Citizenship by investment (“CBI”) and Residence by investment programs (“golden visas”) have seen big growth in recent years
CBI/RBI Industry
The Investment immigration scheme industry is currently a $17 billion industry annually which consists of
Citizenship by investment (CBI) – $5bn / year
Golden Visa Residence – $12bn / year
There are mainly two routes, one is residency (Golden visas) and the other is instant citizenship with a passport (CBI schemes).
The number of countries offering citizenship and residency schemes based on economic investment has ballooned due to globalisation, fuelling global demand for passports and visas.
But what is causing alarming growth in this industry?
The Rich and wealthy want a quick solution for the best country that guarantees safe haven, best education and healthcare and its passport that offer free movement to many countries with no visa restrictions. Global uncertainties such as Brexit deal, Trump victory, Syrian crisis, Hong Kong protests, Turkey lira crisis, Demonetisation in India is fuelling the growth pushing people to look for alternative citizenships elsewhere.
These also serve as push factors for driving the wealthy to other safe havencountries.
IMF report on revenues from citizenship by investment programs says St Kitts & Nevis has achieved an impressive 11% of GDP in 2015 and slashed its debt by 64%. Portugal golden visa ARI scheme reported 4.5 billion euros (90% invested in real estate) inflows in just 6 years of running the scheme. Malta and Greece reported over 1 billion euro inflows since the inception of the citizenship scheme in the EU.
These countries have completed recovered from the recession and the economy is steering towards positive growth, since the inception of economic citizenship and residency programs.
I will spot out the main difference between citizenship and residency programs and then will list about 35 countries offering investment programs to foreign investors. Both of these two routes will lead to citizenship.
Citizenship by investment programs (CBI/CIP) gets you fast track citizenship within months, waiving naturalisation requirements such as residency, military service, language requirement etc. This is one of the main reasons why citizenship by investment programs are so popular and also less time consuming. The citizenship given is lifetime can be passed on to future family generations through children.
RBI/Golden visa programs, grant ONLY residency, no immediate citizenship. Citizenship is only optional, usually takes 5 years of uninterrupted living to naturalise for citizenship. Golden visas are usually permanent residency or residence permits issued with limited time validity (say one or two years). You have to extend the validity of residence permit (under golden visa) once every two for five years and to do this you must visit the country personally.
There are several quick investment routes to buy citizenship or residency through investment. The best, easiest, less expensive and fastest option is
Real estate (citizenship/residency)
Donation payment to Government fund (citizenship only)
Government bonds/stocks
Business / capital transfer
Another interesting option is buying Government bonds ($500,000 onwards), you will get your full money refunded back after 5 years or can be financed as well because the investment is risk-free and guaranteed by Government with no interest. You keep your citizenship for a lifetime. You will not lose your citizenship after getting back your money from bonds.
A handful of countries grant residency or even citizenship against capital investments in Art & culture projects, Research and technology sector, Green energy sectors and foundations or organizations serving the public interest.
The benefits of second citizenship are enticing such visa-free travel to several countries to Europe/UK, education for children, freely do business, tax-free status, and also benefits stateless persons.
The biggest problem with programs in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, yes they give you permanent residence status but you are required to physically immigrate and live there permanently. You cannot be absent for more than 6 months in a year. Many investors don’t want to move and live there away from home. Another problem is you are taxed on worldwide income if you get permanent resident status. Golden visa schemes in Europe such as Portugal, Greece, Spain do not require you to live or move to these countries.
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes have zero residency requirements before or after receiving a passport.
Tax planning offshore cannot be overlooked when acquiring second citizenship. In most countries, you are taxed based on your residency (live 182 days/year), not citizenship for the income generated inside the country.
The United States and Eritrea are the only two countries in the world with the “Citizenship based tax regime”. The US taxes both citizens and non-citizens on their worldwide income. There are virtually no taxes in the Caribbean.
