Residence permit and citizenship by investment: comparison of current programs

Preferences of Russians for immigration for money

The preferences of Russians for obtaining citizenship by investment can be tracked by queries in Yandex. It should be noted that the number of requests has decreased during the coronavirus pandemic. The United States is in first place among the countries where an applicant wishes to obtain citizenship by investment. Canada follows by a significant margin. The lead is even greater for Australia, which is in third place. Malta ranks fourth, followed by Hungary, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Great Britain, Portugal, and Ireland. The fact that the coronavirus has become less widespread in the Caribbean and Pacific Islands than in Europe and the United States has made these regions quite popular among job seekers. For many investors, the coronavirus generally served as a trigger for deciding to become a citizen of another country for investment.

What problems does citizenship by investment solve?

Obtaining a foreign residence permit and citizenship allows you to solve many problems. Even if some of them are not relevant to you, due to the lack of family and children, they still cannot be written off:

• duty-free business;
• travel around the world without a mandatory visa;
• alternative place of residence;
• profitable investment;
• receiving quality medical services;
• purchasing real estate in an elite location, the value of which will increase in the future;
• the opportunity to receive education at renowned universities;
• obtaining a tax residence;
• optimal taxation.

In the modern world, having an “alternate airfield” is not only useful, but also profitable. Based on your goals, you can choose one of the programs for obtaining citizenship by investment. Similar services are offered by numerous intermediary firms and personal business consultants.

Do you want to get EU citizenship in 12 months? Take the free test and find out your chances.

Recent changes in the legislation of countries providing citizenship by investment

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many countries that provide citizenship by investment have changed the regime for granting it. Somewhere it became tougher, somewhere, on the contrary, softer.

In Cyprus, remote acceptance of applications, biometrics and personal visits to the island have been moved to the end of the government's decision-making process on granting citizenship. Most likely, a new law will be adopted, according to which it will be possible to invest by purchasing shares of enterprises.

Malta has reached its quota and applications will be accepted until 30 September 2021. Further applications will be accepted according to new rules: the annual quota will be 400 applications, and the entire program will be limited to 1,500 applications. The non-refundable contribution to the state fund will be EUR 750,000.

In St. Kitts and Nevis, from July 3, 2020 to December 31 , 2020 , to obtain citizenship for a family of 4 people, the amount of the non-refundable (charitable) contribution to the Sustainable Development Fund was reduced from $195 thousand to $150 thousand.

In Antigua and Barbuda the government temporarily offering to invest in the University of the West Indies fund, the investment amount is $150 thousand. In Saint Lucia , from May 12, 2021, the government introduced a repayable option for investment in the economy in exchange for granting citizenship through the purchase of government interest-free COVID coronavirus bonds -19 Relief Bond with the opportunity to return them in 5–7 years.

Saint Kitts and Nevis - from $150,000

Conditions:

1. Non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Development Fund (SGF):

• $150,000 - for the main applicant;
• $25,000 - for a spouse;
• $10,000 - for each additional dependent family member, regardless of age.

2. Joint investment in real estate, when two investors invest $200,000 in real estate (that is, a total of $400,000) and maintain this investment for 7 years.

3. Purchase of real estate in the amount of $400,000 for 5 years.

Advantages:

• Visa-free or simplified entry to 152 countries, including Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore.
• Citizenship for the applicant's entire family, including spouse, children (under 30 years of age) and parents (over 55 years of age).
• Obtaining a second citizenship is possible within 6 months without the need to reside or visit the country.
• Applicant information is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Regimes for granting citizenship and residence permits in different countries

The main countries that sell their citizenship for investment in the national economy can be listed in the following table:

Why get a second citizenship

• Freedom of movement

  Visa-free travel around the world is one of the main advantages that attracts immigrants from Russia and the CIS countries, China and the Middle East. The more countries “open” a second passport, the more interesting the Citizenship by Investment program is on the international market.

• Freedom of residence

  The second passport allows you to immigrate to the chosen state at any time (“alternate airfield” - this is how journalists dubbed this option), although it does not oblige you to do so. Moreover, citizenship of an EU country gives you the opportunity to live and work anywhere in the Union. For example, many become Cypriots or Maltese and spend most of the year in mainland Europe.

• Tax planning

  A second passport does not automatically make a foreigner a tax resident of the new country, but it does simplify the tax planning process.

• Access to all social infrastructure

  Holders of investment passports receive the same rights as all other citizens. The most valuable thing for investors, as a rule, is simplified access to international education for children and quality medicine. All prohibitions that may be imposed on foreigners on running a business or purchasing real estate are also lifted.

