Against a backdrop of mounting domestic political and social turbulence in the United States, a growing share of high-net-worth American citizens are turning to second citizenship as a strategic safety net, new industry data shows. Global citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners has reported that U.S. nationals made up nearly one-third of all citizenship-by-investment applications the firm processed worldwide in the first quarter of 2026 alone, marking a dramatic surge in interest over the past decade.
While European Golden Visa programs remain a popular choice for Americans seeking temporary overseas residency, the Caribbean has emerged as a particularly attractive destination for those looking to secure a second passport quickly and accessible. Industry data confirms that U.S. applicants dominate Caribbean citizenship-by-investment intake this year, with applicants from more than 25 other countries also pursuing these programs, but Americans accounting for the clear majority.
Among Caribbean nations, Antigua & Barbuda has seen the sharpest rise in American interest: U.S. nationals now make up 50% of all applications to the country’s citizenship program in 2026, up from just 26% of total applications in 2025. Henley & Partners attributes this growing appeal to Antigua & Barbuda’s flexible, family-friendly framework, which allows a wider range of dependents to be included on a single application than most competing programs globally. The country also does not require applicants to relocate to obtain citizenship, and offers visa-free access to dozens of countries worldwide.
John Maniatis, Managing Director of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, explained that for most applicants, Caribbean second citizenship is not intended as an immediate relocation plan, but rather a “mobility hedge.” This strategic buffer is designed to protect against future global or domestic disruptions, providing a reliable exit option if circumstances change. Unlike many other regional programs that only offer residency, Caribbean citizenship-by-investment pathways deliver a full second passport in a matter of months, with most popular programs processing applications in just 4 to 6 months.
Beyond Antigua & Barbuda, four other Caribbean nations consistently rank as top choices for American investors: St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia. All five countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 140 countries worldwide, with varying minimum investment thresholds to suit different investor profiles. The lowest entry point is Dominica, where an individual applicant can secure citizenship with a $200,000 investment, or $250,000 for an applicant plus up to three qualifying dependents. Antigua & Barbuda’s lowest contribution option is $230,000 to the country’s National Development Fund, while Grenada starts at $235,000, Saint Lucia at $240,000, and St. Kitts & Nevis at $250,000 for contributions to public benefit projects. Additional pathways, including real estate purchases and business investments, are available across all programs with higher minimum investment thresholds.
The upward trend in American demand for second citizenship has accelerated dramatically in recent years, with growth spiking following Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency. In 2018, U.S. applicants accounted for just 5% of all global applications received by Henley & Partners; by 2025, that share had jumped to nearly 40%, representing an almost 2,400% increase over seven years. Competing industry firms have recorded similar surges: Citizenship Invest reported last year that inquiries from U.S. nationals for backup residency and citizenship options rose 183% between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. Analysts trace the origins of this trend back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when widespread global disruption highlighted the value of geographic and mobility diversification. Today, wealthy Americans cite a range of motivations for pursuing a second citizenship, from potential tax optimization to access to improved global healthcare and greater personal security amid domestic uncertainty.