Cheapest Second Passports for Investors – 2026 Rankings

In 2026, global investors are increasingly seeking second passports to enhance mobility, protect assets, and gain access to education, healthcare, and financial opportunities abroad. Sao Tome, for instance, now offers the most cost-effective citizenship-by-investment program, starting from $90,000. It can be obtained in just 2 months with no residency requirements. This article ranks the cheapest second passports available in 2025 based on minimum investment, processing speed, and visa-free travel.

• Most affordable option: São Tomé & Príncipe, starting at $90,000, no residency required.
• Fast processing: São Tomé & Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Dominica offer citizenship in 2–5 months.
• Broad visa-free access: Caribbean programs like Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Grenada provide access to 140–150+ countries.
• Additional benefits: Grenada offers eligibility for the U.S. E-2 investor visa; Turkey provides visa-free access to 110+ countries via real estate investment.
• Hidden costs: Include application, due diligence, bank fees, and passport issuance; family members increase total expenses.
• Value depends on goals: Consider investment threshold, processing speed, visa-free access, tax implications, and long-term benefits.

In today’s world, obtaining a second passport has become increasingly valuable for investors seeking security, mobility, and financial freedom. Key benefits include:

• Enhanced security: A second passport acts as a safety net during political instability or economic uncertainty in your home country.
• Access to better opportunities: Citizens with a second passport can enjoy superior education, healthcare, and business opportunities abroad.
• Increased global mobility: Travel restrictions are constantly changing; a second passport can provide visa-free access to over 140 countries, such as Dominica’s passport allowing entry to the EU, UK, and China.
• Greater financial flexibility: Second citizenship enables you to open international bank accounts and establish companies in investor-friendly jurisdictions.
• Tax optimisation: Certain citizenship by investment programs offer favorable tax regimes that can legally reduce your overall tax burden.

Factors that make a citizenship-by-investment programme more affordable include lower minimum investment thresholds, reduced government fees, limited additional costs for family members, and simplified application procedures.

• Lower investment threshold: Some countries offer citizenship starting from $90,000, typically through contributions to national development funds.
• Reduced government fees: Lower administrative and processing fees significantly decrease the overall cost of obtaining a second passport.
• Minimal costs for dependents: Affordable programs often allow spouses, children, or parents to be included with small additional fees.
• Simplified application process: Fewer documentation requirements and no need for interviews or travel help reduce legal and logistical expenses.

These programs are ranked by the minimum investment amount required for a single applicant, from lowest to highest.

Sao Tome and Principe

• Timeframe: 2+ months
• Minimum investment: $90,000

São Tomé & Príncipe introduced its citizenship-by-investment program in August 2025. The initiative offers a direct path to citizenship through approved investments, with no physical residency, language tests, or interviews required.

Key benefits:

• Visa-free access to 60+ countries including Singapore
• Spouse, unmarried children up to 30 and parents over 55 are eligible

Nauru

• Timeframe: 3+ months
• Minimum investment: $105,000

Nauru offers one of the most affordable citizenship by investment programs in 2025. Investors can obtain a Nauru passport by contributing to the Nauru Welfare Fund, with the option to include family members.

Key benefits:

• No residency or travel requirements after citizenship is granted.
• Visa-free access to 85+ countries, including Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Vanuatu

• Timeframe:  3+ months
• Minimum investment: $130,000

Vanuatu offers one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs globally through the Vanuatu Citizenship Development Support Programme (DSP).

Key benefits:

• Visa-free access to 90+ countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel.
• No residency or travel requirements for applicants.

Starting mid-November 2025, Vanuatu passport applicants must submit fingerprints and facial scans in person, either at Vanuatu consulates in Dubai, Hong Kong, New Caledonia or at government headquarters in Vanuatu.

Dominica

• Timeframe: 4 months
• Minimum investment: $200,000

Applicants can qualify through:

• Non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund
• Real estate investment in government-approved tourism developments

Key benefits:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 140+ countries, including the EU, Schengen Area and China.
• No residency requirements or in-country interviews.

Antigua & Barbuda

• Timeframe: 8+ months
• Minimum investment: $230,000

The Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program offers a prestigious second passport with minimal residency obligations: only a 5-day visit within the first five years is required.

Investment pathways:

• National Development Fund Contribution
• Real estate investment
• University Fund Contribution
• Business investment

Key benefits:

• Visa-free access to 150+ countries, including the UK and Schengen Area.
• Quick processing and family-inclusive applications.

Grenada

• Timeframe: 10 months
• Minimum investment: $235,000

Grenada offers one of the most attractive Caribbean citizenship programmes. Applicants can qualify through:

• Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund
• Government-approved real estate investment

Key benefits:

• Visa-free access to 147 countries, including the Schengen Area, UK, and China.
• Eligibility for the U.S. E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, allowing business operations in the U.S.
• Family-friendly application options included.

Saint Lucia

• Timeframe: 6 months
• Minimum investment: $240,000

Saint Lucia offers citizenship through:

• National Economic Fund contribution
• Real estate investment
• Interest-free National Action Bonds

Key benefits:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 145+ countries, including the Schengen Area and UK.
• No residency requirements for applicants.
• Family applications are accommodated with minimal extra costs.

Turkey

• Timeframe: 6 months
• Minimum investment: $400,000

Turkey provides a fast citizenship-by-investment program with no residency obligations.

Most popular investment:

• Real estate purchase of at least $400,000

Key benefits:

• Visa-free access to 110+ countries, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
• Quick processing and family-inclusive applications.

While minimum investment amounts are clearly listed, applicants should anticipate additional fees and legal considerations.

Example: Sao Tome Citizenship Costs

• Legislative changes: Programs can change investment thresholds, suspend or cancel eligibility with minimal notice.
• Programme legitimacy: Confirm the program is officially recognised and handled by licensed intermediaries.
• Dual citizenship restrictions: Some home countries restrict dual citizenship, requiring reporting or affecting tax obligations.
• Family implications: Costs and documentation for dependents may increase total expenses; legal guidance ensures compliance.

Low investment costs do not always equal the best value. When comparing programmes, consider:

• International mobility: Visa-free access varies by country.
• Processing speed: Some programs take months; others take over a year.
• Legal and political stability: Risk of policy changes or program suspension.
• Tax implications: Dual citizenship or home-country tax rules may affect your financial planning.
• Long-term benefits: Citizenship portability, family inclusion, and access to education, healthcare, and business opportunities.

Example:

• Nauru and Vanuatu: Lowest-cost options, but limited visa-free access compared to Caribbean alternatives.
• Caribbean programs (e.g., Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda): Higher investment, broader visa-free access, additional benefits like the U.S. E-2 visa.

The best-value citizenship depends on your priorities:

• Fastest processing: Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu, Dominica
• Broader visa-free access and flexibility: Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Grenada
• Access to U.S. E-2 Investor Visa: Grenada

Astons provides:

• Program selection tailored to your goals
• End-to-end application management
• Compliance assurance and peace of mind

Next steps: Begin your second citizenship journey with a clear strategy, fully informed decisions, and professional support.