The Migronis team often receives requests from people who want to get second citizenship as soon as possible, in most cases not only for themselves but also for their families. Therefore, our experts always answer the same way: “Citizenship by investment is the fastest way to get a passport of another country.”
Most citizenship-by-investment programs can offer you benefits such as short terms, low cost, and reliable travel documents. In this article, we will review the fastest and most affordable citizenship-by-investment programs in the world. Keep reading!
Top 7 countries providing fast citizenship-by-investment programs
Saint Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis will accept a one-time payment of $150,000 to the local Sustainable Development Fund for the passport. For 30 years, St. Kitts has had the original citizenship-by-investment program, with an average processing period of 4-6 months. The real estate option is nearly comparable to the other Caribbean programs listed, with a minimum $200,000 investment, plus a $35,050 price tag and a five-year hold period. Unfortunately, the US government has targeted St. Kitts passports after an Iranian bought one without his prior nationality, and Canada has already stopped visa-free travel for St. Kitts people. With 157 destinations available, the St. Kitts passport takes 26nd place.
Dominica
Dominica’s economic citizenship program is a huge step forward in terms of the reputability and quality of the passport. According to the Guide Passport Ranking, the Dominican passport ranks 32nd globally, allowing visa-free travel to 146 countries, including the Schengen Zone. As a result, the cost of Dominican citizenship by investment is a minimum of $100,000. If you want Dominica, act immediately before the price rises. Citizenship in this Caribbean island takes only six months. The Dominican passport also grants particular privileges for travel to the UK, China, Singapore, and Israel. However, you will need a visa to enter North America.
Grenada
Grenada resumed its citizenship-by-investment program and determined the minimum donation — if you donate $150,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF), you may be authorized in 60 days and get citizenship in a little over a year. Plus, you don’t have to fly to Grenada to qualify. You also may get a Grenadine passport by investing at least $220,000 in sanctioned real estate with a high probability of return. You couldn’t sell your house in four years (if you do, you will lose your citizenship). The passport of Grenada is ranked 33rd globally, providing visa-free entry to 144 countries.
Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda have a similar scheme, albeit with a shorter duration. With a payment of $100,000 to the country’s National Development Fund, you may apply for citizenship in 3-4 months. Like in Grenada, you may buy real estate or invest in a local company for more money. For a second passport, you must spend at least $200,000 in an authorized real estate project or $5,000,000 in a combined company transaction where each person contributes at least $400,000. With 153 visa-free nations encompassing Europe, China, the United States, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and other wealthy countries, Antigua and Barbuda’s passport is rated 28th globally.
Malta
In another Mediterranean EU nation, you may receive a more strong passport for less money but for a more extended period. Investing €350,000 (€300,000 in South Malta or Gozo) in government-approved property is required to get economic citizenship in Malta (that must be maintained for a period of at least five years). You must also live in Malta for five years. You may apply for citizenship after a year of residence, which usually takes six months. It will take you about 18 months to get Maltese citizenship. With direct flights to continental Europe and Northern Africa and the possibility to visit Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States, and the entire European Union without a visa, Malta’s position makes it a convenient hub for commercial prospects. Even better, Malta passport is rated 10th in the world, with 187 visa-free countries accessible to Maltese people, including the US and UK.
Cyprus
Cyprus has the world’s fastest economic citizenship program, with a 58-day processing period. Generally, it takes three months. Investing in government bonds or other financial assets is one possibility: funding commercial, residential, or infrastructural real estate developments. All opportunities need a two-million-euro qualifying investment. Your total investment must be even more, including a donation of €100,000 to the Government’s Research and Development Fund and €100,000 to the Land Development Organization. After five years, the investment might be decreased to €500,000. The Cyprus passport is ranked 16th worldwide and allows visa-free travel to 177 countries, including the European Union.
Comoros
In the lowest economic citizenship scheme available, this African island country sells its citizenship for $45,000 (up from $40,000 a few months earlier). The procedure is simple and may help you obtain a second passport in 2-3 months. However, you get what you paid for with this passport. A Comoros passport allows you to enter 44 countries without a visa (or a visa on arrival), making it one of the world’s worst passports. Plus, most of those 44 nations are in Africa. A Comoros passport can even get you labeled a terrorist in specific locations. So you can understand why the Migronis experts don’t suggest this affordable variant.
Investors with high income get immediate citizenship
If you have the ability to invest millions of dollars in a country, there is a good chance that you can obtain citizenship in any country in the world. People have long talked about the Austrian citizenship-by-investment program as if it were an actual economic citizenship program. But it’s not. However, it is possible to obtain citizenship in this country for hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Austrian “program” is not a real and approved citizenship-by-investment program. Yes, they have the 5th most powerful passport globally in terms of travel freedom with visa-free access to 187 countries, but this is not the best option for the money and not the fastest variant. The difference between Malta and Austria is that Malta has formal programs. At the same time, Austria is just known for granting citizenship to about three people a year who have made substantial donations. This is entirely different from the actual citizenship-by-investment program.
Migronis experts are engaged in selecting programs and have already helped dozens of clients obtain a second passport. Therefore, they argue that if you are ready to invest, there are many options with different conditions and tariffs. In this case, it is best to contact a consultant who will select the appropriate option for you.
