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

• Citizenship by donation lets you get a second passport through a one-time payment to a government-approved fund.
• It’s popular among Caribbean nations like St. Lucia, Grenada, and more.  
• Countries offer this route to quickly fund public projects and drive national development through immediate revenue.

For travelers eyeing a second passport, citizenship by donation can be an excellent option. As the term suggests, citizenship by donation enables individuals to acquire a new nationality through a direct contribution to a government-approved fund, rather than by purchasing real estate or holding investments. The model has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in the Caribbean, making some 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 along the way.

What Citizenship by Donation Really Means

The exterior of the State House of Dominica.

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Put simply, “citizenship by donation” refers to a non-refundable contribution to a government fund—one of several routes within the broader citizenship by investment (CBI) framework, alongside real estate and public-benefit projects. Unlike traditional programs that require purchasing property or government bonds, donation-based options grant citizenship in exchange for a single contribution to a national development fund.

As Dominic Volek, group head of private clients at Henley & Partners, explains, with a donation, “you don’t hold an investment asset; you make a contribution to the state, pass due diligence, and (if approved) receive citizenship under that program’s law and regulations.” Unlike traditional CBI routes, there’s 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. “Every file is subject to strict background checks; authorities may decline applications,” says Volek, noting that rules and contribution levels can evolve as governments update their frameworks.

Nicholas R.G. Stevens, CEO of NTL Trust, adds that donation and real estate routes appeal to different applicants. “The main pro of the donation route is that the cash outlay is typically lower, and the process can be simpler since you bypass the responsibilities that come with ownership.”  

“The donation route is simpler and typically cheaper, but you never get any of the money back,” he says. “It’s also under political pressure, as it can appear to some as ‘selling passports,’ whereas real estate investors often create a longer-term connection with the country.”

Why Governments Offer This Route to Citizenship

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

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

Countries That Offer Citizenship by Donation

View of colorful buildings along Grenada’s Carenage Bay.

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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, Volek notes that applicants should also factor in government, due diligence, and passport issuance fees on top of the base contribution. Finally, keep in mind that total costs vary depending on the program and family size.

Antigua & Barbuda

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

Dominica

Through the Economic Diversification 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 across Dominica, including education, healthcare, sports, and tourism.

Grenada

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

St. Kitts & Nevis

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

St. Lucia

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

Beyond the Caribbean

Smaller nations, 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 You Apply

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Choose a licensed agent—and skip the shortcuts.

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

Approval isn’t guaranteed.

While citizenship by donation may move faster than traditional residency routes, approval is far from automatic. “Governments continue to tighten compliance rules through new interview and vetting requirements,” says Volek. He also tells Travel + Leisure that countries such as St. Kitts & Nevis explicitly reserve the right to reject applicants who provide misstatements or omissions.

Stevens adds that “selection criteria are very strict” and warns that no applicant can “dictate the terms” simply because they’re paying. “The biggest misconception is that donation equals guaranteed approval,” he says.

Patience is key.

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