In Europe, Austria (55%), Netherlands(52%), Sweden (62%), Finland(56%-62%), Denmark (56%) has the highest income tax rates.
Dual citizenship also must be evaluated accordingly so that you wont automatically lose citizenship by taking up citizenship of foreign country.
If you come from a country where dual citizenship is prohibited, you are better off to apply for residence by investment schemes. For example Hong Kong nationals already have a best and powerful passport to travel, so they don’t need a second passport. A Golden visa is desirable option.
For countries like India, China, Saudi Arabia etc. dual citizenship is prohibited. We ask you to seek legal advice before you apply for CBI schemes which comes with second passport perk.
RBI/Golden visa schemes will naturally be good choice if you don’t want to face risks associated with dual citizenship.
You decide which country you like, be it a passport or residency.
Only Malta and Cyprus have the official citizenship programs. All other countries in Europe require residency first before citizenship. There are about 15 countries in Europe offering residency or citizenship to foreign investors against a qualifying investment.
Citizenship by Investment Programs Golden Visas in Europe
United Kingdom
- GBP 100,000 (Innovator visa) or GBP 2 million (tier1 investor)
- Residency by investment in the UK
- Qualifying investments (business enterprise)
- UK Citizenship after 6 years of living in the UK (PR status / ILR required)
- Attractive program post Brexit due to cheaper pound value.
- 2 months application processing time.
- Residency requirement: You must live 9 months per year in the UK.
Portugal
- EUR 350,000 Portugal golden visa programme (Property investment €350,000 outside Lisbon or €500,000 in Lisbon)
- Residency by investment in Schengen country.
- Qualifying investments (real estate, business, research, capital transfer, Art)
- Minimal residency requirements – 7days per year.
- Permanent residency after 5 years of uninterrupted living.
- Most popular property investment program in Europe.
- Portugal Citizenship after 6 years of living.
- No requirement to live in Portugal
- Processing time is 3 months
- Free movement in Schengen with residence permit (“TÃTULO DE RESIDÊNCIA”) issued by Portugal.
Greece
- EUR 250,000 (greek residency program)
- Residency by investment scheme (Greece golden visa)
- Qualifying investments (real estate property ownership)
- Residence permit issued valid for 5 years.
- No work allowed under this scheme.
- Greece Citizenship after 7 years of living (requires PR status)
- Free movement in 26 schengen states with residence permit issued by Greece
- No residence requirements.
- Cheapest property investment program in Europe
- No language tests, No education, No business experience required to apply.
- Processing time is 3 months.
Spain
- EUR 500,000 (Real Estate)
- Spanish golden visa programme
- Residency by investment in Schengen
- Qualifying investments (real estate, bonds, company shares)
- Spanish Citizenship after 10 years of living (non spanish speaking countries), quicker 3 years for those from spanish speaking countries. (no PR status required)
- No requirement to live in Spain after getting residency (must visit spain for few days every year).
- Free movement in Schengen states with residence permit(“PERMISO DE RESIDENCIA”) issued by spain.
Ireland
- EUR 500,000 (Endowment) or EUR 1,000,000 irish immigrant investor program
- Residency by investment in EU member state.
- Qualifying investments (enterprise, donation, real estate, bonds)
- Irish Citizenship after 5 years of uninterrupted living (no PR status required)
- No requirement to live in Ireland
- Most popular program for UK nationals seeking Irish passport post Brexit
- Ireland is an excellent business investment destination with corporate friendly taxes.
Belgium
- EUR 350,000 business investor scheme (must create jobs)
- Belgium golden visa programme
- Residency by investment in Schengen
- Qualifying investments (business investment and create jobs)
- Belgium Citizenship after 5 years of living in Belgium (PR status in 5 years)
- Most popular business immigration program in Europe .
- No requirement to live in Belgium after receiving residency.
- Free movement in Schengen states with residence permit (“VERBLIJFSTITEL”) issued by Belgium.
