20 Countries Offer Residency or Citizenship by Investment

Have you ever dreamed of having a second passport? Maybe it’s for easier travel, better business opportunities, or simply a solid Plan B. Well, you’re not alone! More and more people are looking into citizenship by investment (CBI) and residency by investment (RBI) programs.

I’m Neil Lance, and I’ve personally navigated this world, holding four citizenships and multiple residencies across the globe. I’ve helped over a thousand clients obtain second residencies and citizenships. Let me walk you through some of the countries that offer a fast track to citizenship through investment.

What are Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programs?

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs are a legitimate way to get citizenship in another country. You make a significant investment in their economy, and in return, you and your family can become citizens.

This investment can take different forms. A donation to the government, or buying real estate in the country are common options. These programs offer a path to global mobility and financial security.

The Caribbean CBI Programs: A Quick Comparison

The Caribbean is a popular destination for CBI programs. These islands offer relatively affordable options and straightforward processes. The passports usually offer visa-free travel to many countries. Let’s take a look at some of the Caribbean countries offering CBI.

01. St. Kitts and Nevis: A Classic CBI Option

St. Kitts and Nevis is one of the oldest CBI programs. The investment options include a $250,000 donation to the Sustainable Growth Fund. The other option is a $325,000 investment in approved real estate.

Pros: Established program, visa-free travel to numerous countries.
Cons: Can be more expensive than other Caribbean options.

02. Dominica: The Cheapest Route to a Second Passport

Dominica is often the most budget-friendly option. You can obtain citizenship with a $200,000 donation to the government fund. The other option is investing $200,000 in approved real estate. If you are looking for an affordable Caribbean passport, Dominica could be it.

03. St. Lucia: An Affordable and Straightforward Choice

St. Lucia offers a similar price point to Dominica. You can invest $200,000 through a donation. Or, you can invest $300,000 in real estate. St. Lucia is known for having a pretty straightforward process.

04. Grenada: Real Estate Outside the Hurricane Belt

Grenada requires a $235,000 donation. Or, you can invest $270,000 into real estate. A key advantage of Grenada is that it lies outside the major hurricane belt. Investing in real estate here is a safer bet. Hurricanes can devastate other Caribbean islands.

While hurricane insurance exists, it doesn’t always cover everything. I was born in Puerto Rico. I know firsthand the destruction hurricanes can cause. Grenada offers peace of mind.

05. Antigua and Barbuda: A Tax-Free Paradise

Antigua and Barbuda requires a $230,000 donation. One of the biggest perks of Antigua and Barbuda is its tax-free environment. You can live on these beautiful islands without worrying about income tax. It’s also considered a safe place to live. This makes it an attractive option.

Compared to St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda is generally considered safer. Both offer a tax-free environment, so the choice depends on personal preference.

06. Caribbean CBI: Processing Time Considerations

Keep in mind that processing times for Caribbean CBI programs have increased. What used to take 3-6 months can now take over a year. This is due to the high volume of applications these programs are experiencing. Plan accordingly and be patient.

07. Latin America: Residency vs. Citizenship

Latin America has some great passport options. Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Mexico offer solid passports. They provide good access to the world. Unlike the Caribbean, these countries don’t offer direct CBI programs. Instead, they offer permanent residency through investment. After a period of residency, you can apply for citizenship.

08. Mexico: Permanent Residency for Americans and Canadians

Mexico is a popular choice for Americans and Canadians seeking residency. You can obtain permanent residency by showing proof of sufficient income or savings. Many choose to live in Mexico. They learn the language and eventually pursue citizenship.

09. Argentina: A Path to Citizenship Through Investment

Argentina is another attractive option for citizenship. Generally, you need to live there for two years before applying. However, there’s a possibility of skipping the naturalization process. If you make significant contributions to the country, a judge might waive the requirement. I speak native Spanish, so for me, getting Argentinian citizenship would be easier.

The “Skipping the Naturalization Process” Exception

It’s rare to skip the naturalization process in Argentina. It’s decided on a case-by-case basis. There’s no way to pay for this. It depends on how much value you bring to the country.

10. Paraguay: Proceed with Caution

Be careful with Paraguay. It’s often promoted as an easy route to citizenship, but that’s not really the case. You can’t just visit for a few days each year and expect to get citizenship. They require you to be there for more than six months a year. While there are ways to bypass this, they aren’t always legal. I wouldn’t recommend it. A judge could easily deny your application.

11. Europe: Malta’s High-End CBI Program

Malta offers a direct citizenship by investment program. It’s one of the pricier options. It will cost around $1.1 or $1.2 million in donations and fees. You will also need to invest in real estate. The big advantage is a top-tier EU passport with access to the US.