Citizenship by investment programs

Dominica Dominica citizenship by investment Duration of obtaining: 2 months. Expenses from $100,000

Malta Maltese citizenship by investment Duration of obtaining: 15 months. Expenses from 1,000,000 €

Bulgaria Bulgarian citizenship by investment Duration of receipt: 24 months. Expenses from 512,000 €

Montenegro Citizenship of Montenegro upon purchase of real estate Duration of receipt: 3 months. Expenses from 350,000 €

Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis by investment Duration of receipt: 2 months. Expenses from 150,000 €

Cyprus Cypriot citizenship by investment Duration of obtaining: 6 months. Expenses from 2,650,000 €

Saint Lucia Citizenship of Saint Lucia by investment Duration of receipt: 3 months. Expenses from $100,000

Turkey Turkish citizenship upon purchase of real estate Deadlines for obtaining: 3 months. Expenses from $250,000

Grenada Citizenship of Grenada by investment Duration of receipt: 4 months. Expenses from $150,000

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda by investment Duration of receipt: 3 months. Expenses from $100,000

Vanuatu Citizenship of Vanuatu by investment Duration of receipt: 1 month. Expenses from $130,000

Cyprus Citizenship of Cyprus upon purchase of real estate Deadlines for obtaining: 6 months. Expenses from 2,150,000 €

There are not so many Citizenship by Investment programs in the world. Many more countries offer to obtain a residence permit first. Read more about economic residence permits here.

Austria

European Union, Schengen area

Austria is the first European country to regulate investment immigration back in 1985. Then the Citizenship Law came into force, allowing the federal government to award foreigners with passports for outstanding achievements, including those of an economic nature.

The disadvantage of the Austrian program is its opacity. The law does not stipulate anywhere the conditions that an investor must fulfill; each case is considered individually. Judging by the experience of immigration consultants, a minimum investment is required - €2.5 million as a charitable contribution and €8 million in business. Priority is given to socially significant projects that create jobs and develop the regional economy.

Pros: in 12-18 months you can get a passport from one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. In addition, investors, as an exception, do not have to renounce their first citizenship and are not required to study the German language and the history of Austria. Read more here.

Antigua and Barbuda

Caribbean, visa-free access to 140+ countries

The Caribbean is a leader in investment immigration. Five countries in the region regularly replenish their budgets at the expense of foreigners and, in exchange, issue them passports. The Antigua and Barbuda program has been in effect since 2013 and offers several options: non-refundable contribution to the state fund (from $100 thousand), purchase of real estate (from $400 thousand), investment in business (from $1.5 million). You will find more information in this article.

The main advantage of the program is the low entry threshold. For just $100 thousand, the investor and up to three members of his family receive passports. Many are also attracted by the speed of obtaining citizenship – 3-6 months. The downside of this program is that a Caribbean passport is essentially just a travel document. It provides visa-free access to more than 140 countries, including Schengen states, but does not allow permanent residence in Europe (which is possible, for example, with Austrian citizenship).

Investment immigration around the world: statistics

The UN report puts the total number of international immigrants at 272 million, or more than 3.5% of the world's population, with three out of four international migrants being of working age. The total value of immigration by investment in 2021 exceeded $3.5 billion. Some of the most popular investment immigration programs have doubled in size over the past decade.

Investment immigration is a process in which countries attract capital from foreign immigrants to provide them with residency or citizenship in exchange for investment. This allows countries to raise funds for various government programs and attract foreign capital. Foreign investors, on the other hand, can legally reside in the investee country, obtain residency or citizenship, and receive many benefits through their new second passport. Russian investors are usually interested in two aspects. The first is freedom in mobility . Most countries offering citizenship by investment programs have high passport ratings. Investors who obtain citizenship receive a second passport that allows visa-free travel to more than 100 countries. They are given the choice to be where they want to be. The second aspect is tax benefits .

The top markets for investment immigration in terms of the largest number of potential clients, according to IMIDaily, are Mainland China (2.02 million), India (438,779), Hong Kong (280,374), Russia (198,524) and Mexico (192,393 ). IMIDaily predicts that the global investment migration market could become a $100 billion industry by 2025. According to the Gallup World Poll, more than 750 million people around the world are willing to move to a new country if they can.

Cyprus

Cyprus grants citizenship to foreigners for investing in various types of assets. When choosing any option, the investor must have real estate in Cyprus worth at least 500 thousand euros.

