CBI “Citizenship by Investment” program allows foreign investors and their families to obtain alternate citizenship and passport(s) by contributing to the economy of the host country. To opt it there are several instruments such as contributions/donations in the countries-approved national fund, investing in a government-approved real estate option, or investing in a government-approved bond. CBI “Citizenship by Investment” programs are not a new concept rather been existing since 1984 by one of the Caribbean islands named St Kitts & Nevis.
As of today, over 100 countries in the world have some form of investment migration legislation in place, however, a few offers Citizenship by Investment (i.e., Antigua & Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Turkey, Vanuatu etc.)
The lowest possible contribution/investment starts with a one-time non-refundable contribution of USD 100,000 plus other related fees in a government-approved fund of the concerned country. The minimum contribution/investment may vary depending on the country of citizenship and the family size.
Countries
Antigua & Barbuda
Minimum Investment $100,000
Visa Free : 145+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Below 30 Yrs
Parents : Above 55 Yrs
Siblings : Yes
Process Time : 4-6 Months
Physical Stay : 5 Days
Dominica
Minimum Investment $100,000
Visa Free : 135+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Below 30 Yrs
Parents : Above 65 Yrs
Siblings : Yes
Process Time : 4-6 Months
Physical Stay : No
St.Kitts & Nevis
Minimum Investment $250,000
Visa Free : 135+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Below 30 Yrs
Parents : Above 55 Yrs
Siblings : Yes
Process Time : 4-6 Months
Physical Stay : No
St.Lucia
Minimum Investment $100,000
Visa Free : 135+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Below 25 Yrs
Parents : Above 65 Yrs
Siblings : Yes
Process Time : 4-6 Months
Physical Stay : No
Grenada
Minimum Investment $150,000
Visa Free : 145+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Below 30 Yrs
Parents : Yes
Siblings : Yes
Process Time : 4-6 Months
Physical Stay : No
Türkiye
Minimum Investment $400,000
Visa Free : 110+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Below 18 Yrs
Parents : No
Siblings : No
Process Time : 4-6 Months
Physical Stay : No
Malta (MEIN)
Minimum Investment €690,000
Visa Free : 185+ Countries
Spouse : Yes
Children : Yes
Parents : Yes
Siblings : No
Process Time : 1-3 Years
Physical Stay : No
Benefits
There are several benefits of having Citizenship by Investment, such as global mobility that allows passport holders to travel visa-free to over 140 countries and jurisdictions that includes Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and the Schengen Area (Russia and China depending on the country offering Citizenship by Investment).
Citizenship by Investment is considered to be an insurance policy or a perfect plan B for many individuals from underdeveloped countries to avoid any political unrest and for the security of their loved ones and their investments.
Most of the Caribbean countries offering Citizenship by Investment are home to the best United States offshore universities (Grenada for instance is home to St George’s University that is one of the finest medical, veterinary, and arts and sciences schools, and graduates train in some of the top hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom and is internationally accredited)
Citizenship by Investment provides countless opportunities to extend your business in different jurisdictions, and it provides a better-quality life, with complete assets protection and tax planning.
Investment Option
Each country that offers CBI “Citizenship by Investment” option has their own set of contribution/investment options. The most sought-after option however is via Government approved funds because that is the lowest possible contribution/investment required, a simple and straightforward option. Some of the qualifying contribution/investment options are as below:
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GOVERNMENT APPROVED FUND Generally these funds are non-profit funds, starting with a one-time non-refundable contribution of USD 100,000 plus other related fees. The minimum contribution/investment may vary depending on the country of citizenship and the family size.
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GOVERNMENT APPROVED REAL ESTATE investments start with USD 220,000 plus other related fees.
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GOVERNMENT APPROVED BOND which is a non-interest-bearing bond, investment starts at USD 300,000 plus other related fees.
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ENTERPRISE PROJECT There are currently no enterprise projects open for investment.
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PRIVATE HOME SALE investments start at USD 400,000 plus other related fees.
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PUBLIC BENEFIT OPTIONS Investments start with USD 175,000 plus other related fees
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BUSINESS INVESTMENT has two investment options, one includes the principal applicant making an investment in an approved business of at least USD 1,500,000, and the second with a minimum of 2 investors to make a joint investment in an approved business totaling at least USD 5,000,000. Each applicant is required to contribute at least USD 400,000 to the joint investment.
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THE UNIVERSITY FUND option is a mechanism for financing UWI’s fourth landed campus, where the applicants are required to make an investment of USD 150,000 for a family of up to six (6) or more.
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JOB CREATION for at least 50 people, as attested by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in Türkiye.
Eligibility
To qualify for citizenship, main applicant must meet the following criteria.
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Be of outstanding character.
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18 years or above of age
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Hold no criminal record.
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Have excellent health.
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Have a high personal net worth.
We will be supporting you throughout
the process and afterward.
INITIAL CONSULTATION
Our Investment Migration Advisors will have detailed discussions with you to understand your need, the budget and goals, they will discuss pros and cons of the proposed RCBI “Residency & Citizenship by Investment” and Business Migration programs.
