Cheapest Second Passport by Investment in 2026

Finding the cheapest second passport by investment is not simply a matter of choosing the country with the lowest advertised contribution. In 2026, several citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes offer qualifying contributions starting at around US$90,000. However, the actual amount required to obtain citizenship can be considerably higher once application, due diligence, passport issuance and family-related fees are included.

For investors comparing affordable citizenship by investment programs, the difference between the advertised investment and the final application cost can be significant. A programme that appears inexpensive for one applicant may become less competitive when a spouse and children are included.

São Tomé and Príncipe and Nauru currently offer some of the lowest published entry costs. Meanwhile, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis provide established Caribbean alternatives with different investment structures, family provisions and international mobility profiles.

This guide compares the total published programme costs, rather than relying on headline investment amounts. It also examines which options are more affordable for individuals, couples and families, and what investors should consider before committing their funds.

All prices are in US dollars and reflect publicly available programme information as of 31 October 2026.

Cheapest Citizenship by Investment Programs Compared

The following comparison covers seven active citizenship by investment programmes. The estimates include published investment contributions and mandatory government or programme charges wherever these are available.

Country	Minimum contribution	Single applicant	Couple	Family of four
São Tomé and Príncipe	$90,000	$95,750	$101,500	$103,000
Nauru	$90,000*	$102,700	$110,700	$115,700
Dominica	$200,000	$210,500	$266,500	$268,500
Grenada	$235,000	244,000–245,000	253,000–255,000	257,000–259,000
Antigua and Barbuda	$230,000	$248,800	$264,100	$264,700
Saint Lucia	$240,000	$250,000	$256,000	$258,000
St. Kitts and Nevis	$250,000	$262,750	$272,500	$275,600

The Nauru figure reflects the temporary Iruwa Initiative, available for applications filed before 31 December 2026. Its standard single-applicant contribution is US$115,000.

Important assumptions behind the comparison:

• A single applicant is one adult.
• A couple consists of a principal applicant and spouse.
• A family of four consists of two adults and two children under 16. For Antigua and Barbuda, the children are assumed to be under 12 to avoid age-based due diligence charges.
• The calculations include published mandatory programme fees, such as application, due diligence, processing, citizenship-document, passport and biometric fees where applicable.
• Private agent fees, legal services, document translations, apostilles, medical examinations and variable banking charges are excluded unless specifically identified.
• Some official programme websites publish inconsistent or incomplete fee information. Where this occurs, a range or minimum published subtotal is shown rather than an unsupported fixed quotation.

The figures are useful for comparing programme costs, but they should not be treated as final invoices.

1. São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe currently offers one of the lowest published investment thresholds for second citizenship.

The programme operates through a contribution to the National Transformation Fund, with the following structure:

• Single applicant: US$90,000
• Family of two to four: US$95,000
• Additional qualifying dependant beyond the family threshold: US$5,000

The government programme also publishes a US5,000submission fee per application and a US750 charge per applicant for citizenship documents, including the Certificate of Registration, passport and national ID.

This produces the following estimates:

• Single applicant: US$95,750
• Couple: US$101,500
• Family of four: US$103,000

The family contribution covers the principal applicant and up to three qualifying family members. The application fee is charged once per application, while the document charge applies to each applicant.

There is no physical residency requirement under the published programme rules. The official programme estimates approximately two months for an application decision, followed by around three to four months for passport issuance.

Its low cost and family pricing make São Tomé and Príncipe particularly relevant to investors seeking a low cost second citizenship. However, it is a relatively new programme, established under Decree-Law No. 07/2025. Its shorter operating history should be considered when assessing long-term programme maturity and legal certainty.

Read our dedicated guide to São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment for further information about eligibility, documents and the application process.

2. Nauru

Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program offers another comparatively affordable route. The standard contribution for a single applicant is US115,000. However, the government introduced the IruwaInitiative, reducing the principal applicant’s contribution to US90,000 for applications filed before 31 December 2026.

The other published charges include:

• Principal applicant application fee: US$5,000
• Each eligible dependant’s application fee: US$2,000
• Principal applicant due diligence: US$6,000
• Additional dependant aged 16 or older: US$3,000
• Bank due diligence and transaction charge: US1,200forasingleapplicantorUS1,700 for an applicant with up to three dependants
• Passport: US$500 per person
• Additional contribution for each dependant aged 16 or older: US$2,000

Under these rules, a single applicant pays approximately US$102,700 in published programme costs. For a couple, the calculation increases to approximately US110,700. A family of four, consisting of two adults and two children under 16, would require approximately US115,700.

