Citizenship by Investment Programs Comparison

Explore the ultimate guide to citizenship by investment programs, comparing the benefits, requirements, and opportunities of various countries.

Find the perfect path to dual citizenship for your and tour family. Choose the best CBI program for your needs to unlock a world of freedom, security, and new opportunities.

Key Facts
  • Average duration of application process: 4 Months
  • Average minimum investment: USD 165,000

Compare a citizenship program in order to choose the best:

Nauru
  • Nauru
  • Grenada
  • Dominica
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Vanuatu
Grenada
  • Nauru
  • Grenada
  • Dominica
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Vanuatu
Dominica
  • Nauru
  • Grenada
  • Dominica
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Vanuatu
Investment in real estate
Minimum amount (in USD)
Holding Period (in years)
Requirement to reside
Type of real estate
Donation
Description of investment option
Minimum amount (in USD)
Additional requirements for donation
Other investment options
Minimum amount (in USD)
Additional requirements
Inclusion of family members
Spouse and children
Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Cheapest CBI program for single investor
Cheapest CBI program for family of 4
Travel benefits
Visa-free countries
UK Visa
USA Visa
Canada Visa
Hong Kong Visa
China Visa
Singapore Visa
Passport validity
Application process
Processing time
Mandatory Interview
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HOW TO SELECT BEST CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM?

The first and the most important criteria is to evaluate and compare the list of visa free countries each CBI program is ready to offer. Countries where you can buy citizenship differs depending on the available travel benefits, including visa-free travel, passport ranking, and access to international markets.

For instance, most Caribbean citizenship by investment programs offers visa free travels to EU countries, the UK and Canada. While European citizenship by investment programs give visa free access to Australia and Canada. Some of the countries can offer a free travel for business and tourism in China and Singapore, while the others have a better connectivity with Americas.

Before applying for a second citizenship, consider the possible tax implications, including tax residency, possible property taxes, tax exemptions, and reporting requirements.

Some citizenship by investment countries may require you to pay taxes only on the income remitted to the country; while others might have stricter tax regulation. Most of Caribbean CBI programs are known as a safe tax harbour for high net worth individuals, offering 0% rate or no tax over inheritance, wealth and capital gains.

When choosing a country that allows dual citizenship by investment, carefully assess if your immediate family members, including spouse, children and parents, be included in the application. Usually the age and financial limitations are being imposed on a family members in order to be eligible for the program.

Some countries that offer citizenship by investment may not allow adding new family members in the future. Certain CBI programs limits the immediate family members who can be included into the application to spouse and children only; while others allow to include siblings and even grandparents.

Prior to applying for a CBI program learn more about the necessity to reside in a country prior to becoming their citizen. Some citizenship and residency by investment programs in European Union might require up to few years of residing in a country before being able to apply for economic citizenship or permanent residency there.

Certain CBI programs may require you to get a temporary residence in their country after becoming a citizen or visit it for a specific number of times.

Countries that offer citizenship by investment differs significantly depending on the amount of minimum investment contribution required. The amount of the minimum investment contribution may change depending on a chosen investment option and composition of family. Usually, the less expensive options include donation in a country’s government’s fund or into bonds.

The amount of additional fees like due diligence and processing fees should also be taken into consideration, as it affects the total cost of the application process. The whole economic citizenship application process include also minor administrative fees like banking charges, mail delivery services and administrative expenses.

Before deciding for which citizenship by investment program to apply for, the timeline of application process should be taken into consideration. Everything depends on how quickly the required documents for the application could be provided.

Some CBI countries like Vanuatu allows you to get the citizenship within 45 days. This is the most straightforward application process available today. The citizenship application process in Caribbean CBI programs, for instance, takes more time and the average timeline is up to 10 months. The longest application process to get the economic citizenship is in the European Union lasting up to 2 years.

The second passport is a way to get access to various educational opportunities for yourself and your kids. One of the reasons to buy citizenship by investment is to get an unlimited access to numerous scholarships for master or bachelor studies worldwide. For instance, students holding Caribbean citizenship can cover up to 100% of their tuition fees to study in Australia, the UK or Canada.

The passport of certain countries can also give you an opportunity to obtain permanent residence in the UK,  Australia or Canada upon fulfillment of certain requirements.

Check the eligibility requirements first. Some investment programs do not accept applicants who were denied in citizenship, permanent or temporary residence permit by the EU, UK or Canada. Other CBI programs do not offer their economic citizenship to individuals holding a nationality of certain countries.

Another important criteria is a good health and absence of contagious or contaminating diseases. Each CBI program has their own health checklist which they apply towards applicants.

For many applicants the reputation and reviews play a crucial role in deciding which CBI program to choose. Some of the investors seek to apply for the most old and reputable programs like St Kitts and Nevis, for instance. For other applicants the passport score in a world ranking is a decisive criteria.

The first and the most important criteria is to evaluate and compare the list of visa free countries each CBI program is ready to offer. Countries where you can buy citizenship differs depending on the available travel benefits, including visa-free travel, passport ranking, and access to international markets.

For instance, most Caribbean citizenship by investment programs offers visa free travels to EU countries, the UK and Canada. While European citizenship by investment programs give visa free access to Australia and Canada. Some of the countries can offer a free travel for business and tourism in China and Singapore, while the others have a better connectivity with Americas.

Before applying for a second citizenship, consider the possible tax implications, including tax residency, possible property taxes, tax exemptions, and reporting requirements.

Some citizenship by investment countries may require you to pay taxes only on the income remitted to the country; while others might have stricter tax regulation. Most of Caribbean CBI programs are known as a safe tax harbour for high net worth individuals, offering 0% rate or no tax over inheritance, wealth and capital gains.

