Top Countries that provide Residency and Citizenship by Investment
Don’t we all dream of making it big someday? The meaning of ‘making it big’ may vary for each one of us, for some it might mean moving abroad, owning a successful business, buying a home, and so on. For some, it might just mean getting a good night’s sleep every day!
If you dream about moving abroad and becoming a citizen, then why not try applying for citizenship by investment? Many countries offer citizenship by investment to foreigners, it is usually the quickest way you can gain citizenship in another country when compared to all the other ways you can apply.
In this blog, we talk about countries that offer compelling opportunities to those interested in citizenship by investment Some of these are-
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Turkey
- Portugal
- Germany
Caribbean Islands
This group of island nations is known for its beautiful beaches, mountains, and rainforests. The Caribbean Islands have a few places that offer a great opportunity for citizenship by investment to potential investors.
Dominica
Dominica is home to tropical rainforests, natural hot springs, and Morne Trois Pitons National Park which is known for the Boiling Lake. There are two ways you can invest in this beautiful country to gain citizenship.
One is by contributing at least USD100,000 (if you are a single applicant) to The Dominican Republic’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF). You are allowed to apply for the citizenship of your immediate family members (spouse, children, or parents) with the same application by investing a higher amount.
The other option you have is to invest in real estate, with a minimum investment of USD 200,000. There is a list of approved properties provided by the government, which you can refer to before investing. Whichever property you end up choosing, will have to be in your possession for 3 years, before you are allowed to sell it.
When you learn about the benefits of getting a Caribbean passport, you realize what makes it so popular. Here are some of the privileges a Dominican passport gives you!
- Travel visa-free to more than 145 countries (including the UK and the EU)
- Get a 10-year B-1/B-2 visa to the USA, where you can stay in the country for over 180 days for business, travel, or even medical treatment.
- You can enjoy quite a few tax benefits such as not having to pay tax in case of any inheritance in the region or for capital gains.
You can apply for Dominican citizenship by investment from wherever you are sitting right now. The primary formalities can be easily fulfilled remotely!
Grenada
Grenada is a group of scenic islands known for its colorful buildings and beaches. You can apply for citizenship by investment in Grenada only through a qualified agent, as the Grenada government does not allow you to do so on your own. Do not fret; this is why we are here! But before that, let us look at what makes Grenada a good option for you.
Like in Dominica, you get two options to invest in the country. One is to donate at least US$150,000 to the National Transformation Fund; this donation is non-refundable, and the other is to purchase real estate (a minimum investment of US$220,000) approved by the government. This property can only be sold after 5 years, though.
Similar to Dominica, holding Grenadian citizenship comes with its own advantages but with slight differences.
- Visa-free travel to over 144 countries, including China, Singapore, the EU, and more.
- Grenadian citizens get access to reside and work in the US through the E-2 visa treaty.
- You get generous incentive packages along with many tax reliefs.
- Full exemption from import duties.
The waiting period to receive your Grenada passport is short! Once your application is approved, you can enjoy all of these benefits and more in as little as two months.
Turkey
Turkey is popular for its proximity to Europe and the Middle East, but more importantly, it is the food, culture, and cosmopolitan heritage that make it an age-old business center for the whole world, making it a sought-after place for investors!
To gain citizenship by investment in Turkey, you will have to invest in property that is worth at least $250,000; there are no other options. The property you invest in can only be sold after three years of ownership.
So what’s in it for you if you become a citizen of Turkey? Apart from the fact that you would live in a country that is known for being a link that connects the East and the West.
- You get Visa-free access to over 111 countries,
- There is no minimum period of residency requirement,
- No need to take a language test
- The applicant and their family get free access to education and healthcare
There is so much more that makes Turkey a great option to consider for your citizenship plans. So take your time with the research and take the next step with us!
European Union and Residence by Investment
Before we move on to the last two countries on our list, here is a point you should keep in mind. Most countries in Europe do not allow direct citizenship through investment; most of them have a minimum period of residency that you would need to complete before you become eligible for citizenship. Now let’s take a look at two of the most popular countries in Europe, whose citizenships have great value!
Portugal
Portugal, the land of port wine and Fado music, also has a passport that ranks among the top 10 globally! The Portuguese government offers one of the most popular programs in Europe, the Golden Visa program. The program was introduced in 2012 and has since issued over 6,000 resident permits in Portugal.
The program allows you to obtain residency permits in the country if you make a minimum investment of 280,000 euros in a property, which has to be maintained for 5 years.
Now, you don’t have to spend the whole five years in Portugal; you have to, however, spend just seven days at a stretch in the country every year for five consecutive years. Once you have met this criterion, you will be eligible for citizenship in the fifth year. This is one of the easiest ways to get one of the strongest passports in the European Union!
Aren’t you curious to know what the benefits are of having such a strong passport in your name? Here’s what you get:
- Freedom for all family members to travel throughout the EU Schengen visa zone easily
- Ability to study, work, live, and travel freely anywhere within the European Union.
- There is a favorable tax regime.
Germany
In Germany, which is known for engineering and its booming automotive industry, you have to invest a minimum of 25,000 euros and be a part of some economic activity. The German government offers a business immigration program where the primary applicant and their family are granted a resident visa for the country that is valid for two to three years. It is during this period that they must live and establish a business in the country.
There is another way that you can apply for residency: by investing in real estate. Through this, you can purchase real estate(minimum investment of 250,000 euros) and make a commercial investment into a regional development fund(minimum amount of 100,000 euros).
The best part about applying for residency like this is that you are exempt from taking a language test! Let us see what the benefits of gaining a German passport have;
- PR in a top EU nation
- Visa-free travel for you and your family in the Schengen area
- No minimum physical residency
- You can live, work and study in Germany
Fulfill your Dream!
When choosing a citizenship-by-investment program, keep in mind the amount that you will need to invest and what benefits you are eligible for; thorough research is essential. If you dream about obtaining citizenship in another country, we encourage you to contact us. M-J Global can help you choose the right program for you and help you achieve your dream!
