Also known as:NDFNDFDonation routeContribution route
Definition
The non-refundable government contribution route in Caribbean CBI programmes. The simplest and fastest path, but the contribution is not recoverable.
The National Development Fund (NDF) — known by varying names in each jurisdiction (SGF in St Kitts, NDF in Dominica, NTF in Grenada, NDF in St Lucia, NDF in Antigua) — is the donation route in every Caribbean CBI programme. The applicant makes a one-off non-refundable contribution to a government-managed fund earmarked for public-good projects.
NDF contributions in 2026 typically range from USD 200,000 (single applicant, Dominica / St Lucia) to USD 250,000–300,000 (family of four, Caribbean 5 average post-harmonisation). This is in addition to government processing fees, due-diligence fees, and professional fees.
The NDF route is the fastest, simplest, and most predictable. Its main drawback is that the contribution is not recoverable — unlike the real-estate route, where the underlying asset can be resold after the holding period.
