Contribution or real estate: choosing your CBI route

Begin with the purpose of your investment

A programme shortlist becomes more useful when you can explain what you want from it. Are you comfortable making a contribution, or do you want to assess a property interest as well? Write down your priorities before comparing brochures. This helps separate your citizenship objectives from your expectations about an investment.

Understand what each route involves

Dominica offers an Economic Diversification Fund contribution and a government-approved real estate route. Its official guidance makes clear that an ordinary property purchase does not automatically qualify. Use the relevant programme page to identify the route available, then check the current government rules for that specific route.

A contribution and a property purchase involve different commitments. Ask what you receive, which payments are refundable, when payments become due, and what paperwork governs each stage. Keep the answers in writing so you can compare like with like.

Review the complete cost

Build your comparison around an itemised quotation for your actual application. Ask for separate figures for the qualifying commitment, government charges, due diligence, professional services and document preparation. For property, ask which purchase and ongoing ownership costs are included. Confirm the currency, payment schedule and assumptions behind the quotation.

Ask better questions about property

Antigua and Barbuda’s published real estate rules include approved-project requirements and a resale restriction. Check the exact terms of the programme you choose rather than assuming the same holding rules apply everywhere.

When assessing a project, request the ownership documents, purchase agreement, management terms and proposed exit arrangements. Government eligibility and commercial performance are separate questions. Ask independent professionals to review the relevant legal and financial terms before you commit.

Turn your research into a shortlist

Prepare a short comparison with four headings: route, complete cost, commitments and unanswered questions. A useful next step is a consultation focused on those gaps. The aim is a choice you understand well enough to explain, with the current official requirements checked before any commitment.