World’s Most Important Citizenship by Investment Programs

World’s Most Important Citizenship by Investment Programs. The Henley Citizenship Program Index 2023 evaluates the value of various citizenship by investment programs globally. The index is part of the Investment Migration Programs report and is updated every year by respected academic researchers, country risk analysts, economists, immigration and citizenship lawyers, and other professionals. The report helps individuals and families explore the best options for obtaining alternative residency and citizenship, minimizing risk and creating opportunities.

Find below the Top 10 Countries

Citizenship by Investment Programs – MALTA

Benefits

• The ability to travel without a visa or obtain one upon arrival to 186 different places
• Access to a reliable and open financial center and a top location for global business
• Stringent measures to carefully evaluate applicants, ensuring only those with high levels of respectability are accepted
• A desirable location to reside or own a secondary property, conveniently situated with excellent air travel connections

Requirements

The process of applying for Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is carefully evaluated through a four-step due diligence procedure. To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:

• All applicants must be at least 18 years old
• A contribution of EUR 600,000 for a minimum of 36 months or EUR 750,000 for a minimum of 12 months is required
• A residential property in Malta must be purchased for at least EUR 700,000 and held for five years, or a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per year must be leased for five years. The property cannot be sublet during this five-year period. During the residence period, a 36-month (or 18-month, in some cases) lease agreement or property purchase is required.
• A donation of at least EUR 10,000 to a registered non-governmental organization or society for sport, culture, science, philanthropy, animal welfare, or the arts, as approved by the Community Malta Agency
• Legal residence in Malta for at least 36 months (or 12 months, in some cases), which includes the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per year, held for the same period. A valid residence card is required for citizenship application.

Citizenship by Investment Programs – AUSTRIA

Benefits

• The ability to travel without a visa or obtain one upon arrival to 189 different places
• The freedom to live in any other European Union country or Switzerland
• A high standard of living
• Exceptional transportation and communication infrastructure

Requirements

To be eligible for Austrian citizenship through investment, an applicant must actively invest in the Austrian economy, such as through direct investment in a business that generates new export sales or creates jobs. Generally, a significant amount of direct investment is required, and passive investments in government bonds or real estate do not qualify.

Along with standard documentation like passports, birth and marriage certificates, applicants must provide a clean personal record, a detailed CV and business background information, as well as outstanding references.

Typically, the Austrian Citizenship Act requires an applicant to relinquish their current citizenship in order to obtain Austrian citizenship. However, if citizenship is granted under Article 10 (6) of the Citizenship Act, the former citizenship can be maintained legally, meaning the applicant may not be required to renounce their current citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment Programs – MONTENEGRO

Benefits

• Access to 124 destinations, including the Schengen Area, Russia, and Türkiye, without the need for a visa or with a visa granted upon arrival
• Citizenship in an EU candidate country
• Citizenship in a diverse and multilingual Mediterranean community that boasts gorgeous landscapes, a comfortable climate, and a low cost of living
• Citizenship as a member of the European Monetary Union, NATO Alliance, OSCE, and the WTO
• Full citizenship is granted to the applicant and their family members
• Investment in a development project run by a reputable hotel brand.

Requirements

To be eligible for the Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program, the primary applicant must be at least 18 years old, meet all application requirements, and make the necessary contributions to the Montenegrin government. There are two options to choose from to qualify for the program:

• Investing €450,000 in development projects in either the coastal regions or the capital, Podgorica.
• Investing €250,000 in development projects in the central or northern regions, except for Podgorica.

Additionally, there is a government fee of €200,000 per application. This fee will be divided between a special fund aimed at improving underdeveloped areas (€100,000) and the Montenegro Innovation Fund (€100,000)

Citizenship by Investment Programs – GRENADA

Benefits

• Access to 145 destinations through visa-free or visa-on-arrival programs, including Europe’s Schengen Area, Singapore, China, the UK, and Hong Kong.
• Grenada is the sole Caribbean nation whose citizenship by investment plan includes an E-2 Investor Visa Treaty with the United States, which means that citizens may be eligible to apply for a non-immigrant visa after three continuous years of living in Grenada.
• The citizenship is transferable to new spouses and future generations.
• The principal applicant’s spouse, unmarried siblings over the age of 18, children under 30, parents, and grandparents, among others, can be included.
• Grenada does not prohibit dual citizenship.
• There is no minimum stay requirement

Requirements

To be eligible for citizenship, the main applicant must be at least 18 years old, satisfy the application requirements, and fulfill one of two main qualifying criteria:

1. Donation option to the National Transformation Fund (NTF): A minimum non-refundable contribution of USD 150,000 for single applicants.
2. Real estate option: The purchase of a government-approved real estate project with a minimum value of USD 220,000. An additional non-refundable contribution of at least USD 50,000 is required for this option.

Citizenship by Investment Programs – ST. LUCIA

Benefits

• A passport from St. Lucia allows travel to 146 destinations without the need for a visa or visa-on-arrival, including the Schengen Area of Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK among others.
• The program does not require applicants to reside in or visit St. Lucia.
• The program allows the main applicant to include their spouse, children under 31, siblings under 18, and parents aged 55 and over, with the option to add dependents after citizenship has been granted.
• The program offers competitive investment and processing costs, and St. Lucia acknowledges dual citizenship.