Nauru’s programme publishes a typical processing period of three to four months until citizenship approval. No physical relocation to Nauru is required.

The promotional contribution is particularly important when comparing Nauru with other affordable citizenship by investment programs. Investors should also remember that the US$90,000 rate is temporary, and the standard contribution applies unless the government extends or changes the initiative.

3. Dominica

Dominica remains one of the most established and competitive options in the Caribbean citizenship market. Its programme offers two main investment routes: a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) and investment in approved real estate. Under the EDF route, the current contribution thresholds are:

• Single applicant: US$200,000
• Principal applicant with up to three dependants: US$250,000

Additional charges include:

• Main applicant due diligence: US$7,500
• Each dependant aged 16 or older: US$4,000
• Application processing: US$1,000
• Mandatory interview: US$1,000 per person aged 16 or older
• Certificate of Naturalisation: US$500 per person
• Passport: US$500 per passport

Consequently, the estimated published cost is US210,500forasingleapplicant,US266,500 for a couple and US$268,500 for a family of four.

Dominica’s family contribution structure is important: the US$250,000 threshold covers the principal applicant and up to three dependants, rather than charging the single-applicant contribution separately for each family member.

Applicants should also account for enhanced due diligence charges where applicable. Dominica’s official 2025 application guide specifically identifies Iranian nationals among applicants who may face additional case-specific checks.

The programme is well established, having operated since 1993, but its total cost can increase considerably when dependants are included.

4. Grenada

Grenada offers citizenship through a contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) or investment in approved real estate.

The minimum NTF contribution is US$235,000 for a single applicant, a couple or a family of four under the applicable family structure. The additional fees include:

• Application fee: US$1,500 per applicant
• Due diligence: US$6,000 per applicant aged 17 or older, according to the IMA Enquiries page
• Processing: US1,500perapplicantaged17orolderandUS500 for younger dependants
• Interview: US$1,000 per applicant aged 17 or older

Using the current US$6,000 due diligence figure, the published programme-cost estimates are:

• Single applicant: approximately US$245,000
• Couple: approximately US$255,000
• Family of four: approximately US$259,000

There is an important pricing detail here. Grenada’s official IMA website currently contains a discrepancy: its main fee table still displays US5,000duediligencefees,whileitsEnquiriessectionlistsUS6,000. The estimates above use the higher figure to avoid understating the likely budget.

The published fee table does not provide a complete itemised passport and private agent cost. These should be confirmed before submission.

Grenada also has an important advantage for certain investors: it is a US E-2 treaty country. However, holding Grenadian citizenship through investment does not automatically establish eligibility for an E-2 visa. Applicants who acquired Grenadian nationality through citizenship by investment must also satisfy the applicable US domicile and visa requirements.

5. Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda’s National Development Fund (NDF) route requires a US$230,000 contribution. Its main published government charges are:

• Processing fee for a single applicant: US$10,000
• Processing fee for a family of up to four: US$20,000
• Main applicant due diligence: US$8,500
• Spouse due diligence: US$5,000
• Dependant aged 12–17: US$2,000
• Dependant aged 18 or older: US$4,000
• Passport: US$300 per person

For a single applicant, the published minimum total is approximately US$248,800.

For a couple, it is approximately US 264,100, while a family of four with two children under 12 would pay approximately US 264,700.

The current public fee schedule does not separately itemise an interview charge. Applicants should check the current invoice to establish whether any interview-related amount is included in the principal applicant’s due diligence charge or billed separately.

Antigua and Barbuda also has a physical-presence obligation: successful applicants must spend at least five days in the country during their first five years of citizenship under the established programme requirement.

This is an important distinction for investors who want citizenship without having to travel to or spend time in the issuing country.

6. Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund (NEF) route requires a US$240,000 contribution for the principal applicant with up to three qualifying dependants. The published additional fees are:

• Main applicant processing: US$2,000
• Each qualifying dependant processing: US$1,000
• Main applicant due diligence: US$8,000
• Each qualifying dependant over 16: US$5,000

Based on these published charges, the estimated totals are:

• Single applicant: US$250,000
• Couple: US$256,000
• Family of four: US$258,000

The totals do not include any separately quoted interview, passport, agent or document charges that are not itemised on the current programme fee page.

Saint Lucia also offers government bonds and approved real estate as alternative routes. Its National Action Bonds require US300,000andanadditionalnon-refundableUS50,000 administration fee, with a five-year holding period.

An important 2026 consideration is the introduction of residency and genuine-link provisions into Saint Lucia’s citizenship legislation. Applicants should confirm the applicable requirements with the Citizenship by Investment Unit before assuming that no physical-presence obligations apply.

