Key facts
- Dominica: from US$200,000 (single); US$250,000 for a family of up to four.
- Grenada: US$235,000 for a family of up to four; E-2 treaty country with the US.
- Argentina: US$350,000 single; US$500,000 for a couple with two minors.
- Dominica faces US visa restrictions since 1 January 2026. Argentina faces a court challenge (legal status).
Dominica and Grenada sit at opposite ends of the Caribbean market. Dominica is the price floor for an established programme; Grenada charges a little more for a US treaty link and access to China. Argentina citizenship by investment sits above both on price and above both on passport reach. The question is what the extra money buys.
Side by side
| Argentina | Dominica | Grenada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | US$350,000 contribution (not refundable) or US$800,000 bond | US$200,000 EDF (single); real estate from US$200,000 | US$235,000 NTF (up to four people); real estate from US$270,000 |
| Route type | Donation or bond | Donation or real estate | Donation or real estate |
| Processing | Not yet published | Typically 3–4 months to approval | Official guideline 3–6 months; 6–9 months reported in practice |
| Family | Spouse US$100,000; children 18–25 US$100,000; under 18 US$25,000 | US$250,000 for up to four; parents 65+ and some adult children eligible | Up to four within US$235,000; extra dependants from US$25,000 |
| Passport reach | About 170; Schengen visa-free | 144 (30th); Schengen visa-free; UK visa required | 148 (27th); Schengen and China visa-free |
| Physical presence | Not yet published | Interview for 16+; no residence required per the CBIU | Interview for 17+; regional 30-day rule not yet in force |
| Key risks | Court challenge; new programme | US visa restrictions; UK visa; EU pressure | EU pressure; US immigrant-visa scrutiny |
Dominica: the lowest established price, with a US problem
Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund route costs US$200,000 for a single applicant, according to the official Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). A family of up to four pays US$250,000. Real estate also starts at US$200,000, held for three years, with government fees on top. The CBIU says approval typically takes three to four months, and its FAQ states that no residence is required before or after citizenship.
The price has a cost in mobility. The UK has required visas from Dominican nationals since July 2023. More seriously, a US presidential proclamation signed on 16 December 2025 and effective from 1 January 2026 partially restricted visas for nationals of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. The text cites citizenship by investment without residence as a reason. Both governments announced partial relief in late December, but in February 2026 the US reduced visitor visa validity for both countries to three months, single entry, according to IMI Daily.
Grenada: the E-2 premium
Grenada’s National Transformation Fund route costs US$235,000 for a family of up to four, according to adviser sources; the official CBI website was not reachable when we checked. Real estate starts at US$270,000 for a share in an approved project, or US$350,000 for full ownership, each held for five years.
Grenada’s distinctive asset is its treaty with the United States. The State Department lists Grenada as an E-2 treaty investor country, in force since 3 March 1989. The E-2 visa lets a treaty national run a substantial business they have invested in within the US. Advisers report that Grenadian citizens by investment must first live in Grenada for three years before they can use this route. Grenadians also enter China visa-free for 30 days, which Argentines can do only under a temporary scheme that runs until 31 December 2026.
Where Argentina fits
Argentina is the most expensive of the three. A couple with two minors pays US$500,000 on the contribution route, double Dominica’s family price. Government fees and processing times are not yet published; see our cost page.
For the extra cost, Argentina offers a passport with about 170 destinations, no US visa restrictions targeted at its programme, and the right to live in a country of 46 million people. Mercosur residence rights in neighbouring states follow after five years of Argentine nationality. Argentina is also on the E-2 treaty list, in force since 1854. How the US will treat investor-naturalised Argentines for E-2 is untested.
Who it suits
Dominica suits cost-sensitive families who need a second citizenship mainly for security or Schengen travel, and who do not need easy access to the US or UK. Its broad dependant rules, including parents over 65, help larger families.
Grenada suits entrepreneurs with a serious US business plan who are willing to meet the residence condition for E-2, and travellers who value visa-free China access.
Argentina suits applicants who want the widest reach of the three, a real country to live in, and who accept a higher price and an unresolved legal question.
The honest verdict
All three are now exposed to outside pressure. Regulation (EU) 2025/2441, in force since 30 December 2025, lets the EU suspend visa-free travel for countries that sell citizenship. IMI Daily reports that the Commission has asked Caribbean programmes to end by June 2028. Argentina may face the same question one day; read our Malta ruling analysis.
On value, Dominica is the cheapest credible ticket, but its US position has weakened in 2026. Grenada is the best Caribbean choice for a US business plan. Argentina is the strongest passport and the only real relocation option of the three, at a higher price and with a court case pending. Compare more in Argentina vs St Kitts and Nevis and our cheapest programmes ranking. Speak to a qualified adviser before you decide.
Sources
- Argentine Government, programme announcement (2 Oct 2026): https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/luis-caputo-anuncio-la-puesta-en-marcha-del-programa-de-ciudadania-por-inversion-de
- Dominica CBIU, investment options: https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/investment-options/
- Dominica CBIU, Economic Diversification Fund: https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/investment-options/economic-diversification-fund/
- Dominica CBIU, FAQ: https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/faq/
- GOV.UK, Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules HC 1715 (19 July 2023): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1715-19-july-2023
- The White House, proclamation of 16 December 2025: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/
- IMI Daily, US visa validity for Antigua and Dominica: https://www.imidaily.com/caribbean/us-cuts-visa-validity-for-antigua-and-dominica-from-10-years-to-3-months/
- Migronis, Grenada CBI guide: https://migronis.com/guides/grenada/en/
- US Department of State, 9 FAM 402.9-10 treaty country list: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM040209.html
- Global Citizen Solutions, Grenada E-2 residence condition: https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/grenada-e2-visa-obtaining-a-us-e2-visa-through-grenadacitizenship/
- Wikipedia, visa requirements for Grenadian citizens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Grenadian_citizens
- EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2025/2441: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32025R2441
- IMI Daily, EU letter to Caribbean states: https://www.imidaily.com/caribbean/end-cbi-by-june-2028-or-risk-schengen-access-eu-writes-to-caribbean-states-antigua-says/
- Henley Passport Index ranking: https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking