With the passage of time, more people around the world are interested in having a second citizenship. If you are one of those but you are afraid of losing the current nationality, you shouldn’t worry about that. It just means getting two legal passports. Many people are drawn to this option because it can make travel easier, open up new investment opportunities, or provide the possibility of living in another country someday. So, if you want to learn more about this process, we are here to tell you all about it.
Citizenship by investment
This is a program in which a country allows a foreigner to become a citizen if they want to invest money in that country. That money supports the country’s economy or development, in return the person receives: a passport from that country, the legal rights of a citizen, and easier travel to many other countries.
The cost of the program depends on the country, usually starting around $90,000 and going up to a few hundred thousand dollars. So, let’s see some of the programs.
St. Kitts and Nevis
It has the oldest citizenship program by investment in the world; it has been active since 1984. For this program:
- Minimum donation: $250,000
- Real estate investment: $325,000
- Processing time: 3 to 4 months
This passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 157 countries, including the United Kingdom, European Union countries, and Singapore.
Grenada
This comes with a special benefit: an E-2 visa agreement with the U.S., which lets people apply to live and work there. In this case:
- Donation option: $235,000
- Real estate option: $270,000
- Processing time: 7 to 8 months
Malta
It offers full European Union citizenship and you should know that:
- Minimum investment: $600,000
- Residency required: 12 to 36 months
With a Maltese passport, people can travel visa-free to over 180 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and all EU countries.
Vanuatu
If you don’t want to wait long and want an easy process, Vanuatu is your choice. In here:
- Donation: $130,000
- Processing time: less than 3 months
No residency or property purchase required
The passport allows visa-free travel to 113 countries, but not the Schengen area.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia allows applicants to choose from several options and:
- Minimum donation: $240,000
- Processing time: 12 to 14 months
The passport allows travel to 147 countries, including the UK and European Union.
Turkey
If your interest is buying properties, this is your program because it is based only on buying property. Here, you will find that:
- Property purchase: $400,000
- Processing time: 3 to 5 months
The passport allows travel to more than 100 countries, though not the Schengen area.
Dominica
This one is known for lower costs and it is easy to include family members. For this program:
- Donation or real estate: $200,000
- Processing time: 4 to 6 months
São Tomé and Príncipe
This might not sound so familiar to you because this is one of the newest programs. In this case:
- Donation: $90,000
- Processing time: about 2 months
The passport allows travel to 61 countries.
Nauru
Nauru updated its program in 2024. Now, same-sex couples, unmarried couples, and people without a nationality can apply. The passport lets you travel to 89 countries, including the UK. Keep in mind that:
- Donation: $105,000
- Processing time: 3 to 6 months
Antigua and Barbuda
This offers options that work well for families. The passport allows travel to more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In this case:
- Donation: $230,000
- Real estate: $300,000
- Processing time: 4 to 7 months
To sum up
If you were wondering how you could get a second citizenship, by learning about these programs, you can see if one could fit your personal plans, travel needs, and future goals.