7. St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis has a US$250,000 Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) threshold for a principal applicant or a family of up to four. Additional charges include:

• Main applicant due diligence: US$10,000
• Each dependant aged 16 or older: US$7,500
• Application processing: US$250 per applicant
• Biometric enrolment and passport modernisation: US2,500forthemainadult,US2,000 for the second adult and US$1,300 per child under 16.

These figures produce the following published cost estimates using standard biometric fees:

• Single applicant: US$262,750
• Couple: US$272,500
• Family of four: US$275,600

Biometric enrolment became mandatory for new citizenship applications submitted from 14 April 2026. The government introduced a temporary 10% reduction for enrolment completed between 20 July and 31 December 2026. Standard charges resume on 1 January 2027.

Because new applications may take 120–180 days to reach the approval-in-principle stage, applicants submitting around the end of 2026 should not automatically assume they will qualify for the temporary biometric discount.

The programme’s biometric charges include passport modernisation, making this an important additional expense that should not be overlooked when calculating the second passport by investment cost.

Headline Investment vs Total Application Cost

One of the most common mistakes when comparing citizenship by investment programmes is treating the minimum contribution as the final amount required to obtain a passport.

The headline investment is only one part of the financial commitment. Depending on the country and the applicant’s circumstances, additional mandatory expenses may include:

• Application and processing charges
• Background checks and due diligence
• Mandatory interviews
• Citizenship certificates and passport issuance
• Fees for spouses, children and other qualifying dependants
• Biometric enrolment
• Bank due diligence and transaction charges

Consider three examples. A single applicant choosing São Tomé and Príncipe sees a headline contribution of US90,000. However, the published submission and citizenship- document charges bring the estimated programme cost to US 95,750.

In Nauru, the temporary US 90,000 contribution becomes approximately US 102,700 after application, due diligence, banking and passport charges.

Dominica provides another example. Its US 200,000 single-applicant EDF contribution in creases to approximately US 210,500 after the mandatory processing, due diligence, interview, naturalisation certificate and passport charges.

These differences demonstrate why comparing programmes exclusively by their advertised minimums can lead to inaccurate financial planning.

The lowest cost citizenship by investment option should always be assessed using the full payment structure, including every applicant and dependant.

Cheapest Option for a Single Applicant

For an individual applying independently, São Tomé and Príncipe currently has the lowest published programme-cost estimate among the options reviewed. Its estimated total of US 95,750 is below Nauru’s temporary US 102,700 total. However, the difference between these two programmes is not limited to price.

São Tomé and Príncipe has a recently established legal framework and a relatively short operating history. Nauru’s programme also remains relatively new, having launched in late 2024, and its promotional contribution is subject to a defined deadline.

Investors who prefer a more established Caribbean programme may consider Dominica. Its estimated single-applicant cost of US$210,500 is considerably higher, but its programme has operated for more than three decades.

The right choice therefore depends on whether the investor prioritises the lowest initial expenditure, programme history, international mobility or other long-term considerations.

Cheapest Option for Couples and Families

The cheapest second passport for a family can be different from the cheapest option for a single applicant. This is mainly because some countries offer a flat contribution for a family of up to four, while others charge additional amounts for each dependant.

São Tomé and Príncipe has a particularly competitive family structure:

• Couple: approximately US$101,500
• Family of four: approximately US$103,000

Nauru is another relatively affordable option:

• Couple: approximately US$110,700
• Family of four: approximately US$115,700

Both estimates assume that the spouse is aged 16 or older and that the two children are under 16.

In the Caribbean, the comparison is more complicated.

Dominica’s US$250,000 family contribution covers the principal applicant and up to three dependants, but the additional due diligence, interviews, certificates and passports increase the final amount.

Grenada’s US235,000NTFcontributioncanbeattractiveforafamilyoffour.BasedonthehigherduediligencefigurepublishedbytheIMA,itsestimatedprogramme-costsubtotalisapproximatelyUS259,000, excluding passport and private professional charges.

Saint Lucia offers a similar family contribution structure, with a published subtotal of approximately US$258,000. However, interview, passport and residency-related considerations must be examined separately.

When evaluating family applications, investors should pay particular attention to:

• The maximum number of dependants covered by the minimum contribution
• The age at which a child becomes subject to due diligence fees
• Whether adult children can qualify as dependants
• Whether parents and grandparents can be included
• Whether additional investment is required for dependants beyond the standard family threshold

A programme that costs slightly more for the principal applicant may offer better overall value when several family members are included.