- Easy application process and no language tests or business experience required.
Malta
- EUR 125,000 (Malta Golden Visa Program Financing Bonds)
- Qualifying investments (Real estate or buying Government bonds)
- No residency requirements.
- Schengen residency for family and children
- Maltese permanent residency after 5 years of living.
- No language tests, No business experience required.
- No citizenship possible under this program.
- Visa free movement in 26 countries in Europe (Switzerland, Germany, France, Sweden).
Cyprus
- EUR 300,000 Cyprus Golden Visa (Real Estate)
- Permanent residence permit in Cyprus
- Cyprus golden visa programme
- Qualifying investments: Real estate or business
- Cyprus residency in Europe for family, spouse and children.
- No language requirement.
- Low property tax, No inheritance tax, No capital gains tax.
- Fast track application processing in three months.
- High approval rates.
- No requirement to live in Cyprus after receiving residency however visit to Cyprus once a year required.
Netherlands
- EUR 1,250,000 (dutch golden visa)
- Netherlands foreign investor scheme
- Residency by investment in Netherlands
- Qualifying investments (business capital, shares, bonds)
- No residency requirements (must visit Netherlands once a year for few days)
- Dutch Citizenship after 5 years of living (no PR status required)
- Permanent residency status after 5 years of uninterrupted living
- Free movement in schengen zone with dutch residence permit card (“VERBLIJFSKAART”).
Switzerland
- CHF 1,000,000 (swiss business investor visa and create jobs)
- Passive investment not accepted (eg real estate)
- Swiss business investment programme (swiss golden visa)
- Residency by investment
- Qualifying investments (capital investment in a swiss company and create jobs)
- Swiss citizenship after 12 years of uninterrupted living ( no PR status needed)
- Swiss permanent residence card after 10 years of uninterrupted living.
- Processing time is 3 months.
- Free movement in 26 EU schengen states with swiss permit.
- Buying a home or property in Switzerland is allowed.
- No requirement to live in Switzerland.
Latvia
- EUR 275,000 property investment or EUR 300,000 bank deposit or EUR 100,000 business investment in Latvia
- Latvia immigrant investor program (Latvia golden visa)
- Residency by investment scheme in Europe.
- Cheapest European real estate investment program
- Qualifying investments (€250,000 in real estate or €80,000 in business or €300,000 bank deposit)
- Latvian Citizenship after 10 years of living (must have PR status)
- No residence requirements.
- Latvia is a very popular program among Russian nationals.
- Latvian residence permit (Uzturešanas atlauja”) allows free movement in 26 Schengen states.
Hungary
- EUR 300,000 Residency bond program (closed)
- Hungary golden visa scheme
- Residency by investment in Hungary
- No requirement to live in the country.
- Free movement in Schengen with hungarian residence permit (Tartózkodási engedély) issued under economic interest
- Family and children can apply for Hungarian residency
- Processing time is 4 months.
- Hungarian citizenship after 8 years of living (requires PR status)
- No language tests, no business experience, no health checks, No education required.
- Hungary programme open to all country nationals.
Bulgaria
- EUR 512,000 (immigrant investor visa)
- Permanent residency by investment in Bulgaria
- No free movement in Schengen (Bulgaria is not in schengen)
- Qualifying investments (bonds, real estate, business)
- Citizenship after 5 years (requires PR status)
- Processing time 2 months.
- No residence requirements to live in Bulgaria
United Kingdom
Note: CBI scheme suspended for applications
- Newly launched citizenship by investment (CBI) program in 2018
- EUR 100,000 one time contribution to Public fund
- Cheapest CBI scheme in eastern Europe
- Lifetime citizenship for family and children.
- Processing time is 3 months.
- Moldova passport has visa free travel to 121 countries including UK, Europe, Russia etc.
- Dual citizenship allowed
- Moldova is not EU member state and does not belong in schengen area
Monaco
- EUR 1,000,000 (investor visa)
Residency by investment (Monaco golden visa) - Residency in richest and second smallest country in the world.
