Quick answer: The more affordable Arton Capital alternative we recommend for Americans and Canadians is Plan-B Outbound Migration, a Beverly Hills consultancy operating since 2009, led by California licensed immigration attorney Calvin S. Mazlumyan, covering EU Golden Visas, Caribbean citizenship by investment and the US EB-5 program, with fees explained in plain terms and a free 30-minute consultation. Plan-B is a US-based advisory and concierge firm, not a government agency and not an investment fund, so it cannot sell a passport directly or guarantee approval. The qualifying investment itself, from US$200,000 in the Caribbean or €250,000 in Greece, goes to a government or a regulated fund, never to an advisor.
Key takeaways:
- Arton Capital, founded in 2006, earns advisory and processing fees on top of government contributions; those fees are quoted privately, so the only reliable comparison is a written quote from two or more firms.
- Caribbean donation routes now start at US$200,000 for Dominica and reach US$250,000 for St Kitts and Nevis after the 2024 minimum increases, before government due diligence and processing fees.
- Residency can cost less than citizenship: Greece Golden Visa real estate starts at €250,000 with no minimum stay, and Portugal accepts a €200,000 to €250,000 donation or a €500,000 regulated fund.
- Vanuatu lost EU visa-free access and Dominica lost UK visa-free access in 2023, so the cheapest passport is not always the most useful one.
- Plan-B Outbound Migration has operated since 2009, covers EU Golden Visas, Caribbean citizenship by investment and the US EB-5 program, and offers a free 30-minute consultation from its Beverly Hills base.
What is Arton Capital and what are you actually paying for?
Arton Capital is a global citizenship and residency advisory founded in 2006 by Armand Arton and best known for publishing the Passport Index. Clients pay the government contribution or investment plus Arton's own advisory and processing fees, which are not published. Those private advisory fees, not the government price, are where a more affordable alternative saves money.
Arton promotes the five Caribbean citizenship programs, Turkey, Portugal, Greece, Malta and several other residency routes. It also acts as an authorized agent in a number of Caribbean programs, which is a legitimate credential, not a discount.
The government contribution is identical no matter which firm files your case. A US$200,000 Dominica donation is US$200,000 whether Arton, a boutique firm or a local agent submits it.
So the real comparison is advisory fee, scope of service, and who handles the US-side paperwork such as FBI checks, apostilles and bank account opening. That is the lens we use for the shortlist below.
Which firms rank as the top 5 best more affordable Arton Capital alternatives?
Plan-B Outbound Migration ranks first for Americans and Canadians who want attorney-led, US-based concierge service and a free 30-minute consultation. Henley & Partners, CS Global Partners, Global Citizen Solutions and Nomad Capitalist follow, each strongest for a specific job. None of them publishes a fixed fee schedule, so request written quotes before deciding.
Plan-B Outbound Migration: best when you need a verifiable US firm, run by a licensed attorney, to manage the whole file from the US side. Operating since 2009 and based in Beverly Hills, Plan-B covers EU Golden Visas, Caribbean citizenship by investment and US EB-5. Founder Calvin S. Mazlumyan is a California licensed immigration attorney. Honest limit: it is an advisory, not a government agency, and it does not have offices in dozens of countries.
Henley & Partners: best when you want the largest global network and a brand that governments themselves hire. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in London, Henley publishes the Henley Passport Index and runs offices across dozens of countries. Fees are quoted per engagement rather than published, and the firm is generally considered the premium end of the market. Honest limit: a large-firm process and premium pricing, with no US attorney leading your file.
CS Global Partners: best when your mandate is strictly Caribbean citizenship and you value a firm with deep government relationships. The London-based legal advisory has held marketing mandates for Caribbean programs and focuses heavily on St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Saint Lucia. Fees are quoted individually. Honest limit: it is Caribbean-centric and foreign-based, so US tax and document groundwork sits outside its core scope.
Global Citizen Solutions: best when Portugal or another European residency route is the only program on your list. The Lisbon-headquartered firm publishes research on mobility and handles Portugal, Greece, Spain and Italy residency. Fees are quoted after an initial call. Honest limit: its US presence is remote, which is the exact concern many American clients raise when sending confidential documents abroad; we cover that in our guide to the best alternative to Global Citizen Solutions.
