Antigua and Barbuda Sees Surge in US Applicants for Second Citizenship as ‘Plan B’ Demand Grows

SOURCE: NEWS WEEK- The number of wealthy Americans looking at obtaining dual nationality as a so-called ‘Plan B’ while the U.S. faces tumultuous and uncertain times has grown, according to data by consultancy agencies.

U.S. nationals accounted for nearly a third of all applications processed globally by citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the company told Newsweek.

While Europe remains a very popular option for Golden Visas providing temporary residency abroad, many Americans are looking at the Caribbean as an “efficient and accessible” way to get a second passport, Henley & Partners told Newsweek.

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It is not only Americans who are interested in obtaining a second citizenship in the Caribbean.

Henley & Partners has received applications for Caribbean programs from over 25 different nationalities this year—but the majority of these applicants are U.S. nationals.

Americans also represented the majority of those applying for citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda, equal to 50 percent of 2026 applications so far, up from 26 percent of all 2025 applications.

The country’s appeal, Henley & Global said, “lies in its flexibility and family inclusivity—it allows a broader range of dependents to be included in a single application compared to many competing programs.”

Antigua & Barbuda also offers strong global mobility and does not require relocation. St John, Antigua and Barbuda. | Getty Images Mobility Hedge “We don’t see many clients relocating.

Caribbean citizenship is often used as a mobility hedge—a safeguard in case of future global disruptions,” Henley & Partners’ Managing Director of Private Clients John Maniatis.

And this ‘Plan B’ option is offered relatively fast compared to other countries.

The Caribbean, the company told Newsweek, provides a second passport—something far less common than residence options—typically within a matter of months.

St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia are also among popular options in the Caribbean for Americans seeking citizenship by investment.

They all provide a second passport in around 4-6 months, while also offering visa-free access to more than 140 countries.

How Do You Apply For Citizenship By Investment in These Countries? Every country has a slightly different citizenship by investment program. Antigua & Barbuda offers a path to citizenship with a minimum investment of $230,000 to the National Development Fund.

Other options are a contribution to the University of the West Indies of a minimum non-refundable amount of $260,000; the purchase of real estate with a minimum value of $300,000 from an approved real estate project; or the direct purchase of an eligible business for a minimum amount of $1.5 million as an individual.

For the last two options, joint purchase options are also available, with a higher threshold for each individuals’ contribution.

In St Kitts & Nevis, applicants need to make a minimum investment of $250,000 in a public benefit project or make a real estate purchase worth at least $325,000.

In Dominica, investment starts from $200,000 for an individual and $250,000 for an individual and up to three qualifying dependents. Alternatively, applicants can make a real estate purchase worth at least $200,000.

In Grenada, applicants can invest a minimum of $235,000 in the National Transformation Fund or make a real estate purchase of at least $270,000.

In Saint Lucia, applicants can apply to the country’s citizenship by investment program through a contribution of at least $240,000 to the National Economic Fund or an investment of a minimum of $250,000 in an approved enterprise or project.

Alternatively, they can make a real estate purchase of at least $300,000, or invest the same sum in non-interest-bearing government bonds. Why Are Growing Numbers of Wealthy Americans Looking for ‘Plan B’?

The number of wealthy Americans seeking second passports or temporary residence permits in foreign countries has grown massively in recent years, accelerating after President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Applications from U.S. nationals with Henley & Partners represented just 5 percent of all requests received by the company in 2018; in 2025, they have grown to almost 40 percent—a roughly 2,400 percent increase over that period.

Other companies have reported similar increases, with Citizenship Invest writing last year that enquiries for backup residency and citizenship options from U.S. nationals had surged by 183 percent between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

The increase in applications from Americans started during the pandemic, with people looking at diversifying their options for a number of reasons—from lower taxes to better health care.

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