These Countries Let You Become a Citizen by Donating Money—No Property Purchase Needed

For travelers eyeing another passport, citizenship by donation can be a great option. As the term suggests, citizenship by donation enables individuals to acquire a new nationality by directly contributing to a government-sanctioned fund rather than by purchasing real estate or holding investments. This model has gained popularity around the world, particularly in the Caribbean, making some of the island nations among the easiest places to obtain citizenship.

Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about the citizenship by donation process. From costs and timelines to expert insights on what to expect.

What does citizenship by donation mean?

Simply put, “donation by citizenship” refers to an irrevocable contribution to a government fund. It is one of several avenues within the broader Urbanization by Investment (CBI) framework, along with real estate and public benefit projects. Unlike traditional programs that require the purchase of property or government bonds, contribution-based options grant citizenship in exchange for a single contribution to a national development fund.

As Dominik Wollek, head of the private client group at Hanley & Partners, explained with a donation, “You don’t own an investment asset. You contribute to the state, go through due diligence, and (if approved) get citizenship under the laws and regulations of the program.” Unlike traditional CBI routes, there is no property to manage or sell—the donation is a one-time payment, and the “return” is the citizenship itself. Still, the programs demand transparency and compliance. “Each file is subject to a rigorous background check. Authorities can reject applications,” Volk says, adding that rules and levels of participation may evolve as governments update their frameworks.

NTL Trust CEO Nicholas RG Stevens added that the donation and real estate avenues appeal to different applicants. “The main pro of the donation route is that cash is usually less, and the process can be easier because you ignore the responsibilities that come with ownership.”

“The donation route is easy and usually cheap, but you never get the money back,” he says. “This is also under political pressure, as it may appear to some as ‘selling a passport’, whereas real estate investors often develop a long-term relationship with a country.”

Why do governments offer this path to citizenship?

For small countries, citizenship-by-donation programs have become an important revenue tool. As Wollek explains, this is because they “give governments quick, flexible fiscal revenue for national development priorities or approved public benefit projects.”

Donation programs also have political appeal, offering governments quick access to funds that can be channeled into public projects. As Stevens explained, this money could be “quickly spent on initiatives that help the local population.”

Countries that offer citizenship by donation

The Caribbean remains the center of citizenship-by-donation programs, with five countries setting the standard for others.

And in addition to the prices listed below, Volk notes that applicants must also factor in government, due diligence, and passport issuance fees on top of the base contribution. Finally, keep in mind that total costs vary by program and family size.

Antigua and Barbuda

According to Henley & Partners, prospective citizens can donate $230,000 to the University of the West Indies National Development Fund (for families of up to four) or $260,000.

Dominica

Through the Economic Diversity Fund (EDF), applicants contribute ¥200,000 for a single applicant or ¥250,000 for a family of up to four. The fund supports public and private projects in Dominica, including education, health care, sports and tourism.

Grenada

According to Henley & Partners, Grenada’s National Transformation Fund requires a donation of $235,000, covering a single applicant or a family of up to four.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Long considered a pioneer of citizenship through donation, St. Kitts and Nevis accepts donations through its Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), starting at $250,000 for a principal applicant and three dependents.

Saint Lucia

In Saint Lucia, applicants can contribute up to $240,000 to the National Economic Fund, according to Henley & Partners.

Beyond the Caribbean

Smaller countries, such as Vanuatu, Nauru, and São Tomé and Príncipe, have launched similar donation-based citizenship programs, with contributions starting around $90,000 and varying by destination.

What to know before applying

Choose a licensed agent – and skip the shortcut.

All applications must be submitted by a government-approved agent, a licensed professional who handles your paperwork, conducts due diligence, and presents official documents. Therefore, choosing the right one is very important. “Look out for agents offering it cheaper than the government-specified price,” warns Paul Williams, CEO of La Vida Golden Visa. “Governments have cracked down on this, and many past recipients have lost their citizenship or been asked to contribute more.” His advice? Stick with certified, government-licensed providers.

Approval is not guaranteed.

While citizenship by donation can progress faster than traditional residency routes, approval is far from automatic. “Governments continue to tighten compliance rules through new interview and vetting requirements,” Volek says. He also tells Travel + Leisure That countries like St. Kitts and Nevis expressly reserve the right to reject applicants who provide misrepresentations or errors.

Stevens added that the “selection criteria are very strict” and warned that an applicant “cannot dictate terms” just because they are paying. “The biggest misconception is that a donation equates to an endorsement,” he says.

Patience is the key.

When pursuing citizenship by donation, patience is key. As Williams explains, “Getting citizenship is a big deal,” and it’s “much more than opening a bank account.” Fortunately, that patience often pays off—though it sometimes means waiting longer than expected. According to experts, processing times may vary depending on the destination and complexity of the documents. “A reasonable average estimated processing time would be four to six months,” says Stevens. “São Tomé and Príncipe are currently processing as little as six weeks, while St. Lucia is overloaded and can take much longer.”