If you’re a high-net-worth individual seeking EU citizenship, Malta is an option. Even if you are a US citizen renouncing, this could be a good option. You’ll need to spend time in Malta and obtain residency before getting your passport. The due diligence process is extensive. They’ll check your entire life.

Who is Malta’s CBI Program For?

Malta’s CBI program isn’t for everyone. It’s designed for high-net-worth individuals wanting EU citizenship. Or, for US citizens renouncing their citizenship. The due diligence is very thorough.

12. Portugal’s Golden Visa: A Path to EU Citizenship

Portugal’s Golden Visa program offers another path to EU citizenship. You can invest $500,000 into a fund. After five or six years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship. The money is invested, not donated. I have clients from the US who did this 3-4 years ago. They’ll soon be eligible for citizenship. Find out more about the Portugal Golden Visa.

The Timeline of the Portuguese Golden Visa

It takes time to get the Golden Visa approved. The five-year citizenship eligibility starts when you apply for the visa. The visa itself can take around three years to get. That time counts toward citizenship.

13. Austria: Citizenship by Exception

Austria offers citizenship by exception. This requires a significant investment of around $5 to $8 million EUR or more. It can take over two years to get an Austrian passport. Unless you have strong ties to Austria, there are better options.

14. Spain: A Shortcut for Latin Americans and Filipinos

Spain can be a good option for Latin Americans and Filipinos. The Spanish Golden Visa may be closing. However, you can still get a residency permit. Live there for two years. Then, apply for a Spanish passport.

Even though I was born in Puerto Rico and speak native Spanish, I haven’t done this. I don’t want to live in Spain full-time. Plus, you have to pay taxes for those two years. Getting out of Spanish tax residency can be tough. It can be a tricky situation.

15. Serbia: Citizenship by Exception

Serbia doesn’t have a direct CBI program. However, you can get citizenship by exception. Start a business. Invest in the country. Commit to living there. You can get a Serbian passport. Some say Serbia will join the EU. I don’t see that happening soon. Still, it’s a solid passport for diversification.

16. Africa: Limited CBI Options

Africa has limited CBI options. Sierra Leone, Ghana, Comoros and Egypt have some programs. If you have African ancestry, you might be able to get citizenship in Ghana. I wouldn’t recommend the Egyptian passport. It doesn’t offer much travel freedom.

17. Cape Verde: A Promising Future CBI Program

We’re working on launching a Cape Verde CBI program. If you buy real estate, you could get citizenship within six months or a year. It’s not the best passport, but it has good relationships with Portugal and Brazil. It could lead to expedited residency in Portuguese-speaking countries.

18. Middle East and Asia: Turkey’s Popular Real Estate Option

Turkey has a popular citizenship by investment program. Invest $400,000 in real estate. You get your Turkish passport in about a year. This program has helped many people. You don’t have to donate anything. You buy property and get the passport.

19. Jordan: A Less Attractive CBI Program

Jordan has a CBI program. But it’s not really relevant for most people. You have to invest a lot of money. The Jordanian passport doesn’t provide much travel freedom.

20. Cambodia: Diversification for Chinese Citizens

Cambodia offers citizenship by investment. Donate around $250,000. Or invest over $300,000 in real estate. Many Chinese citizens have used this program to diversify away from China. Citizenship also allows you to buy land in Cambodia.

21. Pakistan: An Unconventional Option for Commonwealth Citizens

Pakistan offers citizenship by investment for Commonwealth citizens. Give them $18,000. You can get a Pakistani passport. It’s arguably one of the worst passports. It doesn’t offer much access to the world. It could cause more hassle than it’s worth.

22. Pacific Islands: Vanuatu and Nauru

Vanuatu and Nauru passports don’t provide much access to the world. But they can be a good Plan B. Especially if you already have access to the world.

Vanuatu: Tax Free Benefits

Vanuatu offers tax-free benefits. You can buy cheap land. Australians can move to Vanuatu. Then, they can avoid paying taxes on their crypto or personal income.

Defunct CBI Programs: A History Lesson

Some countries used to have CBI programs. Montenegro, Cyprus, and Bulgaria no longer do. Maybe one of them will come back.

Avoiding Citizenship Scams: A Crucial Warning

Be careful of citizenship scams. There are many fake options out there. You could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Conclusion

Obtaining a second citizenship can provide many benefits. It’s about diversification and freedom. From the Caribbean to Europe to the Pacific, numerous countries offer paths to citizenship. Explore your options. Choose wisely. Your journey to global citizenship starts now.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It’s not financial or legal advice. Consult with professionals for personalized advice.