- Live in France or Monaco.
- Qualifying investments (bank deposit, property purchase)
- Citizenship after 10 years of living.
- Free movement in 26 schengen states
- No residency requirements.
- Investment in buying a home or property allowed under the scheme.
- Open to EU and non-EU nationals
United Kingdom
- EUR 400,000 (Andorra residency program)
- Residency by investment
- Qualifying investments: Property investment (real estate)
- Andorra citizenship after 20 years of living
- No free movement in Schengen states.
- Processing time is 2 months.
France
- EUR 300,000 (Talent passport scheme)
- Residency by investment (French investor visa)
- Qualifying investments: Start-up in a French company with job creation
- French citizenship after 10 years of living.
- No requirement to live in France
- Processing time is 2 months.
- No language tests, No interviews, No education required.
- Free movement in schengen with carte de sejour
Turkey
- USD 250,000 (Real estate property investment)
- Turkish Citizenship by investment (CIP) launched in 2018
- Qualifying investments: Real estate ($250,000), Business ($500K), Bonds/Bank deposit ($500K)
- No residence requirements
- Turkish citizenship for family and children
- No free movement in Schengen states (Turkey is not in schengen)
- Turkey offers competitive corporate tax rates in the OECD region
- Turkish passport ranked 51 best passport in the world with visa free access to 102 countries.
- No requirement to live in Turkey after citizenship.
Montenegro
- EUR 250,000 or EUR 350,000 (real estate + donation to Government)
- Economic Citizenship program open since Oct 2019 limited to 2000 foreign applicants.
- Second passport in a beautiful country which expects to join EU in 2025 and schengen area
- Family and children qualify for Montenegro passport.
- No residency requirements. No language tests.
- Montenegro passport offers visa free travel to 105 countries in the world including Russia, all of Europe.
- Dual citizenship allowed.
- Montenegro is a future candidate for EU membership. The country is not a member of Schengen.
Request a free quote
Italy
- EUR 500,000 in business startups or EUR 2 million in Govt bonds
- Residency by investment (2017 Budget Law, were discussed and approved by the Italian
- Parliament on 7 December 2016 and made effective as of 1 January 2017)
- Qualifying investments: EUR 500,000 in business startups or EUR 2,000,000 in Government bonds, shares or EUR 1,000,000 in public interest projects (culture, education, immigration management, research and development, arts and heritage)
- Italian residence visa issued for 2 years and thereafter renewed (including family members)
- Free movement in Schengen countries with Italian residence permit.
Italian citizenship after 10 years of living. - Request a free quote
Germany
- EUR 100,000 (Business investment must have economic impact and create jobs)
- Real estate investment possible in some cases
- Germany Residency Program (Golden Visa)
- No minimum stay requirements
- Permanent settlement permit after 5 years
- Application approval time is 60 days.
- Free movement in Schengen with German residence permit .
- German passport rated as the most powerful passport in the World.
- German Citizenship after 8 years of living
- Request a free quote
Caribbean
Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
There are 5 countries in the Caribbean offering citizenship by investment (passport) to foreign investors.
St Lucia
- USD 100,000 (one-time donation to Government fund from 2017) or USD 300,000 property investment or USD 500,000 in Government Bonds
- Economic Citizenship by investment programme (CIP)
Newly launched citizenship program in the Caribbean in 2017 - Citizenship through USD 300,000 property investment or $500,000 in Bonds
- Permanent residence card with citizenship
- No requirement to visit the country for citizenship
- Qualifying investments (donation, real estate, business capital, bonds)
- St Lucia citizenship certificate and passport in 3 months
No interviews, No english tests, No business experience, No military service. - St Lucia passport offers visa free travel to United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Germany to 110 countries.
- Permanent lifetime citizenship for family and children.