Minimum amount: 2 million euros

Investment objects: real estate (including the purchase of land and construction projects), business, investment funds, financial assets of Cypriot companies or several options at once, including the purchase of government bonds in the amount of up to 500 thousand euros

Accommodation requirements: no

Together with the main applicant, the following persons receive a passport: spouse, children, parents of the applicant

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Features of investment and immigration programs

1. United States of America : The USA is the most preferred destination for investment immigrants. More than 50 million immigrants live here. The United States has numerous immigration investment programs, including L1, E2, Individual EB-5, and the EB-5 Regional Center.
2. UK : The UK has the fourth largest immigrant population. It offers the UK Tier 1 Investment Programme, which allows immigrants to gain UK citizenship by investing £2 million or more. Another option is the UK Innovator Visa, where the applicant must invest at least £50,000 in a business with an innovative business plan.
3. Canada : Canada is one of the most immigrant-friendly countries with a steadily growing immigrant population. A candidate can quickly obtain permanent residence (approximately 12-18 months) through the Canada Start-Up Visa (Canada SUV) program. Other programs take from 5 to 7 years.
4. Portugal : Portugal has gained popularity as an immigration destination over the past couple of years. This European country has a Golden Residency Program (Golden Visa), which allows immigrants to purchase real estate or invest in various projects to obtain resident status in the country. For entrepreneurs, the Portugal start-up visa program requires a start-up or entrepreneur's investment in an incubator of €175,000.
5. New Zealand: New Zealand is an ideal destination for immigrants looking for a high-quality education system and a reliable healthcare network. The country offers two investment immigrant visas.

Second-tier countries

European, Caribbean and Pacific passports have gained enormous popularity over the decades due to their significant passport benefits. From an attractive tax regime to a visa-free regime or the right to settle in the Schengen countries and around the world; Second citizenship is offered for life (and can be passed on from generation to generation) with a one-time investment. For all Caribbean and Vanuatu investment and immigration programs, investors have the option of donating to the National Development Fund (NDF), real estate and, in some jurisdictions, businesses. Most programs do not require residency, language or professional skills.

Grenada : The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act provides various programs for foreign investors. Donation starts at $150K for one applicant, $200K for a candidate and 3 dependents. The most popular program is a share in the prestigious 5-star hotel brand Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada, starting at $220 thousand. Processing time is 4-6 months. A Grenadian passport holder can enjoy visa-free travel in over 140 countries, including China, and can apply for a visa under the US E-2 Treaty.

Commonwealth of Dominica : Citizenship by investment in Dominica can be acquired through a donation to the government of at least $100,000 for a single applicant, $175,000 for an applicant with a spouse, or $200,000 for an applicant and 3 dependents. Investors can also choose to purchase property outright with a minimum value of $200,000 to obtain a Dominica passport. Processing time is 4-8 months. Dominica passport holders are allowed visa-free travel to over 140 countries.

Antigua and Barbuda: The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program provides the following options for those interested in their passport: a donation of at least $100,000 for a family of four or $125,000 for a family of 5 or more. When choosing a real estate investment option, an investor must invest at least $200 thousand as a joint investment or $400 thousand as a sole investor in a government-approved project. In any case, the Antigua and Barbuda passport allows visa-free entry into more than 165 countries with a processing time of 3 to 6 months.

Vanuatu: Vanuatu's long-term citizenship by investment program has attracted foreign investors for decades. An investor can invest through a government donation with a minimum amount of $130K for a single applicant, $180K for an applicant with 3 dependents and $25K for each additional dependent. Processing time is very short: 2 months.

Cyprus : The Citizenship by Investment program provides the opportunity to become a citizen of the European Union and reside in any member state of the European Union. The program consists of investing at least 2 million euros in one or more real estate properties and making a donation of 150 thousand euros to public investment funds. Processing time takes approximately 12 months.

Austria

Austria offers citizenship to foreigners for special services, which include investments in the country's economy: for example, the introduction of innovative technologies or the creation of a significant number of jobs. An Austrian passport gives the investor the opportunity to live not only in Austria, but also in Switzerland or any EU country.

Minimum amount: unspecified (average 2 million euros)

Investment object: business

Together with the main applicant, the following persons receive a passport: spouse, children

Accommodation requirements: no

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950,000 € Comfortable four-room apartment in the prestigious XIX district of Vienna, Austria Total area 164 m² 3 bedrooms

Income of states from the sale of citizenship throughout their history

The incomes are listed in the following table: Top 5 countries with the highest CBI income, according to our calculations. Please note that official data is not published in some Caribbean countries.

These revenues were used by governments for debt reduction, disaster recovery funds, hospitals, schools, public infrastructure, housing and pensions for local people.

Methodology for compiling ratings of investment programs Henley & Partners

• The 2021 Investment Program Study is the sixth edition and contains the most comprehensive systematic analysis and comparison of the main options for obtaining residence permits and citizenship by investment.
• Independent experts from Knight Frank, The Economist Intelligence Unit, Baker & McKenzie, Fragomen LLP, and PwC took part in creating the ratings. Investors and government officials from different countries were also interviewed. For each criterion, experts gave countries scores (from 0 to 10), after which the results were summed up.
• The ratings are updated annually.
• Henley & Partners provides residential planning consultancy services to private clients and their families. The company also acts as an advisor to various governments in the development and implementation of citizenship or residence by investment programs. Henley & Partners has attracted more than US$8 billion to economies around the world through various investment programs. The company has offices in more than 30 countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Malta, Cyprus, Portugal, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda.

