People usually do not get to choose their citizenship. Either they’re born in their country of citizenship, or their parents do the choosing depending on the situation.
Today, however, it’s possible to obtain dual citizenship and become a citizen of another country without revoking your current citizenship. Doing this will expand your options on where to study, work, own property, and live.
Of course, obtaining a second citizenship can be complicated, so you do need to consult a firm with extensive experience and expertise in second citizenship programs. There are also potential double taxation issues that you must work around and manage.
But if you are successful in obtaining a second citizenship, you will earn yourself some fresh new horizons to explore plus new opportunities in your new country of citizenship.
The most straightforward way of obtaining second citizenship is by making a minimum investment in your target country. Here are four countries with second citizenship by investment programs worth considering.
1. St. Kitts and Nevis
If you are tired of long and dreary winters, why not choose a tropical destination as your second home? Invest in St. Kitts & Nevis, and become a citizen of this dazzling Caribbean nation.
To become a St. Kitts & Nevis citizen by investment, you have two options.
Donate at least USD 150,000 to the government
Under this route, a single applicant has to donate USD 150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund. If you’re applying for a family of four, you need to donate USD 195,000.
Invest at least USD 200,000 in real estate
You will need to buy a share in an apartment or villa in a government-approved project for at least USD 200,000. You cannot sell this property for at least seven years.
Or you can buy a home anywhere in the country, even outside government-approved projects. As long as the property is titled and worth at least USD 400,000, it qualifies.
Note that the residence or building itself must be worth at least USD 400,000, so the land cost will have to go on top of the building cost. In this case, you cannot sell the property for at least five years.
2. Antigua and Barbuda
If you love the beach and particularly love the Caribbean, you could also consider Antigua & Barbuda. This independent Commonwealth state is in the East Caribbean, about five hundred miles northeast of Trinidad and Tobago and approximately a thousand miles east of Jamaica.
Antigua and Barbuda consists of two main islands named, predictably enough, Antigua and Barbuda, and a few lesser islands. As such, it has 365 captivating beaches in different shades of white and pink, including one splendid 11-mile-long beach.
If you dream of travelling the world, an Antigua and Barbuda passport means you will be able to visit 151 destinations, including all of Europe and the Caribbean, visa free.
And here’s a thought, with the beautiful scenery, rich biodiversity, and popularity of Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Caribbean to tourists, you and other investors can probably start a wellness destination resort here. Not only will you get a going business, but you’ll also gain a second citizenship.
To qualify for an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment, you can do any of the following.
Donate at least USD 100,000 to the government
You can donate USD 100,000 to the National Development Fund or USD 150,000 to the University of West Indies Fund.
Invest at least USD 200,000 in a real estate property
The property you’ll buy must be in an area approved by the government for that purpose, and it should be worth at least USD 400,000. You and a relative can make a joint purchase, each with a share of at least USD 200,000.
Make a business investment of at least USD 400,000
You can make a joint or an individual investment in an approved business. For a joint investment, the business must be worth USD 5 million, and you and your co-investors must each have a share of at least USD 400,000. For an individual investment, you must invest at least USD 1.5 million.
3. Turkey
Turkey, which straddles West Asia and Europe, is a lovely and exciting place to live due to its unique location, rich history and culture, and amazing landscapes.
You don’t need to hold residency status to apply for the Turkish citizenship by investment program. You also don’t need to learn the language to qualify.
Of course, if you do become a citizen and you want to take advantage of the free education available to Turkish citizens, then your children would have to learn the language. Turkish is the primary medium of instruction in government-funded schools.
To qualify for a Turkish passport, you will need to do any of the following.
Purchase property worth at least USD 250,000
You can’t sell that property for at least three years.
- Make a fixed-capital investment of at least USD 500,000.
- Create jobs for 50 people or more.
- Open a deposit account containing at least USD 500,000 in a bank in Turkey.
You can’t withdraw money from that account for three years.
Invest at least USD 500,000 in government bonds
You can’t sell these bonds for three years.
Invest at least USD 500,000 in real estate shares or venture capital investment fund shares
You can’t sell your shares for at least three years.
4. Vanuatu
If you love the Pacific, consider Vanuatu. Eighty-three separate islands comprise this beautiful archipelago. You can pass the time just familiarizing yourself with your second home. This country will make a great base from which to explore the Pacific.
Its lovely seascapes, volcanoes, coral reefs, and dense jungles ensure that this country has something for everybody. You can invest in property here and take advantage of its attractiveness to tourists.
Vanuatu’s second citizenship by investment program is one of the most affordable, most straightforward, and fastest globally, aside from being one with the least amount of documentation requirements.
To become a second citizen of Vanuatu and gain visa-free access to more than 125 countries, including Europe, you only need to donate USD 130,000 to the Vanuatu government. The process from application to approval should take only from two to four months.
Ready for Your Second Citizenship?
If you have the means and don’t want to be fettered by the limitations of your current citizenship, a second citizenship could be worth it.
You can apply for citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Turkey, and Vanuatu, among many other countries with second citizenship by investment programs.