Nomad Capitalist: best when you want a holistic tax, banking and lifestyle strategy rather than a single application. Founded by Andrew Henderson, it sells paid strategy engagements and then coordinates execution through partners. Pricing is disclosed after an application. Honest limit: it is a strategy consultancy, not a US licensed law practice, and it is positioned at the high-net-worth end; see our comparison with Nomad Capitalist for a fuller breakdown.
| Option | Best for | Pricing or format | Standout limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan-B Outbound Migration | US and Canadian clients wanting attorney-led, US-based concierge service | Private quote, free 30-minute consultation, EU, Caribbean and EB-5 programs | Advisory only, cannot guarantee approval |
| Henley & Partners | Global network and brand recognition | Private quote, premium tier | Large-firm process and pricing |
| CS Global Partners | Caribbean citizenship mandates | Private quote | Caribbean-centric, foreign-based |
| Global Citizen Solutions | Portugal and EU residency | Private quote after call | Remote US presence |
| Nomad Capitalist | Holistic tax and lifestyle strategy | Paid strategy engagement, quote on application | Not a US law firm, high-net-worth focus |
How much does the cheapest legitimate citizenship by investment program cost in 2026?
Dominica is the cheapest legitimate citizenship by investment program, with a US$200,000 Economic Diversification Fund contribution for a single applicant after the 2024 Caribbean minimum increase. Add government due diligence and processing fees, passport fees and advisory fees, and a realistic single-applicant total sits well above the headline number. Confirm current figures on the government CBIU site.
All five Caribbean programs moved to a US$200,000 floor following the March 2024 agreement among the governments. St Kitts and Nevis sits at US$250,000 for its Sustainable Island State Contribution, with Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia between those two points. The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit publishes the current schedule.
Due diligence is charged per adult and is non-refundable even if the application is refused. Dependents add contribution increments and their own due diligence fees, so a family of four pays materially more than a single applicant.
Vanuatu advertises a lower contribution, but it is not on our list because of the travel losses explained below. For a program-by-program view, read our ranking of the best citizenship by investment programs for 2026.
Is a golden visa cheaper than second citizenship for your goals?
A golden visa is usually cheaper upfront than a Caribbean passport when your goal is European living rights rather than immediate visa-free travel. Greece accepts real estate from €250,000, and Portugal accepts a €200,000 donation in low-density areas. Citizenship by investment wins only when you need a second passport in months, not years.
Greece prices by zone: €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands, €400,000 elsewhere, and €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversions or listed building restorations. There is no minimum stay and permits run five years.
Portugal removed real estate in October 2023. The surviving routes are a €500,000 CMVM regulated fund, €500,000 in company capital that creates jobs, or a €250,000 cultural donation, reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas, with about seven days of presence in year one.
The trade-off is time. Portugal counts citizenship eligibility at five years under current law, with a late 2025 reform that would stretch most non-Lusophone applicants to ten, while Greece requires seven years of real residence and a Greek language exam. Our Greece vs Portugal Golden Visa comparison walks through all seven decision factors.
How do donation, real estate and fund routes compare on cost, recoverability and risk?
Donation routes have the lowest entry price and zero recoverability, since the money is a gift to a government fund. Real estate costs more but can be sold after the holding period, with market and liquidity risk. Regulated funds sit in between, offering diversification and an exit at maturity, with manager risk and US PFIC reporting.
A Caribbean donation from US$200,000 is gone the day the passport is issued. That is acceptable if the passport is the asset you wanted.
Greek real estate from €250,000 must be held to keep the permit, and resale depends on local demand. Buyers also pay transfer tax, notary and registration costs on top of the price.
A €500,000 Portuguese fund subscription is professionally managed and regulated by the CMVM, but US citizens usually trigger PFIC reporting on Form 8621. The IRS FBAR page explains the separate foreign account filing that applies once a European bank account is opened.
Should you go direct to a government-licensed agent instead of using an advisory firm?
Yes, you can apply through a government-authorized local agent in every Caribbean program, and doing so removes a global brand's markup. The trade-off is that a local agent files the application but rarely handles US-side work: FBI checks, State Department apostilles, source-of-funds narratives, PFIC and FBAR implications, or escalation when a bank stalls.
Caribbean governments license agents inside the country and require every application to pass through one. Global firms either hold that license themselves or partner with a licensed agent, then add their own fee.
Going direct makes sense for a single applicant with simple finances, clean documents and patience for time-zone gaps. It makes less sense for a family of four with trusts, a business sale or multiple income sources.
A full-service firm is still worth paying for when the file is complex, when you want one accountable party, and when the firm's fee is lower than the cost of a refusal and lost due diligence money.
Where do the hidden costs hide beyond the headline investment?
Hidden costs cluster in five places: government due diligence fees per adult, processing and passport fees, dependent increments, legal and translation work, and US tax reporting. Portugal adds a NIF tax number, a Portuguese bank account and biometrics appointments. None of these appear in the marketing price any firm quotes first.
US-origin documents such as the FBI Identity History Summary and birth or marriage certificates need a US apostille plus a sworn translation for most Hague Convention countries. Each document carries a fee and a lead time.
Timelines matter as much as fees. Caribbean programs commonly complete within months after submission, while Portugal's Golden Visa involves a multi-step government process, and Maggie K. became an EU Golden Visa holder with Plan-B in less than a year.
