in the world. The passport of this Pacific nation provides visa-free entry to approximately 95 countries, including the Singapore, Hong Kong, and most Caribbean states. For travel to Canada and Australia, the eTA or eVisa format is available, making journeys convenient and swift. An important advantage is that holders of a Vanuatu passport can utilise hybrid entry schemes: in some places, a classic visa is available, but increasingly an electronic form of authorisation simplifying the process is being applied.
Caribbean passports provide an even wider range of travel opportunities. They grant access to more than 140–150 countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Some of them have additional advantages. For example, the Grenada passport grants the right to apply for an E-2 investor visa in the USA, as well as simplified entry to China, which is unique among similar programs.
Features of using the passport of Vanuatu and the Caribbean
The Vanuatu passport allows opening accounts in Asian and Pacific banks, as well as in some European jurisdictions. However, the list of available banks is limited compared to Caribbean passports. In the Caribbean countries, the situation is more flexible: their passports are recognised in leading financial centres, which simplifies opening accounts in the EU, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
Vanuatu positions itself as a state with an extremely lenient tax system: there are no taxes on income, capital gains, or inheritance. This makes the country attractive to those who want to minimise their tax burden. Caribbean jurisdictions are also known for favourable taxation, but each country has its own peculiarities.
From the perspective of financial strategy, the Vanuatu passport is more often chosen by those who value the speed of processing and the simplicity of the tax system. Caribbean passports offer more opportunities for integration into the international economy. They are better suited for opening accounts in reliable foreign banks and gaining access to markets in Europe and Asia. Moreover, having a second passport simplifies the process of obtaining tax residency in a chosen country, which is often used for asset protection and inheritance planning.
Passport of Vanuatu or the Caribbean? Which one to choose in 2025?
The Vanuatu program primarily attracts with its speed: a passport can be obtained in just 1–2 months, making it one of the fastest in the world. In addition, the jurisdiction is distinguished by an extremely favourable tax regime, which suits entrepreneurs focused on capital protection and minimising tax burdens.
Caribbean countries offer a broader international reputation and recognition. Their passports allow travel to Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, and Latin America, as well as simplify the opening of bank accounts in leading financial centres.
The choice depends on the investor’s priorities: if speed and simplicity are important, a Vanuatu passport is optimal. However, if prestige and extended access to financial services are a priority, it is better to opt for the Caribbean.
Contact the experts at our legal company so that we can help you choose a program, prepare the documents, and go through the process without risks or delays. Your second passport could become the key to new opportunities in the near future.
Is Vanuatu a country in the Caribbean?
No, Vanuatu does not belong to the Caribbean region. It is a Pacific state located in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. Despite the geographical remoteness, the program is essentially similar to the Caribbean ones and competes with them in terms of speed and conditions for obtaining a passport.
Which Caribbean passport is stronger?
Among the countries of the Caribbean basin, the strongest passports are traditionally considered to be Saint Kitts and Nevis and Grenada. They provide visa-free or simplified entry to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen Zone and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the passport of Grenada grants access to the E-2 program in the USA, which makes it particularly valuable for entrepreneurs.
What are the advantages of Vanuatu citizenship?
The main advantage of Vanuatu is the speed of processing. A passport can be obtained in just 1–2 months, making it the fastest in the world among similar programs. In addition, the country offers an attractive tax regime: no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. This makes Vanuatu a convenient choice for international businessmen and investors seeking flexibility and financial security.
What is a Caribbean passport?
A Caribbean passport is the citizenship of one of the Caribbean countries obtained through an investment program. Such passports are valued for their wide opportunities for visa-free travel, prestige, and recognition on an international level. They allow free business operations, opening bank accounts, and provide a higher level of trust from financial institutions.
