Over the past couple of years, there has been a big demand for second passports and golden visas from nationals of several countries.
According to Fortune, In 2014, the 1% of the global rich spent an estimated $2 billion acquiring nationalities. Many countries are cutting down debt through inflows from economic citizenship programs.
In this IMF report on revenues from citizenship by investment programs, St Kitts & Nevis has achieved impressive 11% of GDP in 2015. All other caribbean nations running economic citizenship programs, are nowhere near this. Portugal reported 2.4 billion euro (90% of it in real estate) inflows into the golden visa residence permit ARI scheme in just 4 years of running the scheme. Malta reported over 1 billion euro inflows since the inception of the citizenship scheme in the EU. Dominica used funds from citizenship by investment program to recover from damage caused by 2015 tropical storm.
Top economic citizenship programs
| Country | Started in | Minimum Investment ** | Residency requirements | Time for citizenship | Visa free countries* |
| Malta | 2013 | € 900,000 | 12 months | 15 months | 168 |
| Cyprus | 2011 | € 2,000,000 | 6 months | 4 months | 159 |
| Dominica | 1993 | $100,000 | none | 2 months | 119 |
| St Kitts & Nevis | 1984 | $150,000 | none | 4 months | 132 |
| Antigua & Barbuda | 2013 | $100,000 | 5 days | 3 months | 134 |
| Grenada | 2014 | $150,000 | none | 2 months | 121 |
| St Lucia | 2015 | $100,000 | none | 2 months | 125 |
** You also have to pay additional fees such as Government fee, due diligence fee, lawyer fee, passport fee above the minimum investment.
Top golden visa residency programs
| Country | Started in | Minimum Investment ** | Residency requirements | Time for citizenship |
| Portugal | 2012 | € 350,000 | 7 days/year | 6 years |
| Spain | 2012 | € 500,000 | none | 10 years |
| United States | 1993 | $ 500,000 | must live permanently in US | 7 years |
| United Kingdom | 1994 | £ 200,000 | must live permanently in UK | 6 years |
| Canada | 1990 | CAD$ 800,000 | must live permanently in Canada | 4 years |
| Greece | 2014 | € 250,000 | none | 7 years |
| Hungary | 2015 | € 300,000 | none | 8 years |
| Latvia | 2010 | € 80,000 | none | 10 years |
| Australia | 2012 | A$ 1,500,000 | 40 days/year | 4 years |
| Switzerland | 2011 | $ 1,000,000 | none | 12 years |
| New Zealand | N$ 1,500,000 | 146 days/year | 5 years | |
| Belgium | 2012 | € 350,000 | none | 5 years |
| Ireland | 2012 | € 500,000 | none | 5 years |
| Netherlands | 2014 | € 1,250,000 | none | 5 years |
| Bulgaria | 2009 | € 512,000 | none | 4 years |
| Malta | 2012 | € 275,000 | must live permanently | 5 years |
| Cyprus | 2012 | € 300,000 | none | 8 years |
Top 7 reasons for the demand in market
All those who apply these immigration programs seek free movement to travel across Europe and United Kingdom and dont want to go through time consuming and stressful visa application procedure.
- Visa free travel allowing free movement in Europe/United Kingdom/United States
- Global uncertainties and fears arising from political events (Turkey, Syria, France, Brexit, Trump victory) prompting many to look for alternative citizenships or immigration.
- Better life for family and education to children
- Investment in offshore business
- Investment in offshore real estate property market (higher returns)
- Offshore tax planning (by acquiring second citizenship and relinquishing current citizenship)
- Dual or multiple citizenship status passed on to future generation.
Top countries popular for instant citizenship with passport
- Dominica
- St Kitts & Nevis
- Malta
- Cyprus
- Grenada
- Antigua & Barbuda
- St Lucia
Top countries popular for golden visas
- Latvia
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Portugal
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Hungary
- Belgium
- Spain
- Greece
Top investment choices for citizenship or residency
- Donation one time payment to Government fund
- Government bonds
- Real estate investment (buying a home)
- Business investment with job creation
- Bank deposit (cash)
- Investment in Research, technology and infrastructure projects
- Investment in Art and cultural projects
- Investment in Public interest (associations, foundations)
Top countries seeking golden visas & citizenships (passports)
The demand arises from people in these countries.
- China
- Russian federation
- Pakistan
- India
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- South Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran (iranians living outside iran)
- Lebanon
- Bangladesh
- Iraq
- Sri Lanka
- Egypt
- Brazil
- Jordan
- Turkey
- Qatar
- Oman
- Malaysia (from foreign nationals living in HK)
- Singapore (from foreign nationals living in HK)
- Kuwait
- Nigeria
- Morocco
- Libya
- Tunisia
- Afghanistan
We assist clients with golden visas and citizenship programs. Please contact us below for free consultations
