1. Property routes exist, but they are programme-specific
CBI through real estate usually means buying a property or fractional interest that a government has specifically approved for the citizenship programme. It is not enough to purchase any attractive apartment or villa in the country. The asset must satisfy the programme's legal category at the time of application.
2. Caribbean approved-project routes
Dominica currently starts approved real estate at US$200,000, Antigua and Barbuda at US$300,000, and St Kitts and Nevis at US$325,000 for a qualifying developer or condominium interest. Grenada's approved-project structure currently requires US$270,000 to the project plus a US$50,000 government contribution for a single applicant or family of up to four.
3. Türkiye is a different kind of property route
Türkiye allows qualifying real estate worth at least US$400,000, subject to a three-year no-sale restriction. Unlike many Caribbean CBI properties, the route is not limited to a resort-share model, although the property still has to satisfy valuation, title and eligibility rules.
4. Holding periods matter
The exit date varies. Dominica generally requires at least three years and five years if the next CBI applicant will use the same asset. Antigua's programme real estate is generally held for five years. St Kitts and Nevis currently uses a seven-year programme holding period. Selling too early can breach the route conditions.
5. Approved does not mean guaranteed
Government approval means the development can be used for CBI. It does not guarantee construction completion, rental yield, resale price, developer performance or liquidity. Investors should still conduct ordinary legal, financial and commercial due diligence on the project.
6. Fractional hotel ownership needs extra analysis
Many CBI developments use hotel suites, shares or fractional interests rather than a conventional home. Read the management agreement, revenue-sharing formula, owner-use rights and resale mechanism. The legal title and economic rights can differ greatly between projects that carry the same citizenship eligibility.
7. Total cost includes more than the purchase price
Government fees, conveyancing, taxes, insurance, maintenance and agent costs can be material. Some programmes charge higher government fees on real-estate applications than on contribution routes. Model these as non-recoverable even though the property itself may later be sold.
8. Choose property only if the asset also makes sense
A useful test is to ask whether you would still be comfortable owning the asset if citizenship were removed from the marketing brochure. If the answer is no, the contribution route may be economically clearer. CBI eligibility should not replace normal property due diligence.
9. Questions to answer before signing an asset contract
Before purchasing, confirm that the specific project and ownership form satisfy the programme, that the statutory minimum is met by eligible consideration, and that the sale cannot occur before the required holding period. Keep the approval evidence and payment trail with the citizenship file.
Use independent property counsel for the commercial transaction even when an authorised CBI agent coordinates the immigration side. Eligibility for citizenship does not answer ordinary questions about title, completion risk, service charges, rental demand or the price another buyer may pay when the holding period ends.
Planning your next trip?
Compare flight options and travel offers with SY.com.
Search flights