- No residence requirements (naturalisation waived to expedite citizenship)
- No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax
- Confidential and discrete application process.
- Citizenship not reported to other countries.
- Request a free quote
Dominica
- USD 100,000 (donation to Government) or USD 200,000
- Real estate investment
- Economic Citizenship by investment program (CIP)
Qualifying investments (donation, real estate) - Dominica Citizenship in 4-6 months with passport
Cheapest, easiest citizenship passport program - Lifetime citizenship with one time payment
- Citizenship possible against $200,000 property investment
- No requirement to visit Dominica.
- Permanent residence card with citizenship.
- No interviews, No language tests, No business experience.
- Dominica passport offers visa free travel to United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany to 110 countries.
- Citizenship for family and children.
- Dominica passport issued valid for 10 years
- No residence requirements
- No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax
- Confidential application process.
- Citizenship not reported to other countries.
- Request a free quote
Grenada
- Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP)
USD 150,000 (donation one-time to government fund) or USD 220,000 Real estate investment
Economic Citizenship by investment program (CIP)
Qualifying investments (donation, real estate, business)
Grenada passport in 2-3 months with citizenship certificate
No interviews, No language tests, No business experience.
Apply for E-2 business visa to USA with Grenada passport
Grenada passport offers visa free travel to China, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany to 110 countries.
Lifetime Citizenship for family and children.
No requirement to live in Grenada.
Permanent residence card issued with citizenship.
Grenada passport issued valid for 5 years.
Citizenship possible through $350,000 property investment in luxury hotels, villas, resorts or homes.
No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax
Confidential application process.
Citizenship not reported to other countries.
Request a free quote
St Kitts & Nevis
- USD 150,000 (one-time donation to Sustainable Growth Fund) or
- USD 200,000 Property investment
- Economic Citizenship by investment program (CIP)
- Oldest and most popular citizenship program since 1984
- Citizenship possible through $400,000 property investment in St Kitts real estate.
- Citizenship granted in 3-4 months with passport
- No interviews, No language tests, No business experience.
- St Kitts passport offers visa free travel to United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany to 120 countries.
- Citizenship for family and children.
- No residence requirements and no requirement to visit or live in St Kitts,No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax
- Discrete and Confidential application process.
- Citizenship not reported to other countries.
- Lifetime citizenship for family and children
- St Kitts passport issued is valid for 10 years.
- Request a free quote
Antigua & Barbuda
- USD 100,000 (one-time donation to NDF government fund) or USD 150,000 contribution UWI
- University Fund or USD 200,000 Real estate investment.
- Economic Citizenship by investment program (CIP)
Qualifying investments (donation, real estate, business capital) - Antigua citizenship/passport in 3 months.
- Antigua passport valid for 5 years and must be present in the country for 5 years to renew the passport after expiry.
- Permanent residence card with citizenship.
- Citizenship through $400,000 real estate investment in approved Antigua property developments.
- No interviews, No language tests, No business experience.
- Antigua passport offers visa free travel to United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany to 120 countries.
- Lifetime Citizenship for family and children against one time investment.
- No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income, capital gains taxes
- Confidential and discrete citizenship application process.
- Citizenship is confidential and not reported to other countries.
- Antigua allows dual citizenship allowed with other countries.
- Request a free quote
USA
Investor migration programmes in the United States and Canada are very popular.
United States
- USD 900,000 or USD 1,800,000 (EB-5 investor 2019 changes from Nov 21)
- World’s most popular immigrant investor program
- Business investment with job create in major urban or rural US cities.
- Residency by investment (Green card permanent resident status)
- Qualifying investments (business venture, real estate projects, other investments that create jobs through regional centers)
- US Citizenship after 5 years of uninterrupted living
Live anywhere in the US. - Must live permanently in the US, not absent for more than 3 months.
- US imposes taxes on worldwide income to EB5 investors
- Processing time anywhere 15-18 months.
- Family and children qualify for green card.
