Joe Rice: “It’s not just about global mobility. Caribbean Citizenship opens doors.”

Global citizen turned Caribbean investment migration specialist on combating misconceptions in the industry, why the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) price hike is a good thing and the real reason people go for a Caribbean passport.  

Joe is originally from the UK and lived in New York for over 25 years before returning to Europe, using our visa relocation service to escape Brexit and make Lisbon his permanent home. His experience as a client later turned into a professional opportunity, when he joined us as an investment migration consultant.  

Today he spearheads the Caribbean Unit at Global Citizen Solutions, advising clients on a range of mobility solutions and investment migration opportunities in the Caribbean and Vanuatu. It’s this dual perspective - as both a client grappling with the complexities of investment migration — and now the head of our Caribbean Unit —, that makes his insights shared during our interview with him particularly valuable.  

Pushing past investment migration misconceptions 

Joe is often on the frontlines, having visited St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada on multiple occasions, where he has met with prime ministers, CEOs, and heads of citizenship units to foster connections and engage in discussions on Caribbean investment migration trends. His experience in the field has helped him understand the lasting, positive impacts investment migration has had on Caribbean economies — an important counter-narrative to the negative stereotypes that can surround these programs. 

While the Caribbean investment migration industry has gained a lot of media attention in recent years, none is more pressing than the recent program price hikes that the Caribbean islands have undergone, where most notably, the minimum investment thresholds have doubled.  

"It came to a point where all the islands got together to discuss the future of their programs. They agreed on setting a baseline threshold of $200,000 to create more consistency and curb any undercutting that might have been happening,” Joe explained. 

The decision to set a starting point of $200,000 for Caribbean CBI programs is a move toward ensuring the programs are fairer across the board and offer equal entry points for investors. 

When asked about the integrity of these programs, Joe explained, “These programs go through scrutiny all the time. But the question isn’t about how credible they are. Rather, it’s about ensuring strict due diligence standards. There are strict guidelines to follow. It’s not just applying and getting a passport. There are background checks and paperwork. At the end of the day, these programs want to attract qualifying investors and business leaders with good reputations.” 

Moreover, the perception that these programs are used mainly by wealthy investors to evade taxes is one that Joe pushes back against. 

“Nobody likes paying taxes, but there’s no way of avoiding paying them. There’s no citizenship by investment program with zero taxes. It’s a common misconception. Of course, there are ways of reducing your taxes, becoming a resident of a country that has great tax benefits, whether that means renouncing your citizenship of the country you're from, or becoming a permanent resident in another country.” 

That’s where Caribbean investor visas shine. For those wanting to relocate to the Caribbean and become permanent residents, individuals and entities pay no tax on wealth, inheritance, capital gains, or exports. Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis go a step further, with zero income tax requirements. This makes the islands very attractive options for those looking to lower their tax burden by acquiring citizenship.  

But taxes are only a part of the conversation.  Whether it’s for business expansion, real estate investment, or even as a contingency plan for future generations, the Caribbean offers much more than a passport. For example, obtaining Caribbean citizenship automatically enables successful applicants to live, work, study, and travel across all the CARICOM countries, an advantage that is often overlooked. 

The real reasons why investors go for a Caribbean passport 

The Caribbean CBI programs remain some of the most attractive and accessible options globally. With a Caribbean passport, individuals gain visa-free travel access to over 120 destinations worldwide and a Plan B strategy in the event of political or economic instability. 

To Rice, these programs also offer the fastest route to a second or third passport, an added advantage for those travelling for work.  

“The process is fast and remote, which is hugely beneficial for business investors. They’re from countries where you know their passport doesn't necessarily give them visa-free travel access, and they're constantly applying for visas, and that takes time, which can mean missing out on business opportunities.” 

For investors looking to turn a profit, buying property that can be converted into a holiday home is a viable option, given the Caribbean’s thriving tourism scene.  Real estate investment returns are also possible since investors who obtain an Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, or St Lucia passport can sell their properties after three to five years of ownership and return the invested capital.  

Rice also gets a lot of clients with families looking for passport solutions for the whole family.  

“A lot of CBI programs across the world aren’t necessarily inclusive of all family members. Antigua and Barbuda is very inclusive in adding siblings, grandparents, parents, and children to the application. So do the other Caribbean programs. They make it a lot easier for families, giving everybody the same opportunity to obtain a passport.” 

Vanuatu’s quiet advantage: The most affordable option 

Perhaps at the same time as the prices have gone up for the Caribbean CBI programs, Vanuatu, a cluster that Joe also oversees, has seen a surge in interest. While Vanuatu doesn’t offer the same level of visa-free access as the Caribbean programs, it does attract clients for other reasons, such as asset protection and fast processing times. 

“For people looking to diversify their portfolios or gain another passport quickly, it’s a great option with great tax benefits. You don’t actually need to go to the island to secure citizenship. But it does cater to different clients. If you’re looking for visa-free travel access, Vanuatu is not the option for you.” 

With the price increase in the Caribbean, Vanuatu’s CBI program is one of the most affordable citizenship options in the world, as well as the fastest, with an average application-to-passport timeline of three months. 

At the end of the day, for Rice and for the clients he represents, investment migration is about far more than just acquiring a second passport. It’s about opening doors of possibilities—whether it’s the ability to travel freely, diversify investments, or provide citizenship for generations to come. 

"People often think they’re just obtaining a passport, but in reality, they’re investing in a new life, new opportunities, and in many cases, a new home," Joe concluded.