CBI for a Family of Four: The Real Cost

A “family of four” is not one universal pricing category

A family of four should ignore any comparison that quotes only one-person pricing. Some programmes now bundle a household of four into the base contribution; others add processing, due-diligence or dependant charges. The difference can be tens of thousands of dollars.

Current Caribbean contribution bands can look surprisingly close

Dominica's EDF contribution is currently US$250,000 for the main applicant plus up to three qualifying dependants. Processing, due-diligence, naturalisation and interview charges sit on top, so US$250,000 is not the total family invoice. The NDF contribution is US$230,000 for a family of four or less, but the official fee schedule adds US$20,000 of processing fees for a family of up to four, before due diligence, passport and professional costs. Grenada's NTF minimum is US$235,000 for a single applicant or family of up to four. Government application, processing and due-diligence fees are separate. The same household band also matters when comparing Grenada's approved-project route.

The SISC contribution is US$250,000 for a main applicant or family of up to four. Due-diligence fees currently include US$10,000 for the main applicant and US$7,500 for each dependant aged 16 or older, so the children's ages can materially change the final bill. Saint Lucia's NEF contribution is US$240,000 for the applicant plus up to three qualifying dependants. Further dependant add-ons begin only beyond that household band, but due diligence, processing and professional costs still need to be added.

As of October 2026, several Caribbean contribution routes cluster in a narrow range for a four-person household: Antigua and Barbuda US$230,000 before separate fees, Grenada US$235,000, Saint Lucia US$240,000 under the NEF structure, and Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis US$250,000. The similarity disappears once ages and programme-specific charges are added.

Ages and relationships still change the final bill

A family of four could mean two parents and two young children, one parent with three children, or a couple with an adult child and a dependent parent. Those profiles may have different eligibility and diligence charges even where the base contribution is identical.

Price the four actual people, not an advertising package

The useful comparison is a written government-and-professional fee schedule for the exact four people applying. Confirm ages, dependency evidence, interview fees, passport charges and whether any post-citizenship additions are expected. Never extrapolate a family total from the headline contribution alone. Cost a family of four by naming each person rather than using a generic 'family package'. Record the main applicant, spouse and the exact ages of the two children, then add the contribution or investment amount, adult due diligence, child-related charges, processing fees and professional costs that apply to that configuration.

This prevents a common budgeting error: assuming that every family of four is priced the same. Two minor children can produce a different total from a family with one university-age dependant, and a programme's advertised family threshold may not include every government or professional charge.