We show you cheapest citizenship by investment passports for budget focused investors looking for a second passport for travels, wealth diversification and asset planning. As of 2026, three CIP passports remain the most affordable and cheapest CBI programs under $100k range in CBI market, edging out caribbean passport programs whose prices remain at $200,000+.
- Sao Tome and Principe – USD 95,000*
- Nauru – USD 95,000*
- Vanuatu – USD 100,000*
*Additional Fees apply…
Comparison
Country | Minimum Investment (USD) | Type of Investment | Processing Time | Visa-Free Access (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Tomé & Príncipe | $90,000 | Government donation | 3-4 months | 66 countries | Newly launched (family friendly) |
| Nauru | $95,000 | Government fund donation | 3–4 months | 85 countries | Limited time offer until June 2026 (family friendly) |
| Vanuatu | $100,000 | REO Donation | 3-5 months | 88 countries | Real Estate |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | $250,000 | Donation (SISC) or real estate | 4–6 months | 156 countries | Powerful Caribbean Passport |
1. Sao Tome and Principe
São Tomé & Príncipe is a brand new citizenship by investment program launched in 2025, currently offers the most affordable citizenship by investment program in the world, starting at approximately $90,000. This program is positioned purely on price advantage, making it attractive for:
- Budget-conscious investors.
- No physical visit required.
- Clients wanting Plan B passport
- High speed processing (90 days)
- Ideal for First-time CBI applicants.
- Family Friendly (siblings, same sex couples and unmarried permitted) besides spouse, children, parents and grandparents.
- Added benefits for CPLP nationals. (Simplified immigration process – Residency rights to live, work, and study in Portugal and other member states)
- Full citizenship rights given to investors.
- Average passport with visa free benefits. Visa required to visit UK, and Schengen states.
Fees and Costs
| Sao Tome and Principe | Applicant | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Contribution | Single Applicant | $90,000 | One-time contribution |
| Family (2–4 applicants) | $95,000 | Covers main applicant + dependents | |
| Additional Dependent | $5,000 | Above 4 applicants | |
| Mandatory Fees | Submission Fee | $5,000 | Fixed cost |
| Passport Fee | $350 | Issuance cost | |
| National ID Card | $150 | Mandatory | |
| Citizenship Certificate | $250 | Issuance cost |
2. Republic of Nauru
Nauru launched special climate citizenship program on Nov 28, 2024 steering the nation towards climate resilience and sustainable development. The contributions from the citizenship program will directly fund critical projects including coastal protection, renewable energy infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions, sustainable agriculture to enhance food security, water resource management to combat saltwater intrusion and intensified droughts, and biodiversity conservation.
- A Good value passport for money.
- No Physical visit required.
- Super fast processing timeline (90-120 days)
- Limited time discount provided by government until mid 2026.
- Generational citizenship passed down to generations.
- Foreigners cannot invest in real estate market in Nauru
- Visa free travel to 85 countries (No visa free to UK and Schengen)
Fee and Costs
| Category | Item | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contribution | Principal Applicant | $90,000 | Limited-time offer until 30 June 2026 |
| Additional Dependent (16+) | $2,000 | Applies to eligible dependents | |
| Sibling of Applicant/Spouse | $15,000 | Special dependent category | |
| Application Fee | Principal Applicant | $5,000 | Mandatory |
| Dependent | $2,000 | Applies to all eligible dependents | |
| Due Diligence Fee | Principal Applicant | $6,000 | Background checks |
| Dependent (16+) | $3,000 | Applies to eligible dependents | |
| Benefactor | $3,000 | If applicable | |
| Bank Due Diligence & Transaction | Principal Applicant | $1,200 | Standard bank processing |
| Applicant + up to 3 dependents | $1,700 | Consolidated fee | |
| Applicant + 4+ dependents | $2,200 | Higher processing cost | |
| Benefactor | $1,000 | If applicable | |
| Passport Fee | Passport Issuance | $500 | Mandatory issuance fee |
Republic of Vanuatu
Vanuatu remains one of the most established low-cost programs, known for its speed and simplicity. The Economic citizenship program in Vanuatu has been running since 2012. The Real Estate donation option in government approved project presents a low cost alternative to DSP donation option. Vanuatu despite losing its visa free perks to UK and Schengen still remains a better passport competing with Nauru and Sao Tome.
- Pacific and commonwealth passport
- Straight forward process with simple documentation.
- Efficient processing time (3-5 months as of 2026)
- No physical visit required.
- Visa free travel to 88 countries (no visa free UK and Schengen )
- Limited citizenship rights to investors.
Fees and Costs
| Program / Option | Applicant Type | Government Contribution / Investment (USD) | Government and Processing Fees | FIU due diligence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vanuatu DSP Donation Program | Single Applicant | 130,000 | Included | USD 5,000 |
| Couple | 150,000 | Included | USD 5,000 | |
| Family (3) | 165,000 | Included | USD 5,000 | |
| Family (4) | 180,000 | Included | USD 5,000 | |
| 2. Real Estate – REO Donation | Single Applicant | 100,000 | Included | USD 5,000 |
| Couple | 110,000 | Included | USD 5,000 | |
| Family (3) | 120,000 | Included | USD 5,000 | |
| Family (4) | 130,000 | Included | USD 5,000 | |
| 4. Real Estate Investment Option – Property Ownership | Single Investor or Family (upto 4). Additional person: $5500 | 200,000 (Full Title Property Purchase) 100,000 (Share ownership. Sell after 5 years) | $25,000 + $10,000 per person | USD 5,000 |
| 4. Capital Investment Immigration – CIIP Program | Single or Family (up to 4) Additional person: $25,000 | 150,000 (100k donation + 50k CIIP investment) | Included | USD 5,000 |
4. St.Kitts and Nevis
The St.Kitts and Nevis remains the benchmark standard and worlds oldest second passport program. As of mid 2024, the Government has raised the prices from $150,000 to $250,000 making it more expensive for citizenship investors. Yet the passport remains most valuable with visa free benefits to UK and Schengen area.
- Powerful caribbean passport with high credibility.
- No physical visit requirement.
- Richest caribbean island with high entry real estate market.
- Visa free perks to 155+ countries (ETA for UK and visa free to Schengen area).
- Access to Canada ETA and US (non-immigrant visas).
- SISC donation remains fastest and straight forward pathway.
- Restrictions on blacklisted country nationals.
Fees and Costs
| Category | Fee Type | SISC Donation | Real Estate Option | Public Benefit Option (PBO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | Main Applicant / Family (up to 4) | $250,000 | $325,000 (condo/share) / $600,000 (private home) | $250,000 |
| Additional Dependents | Under 18 | $25,000 each | Included in post-approval fees | Included in fees |
| 18+ | $50,000 each | Included in post-approval fees | Included in fees | |
| Due Diligence | Main Applicant | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Dependent (16+) | $7,500 each | $7,500 each | $7,500 each | |
| Post-Approval Fees | Main Applicant | — | $25,000 | — |
| Spouse | — | $15,000 | — | |
| Dependent (<18) | — | $10,000 | — | |
| Dependent (18+) | — | $15,000 | — | |
| Additional Costs | Legal / Conveyance / Insurance | — | Variable | — |
| Interview Requirement | All routes | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
The Winning choice
- Lowest price (under $100k) → São Tomé & Príncipe
- Budget friendly – Nauru
- Best value → Nauru
- Balanced → Vanuatu
- Premium passport → St. Kitts & Nevis