INITIAL DUE DILIGENCE
We collect basic documents and perform initial Due Diligence check to eliminate the risk of failure. In case if we find any risk involved that causes application rejection, we offer a suitable alternative or decline to proceed further with your consent.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Complete application with legalized documents is submitted with the concern CIU “Citizenship by Investment Unit” or Government agency responsible for migration along Due Diligence fees.
ONBOARDING
Our Advisors will propose a program that suits your investments and is aligned with your goals (i.e., Global Mobility, Tax Planning, Asset Protection, Plan B etc.) and share detailed action plan that is carefully designed as per your individual situation. This includes complete costing (i.e., consultation fees, government fees, due diligence cost, tax representation, application/processing fees residence renewal etc.)
COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS
You sign the retainer, and our Investment Migration Advisors will assist you on obtaining the document(s) required as per concerned authority, dedicated staff will be assigned throughout the application process that will assist you on services (i.e., obtaining tax number, opening bank account, sourcing the property with higher returns, filling up the application form, legalizing/notarizing the documents etc.)
GOVERNMENT DECISSION
Upon clarence of the Due Diligence, the Government approves the application, and you are advised to proceed with required contribution or the investment as per selected investment route (except in Europe and Turkey where you need to make the investment prior to submission).
ISSUANCE OF PASSPORT
Upon funds transfer, the naturalization certificates and the passport(s) or the residence cards are issued.
Our services are not limited until you receive the required Citizenship and Passport, our after sales team remain in touch with you until your initial investment is returned depending on the investment route (i.e., Government approved real estate option, investment in Government approved bond etc.). We help you renew your second passport(s), assist you further in case of a lost passport or passport replacements in case if all pages have been used, and much more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT, DUAL CITIZENSHIP, AND SECOND CITIZENSHIP THE SAME?
Citizenship by Investment offers individual entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors a better tax planning options, the opportunity to expand their businesses globally, provide security to their investments and improves their family lifestyle. High net-worth individuals can opt to choose between Dual Citizenship (where the countries of citizenship by birth established a bilateral agreement with the country of your new Citizenship by Investment, and by means of which person has a legitimate status of a dual citizen in both countries) or Second Citizenship (when there is no bilateral agreement on dual citizenship and each state considers a person to be only citizen).
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO OBTAIN CITIZENSHIP IN CARIBBEAN?
In general, it takes 3 to 6 months. However, from the date that your application has been accepted for processing, it will take approximately ninety (90) days to the grant of citizenship. Should there be any delay in the processing of your application, your Authorised Agent will be informed.
DO I HAVE TO RENOUNCE MY CURRENT CITIZENSHIP AND PASSPORT?
No, most of the countries allows dual citizenship / second passport and you are not required to renounce your citizenships. However, depending on the country of your current citizenship it is advisable to contact one of our expert Investment Migration Advisor prior to initiating the process.
WILL I BE REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO CARIBBEAN OR TURKEY DURING THE PROCESS?
No, the applicant and their qualified dependents are not required to travel to Caribbean or Turney during the application process. However, the applicant(s) must visit Antigua & Barbuda “Caribbean jurisdiction” and live there for five days during the initial five years.
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA?
Principal applicant must be over 18 years of age or more, no criminal record or prosecution, can prove the source of funds are earned through legitimate source, is in good health, principal applicant can also include spouse, financial dependent children under the age of 30 years, parents of principal applicant or spouse financially dependent on principal applicant, siblings can also be included provided they are unmarried and financially dependent on principal applicant.
DOES CITIZENSHIP EXTEND TO MY FAMILY?
Yes, subject to the fulfilment of certain requirements, citizenship can be extended to your spouse, dependent children (and to their extended family in future. Spouse of your child would not be qualified as of now, however their kids will qualify without any additional investment as long as one of the parents is a citizen of country offering Citizenship by Investment”), dependent parents and grandparents.
CAN I APPLY FOR THE CARIBBEAN OR TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY MYSELF?
No, by law only a licensed agent can apply for Citizenship by Investment on behalf of the investors. CBI “Citizenship by Investment law” prohibits applicants from applying by themselves. Licensed agent is a person authorised by the Government to act on your behalf, who will assist you in arranging list of required documents, filling in the forms and supporting legalizing the document etc.
IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS CONFIDENTIAL?
Confidentiality is our key priority, from the initial due diligence and throughout the application process all information and documents collected are kept confidential, except where necessary checks are carried out by Authorised Due Diligence agencies and international partners.
As Featured On
" Vazir Group has been in the Investment Migration industry for over 10 years, having diverse clientele from all walks of life including Entrepreneurs, Business Owners & Directors from the top 50 public companies in UAE, and organizations such as Amazon, IBM, Procter & Gamble, Oracle and General Electric among Fortune 500 companies. Our satisfied clients give us the courage to say that we are proud of our reputation within the industry that our team has painstakingly built over the years. "
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