CBI Index 2022: Speculations regarding Dominica holding the top position for 6th consecutive year

The programmes enabling investors to acquire alternative citizenship in exchange for a financial contribution to a nation’s development are growing in popularity these days. For the past ten years, these economic citizenship programmes have been preferred by investors seeking a route to plan their wealth along with diversifying their portfolios. Such programmes are also known to provide benefits that most investors are not able to find anywhere else. 

The programmes enabling investors to acquire alternative citizenship in exchange for a financial contribution to a nation’s development are growing in popularity these days. For the past ten years, these economic citizenship programmes have been preferred by investors seeking a route to plan their wealth along with diversifying their portfolios. Such programmes are also known to provide benefits that most investors are not able to find anywhere else. 

Different nations around the world are offering such programmes. Still, the Caribbean countries such as DominicaSt Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia are known to have emerged as the best Citizenship by Investment Programme in the world, as these countries offer numerous profitable benefits to the applicants. 

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The economic citizenship programme of Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia comes with multiple benefits, including various business opportunities through which one can expand his business worldwide, getting citizenship for life and the option to extend it to future generations, a wide range of investment opportunities, high standard of living as well as enjoying the basic benefits which come with living in the modern, diverse Caribbean nations. 

These Caribbean nations have been top ranked in the CBI Index 2021, published by Professional Wealth Management (PWM) Magazine of Financial Times, for providing all the benefits mentioned above. 

The CBI Index of Financial Times is a comprehensive ranking system evaluating worldwide citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes. These programmes are thoroughly assessed and then get ranking according to their efficiency. The report is based on the nine pillars, which are known to be the highest priorities for HNWIs (high net worth individuals) when applying for alternative citizenship. 

These nine pillars are:

  1. Freedom of Movement 
  2. High Standard of Living
  3. Minimum Investment Outlay
  4. Mandatory Travel or Residence
  5. Citizenship Timeline
  6. Ease of Processing
  7. Due Diligence
  8. Family
  9. Certainty of Product

PWM Magazine released the CBI Index during the month of August annually, and Dominica has held the top rank for the last five consecutive years. 

This year, several speculations are that the Commonwealth of Dominica will once again hold its position at the top as the nation has been doing enough for its people in terms of development and provides multiple opportunities to the investors to expand their businesses. 

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There are also some reasons why Dominica can secure the top position once again. These are: 

  • New Biometric passport strengthening security standards
  • Low price and reasonable CBI for investors and their families
  • Excellent property market attractive enough to invest in hotels
  • Extensive due diligence checks 
  • Smart use of CBI funds in sustainable development

In the report of 2021, Dominica shared first place with St Kitts and Nevis. It was the first time that St Kitts and Nevis secured the top position. Both the nations achieved the top spot because of their robust due diligence procedure, under which the CBI Unit and an international independent third party firm perform a background check on applicants and assure that the alternative citizenship is given to a credible and legitimate investor. 

Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis have provided alternative citizenship for the past two decades and have been adopting new measures to meet the challenges. 

Citizenship by Investment Programme of Caribbean countries: 

Dominica – Launched in 1993, the Citizenship by Investment Programme of the small island nation is known as the world’s longest-running, safest and most secure CBI Programme. The nature isle of Dominica has been offering alternative citizenship in exchange for a significant financial investment towards the overall development of the nation’s infrastructure. The programme has been contributing to helping the country expand its economy and meet the international market competition. Dominica offers two investment options for its investors to apply for alternative citizenship. These investment options are:

1. Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)

2. Real Estate Investment Option.

The Economic Diversification Fund, also known as EDF, the investors invest in the country’s social-economic development. This fund option has helped build bridges, houses, roads, schools, healthcare centres, and hospitals. The minimum investment for this fund option starts from USD 100,000. On the other hand, if the investor is seeking to invest under the Real Estate Investment Option, they must invest in government-approved real estate property. The minimum investment for the same is USD 200,000.

Dominica
Dominica

St Kitts and Nevis: The twin-island nation of St Kitts and Nevis is the pioneer in the Citizenship by Investment programme, launched in 1984 and is the oldest yet most reputable CBI Programme.

St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment Programme is famous around the world as it offers citizenship to HNWIs and their families after a rigid and efficient due diligence procedure. The CBI Programme is devoted to responsibly delivering value and opportunities to citizens and investors while contributing to the social and economic success of the twin island. An applicant can apply for alternative citizenship under the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), popularly known as the Fund Option.

The SGF was launched in 2018 and is renowned as the most affordable, direct route to acquire alternative citizenship. The funds generated through its CBI Programme are utilised to develop several areas such as infrastructure advancement, tourism development, social assistance as well as local entrepreneurship. The minimum investment for investing through the fund option is USD 150,000.

St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis

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