Top 5 countries where you can get Citizenship by Investment

Investing in second citizenship can offer you multiple benefits. It could be for easing mobility between countries without the requirement of a visa, wealth optimization, establishing a business in another country, or even forstability, safety, and security of your family.

Citizenship by Investment programs allows you to legally obtain an alternative nationality which enables the recipients to have extensive visa free access and to enable one to reside in countries that offer political stability and security.

Here are the top 5 countries that offer multiple programs under Citizenship by Investment

1. Commonwealth of Dominica

The Commonwealth of Dominica is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica established its Citizenship by Investment program in 1993 and is one among the longest-running Citizenship by Investment programs in the World.

These programs were introduced as a means of boosting the economy and bringing in much-needed foreign investments. Citizenship Programs are available for an individual or a family.

Applicants to the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program can make their financial contribution in one of two ways:

a. A Donation into the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)

b. A Minimum Real Estate Investment of US $200,000 into a Government approved Project.

Interestingly, there are no residency requirements for this program.

It is one of the most affordable as well as flexible citizenship programs that are available today, with a processing time of only 4 months. Individuals holding a Commonwealth of Dominica passport enjoy visa-free access to over 150 countries across the globe.

2. St. Kitts and Nevis

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is an island country in the West Indies located in the Caribbean Sea,

In 1984, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis established the world’s first Citizenship by Investment Programme.

Applicants to the St. Kitts Citizenship by Investment Programmehave various routes to choose from:

a. A Donation into the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF)

b. The minimum real estate investment required by law is US$200,000 (resalable after 7 years) or US$400,000 (resalable after 5 years) for each main applicant.

c. Private Home Sale (Limited Period Offer)

d. Alternative Investment Route

The processing time for this program is anywhere between 3 to 6 months. It allows its citizens toenjoy visa-free access to over 150 destinations.

Like all other Citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean St Kitts & Nevis too does not have a minimum residency requirement.

3. Saint Lucia

St. Lucia, much like Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis, is also an island country in the Caribbean Sea. In 2016, it introduced its citizenship by investment program.

St Lucia offers its applicants 3 ways to attain Citizenship by Investment. The first one is by investing in an approved real estate property (minimum of $300,000) with a holding period of 5 years. The second option is investing in an approved enterprise project (minimum of $3.to 5 million), plus the creation of 3 or more permanent jobs. The third option is by contributing to the National Economic Fund (minimum of $100,000).

The processing time for St Lucia is around 3 to 4 months. Citizens get visa-free access to over 140 destinations and are not required to visit or stay in the country.

4. Montenegro

Montenegro is a country that is located in the west-central Balkans, south of the Dinaric Alps. Although it is located in Europe, it is not part of the EU. Citizenship by investment in Montenegro is granted based upon two requirements.

The processing time for this program is around 6 months. Citizens gain visa-free access to over 120 locations across the globe.

5. Malta

Malta is one of three islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, Italy. Its citizenship by investment program is also called the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment. This is a program made specifically for really high net-worth individuals.

Applicants are required to show a 36-month residency in the country, and must also contribute to the government’s fund (minimum of €600,000). That is unless individuals want a quicker route to citizenship, for which they must show a 12-month residency and make a contribution to the government’s fund (minimum of €750,000). In addition to the contributions made, individuals must also invest in real estate properties.

The citizenship offered by Malta grants you the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU, plus gives visa-free access to over 180 countries.

We at UNO Capital hope that this list will assist you in deciding on the best program for obtaining citizenship through the means of investment.

If you’d like to speak with us, please contact us by sending us a message, your email, or arrange a video consultation using our partner calendar.

A one-on-one consultation is also available and will be the most effective use of your time in determining the appropriate program for you and your family.

Since these consultations are free, we urge you to take full advantage of them.