History of Economic Citizenship by Investment Programs

Economic Citizenship by Investment programs have been around for over 40 years, gaining popularity in the 1980s when a number of small Caribbean and Pacific countries sold passports for $50,000. Most of these schemes were discontinued after 2001 due to security problems at that time. It wasn't until 2010 that programs in St. Kitts and Dominica quickly gained popularity. At that time, prices were still high, St. Kitts sold a passport for $250 thousand, and a Dominican passport only $75 thousand (before receiving a Schengen visa refusal).

Not long ago, the Comoros passport program was popular, remaining the cheapest citizenship with an investment of $50 thousand. The program was closed a couple of years ago.

Ireland sold passports for €1 million in the 1990s, but the scheme was closed after a government backlash. Ireland joined the European Union in 1999.

Cyprus was the first EU country to establish a citizenship by investment scheme in 2007. It was later joined by Bulgaria in 2010 and then Malta in 2014.

In 2021, they launched schemes for the sale of citizenship in Moldova and Montenegro, which do not belong to the European Union, but have a number of advantages in the movement of their citizens across its countries. Moldova, however, suspended the scheme until the third quarter of 2021

Types of schemes for providing residence in countries for money. Citizenship by Investment provides 5 types of investment opportunities to obtain immediate citizenship.

1. One-time donation to the state (one time)
2. Investments in real estate (at least $200 thousand)
3. Purchasing government bonds/Treasury securities
4. Business Investments
5. Bank deposit

Citizenship in exchange for money

In most cases, investor programs provide numerous tax benefits for their participants. These include exemption from income tax and tax on inheritance, gift, and purchase of real estate. Let us briefly present the most attractive options for countries where you can acquire citizenship by investment in 2021.

Malta

Primary requirements:

1. Investment of at least 650 thousand euros into the Malta National Development Fund. If you have a family, you must contribute another 25 thousand for each of its members. Family members include parents who are under 55 years of age.
2. Investment of another 500 thousand euros into the economy. Of these, 350 thousand are in real estate, another 150 are in bonds.

The number of quotas for participation in the program is limited.

Cyprus

It is rightfully considered the most popular destination for investors, although the amount of investment is quite significant - 5 million euros in exchange for quickly obtaining a passport. Conditions:

1. Put 5 million in a three-year bank account or invest in bonds.
2. Of this money, 2.5 million must be spent on purchasing real estate.

Together with the investor, his wife and children under 28 years of age will be able to obtain a Cypriot passport.

Bulgaria

Simplification of the legalization procedure for sponsors of the local economy has been in effect here since 2013, provided that:

1. The investor will direct 512 thousand dollars into the economy, but only in those areas indicated by the authorities.
2. Will undertake to continue the investment project for another two or more years after becoming a Bulgarian citizen.

The advantage is that there is no need to renounce residency in your home country.

Austria

The decision to introduce investor programs here was made 30 years ago. In this case, participants can obtain a passport without going through the permanent residence stage. Conditions:

1. Invest in priority sectors.
2. The investment amount is from 10 million euros.
3. Only active investments are allowed.

The legalization process will take 1-1.5 years. Austria, it must be taken into account, is characterized by excessive bureaucracy in this matter, and therefore the decision to assign citizenship largely depends on the personal factor.

Canada

Citizenship by investment can also be obtained in Canada. The most popular program is considered to be presented by the province of Quebec. The investor himself is assessed on a specially developed scale, and it can take up to two years to review the application. Conditions:

1. Knowledge of one of the official languages.
2. Long-term investment (from five years) in the amount of at least 800 thousand local dollars.
3. The applicant's official income must not be less than 1.6 million in the same currency.

After five years of using the invested capital, the country's authorities will return the funds to the sponsor, but without taking into account interest.

Great Britain

In this state, the investor will be required to live permanently for at least 6 months a year. Conditions:

1. Only active investments are taken into account.
2. The investment amount is from 200 thousand pounds.
3. The program participant must take a personal part in the development of the project in which he invests money.
4. It is necessary to create two vacancies for British citizens.
5. Present a justified business project.

Having received approval of his investment plan, the program participant receives a residence permit for three years, then permanent residence for another 6, and only after that can he apply for citizenship.

In a word, it is difficult to call this route of migration to foreign countries simple, but if you choose the right country, you can legalize your status very quickly.

