Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is the means to obtain a second citizenship and passport in a country other than one’s home country by investing in their economy.
Though the pandemic and the ruckus that tagged along has affected the entire world in a grim way, new doors have opened for investors in many parts of the world. Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is the means to obtain a second citizenship and passport in a country other than one’s home country by investing in their economy. The investment can take different forms like real estate, setting up a business, government bonds, development funds etc.
WHY?
Procuring citizenship by investment is a much hassle free process as compared to the traditional immigration procedures. There are ample reasons why people invest in attaining a second citizenship.
Business
People engage in citizenship by investment programs to gain access to array of business benefits that certain countries offer their citizens. Setting up a business in a foreign country is more like building a bridge. You offer to contribute in their economy and they thank you with a citizenship and its benefits.
Global Mobility
Visa- free travel to as many countries as possible is undoubtedly one of the best reasons to invest in a CBI program. Many countries have restricted passports and a lot of time, money and effort goes into fetching a visa to travel. For example, with a passport of India, one can only travel to 16 countries without a visa but with a passport of Cyprus, 174 countries allow visa- free travel.
Tax benefits
A second citizenship often offers more lenient tax laws and hence better financial gain.
Security
Second citizenship comes across as a remedy to those suffering from countries with political turmoil and unstable governments. Sometimes, a second citizenship is not a mere financial investment but also an investment for peace and better life.
Lifestyle
Along with the “citizen”, the family can also often enjoy the benefits of healthcare, education and better lifestyle as most of the CBI programs grant citizenship access to the applicant’s family as well.
Residence
Can reside in the country of citizenship with no additional formalities like visa renewal and emigration procedures. Also an additional benefit of the right to buy and sell property tags along.
Job opportunities
Secondary citizenship makes you eligible to apply for government jobs and other high profile posts that is not accessible with mere residence visas.
Inheritance
Children born post –citizenship are citizens by default.
Political rights
Those with a citizenship can actively participate in the country’s politics and can vote and even contest in elections.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS.
- Real estate investment
Real estate investment is a tension less option to choose when planning to engage in a citizenship by investment program. This basically involves laying out money in a commercial or residential asset in the country you plan to be a citizen of. It can be a total ownership or a fractional share or a lease for a particular period. In almost every country which allow citizenship by investment, they give option to invest in real estate. Whatever the real estate investment program is, the amount invested should be maintained for a minimum period of time which usually range from three to five years.
- Government Bonds
Purchasing government bonds is a prudent way to invest for citizenship. The bright side is that there is no capital risk involved and is also an effortless investment. The bond is assured by the government themselves and is returned sans accumulated interest. The minimum bond holding duration is typically five years.
- Business
This option is for the go-getters who are looking forward to branching out their business world to other lands. This program would require the investor to create new employment opportunities or sustain the existing ones thus being an active participant in the growing economy.
- Funding a cause
Donating a specific amount to a government- supported or approved charity program or cause is a philanthropic way to attain citizenship. This amount is non-refundable and being a good-will supporter of the country is the takeaway.
Duration for the run to citizenship varies from country to country. Cyprus citizenship can be secured in as short a period as 3 months whereas being a citizen of UK or Bulgaria can take at least 2 years.
VARIOUS COUNTRIES.
| Country | Min Investment | Period | Option | Additional Benefit |
| Anguilla | $150,000 | 5 Years | Real Estate Investment/Donation | Visa free travel to 167 Countries |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $100,000 | 5 Years | Donation, Real Estate, Business | Visa free travel to 160 Countries |
| Austria | €3 Mn | 2-3 Years | Active Business Investment | Visa-free travel to 189 destinations. |
| Bulgaria | €250,000 and above | 2-5 Years | Business Investment/ Investment Funds | Unrestricted right to live, work and study in Europ |
| Cayman Islands | $2.4 Mn | 8 Years | Real Estate | Visa free travel to 99 Countries |
| Cyprus | €2.2 Mn | 6 Months | Real Estate | European Citizenship, Visa free travel to 174 Countries |
| Dominica | $100,000 | 60-90 Days | Real estate, Donation | Visa free travel to 152 countries |
| Germany | €360,000 | 8 Years | Entrepreneurial residency | Visa free travel to 188 countries |
| Grenada | $150,000 | 5 Years | Real estate | Visa free travel to 153 countries, potential USA E2 treaty visa |
| Ireland | €1 million | 12-18 Months | Investor Program | Access to best universities in Europe, visa free travel to 110 countries |
| Malta | €738,000/ €888,000 (exception) | 12-36 Months | Investment, Donation | Visa free travel to 186 countries, European citizenship |
| Montenegro | €350,000 | 3 Months | Real Estate Investment plus Donation | Visa free travel to 124 countries |
| Portugal | €350,000 | 5 Years | Real Estate Investment | European residency, visa free travel to 125 countries |
| Spain | €500,000 | 10 Years | Real Estate Investment | EU Schengen zone travel, visa free travel to 188 countries |
| St. Kitts | $150,000 | 4 Months | Donation or Real Estate | Visa free travel to 165 countries |
| St. Lucia | $100,000 | 3 Months | Real Estate or Development Fund | Visa free travel to 157 countries |
| Turkey | $250,000 | 6-9 Months | Real Estate/Capital/ Government Bonds/ Bank Deposit/Create 50 Employment. | Visa free travel to 111 countries including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore. |
| UK | £2,000,000 | 6 Years | Fund Investment | Visa free travel to 185 countries |
| USA | $900,000 | 2 Years | EB-5 approved investment | Green Card, Visa free travel to 184 countries |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | 30-60 Days | Invest in Local Development fund | Visa tree travel to 148 countries |
How can we help?
Tass And Hamjit can assist interested investors in finding suitable investment opportunities in the country of their choice and also complete the required formalities and paperworks. We are also building our resource capabilities to help such investors manage their investment in such destinations.
For more details write to info@tasshamjit.com