Short answer: among the citizenship-by-investment countries we offer, St Kitts & Nevis and St Lucia have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan (Republic of China) and none with the People’s Republic of China. The other Caribbean countries, Vanuatu and Turkey have ties with China.
The two compared
| St Kitts & Nevis | St Lucia | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Donation from USD 250,000 | Contribution from USD 240,000 (up to four family members) |
| Other routes | Approved real estate | Government bonds, approved real estate, enterprise projects |
| Schengen | Visa-free | Visa-free |
| UK | Visa-free | Visa required since March 2026 |
| Hong Kong, Singapore | Visa-free | Visa-free |
| Processing | About 4–12 months | Recently about 12–18 months |
| Ties with Taiwan | Since 1983 | Yes |
Why some clients care about diplomatic ties
Some Taiwanese clients prefer a second country that formally recognises Taiwan; others, for personal reasons, prefer a country without ties to China. Ties are one factor, but they don’t mean a country stays out of international cooperation — both take part in the automatic exchange of tax information (CRS).
How to choose
- UK visa-free travel matters: St Kitts & Nevis.
- A family of four on a tighter budget: St Lucia’s contribution covers up to four.
- Want to recover the investment later: St Lucia’s bond route can be recovered after five years.
Diplomatic ties can change, so confirm the latest position before applying.