Study in Canada
Second Passport - Visa Law Firm
Second Passport - Visa Law Firm

Citizenship by Investment program:

This program has been designed by the developing countries in order to attract high net worth individuals to make investment into the country in exchange of citizenship. By making investment into the country, one gets citizenship of that country without giving up citizenship of his own country. In brief, an individual gets Second Passport which allows him dual citizenship.

Second Passport - Visa Law Firm

Antigua and Barbuda:

Antigua and Barbuda lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and it is the 9th largest country by size in the Caribbean. Known for its scenic beauty Antigua and Barbuda is an attractive place for the tourists. Due to the advent of more and more tourists, the economy of the country has been developing a lot. The Citizenship by Investment program of the Antigua allows a foreign national to have lifetime citizenship with Second Passport of 5 years validity with which one can conduct visa free travel to more than 132 countries including the UK, Schengen Zone, Hong Kong, Singapore and others. An applicant can apply for this program along with his spouse, dependent children and in some cases older parents and grandparents.

In order to be eligible, one must be of at least 18 years of age, have no criminal record, be of good character and medically fit. Under the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program, there are three investment options available for an individual which are as follows:

  • National Development Fund Contribution or Donation: An individual needs to make investment of US$ 100,000 (family of 4 or less) or US$ 125,000 (family of 5 or more) into the National Development Fund or an approved charity.
  • Real Estate Investment: An individual needs to invest minimum US$400,000 in a pre-approved real estate development area by purchasing property. Along with the minimum investment, one has to bear some additional expenses as well like property registration and taxes. Two applicants can also make investment in partnership, making each applicant’s contribution US$200,000. The investment must remain in real estate for at least 5 years. However, the investor may choose to invest in any other real estate of the same or higher value or can choose business investment option.
  • Business Establishment: An individual needs to establish a business by making minimum investment of US$ 1,500,000. If two or more applicants are applying jointly then each individual must make US$400,000 with a total investment of US$ 5,000,000.
Visa Law Firm - Canada Visa Immigration

Cyprus:

Cyprus is an island country located in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia. It is also the third most populous island in the region. The economy of Cyprus is prosperous and due the heavy influx of tourists and foreign investors, the property rental market in Cyprus has grown in recent years. In order to take fruitful advantage of its growing economy, many foreign nationals have made investment into the country. Apart from its growing economy, immigrants are also attracted due to its scenic beauty, low crime rates, strong education system and quality life.

Cyprus has initiated Citizenship by Investment program under which an applicant needs to make an investment of €2.0 million into real estate and in return applicant get EU second passport. This Passport allows many benefits to an applicant like access to live, study and work in any of the 28 countries of EU; travelling access to 158 countries including multiple entries into Canada for six months and Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macao for three months. However, the investment must be retained in real estate for a minimum of three years and at the end of the third year, the investment can be reduced to a €500,000 property which must be held indefinitely.

One can apply for this program along with his family members which includes Spouse and children up to the age of 28. Even parents can also be part of the application by further €500,000 investment in real estate. In order to be eligible, one has to be 18 years old with no criminal background.


Second Passport - Visa Law Firm
Second Passport - Visa Law Firm

Dominica:

Dominica is an island country located in Caribbean also known as Nature Island of Caribbean. It is known for its lush green mountains, beautiful rivers and waterfalls. Beside its tropical beauty, safe and peaceful environment of Dominica attracts many tourists and every year many tourists visit this place which adds wealth to its economy. Government of Dominica has also made a lot of efforts in making this place an attractive place to live like minimal taxation, safe and secure environment etc.

Dominica CBI program allows a foreign national to have citizenship of the country by making investment into the country either by way of Donation or by investing into real estate. An individual with good character, knowledge of English, Good health and no criminal background can apply under this program along with his family which includes his spouse, dependent children under 30 and parents. The citizenship allows an applicant Visa-free travel to over 125 countries, including Europe’s Schengen zone, the U.K., Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey. The program has following two options:

  • Government Fund Donation: An applicant needs to make a nonrefundable contribution to the Government Fund as per the following criteria:
    • Single Applicant: US$100,000
    • Family Application I (PA and Spouse): US$175,000
    • Family Application II (Applicant + up to three qualifying dependents): US$200,000 (An additional $25,000 is required for each additional dependent, other than a spouse.)
  • Real Estate Investment: An applicant needs to invest minimum of US$200,000 in a government-approved real estate development which must be retained for a minimum of three years. 
Visa Law Firm - Canada Visa Immigration

Greece:

Greece is the Southern European country known for its rich culture. The Greek people are known for their intelligence and their ability in sports, which makes this country very attractive for raising children. The economy of Greece is also developing day by day owing to high growth rates and low public debt. Greek golden visa program allows five year residency visa to the applicant in return of investment which is a route to citizenship. However, after 7 years, one can apply for citizenship. Under this program, an applicant needs to invest €250,000 in real estate. An applicant may apply for this visa along with his spouse, dependent children and parents. In order to be eligible, one has to be of good character, medically fit and having no criminal background.