Why shouldn't citizenship be confused with golden visas?

Golden Visa schemes only offer permanent residence (without citizenship) when purchasing property. Greece and Portugal are the most popular. Secondly, citizenship schemes are much cheaper (half the price) than golden visas. Prices for golden visas start at $300,000 for Greece's most popular program.

Golden visa programs attract two types of clients

1. Those who are not interested in a second citizenship or passport;
2. Citizens coming from a country where dual citizenship is limited.

If you do not want to obtain citizenship or a passport, then you can use the Golden Visa Residence Scheme. Please note that only a passport is an accepted travel document worldwide. A residence permit issued by Schengen states is not a passport and can therefore only be used within the Schengen region.

The procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship by investment

Important! The procedure for obtaining citizenship by investment will differ from the procedure established for persons undergoing the general procedure. The general procedure involves registration upon arrival in the Russian Federation, obtaining a temporary residence permit, then a residence permit, and only after a 5-year period has passed, applying for Russian citizenship.

The procedure for obtaining citizenship by investment can be divided into the following stages:

• Arrival in Russia, obtaining a temporary residence permit. Staying in the Russian Federation will be possible with a special permit, which is issued after passing the exam and submitting an application to the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
• Registration of business in the Russian Federation. The registration that foreign citizens undergo will not differ from the procedure that citizens of the Russian Federation undergo. The future entrepreneur will have to collect a certain package of documents, have them certified by a notary and contact the tax authority.
• Residence and activity for 3 years. During this entire period of time, a foreign entrepreneur is required to have a level of income determined by law and pay taxes on it to the country’s treasury;
• Submission of documents to obtain the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation, and it should be taken into account that the package of documents for application will differ from the list of documents provided for naturalization;
• Taking the oath and obtaining a passport. After receiving the status of a citizen of the Russian Federation, the person will need to apply for a Russian passport. To do this, you will need to draw up an application and submit it to the Federal Migration Service of Russia.

How to protect yourself from passport scammers

It is also very important that you only apply for legal and official programs and you will not end up on the passport of scammers. Follow these 3 basic rules.

Rule 1: Do not purchase a property or pay the full government contribution until you receive a Letter of Approval from the national government. This should take at least 2-3 months. Most agents will only ask you to pay an initial deposit fee, which consists of an agent's fee and a due diligence fee. If your application is rejected, you do not have to pay a fee.

Rule 2: You should only make a donation or contribution directly into the government's bank account. Don't pay third parties.

Rule 3: Do not invest in real estate projects that are not approved or sanctioned by the government. Governments are required to publish a list of approved properties on their website. You cannot claim citizenship/passport by investing in unauthorized developments. This is probably a scam to lure investors. Governments implementing CBI programs have taken steps to create escrow legislation to protect real estate investors.

For example, there are no South American countries that offer instant passports for investment. The only way to become a citizen is to become a resident and naturalize for at least 3 years.

The validity of your passport is very important to consider when applying for citizenship by investment programs. In some countries, passports are issued for 5 or 10 years.

Passports with a 10-year validity are more convenient for customers as they do not have to quickly go through the passport renewal process.

Please note that Antigua, Saint Lucia and Grenada have a passport validity of 5 years . All other passports have a validity of 10 years. Antigua is a special case: after the first passport renewal, the validity of the passport increases to 10 years.

Access to an E-2 investor visa for entry into the US is a very important benefit that is provided by Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes for entry into the US. E-2 visas are a cheaper alternative to EB-5 in terms of processing speed and cheaper investment. Some countries such as Russia, China, Vietnam, Nigeria do not have a direct E-2 treaty with the US, so citizens of these countries can use citizenship by investment schemes as an entry into the US. Remember that E-2 visas are nonimmigrant visas and even family members can apply.

There are only 7 countries that have signed an E-2 investor agreement with the US. All other Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIP) do not provide this benefit:

• Montenegro
• Türkiye
• Bulgaria
• Grenada
• Moldova
• Egypt
• Jordan

The Citizenship by Investment Regulations of Antigua, St. Kitts, Vanuatu do not give voting rights to such citizens. All other countries offer the right to vote and even hold public office. Such citizenship under investment programs allows the transfer of citizenship rights only to three family generations, and even then not everywhere; the following states do not provide such a right:

• Dominica
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Vanuatu

With the exception of these four programs, all other programs offer citizenship for life and to the next three generations

Citizenship programs that do not require in-person visits to obtain passports are much more attractive and desirable to clients.