When choosing a country that allows dual citizenship by investment, carefully assess if your immediate family members, including spouse, children and parents, be included in the application. Usually the age and financial limitations are being imposed on a family members in order to be eligible for the program.

Some countries that offer citizenship by investment may not allow adding new family members in the future. Certain CBI programs limits the immediate family members who can be included into the application to spouse and children only; while others allow to include siblings and even grandparents.

Prior to applying for a CBI program learn more about the necessity to reside in a country prior to becoming their citizen. Some citizenship and residency by investment programs in European Union might require up to few years of residing in a country before being able to apply for economic citizenship or permanent residency there.

Certain CBI programs may require you to get a temporary residence in their country after becoming a citizen or visit it for a specific number of times.

Countries that offer citizenship by investment differs significantly depending on the amount of minimum investment contribution required. The amount of the minimum investment contribution may change depending on a chosen investment option and composition of family. Usually, the less expensive options include donation in a country’s government’s fund or into bonds.

The amount of additional fees like due diligence and processing fees should also be taken into consideration, as it affects the total cost of the application process. The whole economic citizenship application process include also minor administrative fees like banking charges, mail delivery services and administrative expenses.

Before deciding for which citizenship by investment program to apply for, the timeline of application process should be taken into consideration. Everything depends on how quickly the required documents for the application could be provided.

Some CBI countries like Vanuatu allows you to get the citizenship within 45 days. This is the most straightforward application process available today. The citizenship application process in Caribbean CBI programs, for instance, takes more time and the average timeline is up to 10 months. The longest application process to get the economic citizenship is in the European Union lasting up to 2 years.

The second passport is a way to get access to various educational opportunities for yourself and your kids. One of the reasons to buy citizenship by investment is to get an unlimited access to numerous scholarships for master or bachelor studies worldwide. For instance, students holding Caribbean citizenship can cover up to 100% of their tuition fees to study in Australia, the UK or Canada.

The passport of certain countries can also give you an opportunity to obtain permanent residence in the UK,  Australia or Canada upon fulfillment of certain requirements.

Check the eligibility requirements first. Some investment programs do not accept applicants who were denied in citizenship, permanent or temporary residence permit by the EU, UK or Canada. Other CBI programs do not offer their economic citizenship to individuals holding a nationality of certain countries.

Another important criteria is a good health and absence of contagious or contaminating diseases. Each CBI program has their own health checklist which they apply towards applicants.

For many applicants the reputation and reviews play a crucial role in deciding which CBI program to choose. Some of the investors seek to apply for the most old and reputable programs like St Kitts and Nevis, for instance. For other applicants the passport score in a world ranking is a decisive criteria.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTION

Q:

What is the average duration of citizenship by investment application process?

The average duration of a citizenship by investment application process varies depending on the country and program. All CBI programs could be roughly divided into three groups.

First group is a fast-track programs like St Lucia or Vanuatu, where the average duration is in between 2 and 6 months. Second group is a standard track programs, where application process lasts from 6 to 12 months (e.g. Grenada or St Kitts and Nevis). The last group is complex CBI programs, like Portugal or Malta, with average duration from 12 to 36 months.

Q:

Can I be denied in citizenship by investment?

Yes, you can be denied in getting an economic citizenship by investment. The issuing authority may refuse to issue the citizenship once the background check process identifies fraud, previous criminal convictions or ongoing criminal investigations.

Q:

What does the concept 'economic citizenship' mean?

This is a legal concept which was introduced in late 1980s to name a deal under which individuals get a residency or citizenship of foreign country in exchange for significant investment.

The idea of economic citizenship represents a fair exchange between sovereign individuals willing to get a citizenship and a third country willing to attract foreign capital and stimulate economic growth.

Q:

Can the citizenship by investment be revoked?

As a general rule the citizenship by investment is granted for life and cannot be revoked. However, the legislation of CBI programs provide an exclusive list of exceptional circumstances under which such a revocation is possible.

While the specific grounds for revocation vary by country, common reasons include: (1) national security concerns; (2) failure to meet basic investment requirements; (3) provision of false or misleading information during the application process.

Q:

How to choose the best investment option?

There is no such a thing as a best investment option. The selection of the investment route depends on personal needs and goals of each investor. An investment option which suits one case, may not be applicable for another case.

When selecting an investment option the following considerations should be taken into account: involved costs, eligibility for the selected program and post-approval conditions (e.g. lock-in period to sell the property within 5 years).

Q:

Can I include my children into application?

Yes, you can include children into economic citizenship application. The inclusion of children usually depends on the eligibility criteria such as age or economic independence.

On top of that, most CBI programs allow to include siblings, parents and even grandparents.

Q:

What is due diligence check?

A due diligence check is a thorough background investigation of an applicant’s personal and professional history, conducted as part of the citizenship by investment application process. It is aimed to identify the legality of applicant’s financial sources as well as cross check information provided.

Q:

What documents are required for the citizenship by investment application?

The list of required documents differs significantly from country to country.

The general list of documents usually includes: (1) personal documents (e.g. driving license, passport, residence card etc.); (2) family documents (e.g. divorce or marriage certificate); (3) financial documents (e.g. bank statements) and (4) character documents (e.g. criminal certificate, CV, bank reference).

Failure to submit the requested documents may result in delay of application process as well as additional administrative fees.

Q:

Should I travel to the country in order to submit documents?

No, the whole citizenship by investment application process is conducted 100 % remotely.

The required documents for the application are sent in scans first. Later on, some of the documents should be sent further via mail in hard copies.

Q:

Where should I submit documents in order to apply for the economic citizenship?

All documents should be submitted to the respective citizenship by investment unit of the selected country strictly via:

licensed agent or their registered sub-agents; or

– licensed marketing promoters.

 

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