- Request a free quote
Canada
- Quebec investor program QIIP (limited quota of 1900 every year)
- Investment can be financed for CAD 550,000 (instead of C$1.2m)
- Permanent residency by investment in Quebec, Canada
- Risk free investment as investment money refunded after 5 years.
- Must move and live in Canada permanently (cannot be absent for more than 3 months)
- Qualifying investments (business investment creating jobs)
- Education, language skills, business experience, net assets are required to qualify
- Canadian citizenship after 3 years of living (requires PR status)
- Long processing times and often overcrowded. because of limited country quota .
- Canadian taxes apply for holders of permanent resident status.
- Financing options available.
- Request a free quote
Fiji
- USD 125,000 (Fiji investment visa)
- Residency by investment
- Qualifying investments: real estate, property investment
- Fiji Citizenship after 5 years of living
- No requirement to permanently live in Fiji
- Family and children qualify for visa.
Bahamas
- USD 500,000 (Bahamas investor program)
- Residency by investment (permanent residency)
- Qualifying investments: Real estate property investment
- Bahamian citizenship after 10 years of living
- No corporate income tax, value added tax, or wealth tax
- Purchase a property or home in Bahamas
Colombia
- USD 200,000 (Colombia investor program)
- Residency by investment
- Qualifying investments (real estate, business investment)
- Colombian Citizenship after 10 years of living (exceptions are spanish, caribbean nationals can get in one or two years)
- No requirement to live in the country
- Family and children qualify for investor visa.
PANAMA
- USD 200,000 (Panama investor program)
- Residency by investment (permanent)
- Qualifying investments: Real estate investment
- Panama citizenship after 5 years of living in Panama.
- Tax haven for offshore company formations.
- Property investment in Panama real estate market.
- No exchange controls, No tax treaties with other countries.
BRAZIL
- Brazil golden visa scheme launched in 2018
- USD 140,000 ( VIPER program) or
- Brazil real estate USD 180,000
- Residency by investment (permanent)
- Qualifying investments: business, real estate property
Citizenship after 4 years. - Buy a real estate or invest in business in Brazil
- No requirement to live in the country.
- Brazil passport ranked 21st best passport in the world.
HONG KONG
- USD 800,000 (Hong Kong business investment visa)
- Residency by investment program
- Qualifying investments (business enterprise)
- Investment in biggest asian financial capital and trade center.
- Hong Kong Citizenship after 7 years of living ( acquiring chinese nationality, cant be dual citizen)
- Low tax jurisdiction on corporate and income taxes .
- Hong kong passport ranked 20th best passport in the world with visa free access to 154 countries.
SINGAPORE
- SGD 2,500,000 (USD 1.85m) (Global investor program)
- Residency by investment (PR status) in the best asian city to live.
- Qualifying investments (business venture)
- Singapore Citizenship after 2 years of PR status.
- Best scheme for making substantial financial investment in Singapore.
- Spouse and unmarried children given permanent residence status along with investor
- Favourable tax regime benefiting foreign investors
- Singapore passport ranked top 5 best passports in the world.
- Singapore is single citizenship country (dual citizenship not allowed
SEYCHELLES
- USD 1,000,000 (business venture capital)
- Residency by investment (given PR status)
- Qualifying investments (business venture)
- Offshore tax haven with bank secrecy laws famous for company incorporations.
- Seychelles Citizenship after 11 years of living.
- Spouse and minor children can apply for PR.
MAURITIUS
- USD 500,000 (Mauritius investor program)
- Qualifying investments: Real estate property investment program
- Mauritius Citizenship after 2 years of living
- Biggest offshore financial center and low tax jurisdiction for trading and shipping companies.
- No requirement to live in the country.
Investments in hotels, resorts or real estate developments.
BELIZE
- $80,000Per ApplicantWhile not quite as well-known as Central American neighbour Guatemala when it comes to second citizenship, Belize has already established itself as a popular location for offshore banking and has the potential to conquer the citizenship by investment market.