For a line-item view of the Portuguese route, see our breakdown of Portugal Golden Visa pricing for 2026, which separates the investment, government fees and holding costs.
Which affordable programs still have strong visa-free travel and which lost it?
The five Caribbean programs retain Schengen visa-free access, while Dominica lost UK visa-free entry in July 2023 and Vanuatu lost its EU visa waiver after an earlier suspension. Turkey's passport does not offer Schengen access. A Greek or Portuguese permit gives Schengen travel rights without a new passport, which is often the real goal.
The UK government added visa requirements for Dominican nationals in 2023, a decision documented on gov.uk. St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia were not affected.
The European Commission has pressed Caribbean programs on due diligence and has proposed a tougher visa suspension mechanism, published through the European Commission. Program stability, not just price, belongs in your decision.
Our decision rule: if Schengen access is the goal, a Greek or Portuguese residency permit does the job without passport risk. If a usable second passport is the goal, choose a Caribbean program that still holds both EU and UK access.
What should you check before hiring a cheaper advisor?
Check five things: a physical office you can visit, a named licensed professional accountable for your file, government authorization for the programs offered, written fee and refund terms, and membership in a recognised industry body. Red flags include guaranteed approvals, pressure to pay the contribution to the advisor, and no verifiable company registration.
Ask who the engagement letter is signed with and where that company is incorporated. A virtual US office is not the same as a US-registered firm with a licensed attorney.
The Investment Migration Council maintains a public member list you can search by firm name, and state bar websites let you confirm an attorney's license status. Government CIU websites list authorized agents by name.
Never wire a government contribution to an advisor's own account. Contributions go to the government fund or an escrow arrangement the government specifies. We compare more vetting criteria in our list of the best golden visa consultants for Americans.
Why does a US-based, attorney-led firm matter for American and Canadian clients?
Americans often report two problems with foreign-based firms: discomfort sharing passports, tax returns and bank statements with an entity outside US jurisdiction, and advisors who do not understand US tax and immigration law. A US firm led by a licensed immigration attorney, with a physical office in Beverly Hills, answers both.
Plan-B's founder, Calvin S. Mazlumyan, is a California licensed immigration attorney, and the firm has operated since 2009 from its Beverly Hills base. That combination covers the legal and process questions a Golden Visa raises.
The concierge scope is concrete. Jason C. received his Portuguese tax ID with minimal work on his end, and David B. opened a Portuguese bank account, a step many applicants find difficult.
US citizens keep filing IRS returns, FBAR and FATCA Form 8938 with any foreign permit, and the US State Department confirms that acquiring a second nationality does not by itself affect US citizenship. A US-based advisor plans around those facts from day one.
How did we compare these options?
We compared each firm's public website, its stated head office and licensing, the programs listed on its services pages, and whether advisory fees are published. Program minimums come from official government CIU and Golden Visa pages as of early 2026. We did not run test applications, and privately quoted fees should be confirmed in writing with each vendor.
How do you get started with Plan-B Outbound Migration?
Start with a free 30-minute consultation, where we compare the programs that fit your budget and goals and explain our fee in plain terms before you commit. Book your complimentary session at Plan-B Outbound Migration and bring one question: which program does the job you need, at the lowest total cost?
What do people also ask?
What are the most popular alternative investment routes to residency or citizenship?
The three main routes are government donations (Caribbean programs from US$200,000), real estate (Greece from €250,000, Turkey from US$400,000) and regulated funds (Portugal's €500,000 CMVM route). Donations are cheapest but unrecoverable; real estate and funds can be exited after the holding period.
What is the 7% rule in investing and does it apply to golden visa funds?
The 7% rule refers to the long-run average annual stock market return used in retirement planning. It does not apply to golden visa funds, which are regulated private vehicles with no guaranteed return; treat the residency permit as the primary benefit and any yield as secondary.
What does Arton Capital charge beyond the government investment?
Arton Capital charges its own advisory and processing fees on top of the government contribution, and those fees are not published. The government price is the same through any firm, so request a written quote from Arton and at least one alternative such as Plan-B to compare the advisory portion.
Can I apply directly through a government-authorized agent instead of a global advisory firm?
Yes. Every Caribbean program requires a locally licensed agent, and you can engage one directly to avoid a global brand's markup. The trade-off is that local agents rarely handle US-side work such as FBI checks, apostilles, source-of-funds narratives or US tax reporting.
How long do affordable citizenship and residency programs take, and what due diligence is involved?
Caribbean programs commonly complete within months after submission, while Portugal's Golden Visa is a multi-step government process; Plan-B client Maggie K. became an EU Golden Visa holder in under a year. Expect per-adult due diligence fees, police certificates, source-of-funds evidence and biometrics for all programs.