Dual citizenship is one of the most common questions raised by individuals exploring Citizenship by Investment programs. Applicants considering Caribbean Citizenship by Investment often want to know whether they can acquire a second passport while keeping their original nationality, and what legal or practical implications may follow.
Caribbean CBI programs are often described as allowing dual citizenship, but that alone does not capture the full picture. Dual citizenship is shaped by multiple legal frameworks, including the laws of the Caribbean country granting citizenship, the laws of the applicant’s home country, and international compliance standards.
This article explains how dual citizenship works in the context of Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs, with a focus on Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The purpose is to help prospective applicants understand what is generally permitted, where careful verification is required, and how to approach dual citizenship planning in a compliant and informed way.
Dual citizenship, sometimes referred to as dual nationality, means that an individual is legally recognized as a citizen of more than one country at the same time.
There is no universal rule governing dual citizenship. Each country determines its own nationality laws, including whether citizens are allowed to acquire additional nationalities and under what conditions. Some countries fully recognize dual citizenship, others allow it with limitations, and some do not permit it at all.
For Citizenship by Investment applicants, this country-by-country approach is central to understanding how dual nationality may apply.
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs grant citizenship through lawful naturalization. Citizenship is not automatic and is not guaranteed. Applicants must complete a formal government process that includes due diligence, background screening, and verification of source of funds.
From the Caribbean jurisdiction perspective, the programs offered by ATBGM are structured to allow dual citizenship. Applicants are not required by these Caribbean governments to renounce their existing nationality as part of the application or approval process.
This flexibility is one reason Caribbean CBI programs are commonly used by investors seeking international mobility, family planning options, or long-term jurisdictional diversification.
However, permission from a Caribbean country to hold dual citizenship does not override the nationality laws of the applicant’s home country.
All Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs offered by ATBGM permit dual citizenship under their nationality laws. While investment thresholds, processing timelines, and family inclusion rules vary by program, the approach to dual nationality across these jurisdictions is broadly aligned.
| Country | Dual Citizenship Permitted | Renunciation Required | Citizenship Passed to Future Generations |
| Grenada | Yes | No | Yes |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Yes | No | Yes |
| Saint Lucia | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dominica | Yes | No | Yes |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Yes | No | Yes |
From the Caribbean side, this means applicants are generally able to hold their existing passport alongside their Caribbean CBI citizenship, subject to approval and compliance.
If you are evaluating dual citizenship through a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment program, understanding how each jurisdiction approaches nationality, family inclusion, and long-term compliance is an important early step.
ATBGM works with applicants exploring Caribbean citizenship pathways in Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, helping clients compare options and assess suitability based on their individual circumstances.
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While dual citizenship is permitted under Caribbean nationality laws, approval is discretionary and not automatic.
Applications may be refused due to factors such as:
In some cases, nationality-based restrictions may apply to applicants from certain countries. These restrictions are related to international compliance obligations rather than dual citizenship itself.
Applicants should avoid assuming eligibility based solely on the general allowance of dual citizenship.
Even when a Caribbean CBI country allows dual citizenship, the applicant’s home country may not.
Some countries do not recognize dual nationality or impose conditions on citizens who acquire a second passport. Possible consequences can include:
Caribbean governments do not enforce home country’s nationality laws on behalf of other states. Responsibility for understanding and complying with home country’s rules rests entirely with the applicant.
This is one of the most important areas to review before proceeding with a Caribbean CBI application.
Holding dual citizenship can provide meaningful benefits, but it also introduces practical considerations that should be understood in advance.
| Consideration | What It Means in Practice |
| Passport Usage and Travel | Some countries require citizens to enter or exit using their national passport, even if they hold another nationality. Dual citizens should understand entry and exit rules when travelling internationally. |
| Consular Protection | When a dual citizen is present in one of their countries of nationality, they may not be entitled to consular assistance from the other country. |
| Tax Considerations | Citizenship does not automatically determine tax residency. Some jurisdictions impose tax obligations based on citizenship rather than residence, while others do not. Tax treatment varies by country and personal circumstances. |
| Civic Obligations | Certain countries impose civic duties such as military service or registration requirements. These obligations depend on national law and individual circumstances. |
Compliance is central to all Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs.
Applicants should expect:
Citizenship obtained through misrepresentation or non-disclosure may be subject to revocation. Transparency throughout the application process is essential.
A structured evaluation approach can reduce uncertainty and risk.
Key steps include:
Planning before submitting an application allows potential conflicts to be identified early.
Interest in Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs continues to grow as individuals seek increased mobility, diversification, and long-term planning options.
At the same time, international scrutiny has increased. Caribbean governments continue to strengthen due diligence standards, transparency requirements, and compliance frameworks. Dual citizenship remains a defining feature of these programs, but it operates within a structured and closely regulated environment.
Understanding dual citizenship rules is an important part of evaluating Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs, but it is only one part of a broader decision-making process.
Eligibility depends on the interaction between Caribbean nationality laws, home country citizenship rules, and individual personal and family circumstances. Reviewing these factors early helps reduce uncertainty and avoid avoidable complications later.
If you are considering Caribbean Citizenship by Investment and would like to discuss how dual citizenship may apply to your situation, the next step is to speak directly with an advisor.