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- Visa Free Travel 95 Countries
- Offshore Banking & Corporations
- Passport 10 Year Validity
- No Minimum Residency Required
- National Identity Card Included
- Driver’s License Included
- Zero Income Tax For The First 5yrs
- Passport Within 90 Working Days
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EI SALVADOR
- $85,000Per ApplicantEl Salvador has long been a desirable location for foreign investors searching for second citizenship and a powerful passport. It’s passport ranks in the world’s Top-40. It’s second citizenship program is one of the most economical in today’s growing market.
- Visa Free Travel 120 Countries
- Passport Has 5 Year Validity
- No Minimum Residency Required
- National Identity Card Included
- Driver’s License Included
- Access 26 Schengen Zone Countries
- Passport And Identity Card 45 Working Days
- Full Medical Included
- Free 2hr Consultation By Phone
COSTA RICA
- Costa Rica Citizenship$90,000Per ApplicantIn the past two decades, Costa Rica has become one of the most desirable locations on the planet to holiday, purchase property, even live, thanks to its blend of natural beauty, friendly locals and a government which pushes ecology to the forefront.
- Ranked In The Top 30 Passports
- Visa Free Travel For 134 Countries
- Passport Is Renewable For Life
- No Minimum Residency Required
- National Identity Card Included
- Driver’s License Included
- Live And Work In Schengen Area
- Passport Within 60 Working Days
- Free 2hr Consultation By Phone
NICARARGUA
- $100,000Per ApplicantNicaragua, a beautiful country, is an enticing mixture of bustling towns and growing cities that reflect a growing economy, fabulous beaches full of holidaymakers, and dense rainforests ecotourists, a country that doesn’t sacrifice ecology for economy.
- Top 50 Passport Rank
- Visa Free Travel 112 Countries
- Passport 5 Year Validity
- No Minimum Residency
- National Identity Card
- Driver’s License
- Live & Work In Schengen Area
- Passport & National Identity 60 Days
- Free 2hr Consultation By Phone
GUATEMALA
- $75,000Per ApplicantGuatemala has long been a desirable location for foreign investors searching for second citizenship and a powerful passport. It’s passport ranks in the world’s Top-40, and it’s second citizenship program is the most economical in today’s ever-growing market.
- Passport And Identity Card 60 Days
- Visa Free Travel 119 Countries
- Easy Employment In Many Countries
- Obtain Residency In EU Countries
- Guatemalan Citizenship & Protection
- International Banking And Loans
- Schengen And UK Access
Oceania
Immigration to Australia and New Zealand through investor schemes are immensely popular.
AUSTRALIA
- Residency by investment scheme most popular among HNW investors
- Qualifying investments (business investment activity)
- Australian Citizenship after 4 years of living
- Must spend 40 days every year in Australia.
- Australian residency offered to family and children.
- Fast application process with 2 months processing time.
NEW ZEALAND
- NZD 1,000,000 (NZ Investor 1 and 2 stream)
- Investor visa scheme suited for Ultra High-net worth investors
- Residency by investment
- Qualifying investments (mix of funds, bonds, assets)
- New Zealand Citizenship after 5 years
- Request a free quote
VANUATU
- USD 130,000 one time contribution (fastest citizenship within 1.5 months and simple application process)
- Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (DSP and VCP Contribution program)
- Qualifying investments: One time contribution
- Vanuatu citizenship in 1 month (fastest processing times)
- No income tax, capital gains or estate taxes
- Vanuatu passport offers visa free access to 126 countries including EU schengen states, UK, Russia.
- Freedom becoming a dual citizen.
- Additional costs apply for family application.
- Request a free quote
SAMOA
- USD 1.65 million investment in real estate, tourism, agriculture, IT etc
- Samoa Citizenship by Investment Program
- Citizenship after 3 years of holding permanent residence card.