Requirements

The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is governed by the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015, which mandates the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) to receive qualifying investments and donations from the program. These funds will be utilized by the government as part of its national development agenda.

In order to obtain citizenship through the program, applicants must make a substantial economic contribution to the country. Upon passing a rigorous application process and undergoing due diligence checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship. The primary applicant must be 18 years or older, fulfill the application requirements, and choose from one of the following investment options:

1. Purchase of an approved real estate development valued at a minimum of USD 200,000, which must be held for five years at a minimum.
2. Participation in a government-approved enterprise project with a minimum contribution of USD 3.5 million and the creation of at least three permanent jobs. Alternatively, a joint contribution of USD 6 million (with each applicant committing a minimum of USD 1 million) and the creation of at least six permanent jobs.
3. A non-refundable donation to the National Economic Fund (NEF) of USD 100,000 for a single applicant. For a main applicant and spouse, the donation is USD 140,000; for a main applicant, spouse, and up to two qualifying dependents, the donation is USD 150,000; for each additional dependent applying with the main applicant, spouse, and two other qualifying dependents, the donation is USD 15,000; and for each qualifying dependent, the donation is USD 25,000.
4. Investment in non-interest-bearing government bonds is valued at a minimum of USD 300,000 (with an administrative fee of USD 50,000), which must be held for five years at a minimum.

All qualifying dependents must have a clean personal record with no criminal convictions and must not be the subject of any criminal investigations (with the exception of minor offenses). Those who are considered a potential security risk or who have been involved in activities that may damage St. Lucia’s reputation are not eligible for citizenship

Citizenship by Investment Programs – Antigua and Barbuda

Benefits

• The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program offers the benefit of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 150 destinations, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe’s Schengen Area, and the UK.
• The program allows the inclusion of various family members, such as a spouse, dependent children under the age of 31 (along with their spouse and children), parents and grandparents over the age of 55, and unmarried siblings of the main applicant or their spouse, regardless of their age.
• Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth, which offers certain privileges to citizens in other member states, including the UK.
• The nation also has excellent air links to Europe and North America, making it an attractive location for living or owning a second home

Requirements

The main requirements for obtaining citizenship are being at least 18 years old, meeting the application criteria, and selecting one of the following four options:

1. Purchasing real estate with a minimum value of USD 200,000 from an approved real estate project. Two individuals can make a joint investment, each investing a minimum of USD 200,000, to qualify. The real estate cannot be sold within a five-year period.
2. Directly purchasing an eligible business for at least USD 1.5 million as an individual. Alternatively, two or more people can make a joint purchase, with each contributing at least USD 400,000 and the total investment being at least USD 5 million.
3. Contributing a minimum non-refundable amount of USD 100,000 to the National Development Fund.
4. Contributing a minimum non-refundable amount of USD 150,000 to the University of the West Indies.

Citizenship by Investment Programs – St. Kitts and Nevis

Benefits

Acquiring citizenship through St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship program grants full citizenship for life, which can be passed down by descent to future generations.

• A St. Kitts and Nevis passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 destinations, including Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the UK, and Europe’s Schengen Area. Citizenship-by-descent is available to future generations.
• Applicants can include a spouse, children under 31, parents, grandparents aged 55 and over, and unmarried dependent siblings under 31 with no children. Additional dependents can be added after citizenship has been granted.
• St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth, which grants citizens certain privileges in other Commonwealth countries, including the UK. The nation is an appealing location for owning a second home, with good air connections to Europe and North America.
• Dual citizenship is permitted by St. Kitts and Nevis, and there is no minimum stay requirement

Requirements

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program mandate that applicants must make a substantial financial contribution to the country. In return, and subject to a rigorous screening process that includes thorough background checks, the applicants and their families receive full citizenship.

To qualify for citizenship, the primary applicant must be over 18 years old, fulfill the application requirements, and select one of the following options:

1. Sustainable Growth Fund

A time-limited offer (LTO) is available from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023, during which the following non-refundable contributions apply:

• USD 125,000 for the primary applicant
• USD 150,000 for the primary applicant and spouse
• USD 170,000 for the primary applicant, spouse, and two dependants
• USD 10,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years old
• USD 25,000 for each additional dependent over 18 years old

Applications submitted during the LTO will be eligible for the Accelerated Application Process, which has a reduced processing time from 90 days to 60 days at no additional cost.

Starting on July 1, 2023, the non-refundable contribution requirements will revert to USD 150,000 for a single applicant, USD 175,000 for a primary applicant and spouse, USD 195,000 for a primary applicant, spouse, and two dependants, USD 10,000 for each additional dependent under 18 years old, and USD 25,000 for each additional dependent over 18 years old.

2. Public Good Investment Option

A non-refundable contribution of USD 175,000.

3. Real estate acquisition

The purchase of real estate with a minimum value of USD 200,000 from an approved real estate development, or a minimum of USD 400,000 for an approved private home. The real estate purchased under both options can be resold after seven years.

Source : Henley & Partners

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