All countries (except the Caribbean and Vanuatu) issue a residence permit before issuing a naturalization certificate in accordance with the law. Antigua requires 5 days of residency when you renew your passport after 5 years. If you do not visit Antigua, your passport will be cancelled. For Turkey, formalities can be completed by issuing a power of attorney

Main types

Economic citizenship is acquired in several ways:

1. Purchasing luxury real estate.
2. Charitable contribution.
3. Purchase of government securities.

In all cases, the country independently sets the minimum amount that an investor must spend. Let's take a closer look at the nuances of each method.

Citizenship by investment in real estate

The most common type of obtaining citizenship is the purchase of real estate. It does not have to be residential; it can also be a commercial property. The only requirement is cost. The price of real estate cannot be lower than the level established by the state. Namely:

1. Cyprus – from 2,000,000 euros for a residential property. If commercial real estate is purchased, the cost is the same. But in addition you will have to buy a residential house or apartment at a price of 500,000 euros.
2. Grenada – the cost of the property must exceed $350,000. The purchase must first be approved by the government of the country.
3. Saint Kitts and Nevis - the list of objects is provided by the state. Costs start at $400,000.
4. Dominica – you will also have to choose real estate from a list limited by the state. The investment here is one of the most minimal – $200,000.
5. Antigua and Barbuda – residential properties available for purchase are most often located in the resort part of the country. Their prices start at $400,000.

Note! An individual is not required to spend the entire amount on purchasing just one home. Multiple purchases are allowed. The main thing is that their total cost exceeds the mark established by the state.

After this, the newly minted citizen must own this property for some time without selling it. The average return on investment is 3-5 years, depending on the initial conditions of the program. During this time, you can live in the purchased property yourself or rent it out. The program for obtaining Maltese citizenship has a unique feature. Here you can not buy real estate, but rent it.

Citizenship for charitable contributions

An applicant for citizenship can make a monetary contribution to the national development fund of one of the countries. This method is not practiced in all states:

1. Malta – 650,000 euros charitable contribution. Additionally, you will have to spend 150,000 euros on the purchase of securities, as well as rent or buy any real estate.
2. Grenada – $200,000 to the National Transformation Fund.
3. St. Kitts and Nevis – from $250,000 to the Sugar Industry Fund.
4. Dominica – $100,000 for the development of the country’s economy.
5. Antigua and Barbuda – $200,000.

It is important to know! The above amounts are a charitable contribution. You won't be able to get your money back after a while. In exchange, the state provides the investor and all members of his family with civil passports.

Citizenship for investment in securities

The purchase of securities is often accompanied by the purchase of real estate or a charitable contribution. This option is possible in a number of countries:

1. Malta – 150,000 euros are invested in securities, an additional contribution is made to the Development Fund and real estate is rented or purchased.
2. Cyprus – the size of government bonds must exceed €500,000. Additionally, you will have to buy a residential property worth at least 2,000,000 euros.

The state guarantees that after a certain period of time the investor will be able to return the funds spent in full. Although in fact the profitability of such securities is low.

Do you want to be guaranteed to obtain a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship in another country? See the rating of reliable migration companies!

Quotas for issuing citizenship by investment

You should also seriously consider limited quotas with citizenship investment schemes. This is because once the quota reaches the limit, the schemes will not be reopened and you will have missed out on the opportunity to gain citizenship by investment.

These restrictions are currently imposed on certain CBI schemes. Caribbean passport schemes have no restrictions.

Myths about citizenship by investment

Myth 1: Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes offer diplomatic passports. Reality: CBI schemes issue regular passports and have nothing to do with diplomatic passports. Diplomatic passports can only be issued to citizens in accordance with the Vienna Convention. Diplomatic immunity is only available to certain classes of high-level diplomats (not all).

Myth 2: Only criminals or money launderers acquire passports through investment. Reality: All applicants must undergo due diligence checks before receiving their passports. High-risk clients are rejected. It is a fact that 99% of the people who apply are genuine families, they JUST availed these schemes and got a new life and identity.

Myth 3: are no background checks for passport investors .

This is completely false. Due diligence forms the heart of the industry, protecting the integrity of citizenship through investment programs. In fact, more than 90% of the work done on applicants involves these checks. Passport programs are being abused by some, bringing a negative reputation to the CBI industry.

The very concept of citizenship by investment

Important! Please keep in mind that:

• Each case is unique and individual.
• A thorough study of the issue does not always guarantee a positive outcome. It depends on many factors.

To get the most detailed advice on your issue, you just need to choose any of the options offered:

• Use the online chat in the lower corner of the screen.
• Call: Federal number: +7 (800) 511-86-74

Citizenship is granted not only as a result of birth, but also on some other grounds, depending on the legislation of a particular state. One of the most interesting areas is citizenship by investment.

This is an official procedure that allows you to obtain a country's national passport after fulfilling a number of conditions. Typically, you are required to contribute a certain amount on a voluntary basis, in the form of investments in the development of a business project or the purchase of expensive real estate.