- Must hold net assets of US$ 1 million
Dual citizenship allowed - Samoa passport has visa free travel to Russia, Canada, United Kingdom, Schengen Area to 114 countries
- Request a free quote
Which one is the best citizenship by investment passport?
Here is our verdict:
- Cheapest citizenship/passport: Antigua (families), Dominica and St Lucia (one person)
- Best European citizenship/passport: Cyprus
- Fastest Citizenship / Passport: Vanuatu (1.5 months)
- Most valuable citizenship/passport: Malta, Bulgaria
- Fastest European citizenship/passport: Cyprus, Montenegro
- Best European Golden visa: Portugal, Greece, Malta
- Best Caribbean citizenship/passport: Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis
- Best Property investment golden visa: Greece, Portugal
Quick Summary
Here are a quick summary of all the citizenship and residency programs currently available:
- Citizenship by Investment Passports (CIP)
- Residency by Investment Programs
- Country Started in Minimum Investment ** Investment
- Residency requirements Time for citizenship
- Portugal 2012 € 350,000 Real estate 7 days/year 6 years
- Spain 2012 € 500,000 Real estate none 10 years
- United States 1993 $ 900,000 Employment must live permanently in US 5 years
- United Kingdom 1994 £ 2,000,000 Bonds / Shares must live permanently in UK (9 months per year) 6 years
- Canada 1990 C$ 1,200,000 Govt Bonds Immediate PR but must live in Canada for citizenship 3 years
- Greece 2014 € 250,000 Real estate none 7 years
- Hungary 2015 € 300,000 (closed) Bonds none 8 years
- Latvia 2010 €250,000 Business none 10 years
- Italy 2017 €500,000 Startups 10 years
- Australia 2012 A$ 1,500,000 Business 40 days/year 4 years
- Switzerland 2011 $ 1,000,000 Business must live permanently 10 years
- New Zealand N$ 3,000,000 Business 146 days/year 5 years
- Belgium 2012 € 300,000 Business none 5 years
- Ireland 2012 € 500,000 Endowment 1 day 5 years
- Netherlands 2014 € 1,250,000 Startups funds none 5 years
- Bulgaria 2009 € 512,000 Real estate none 4 years
- Malta 2012 € 125,000 Bonds/Stocks must live permanently 5 years
- Cyprus 2012 € 300,000 Real Estate must live permanently 8 years
Qualifying Investment Routes to Citizenship
Real Estate Investment Donation to Government fund Government bonds Business Investment Bank Deposit Art, Culture, Research, Public Interest
| Spain Portugal Latvia Ireland Malta Cyprus Andorra Monaco St Kitts & Nevis Antigua & Barbuda Dominica St Lucia Grenada Panama Fiji Bahamas Greece Turkey Malta St Kitts & Nevis |
Dominica Antigua & Barbuda St Lucia Comoros Vanuatu Grenada United Kingdom Hungary St Lucia Canada Cyprus Malta Bulgaria Turkey Australia New Zealand Belgium Switzerland Portugal Spain |
St Lucia Hong Kong Singapore United States United Kingdom Netherlands Latvia Seychelles Antigua & Barbuda St Lucia Ireland Netherlands Italy Cyprus Latvia United Kingdom Turkey Portugal Spain Ireland |
If you are interested in any of these programs please contact us for a free quote with a private consultation.
Official Government References
Please note for all the programs, as per Government rules, you have to apply through authorized agents and service providers rather than approaching the Government directly. Please contact Honeywell Integrated Services and we will help you with a consulting agency.
About Best Citizenships
Best Citizenships is a citizenship planning comparison platform for global investment citizenship and residency programs in the world. We work with trusted partners providing a wide range of services, such as real estate, tax planning and immigration to very wealthy investors and their families. Best Citizenships has assisted several investment firms, investors and families to immigrate to Europe and North America over the past 8 years.
Please contact us below for more information and our team is happy to assist with your queries.