Foreign nationals from all around the globe have been using Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and Residency by Investment (RBI) programs as a path to a better life for themselves and their family since 1984 – when the government of St. Kitts and Nevis launched the world’s very first CBI program as a way to attract foreign investment into the island country.
Since then, many other nations, from the Caribbean region to European countries, have introduced their own citizenship and residency by investment programs. But with so many immigration programs on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is the most suitable option for you and your loved ones.
Second citizenship and permanent residency differ in many ways, with each choice offering its own unique set of benefits and opportunities for foreign investors. This is why it can be difficult to figure out which one is best for you – they’re all so great.
In this article, we aim to help you figure out which option is best for you – citizenship by investment or residency by investment?
Before jumping into the benefits that citizenship and residency by investment programs provide, you should know what factors to take into consideration when deciding on which program to apply for:
One of the biggest reasons foreign investors decide to apply for a second citizenship or permanent residency in another country is for the freedom of movement it provides. Holding a second passport or European residence card affords individuals unparalleled global mobility that sees them gaining visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to many countries and territories worldwide, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and other attractive nations.
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That being said, you would want your second citizenship or permanent residency status to provide you with unrestricted travel to regions of the world that appeal most to you and your family, whether it be for business or leisure purposes.
Holding a second passport or European residence card affords individuals unparalleled global mobility.
All Citizenship by Investment and Residency by Investment programs require an investment, usually in the form of purchasing real estate or a one-time contribution, in exchange for a second passport or permanent residency. Before applying to any citizenship or residency program, take the time to think about what type of investment you want to make and how much you’re willing to spend on it.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, then we would suggest picking a Caribbean CBI program like Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda or St Kitts & Nevis as the one-time, non-refundable contribution is usually the more affordable investment choice.
However, if you are more interested in purchasing property, then we would suggest the European Union (EU) RBI programs like Portugal, Spain and Greece. The EU offers great real estate investment options for investors to live in or collect a rental return on before eventually reselling the property after the required holding period.
Many investors choose the European Union real estate to obtain a return on their investment through its rental. In addition, countries such as Portugal, Spain and Greece are an excellent option due to their touristic potential.
Lastly, it is important to consider the residency requirements that follow applying for CBI or RBI. This is especially important if you do not plan to relocate to or reside in the country you wish to be a citizen or resident of.
Each program will have a different minimum residency requirement, with most programs having none at all. Caribbean programs, for example, do not require investors to physically visit the country before, during or after the application process. Whereas EU Residency by Investment Programs impose a minimal residency requirement that must be fulfilled yearly.
Antigua & Barbuda is the only Caribbean CBI country that requires a 5-day physical residency over 5 years, making it the ideal getaway for a family vacation.
Whether you hold citizenship in a Caribbean country or European nation, you can be sure that you and your family will have access to a better quality of life that includes political and socio-economic stability, high-quality education and world-class healthcare systems.
Europe is known worldwide for its modern standard of living, while the Caribbean is famous for its laidback lifestyle, clean beaches with clear water and year-round tropical weather. By obtaining citizenship through a CBI program, you and your family will have the right to live, work, study and take advantage of all that your chosen nation has to offer.
Depending on what passport you hold, you might not be able to access profitable markets in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, or worse, you might suffer from unfair travel bans and sanctions placed on your nationality by foreign governments. Either way, investing in second citizenship can help overcome these problems and provide you with an easier, unrestricted way to travel around the world without being held back by the passport you hold.
Every year, investors and wealthy individuals suffer from travel bans imposed by governments on certain nationalities. A second citizenship is a great option to overcome these travel restrictions.
If recent events have shown us anything, it’s that having a Plan B is a must. The world is unpredictable and having the freedom to relocate to a more stable and safe country is a significant benefit that will help greatly in times of uncertainty, risky situations or urgent medical treatment that may not be available in your country.