There are the following areas for investment that lead to citizenship:

• investments in companies that operate in the country;
• own business creating jobs for citizens;
• construction or purchase of a finished property;
• contribution to a charitable foundation, a certain area of ​​the economy or cultural development;
• purchase of securities.

Can stateless persons apply for citizenship by investment?

As far as we know, only 4 CBI programs currently accept stateless persons.

1. Vanuatu
2. Dominica
3. Türkiye
4. Cyprus
5. Antigua

There are 12 million stateless people in the world. Stateless people are denied basic human rights such as education, health, employment and freedom of movement due to lack of documents and identification. Citizenship by investment schemes provide stateless people with a new identity, healthcare and other benefits.

The presence of stateless people in the world is caused by failing states, discrimination against certain ethnic/religious groups, gaps in citizenship laws, deprivation of citizenship, or states that do not allow women to pass on their citizenship. The UN human rights agency has committed to ending statelessness by 2024.

The main stages of obtaining citizenship by investment

Certain programs operating in individual countries are unique. They have their own conditions and terms, as well as requirements for the amount of investment. But there are standard conditions that are typical for most states.

Citizenship by investment is issued according to the following scheme:

• preparation of documents;
• writing an application and submitting documents for consideration;
• approval of the application;
• depositing funds;
• obtaining a passport and citizenship.

Note! In most countries, the main requirement is to deposit legally obtained funds. Therefore, the origin of the money is carefully checked.

When choosing a state and program, it is important to clarify the following points:

1. Trips to other countries. Citizenship of some countries allows you to visit the European Union without additional permits.
2. Duration of the procedure. In some countries, issuing a passport takes minimal time. And sometimes you have to wait several years.
3. Tax benefits. They depend on the legislation of the country. This may include a simpler regime and benefits when doing business. In some cases, there are large taxes on citizenship, which lead to a significant loss of funds.
4. Conditions for family members. Most programs provide citizenship to family members as well, and some only to the applicant.
5. Necessary documents to confirm the origin of funds.
6. Investment currency.
7. Possibility of re-application in case of refusal.
8. How much is needed and how are funds deposited?

Citizenship by investment and taxes

Taxes are an important attribute of citizenship by investment. In most countries, taxation is based on residence (183 days per year) rather than citizenship. Tax laws in most countries are extremely complex and different for dual citizens.

Vanuatu, St. Kitts and Antigua are only three countries that do not levy personal income tax on both local and foreign income. If you are using a passport that is not subject to income tax, these are the most desirable countries. All other countries with citizenship sales in the Caribbean exempt you from income tax ONLY if you are a non-resident.

Here is a summary of how taxes are applied in CBI jurisdictions:

Source: Deloitte and other sources

Citizenship by Investment

About the most interesting programs - in this article.

Bulgaria: permanent residence and citizenship for a million euros

It is not necessary to live in Bulgaria, know the language and renounce your first citizenship. To obtain permanent residence status, it is enough to buy government bonds in the amount of 511,292 euros (1 million Bulgarian leva). The bonds must be held for 5 years, after which the state is obliged to return the entire amount. True, no interest.

If you want to obtain citizenship, the investment amount will have to be doubled.

Cypriot citizenship for 5 million euros

A citizen of Cyprus has the opportunity to live in a sunny country near the Mediterranean Sea, study, work, do business throughout Europe, and enjoy tax breaks. You can obtain citizenship under two conditions. The first condition is ownership of an object in Cyprus, the cost of which is at least 500,000 euros. The second condition is an investment of at least 5 million euros.

Investments can be made in any way: by purchasing government bonds, shares and other securities of various companies registered in Cyprus, purchasing a property or investing in an infrastructure facility, purchasing or creating a company on the island. You can also put the amount in one of the banks as a time deposit. A mixed method is possible. The investment must remain in Cyprus for three years.

You can obtain citizenship within 3-4 months after investing.

Citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda has a very democratic citizenship program. To become a citizen of this Caribbean state, it is enough to pay 100,000 US dollars and 125,000 for a family of 5 people, including the applicant. The deposit is non-refundable, but it allows you to receive a passport within 3 months without personal presence in the country and the need to visit it. There is only one condition: every 5 years you need to come to the islands and stay there for at least 5 days.

For those who do not want to part with money, there are other options:

• purchase of real estate in pre-approved facilities - from $400,000;
• creating a business and investing in it from $1,500,000.

Antigua and Barbuda will attract businessmen due to the absence of taxes on global income. This is an offshore where you can start a large company on the most favorable terms. The holder of an Antigua and Barbuda passport will be able to visit almost every country in the world without a visa.

