Have you ever dreamed of being a citizen of the world? Jet-setting from one exotic location to the next, exploring new cultures, and living a life of luxury? Well, for many people, the idea of obtaining a second passport through citizenship by investment programs is the ultimate dream come true!
These programs offer a unique opportunity to invest in a foreign country’s economy and gain citizenship and all the perks that come with it. From visa-free travel to tax benefits, citizenship by investment programs have become increasingly popular among those seeking a more global lifestyle.
So, if you’re looking to expand your horizons and explore all the world has to offer, read on to discover five countries that provide excellent citizenship by investment programs.
Why People Consider Citizenship by Investment Programs
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There are several reasons why people opt for CBI programs, especially the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs. These programs offer several benefits to investors and their families.
Some of the common reasons why investors are interested in CBI programs are:
Wealth Creation Opportunities
CBI programs allow you to diversify your investments and expand your wealth portfolio. These countries have great wealth-providing potential and help you attain financial security.
Plan B Safety
There’s the constant need and desire for every human to be safe. Fortunately, countries that offer CBI opportunities are among the safest in the world. There’s nothing as sweet as a safe home away from home.
Gift for Posterity
It is the joy of every parent that the well-being of their children is secured. Aside from being legal citizens, future generations have trans-generational wealth that they can thrive on.
5 Best Countries with Citizenship by Investment
While many countries offer citizenship by investment programs, some are considered to be better than others. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five countries that offer excellent citizenship by investment programs. These countries provide a range of benefits to investors, including visa-free travel to many countries, favorable tax regimes, and a high quality of life.
Let’s explore these countries and their citizenship by investment programs in more detail.
Dominica ranks as the country with the best Citizenship by Investment program. Touted as one of the most beautiful places worth visiting, its CBI program began in 1993 and currently grants approved applicants visa-free access to 144 countries.
Here are the available CBI options in Dominica:
I. Real Estate
Investing in real estate to obtain citizenship in Dominica begins at $200,000 USD. You will be required to own the property for at least three years before you are eligible to apply for the CBI program.
II. The Economic Diversification Fund
The lowest level of investment in this fund is $100,000 USD. It is for socio-economic development.
Note that the application for citizenship in Dominica by investment takes three months for approval after every check is completed. However, the country does not require a language test, residence requirement, and interview before approving an applicant’s request. As an applicant, you only need to be above 18 and have a good reputation.
St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis is home to over 50,000 residents. Its tourists enjoy its amazing volcanic sites, awe-inspiring beaches, and alluring rainforests. Its Citizenship by Investment Program began in 1984 and gave rise to the birth of other CBI schemes within and outside the Caribbean– thus, it is the most revered of all. The country’s passport allows you to travel to 157 countries without a visa.
These are the available Citizenship by Investment options in St Kitts and Nevis:
I. Real Estate
Investing in real estate in St Kitts and Nevis begins at 200,000 USD and requires owning the property for at least seven years.
II. Private Home Sale Investment
This investment is for private single-family houses marked as Approved Private Homes. It begins at 400,000 USD and is considered a permanent investment.
III. The SGF
The Sustainable Growth Fund is designed in two phases. The first phase has a Limited Time Offer that runs from the 1st of January 2023 to the 30th of June 2023, with a minimum investment of $125,000 USD and an approval period of two months. Once this offer ends, the second phase begins indefinitely with a minimum investment of $150,000 USD and an approval period of three months.
IV. The Public Benefit Option
This option allows you to invest at least $175,000 USD in a government-approved public benefit investment. You can pay this to an investor that deals in approved public benefits.
You should note that citizenship approval in St Kitts and Nevis takes three months, but you can fast-track it to less than two months using the country’s Accelerated CBI Application. You would, however, need to pay extra. Also, you will not need an interview, residency requirement, or language test to qualify for citizenship.
Antigua and Barbuda is a fascinating Caribbean nation with amazing resorts, a stable economy, and over 200,0000 visitors annually. Its Citizenship by Investment program began in 2013, and today, its passport allows you to travel to 150 countries visa-free.
Antigua and Barbuda have different investment options, with the minimum costing you $100,000 USD. Let’s see the available CBI options in this country:
I. The University of West Indies Fund
The lowest amount for this option is $150,000 USD, and it is only available to investing families of at least six.
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II. Real Estate
Real estate CBI investments in Antigua and Barbuda begin at $200,000 USD. However, you must own the property for at least half a decade.
III. The NDF
The National Development Fund is a non-profit scheme that supports government schemes, public-private projects, and other non-profit investments. The lowest investment amount for every individual is $100,000 USD.
It takes about six months to process Citizenship by Investment in Antigua and Barbuda completely. Also, it was mandatory to live in the country for at least five days to get citizenship until 2020 due to the pandemic. This will become a mandatory requirement again in mid-2023.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu is an Island country on the Pacific Ocean. Its Citizenship by Investment started recently in 2017 but has the most affordable and straightforward CBI. The Vanauatuan passport gives you access to over 125 countries without a visa, including the UK and Schengen countries.
Vanuatu has just one Citizenship by Investment option– under the Vanuatu Development Support Program. In this program, you must invest at least $130,000 USD to support the nation’s economy. Unlike other countries, you can get a Vanuatuan CBI within 30 days and receive your documents digitally.
Grenada can be regarded as a spicy nation, as it largely produces and exports spices, including nutmeg and ginger. The country has eye-catching sites and pleasant attractions. Its Citizenship by Investment program began in 2013 and currently grants holders access to 144 countries without a visa.
These are the CBI options for investors in Grenada:
I. Real Estate
This option requires buying landed property worth at least $350,000 USD and owning it for at least half a decade after being a citizen.
II. The NTF
The National Transformation Fund route requires you to invest at least $150,000 USD to boost the nation’s economy.
Getting citizenship through investment in Grenada takes two to three months after applying. Also, you will not need any travel or stay requirement, interview, or test. You just need to be reputable and have good records.
What’s Your Preferred Option?
Citizenship by Investment programs offer several advantages for you and your loved ones. Explore the pros and cons of each to know which is most appropriate for you and your family.