Some of the most frequent questions we get at Shorex are about the requirements each country has in order to get a second passport via citizenship. We find that our clients sometimes overlook the difference between being a citizen and a resident, and the residency requirements of some countries for citizenship. In some cases, in order to obtain citizenship, all you need to do is provide a donation in the country’s government programs. In some other cases you will have to spend some time living in the respective country in order to become its citizen…
Some of the most frequent questions we get at Shorex are about the requirements each country has in order to get a second passport via citizenship.
We find that our clients sometimes overlook the difference between being a citizen and a resident, and the residency requirements of some countries for citizenship.
In some cases, in order to obtain citizenship (and a passport), all you need to do is provide a donation in the country’s government programs. In some other cases you will have to spend some time living in the respective country in order to become its citizen.
We are hoping to clear this up and make it as easy as possible for you to gain a second passport. We will be highlighting the countries that require no time spent living in them, or that require a small amount of time over the course of a year. These are the fastest ways to get a second passport around the world.
First, it’s worth explaining the difference between being a citizen and a resident.
Citizenship vs Residency
A citizen is a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native (born a citizen) or naturalized (not born a citizen).
Whereas a resident is a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis. You can also have a residency card of a country, giving you the right to reside in that country, without being a resident.
Though these terms may look similar, they in fact have very strict legal definitions. A failure to understand them could lead you to make the wrong choice when trying to get a second passport.
A citizen of a country has rights that are not conferred on a resident. Citizens will hold that status, and those rights, for life (unless they renounce their citizenship of course). Also, citizenship status can be inherited by children and grandchildren merely by proving that they are close relatives of the original citizen (exact requirements vary by country).
Residents have no such security. Residency status can also, depending on the laws of that country, be separated into temporary and permanent residency. It is common for residents to have to renew their residency permits by continuing to satisfy that country’s legal requirements, these may include continuing to hold the initial investment, maintain clean health and criminal records, and meet physical residency requirements. How often a residency permit has to be renewed, and the conditions to be met, will depend on each particular country.
The quickest way to gain citizenship is to apply for it in a country that does not require physical residency, or has a very short physical residency requirement.
Second passport countries with no physical residency requirements.
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Kitts & Nevis has a long running citizenship by investment program which either requires a non-refundable ‘donation’ ($250,000 for a single applicant, $300,000 for a family of 4), or a real estate of investment of $400,000, or a direct business investment. Each of these schemes will grant a passport to investors.
You never need visit St. Kitts, or take any kind of citizenship test. Family members, spouse and children can also apply along with yourself. You can travel with a St. Kitts passport visa-free to over 131 countries and territories including UK, Europe and more. (See all countries you can travel to using our tool)
Read more about St. Kitts here.
Dominica
Dominica has the cheapest Caribbean passport program at the moment. You can gain a passport through a non-refundable contribution to the government fund of $100,000 or purchase of property worth $200,000. As with St. Kitts, there is no minimum residency requirement. A Dominica passport allows you to travel visa free to 119 countries and territories including the UK and Europe. A second passport from Dominica will cost a family of four (applicant, spouse and two children under 18-years-old) about $200,000, plus fees, which comes to a total cost in the realm of $350,000.
Compared to St. Kitts, a family of four can obtain economic citizenship and second passports from Dominica for less than it would cost in St. Kitts. However, you won’t be able to travel to as many places visa-free.
Read more about Dominica here.
Cyprus
For those of you seeking an EU passport, Cyprus has a €2.5 million real estate investment program where a Cypriot passport is issued to investors within 3 months after the initial investment is made.
The Cyprus program offers full EU citizenship and a second passport to members of your family (including dependents up to age 28) within just 90 days. An EU passport is one of the very best, it allows you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 158 countries or territories. The best part is that once again there is no residency requirement. The scheme has a very high approval rate and the process is very straightforward. Unlike certain other programs in Europe such as Malta, the funds are invested, not donated, and Cyprus offers an exit strategy for that investment after just 3 years. This has consistently proven to be the quickest and most economically viable route to gaining an EU passport.
Read more about Cyprus here.
Second passport countries with small physical residency requirements
Though these countries require some physical residency, and may take a little more time, if you are looking for a permanent move to these countries specifically these citizenship / Residency schemes may suit you.
Portugal
Portugal has introduced a ‘Golden visa real estate’ program where upon purchasing property valued at a minimum of €500,000, a European residence permit is granted. The Golden Visa Portugal allows you to obtain residency in Portugal for the first 5 years and then apply for Portuguese citizenship in 6 years. Your family and children can also apply. There is a minimum stay requirement of one week per year in the first year, and 2 weeks each subsequent year. You will also need to pass a language test to apply for citizenship. Portugal is a full member state of EU and Schengen, and as such, the Portuguese passport allows you to live and work anywhere within the European Union and have visa-free, or visa-on-arrival access to 170 countries and territories.
Read more about Portugal here.
Malta
A Malta passport gives you access to Switzerland and visa-free travel to 167 countries as well as the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union. In addition, Malta and the US have a Visa Waiver program similar to the UK, it involves getting an ESTA; which operates a bit differently from other types of documentation.
The cost of a Maltese passport is approximately €1.1m which includes a one off down payment of €650,000 in the country’s economy. This program has a cap at 1,800 passports and there’s a requirement to ‘reside’ in Malta, this means there needs to be nominal proof of residency in the country for 12 months (such as an apartment lease, rental car agreement, gym membership, etc.). The number of days you actually to be present on the island are not stated.
Read more about Malta here.
What Next?
These countries are prime candidates for second passports and citizenship. The entry requirements are low, the processes are straightforward and they offer you many benefits when you become a citizen.
To see where each passport allows you to travel, use our handy tool. It allows you to see where you can travel visa-free around the world on every countries passport.
For more on each country’s program, see Shorex Capital’s website. Which will take you through the benefits and requirements of each country.
Also get in touch with one of Shorex Capital’s advisors, they will be happy to help with all your residency needs.