Donation, Real Estate and Refundable Investment Routes

Citizenship by investment programmes generally offer different ways to meet their qualifying investment requirements. The financial implications depend on whether the money is a non-refundable contribution, an asset purchase or a capital investment that can potentially be recovered.

Non-refundable donation or contribution

A contribution is generally the most straightforward route for applicants seeking to minimise their initial financial commitment.

São Tomé and Príncipe requires a contribution to its National Transformation Fund, while Nauru uses its Treasury Fund. Caribbean programmes such as Dominica’s EDF and Grenada’s NTF also use contribution-based structures.

These contributions are non-refundable. Once the citizenship process is completed, applicants do not receive their investment back.

The advantage is that there is no property to manage, maintain or resell, and applicants do not need to assess a property’s market value or rental potential.

For investors primarily seeking a second passport rather than an additional asset, this structure can be more practical.

Real estate investment

Some programmes allow applicants to obtain citizenship by purchasing property in approved developments. Dominica, for example, offers a real estate route with a minimum qualifying property investment of US$200,000.

However, the property threshold is not the full cost. Government fees are US 75,000 for a single applicant and US100,000 for an applicant with up to three dependants. Due diligence, processing, interviews, naturalisation certificates and passports are additional.

The property must generally be retained for at least three years after citizenship is granted, or five years if it is subsequently sold to another citizenship-by-investment applicant.

Grenada also offers approved real estate investments, with a minimum investment of US270,000andanaccompanyinggovernmentcontributionofUS50,000.

Real estate may offer the possibility of retaining an asset and generating rental income. However, resale value, market conditions, project quality, maintenance expenses and transaction costs must all be considered.

An investment that can eventually be resold is not necessarily a more profitable or lower-risk option.

Refundable or recoverable investment routes

Some citizenship programmes offer investment structures in which capital is held for a specified period rather than permanently donated. Saint Lucia’s National Action Bond is an example. The route requires:

• US$300,000 in government bonds
• US$50,000 in non-refundable administration fees
• A five-year holding period

The bonds are non-interest-bearing and must remain registered in the applicant’s name for the required period.

This structure differs from a donation because the bond principal is held as an investment rather than being treated as a permanent contribution. However, the applicant must still account for the non-refundable administration charge and the opportunity cost of keeping capital tied up for five years.

Before selecting any recoverable investment route, applicants should examine the maturity date, redemption conditions, ownership requirements and the legal terms governing repayment.

Government Fees, Due Diligence and Other Charges

The additional costs associated with citizenship applications are not arbitrary. They cover different stages of the legal and administrative process.

Understanding each category makes it easier to evaluate an application quotation and identify charges that may otherwise be overlooked.

Government application and processing fees

These charges cover the administrative work involved in receiving, reviewing and processing an application. They may be charged once per application or separately for each applicant.

Due diligence fees

Due diligence is a central component of every legitimate citizenship by investment programme.

Authorities examine the applicant’s identity, criminal background, financial history, source of wealth and source of investment funds. Depending on the programme, additional checks may apply to spouses, adult children, parents and other dependants.

Applicants with complicated financial structures, previous visa refusals, unexplained transactions or additional compliance requirements may face supplementary checks and expenses.

For example, Dominica explicitly identifies Iranian nationals among applicants who may be subject to enhanced due diligence charges. The additional amount is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Interview fees

Some programmes require mandatory interviews as part of their background-check procedures.

Dominica and Grenada publish separate interview charges. Other programmes may include interview-related expenses in another fee category or may not separately disclose the amount.

Applicants should ask for clarification before paying any interview-related charge.

Passport and citizenship-document fees

Citizenship approval and passport issuance are separate administrative stages in several programmes.

Depending on the country, applicants may need to pay for:

• Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration
• Passport issuance
• National identity documents
• Biometric enrolment and passport modernisation

These charges can become significant for families applying together.

Banking and document-related expenses

International transfers, bank compliance checks, currency conversion, document authentication, notarisation, translations, police certificates and medical examinations can increase the final budget.

Private agent and legal fees should also be considered. They are not necessarily included in government-published figures, and their structure may differ between service providers.

A reliable quotation should identify each charge, its recipient, its payment deadline and whether it is refundable.

Processing Time and Residency Requirements

Price is only one part of the decision. Processing time and physical-presence requirements can also affect the overall convenience and cost of obtaining citizenship.

The following comparison summarises the published programme positions as of October 2026.

