In 1986, Quebec’s acclaimed Denys Arcand directed Le Déclin de l’empire Américain. Concerns about American decline are even more keenly felt in the 21st century, with US citizens worried about issues such as cost of living, democracy, and gun crime. With this in mind, we have rounded up the best Citizenship by Investment countries for Americans in 2024.
If you’re looking to have a Plan B in place, Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment makes perfect sense. This Eastern Caribbean nation is in a similar time zone to the United States. While Antigua and Barbuda’s Atlantic Time Zone (AST) is set at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -4, Eastern Time Zone (EST), covering Boston, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C., is 5 hours behind UTC.
Antigua is home to V.C. Bird International Airport. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines connect Antigua and Barbuda and the US.
With Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship, you become eligible to apply for an Antigua and Barbuda passport. This gives you visa-free access to 150+ countries and there are certain places in the world where you’ll feel safer using an Antigua and Barbuda passport rather than an American one.
If you invest in citizenship, there’s a low physical residency requirement in Antigua and Barbuda. You only have to spend 5 days in your first 5 years on the islands. If you do choose to settle, you’ll appreciate that English is Antigua and Barbuda’s official language.
The final thing that Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment has got going for it is its reasonable price. The minimum capital outlay is €100,000, but this is set to at least double by, or before, June 30, 2024. This is in the form of a donation to the National Development Fund (NDF).
Another viable option for anxious Americans is Dominica Citizenship by Investment. Another of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment countries, there’s not much of a time difference with the United States. Dominica’s in the AST, trailing UTC by 4 hours with US’ Central Time Zone (CST), incorporating Chicago, Houston, and New Orleans UTC-6.
A new international airport is coming to Dominica by 2025. Currently, American Eagle connects the island’s Douglas-Charles Airport with Miami while Roseau-Canefield Airport caters for charter flights.
With Dominica Citizenship by Investment, you become eligible to apply for a passport. This provides you with visa-free access to more than 150 countries and it’s a fine Plan B passport.
When you become a Dominica citizen, there’s no requirement to settle there. You can spend as little as you like on the island. However, again, English being the official language will make it easier for you to acclimatize if you choose to stay there short or long term.
The last factor Dominic Citizenship by Investment has in its favour is its affordable cost. Invest starting from €100,000, a figure that will become twice as much by the end of June 2024. This is by way of a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
If you’re an American seeking an alternative, you might also want to consider Grenada Citizenship by Investment. This is 1 of 5 Eastern Caribbean islands running a CBI programme, and, again jet lag’s not a problem if flying from the US. Grenada’s an AST country, 4 hours behind UTC with US’ Mountain Time Zone, including Boise, Denver, and Salt Lake City UTC-7.
The majority of incoming and outgoing flights head into and out of Maurice Bishop International Airport. American Airlines and JetBlue connect the United States with Grenada.
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment is your one-way ticket to a Grenada passport. This allows you visa-free access to over 150 countries.
To apply to become a Grenada national, there’s no need to visit the country. The whole process can be done remotely. Yet with English being the official language in Grenada makes relocation more attractive.
Grenada Citizenship by Investment is slightly more expensive than Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica CBI. You have to invest a minimum €150,000, but that will become at least $50,000, and potentially $100,000, dearer by July 2024. This is via donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF).
Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) is the only option if you’re looking for a European Citizenship by Investment. This EU country also runs the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Malta’s in the Central European Standard Time, 1 hours ahead of UTC with US’ Pacific Time Zone, covering LA, San Francisco, and Seattle UTC-8.
Malta International Airport is the island group’s sole airport. While there are no direct flights from and to the US, you can connect through major European cities such as London, Paris, and Rome.
Once you have your MEIN secured, you can apply for a Maltese passport. This grants you visa-free access to over 170 countries.
In order to become a Maltese citizen, you will need to travel to the archipelago for your biometrics. Malta is one of the most attractive European countries to relocate to for US expats as English is one of 2 official languages here.
Maltese Citizenship by Investment is a premium purchase. You must invest at least €600,000. In return, you can live, study, and work across the 29 countries of the Schengen Area.
Another of the best Citizenship by Investment countries for Americans is St Kitts and Nevis. This is an Eastern Caribbean neighbour of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada. St Kitts and Nevis is in the AST, 4 hours behind UTC with US’ EST, UTC-5.
The main airport is Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St Kitts. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines operate services between the United States and St Kitts.
St Kitts and Nevis offer the world’s oldest Citizenship by Investment, established in 1984. The country’s passport provides you with visa-free access to over 160 countries.
You can apply to become a St Kitts and Nevis citizen remotely. There is no minimum physical residency requirement. You don’t need to take a language test either, as English is the official language.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment is the priciest Caribbean CBI. You must invest at least €250,000. This is through a Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).
The last of our round-up of recommended Citizenship by Investment countries for Americans is St Lucia. This is yet another Eastern Caribbean island. St Lucia’s also an AST member, lagging 4 hours behind UTC with US’ CST, UTC-6.
St Lucia’s major airport is Hewanorra International Airport. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines fly between the United States and St Lucia.
With St Lucia Citizenship by Investment, you become eligible for a St Lucia passport. Apply to get visa-free access to 150+ countries.
You do not need to move to St Lucia to start the CBI application process. It can be done from anywhere in the world. Again, there is no language test, what with English being the official language.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment is one of the world’s most affordable. You need to invest a minimum €100,000. This is courtesy of a donation to the National Economic Fund (NEF).
We’ve piqued your interest with our guide to the best Citizenship by Investment countries for Americans. Your next step is to consult a reputed investment migration specialist such as Latitude Group. So, don’t delay and contact us today.