Dominica Citizenship

Another Caribbean country where you can get citizenship without spending too much. A feature of local programs is a closer consideration of future citizens. For example, citizenship is not issued to citizens of Afghanistan, North Korea and some other countries, as well as residents of Chechnya. However, the applicant can obtain passports for the entire family, including daughters under 25 years of age who are not married and have HIV. As a rule, it is almost impossible to obtain permanent residence and citizenship in other countries with HIV.

To obtain a passport, you need to invest $100,000 in the National Development Fund. An applicant with a spouse and one dependent must invest $175,000. $25,000 is paid for each additional dependent.

It is also possible to purchase real estate for an amount starting from $200,000. The state fee will be $50,000. The property must be owned for at least 5 years.

Citizenship of Grenada

Grenada is a good option for a person who wants to live and do business in the United States. Citizens of Grenada have the right to do this.

To obtain citizenship of this island state, you need:

Make a non-repayable investment in a development fund in the amount of 150,000 euros.

Buy one of the approved properties for an amount of 350,000 euros and own it for at least five years.

With each new dependent, the amount will increase. The passport will be issued within 3 months. You don't have to visit the country.

Citizenship of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is convenient for those who want to get a passport quickly and, if necessary, move to a prosperous country.

There are four options:

1. Non-repayable investment - $100,000.
2. Purchase of real estate - $300,000.
3. Purchase of government bonds - $500,000.
4. Contribution to an investment project (business) - from $3.5 million with the creation of three jobs.

Citizenship will be available in 2-3 months.

Citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis

10 months and a certain amount as an investment - and the passport of the island state will be in your pocket. There are two investment options in St. Kitts and Nevis:

• non-refundable deposit - from 150 thousand dollars;
• purchase of real estate - from 400 thousand dollars.

As you can see, there are options for obtaining citizenship. The most affordable of them involve permanent investments, however, this is perhaps even less risky than buying government bonds or real estate.

Passport control

Follow these basic rules when you use more than one passport for travel.

1. You must enter and exit the country using the same passport
2. If you are entering a country where you are a citizen, use this passport to enter and exit. For example, if you are a US citizen, you must use a US passport to enter and leave the US.
3. Do not reveal your second passport, where dual citizenship is prohibited. Instead, show your residence card or travel to a neutral country without visas.

This is in countries where dual citizenship is legally permitted. Dual citizens have more than one passport for departure and return. If a country allows dual citizenship, things become much easier, you can fly directly from country A to country B using the passport of destination country B.

The situation becomes more complicated if the country does not allow dual citizenship and you are prohibited from having two passports. You should not reveal two passports in this case as this makes it illegal.

Using a dual passport works best in two ways

1. Show your country of origin passport with destination country residence card, exit visa from country A flying directly to country B (or)
2. Traveling through a neutral third country (C) such as Dubai, Istanbul, Hong Kong, etc. to get to country B from country A

Agents working with citizenship by investment

Governments that administer citizenship through investment schemes issue licenses to two types of agents:

1. International Marketing Agents
2. Authorized Agents

Marketing agents are responsible for marketing or promoting passport schemes as per government regulations. They must also have an agreement with authorized agents.

Authorized agents are responsible for submitting applications on behalf of a citizenship client through investment units (CIUs). Authorized agents must be a resident and citizen of the country. It is also possible that subagents work with authorized agents on a commission basis.

There are currently over 1,000 agents serving the citizenship investment industry. There are no official data for Turkey, Bulgaria and several other countries.

Bulgaria, Turkey and Samoa have not published an official list of authorized agents for citizenship by investment.

Governments pay fees ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 to approve each case for programs in the Caribbean, depending on the volume of applications submitted and family size. Agents also charge professional fees ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 depending on the individual or family size.

As in Malta, in Cyprus the agency fee ranges from 50 thousand to 60 thousand euros.

Malta

Malta issues passports under the Individual Investor Programme. To obtain a passport, an investor must own real estate in Malta worth at least 350 thousand euros or rent a property at a price of 16 thousand euros per year. To obtain citizenship for a spouse and children under 18 years of age, you will have to pay an additional 25 thousand euros, for children aged 18 to 26 and parents of spouses - 50 thousand euros each.

Minimum amount: 800 thousand euros

Investment objects: National Development and Social Fund (650 thousand) and government bonds (150 thousand)

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Most Outstanding Programs:

• Dominica and Saint Lucia are the cheapest citizenship programs for single people
• Antigua is the cheapest civilian program for families
• Vanuatu has the fastest 1.5 month passport of all schemes
• St. Kitts is the most powerful Caribbean passport in terms of visa-free travel.
• Grenada, Turkey, and Montenegro have an E-2 treaty with the United States, so when you become a citizen, you have the opportunity to apply for an E-2 nonimmigrant visa to the United States.