Second Passport - Visa Law Firm
Second Passport - Visa Law Firm

Portugal

Portugal is the one of the oldest country in Europe. It is known for its rich culture and heritage. People over here are very warm and of welcoming nature, which makes this country a very peaceful place to visit and live. Portugal is a developed and high income country which makes it very attractive for investment purposes. There is no direct way of applying for citizenship of the country but an individual may apply for permanent residency through Golden visa, with which one can have access to citizenship. Portugal golden visa program allows permanent residency or citizenship to the foreign nationals with no criminal background to contribute to its economy by making investment. It is a six year investment-based residency program after which one becomes eligible for citizenship. Once an applicant receives the citizenship, he becomes eligible to travel to more than 160 countries in the world, including the USA, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and most countries in North, Central and South America. One can apply for this visa along with his family which includes spouse and dependent children. There are two investment options under this program which are as follows:

  • Real Estate Investment: Applicant may invest in real estate in the following ways:
    • may acquire property valued at €500,000 or more, or
    • may acquire property valued at €350,000 or more for properties more than 30 years old or located in urban regeneration areas designated for refurbishing, or
  • Capital Investment: Applicant may invest in following ways:
    • Buying securities of local companies for at least €1,000,000;
    • Investing at least €350,000 in research activities;
    • Getting shares of investments funds for at least €500,000;
    • Investing in the reconstruction of Portuguese heritage objects; 
    • Establishing a company and creating ten or more jobs.

Visa Law Firm - Canada Visa Immigration

Saint Kitts and Nevis:

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a two island nation located in the West Indies. It is sovereign and democratic country which makes it very appealing for the people to live in. Its economy is characterized by its dominant tourism, agriculture, and light manufacturing industries. It attracts many foreign nationals to establish their business or make investment as there is no tax on worldwide income. The Citizenship by Investment program of SKN allows an applicant to have dual citizenship which allows him to conduct visa free travel to more than 135 countries, including Schengen member states, the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore and more. Investor along with his family members (Spouse and dependent children) can apply under this program by making investment or by giving donation. However, one has to be of good character, medically fit and having no criminal background. The two options are as follows:

  • Donation: An applicant may donate money in Sustainable Growth Fund in the following threshold:
    • US$150,000: Single applicant.
    • US$25,000: Spouse.
    • US$10,000: Per additional dependent.
  • Real Estate Investment: An applicant may invest in government approved property a minimum amount of US$400,000, which needs to be maintained for at least 5 years.

Second Passport - Visa Law Firm
Second Passport - Visa Law Firm

Saint Lucia:

Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Lucia is the most exotic island consisting of beautiful beaches, diversified cuisine and hospitable people. It has developing economy which is mostly dominated by tourism and secondly by Agriculture. St. Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Program was initiated in January 2016 and is therefore the Caribbean’s newest citizenship program. Through this applicant gets citizenship that gives the right to live, study and work on the island of St. Lucia. Along with this, one can also travel visa free to 121 countries including the UK and Schengen Area. Any applicant who is of good health and of moral character with no criminal background can apply for this program along with his family members (Spouse, dependent children under 25 and Parents). Following are the four ways through which one can invest in the country:

Visa Law Firm - Canada Visa Immigration
  • Donation: An applicant may donate money in National Economic Fund organization in the following threshold:
    • US$100,000: Single applicant.
    • US$35,000: Spouse.
    • US$25,000: Per additional dependent.
  • Real Estate Investment: An Applicant may purchase property with minimum investment of US$300,000 in a pre-approved real estate development area. The property must be owned and maintained for a minimum of five years.
  • Government Bond Investment: An applicant may invest in Government Bonds in the following manner:
    • US$500,000: Single applicant.
    • US$35,000: Spouse.
    • US$25,000: Per additional dependent.
    • These bonds must be held for at least 5 years.
  • Enterprise Project Investment: An Applicant may invest a minimum of US$3.5 million in an approved enterprise project like specialty restaurants, cruise ports and marinas, agro-processing plants, pharmaceutical products, ports, bridges, roads and highways, research institutions and facilities, or offshore universities. However, one needs to create at least three jobs. Two individual in partnership may also apply making the investment of US$6 million and by creating 6 jobs.