Country	Indicative processing information	Physical presence
São Tomé and Príncipe	Approximately 5–6 months through passport issuance	No routine residence requirement
Nauru	Approximately 3–4 months to citizenship approval	No residence requirement
Dominica	Approximately 3–4 months for application review, followed by naturalisation	No routine pre-application residence
Grenada	Approval within approximately 60 business days, subject to due diligence	No visit required under current published guidance
Antigua and Barbuda	Timing depends on the application and review	Five days within the first five years
Saint Lucia	Processing estimates should be confirmed with the CIU	Residency and genuine-link provisions require attention
St. Kitts and Nevis	120–180 days to an approval-in-principle decision	No mandatory travel or residence under current CIU guidance; biometric enrolment applies

Processing times are estimates rather than guarantees. Additional document requests, enhanced background checks and complex financial structures can extend the process.

Applicants should also distinguish between the time required for an initial decision and the time needed to receive the actual passport.

For example, São Tomé and Príncipe’s programme publishes approximately two months to an application decision, followed by around three to four months for passport issuance. Nauru’s published three-to-four-month period refers to citizenship approval, not necessarily the complete passport-delivery process.

The residency position also deserves attention. Antigua and Barbuda retains its five-day presence requirement, while Saint Lucia’s new statutory genuine-link provisions introduce additional considerations.

Caribbean citizenship rules are evolving, so applicants should verify any new regional presence requirements before submitting an application.

When the Cheapest Program Is Not the Best Choice

A low-cost second passport can be financially attractive, but the lowest application price does not automatically make a programme the most suitable option.

There are several factors investors should assess beyond the initial expenditure.

International mobility

One of the main reasons people pursue a second passport is to improve international mobility. However, passports with similar acquisition costs can provide very different travel benefits.

Investors should compare actual visa-free, visa-on-arrival and electronic travel authorisation arrangements rather than relying exclusively on a programme’s advertised destination count.

Visa policies can change, and a country that currently offers visa-free access to a destination may face new restrictions in the future.

This is particularly relevant in 2026 because the European Union’s revised Visa Suspension Mechanism, under Regulation (EU) 2025/2441, includes the operation of investor citizenship schemes as a potential ground for suspending visa-free travel.

The regulation does not automatically cancel visa exemptions for every country operating a CBI programme. However, it makes long-term passport mobility an important consideration when selecting a programme.

Programme maturity and legal certainty

An established programme may offer a longer administrative history, more developed procedures and a clearer record of implementation.

Dominica, for example, has operated its programme since 1993. By comparison, São Tomé and Príncipe introduced its current programme in 2025, while Nauru launched its programme in late 2024.

A newer programme is not necessarily unreliable, but investors should examine its legal framework, government oversight, operational history and procedures for issuing citizenship documents.

Family eligibility

A programme’s family provisions can materially change its value. Some countries allow spouses, dependent children and parents to apply together. Others impose additional financial thresholds based on age, dependency or relationship.

Investors with adult children or elderly parents should confirm their eligibility before selecting a programme based on the standard family-of-four price.

Financial compliance and source of funds

All legitimate citizenship by investment programmes require applicants to demonstrate the lawful origin of their wealth and investment funds.

The ability to meet the financial threshold is not enough. Applicants must also provide credible supporting evidence.

A low-cost programme does not mean that its due diligence requirements are less demanding.

Incomplete financial records, unexplained transfers, inconsistent information or undisclosed immigration history can delay or jeopardise an application.

How to Calculate Your Real CBI Budget

Before selecting a programme, investors should prepare a complete budget based on their individual circumstances. The following approach helps prevent unexpected expenses.

1. Identify the applicant structure

Determine whether the application will cover one person, a couple or a larger family. Record the ages of all dependants, as due diligence and contribution charges often depend on age.

2. Select the investment route

Decide whether a non-refundable contribution, real estate investment or refundable government bond is more appropriate. Do not compare the contribution amount of one programme with the total property investment of another.

3. Calculate mandatory government charges

Add application fees, processing fees, due diligence, interviews, citizenship certificates, passports and biometric charges.

4. Request an itemised agent quotation

Ask the authorised agent to separate government charges from professional service fees. Confirm which expenses are payable at submission, which are payable after approval and which are refundable if the application is unsuccessful.

5. Include additional document and banking costs

Account for translations, apostilles, notarisation, medical examinations, police certificates, international transfers and currency conversion.

6. Evaluate future financial obligations

Check property holding periods, bond maturity conditions, physical-presence requirements and any additional fees for adding dependants later.

7. Keep a financial contingency

A reasonable contingency helps cover additional document requests, supplementary due diligence or changes in administrative expenses. The objective is to establish the amount required to complete the entire citizenship process, not simply the amount needed to qualify for the programme.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)