Many of our clients come from conflict areas, and after receiving their second passport, they have expressed how obtaining a second passport has helped them secure a safe and prosperous future for themselves and their family.
Entrepreneurs and businesspeople are hurt most when they are only able to grow their company within the country of their birth. A second passport from a Caribbean or European country can provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel access to over 180 countries and territories worldwide.
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This means that entrepreneurs and businesspeople can grow their companies on an international level and access bigger markets, like the European Economic Area (EEA) – the world’s largest single market economy with nearly 500 million consumers.
Citizenship by investment allows individuals to enjoy many more options when it comes to where and how they want to retire, as well as decide where they would like to be tax residents.
The Caribbean is renowned for being home to a big community of wealthy, high-net-worth retirees from different nationalities and backgrounds. This is due to the favourable rates of currency exchange in countries where the cost of living is lower than in most western countries. Not to mention that the island nations like St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada are well-known for being tax havens with favourable tax policies.
In the modern world, entrepreneurs and businesspeople are no longer limited by geographical and economic boundaries. Business and trade have expanded into a global market that can be accessed by any company or individual who dares to go international.
Holding EU residency provides you with the opportunity to grow your business on an international level and access profitable economic markets in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as the EEA – the world’s largest single market economy with nearly 500 million consumers.
Did you know that Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in the world? And we’re sure you’re well aware that Europe is home to many countries that are thriving under stable political and socio-economic climates. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for every other country or continent in the world.
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Holding permanent residency in the EU provides you and your family with the ultimate safety net in times of political and economic instability or civil unrest in your home country. Secure a safe and prosperous present and future for yourself and your loved ones by applying for residency by investment.
Being a permanent EU resident will save you time, money and energy that would have been spent gathering the necessary paperwork and multiple visas to travel throughout Europe. By legally obtaining a residence permit for a European country, like Spain or Greece, you will be entitled to visa-free travel in the Schengen countries.
The most appealing part of applying to most Residency by Investment Programs is that after holding a residence permit for a given period, you will then be eligible to apply for a passport – which will, in turn, provide unrestricted access to over 180 countries and territories worldwide.
A residency permit entitles you and your family to the right to live, work and study in the European country hosting you. And with European healthcare and education widely recognised as some of the best in the world, this is an appealing benefit for many investors.
Residency by Investment Programs have minimal residency requirements in place. This means that even though your residence permit entitles you to relocate to your host country, there is no need to do so. Enjoy everything that Europe has to offer without having to leave your beloved home country behind.
As much as it pains parents to admit, the hard truth is that a child’s nationality and passport could negatively impact the course of their future.
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However, citizenship and residency by investment programs can change all that and ensure your children have access to a high quality of life, good education, world-class medical systems, great business and work opportunities, as well as a safe and stable environment.
It’s no secret that young, unmarried adults who recently graduated from high school or university have a hard time travelling to western countries like the Schengen Area, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
Young adults aged 18 to 30 from countries viewed as having a high emigration risk, like Lebanon, Nigeria, India and Bangladesh, often find it difficult to get a visa, even when it’s for tourism purposes.
However, when holding a second passport or permanent residency, your children can easily travel to more than 130 countries and territories worldwide without any visa restrictions, as well as obtain certain visas more efficiently, regardless of their age or original nationality.
The Grenada program is the only Caribbean CBI program that offers an opportunity to obtain an E-2 Investor visa in the United States of America.
Obtaining residency or citizenship in another country will give your children access to live, work and study in a nation with high-quality education systems and great business and job opportunities. This is especially beneficial when acquiring an EU passport which will allow individuals to study and work anywhere in the European Union.
Many countries that offer Citizenship by Investment or Residency by Investment programs, especially those located in Europe, afford their citizens and residents world-class healthcare. If your child requires advanced medical treatments, or you would like to ensure that they have the best healthcare should anything happen, then this is the perfect solution for you. Not to mention that when holding a passport from an EU country, your children will be entitled to consular protection and support from any EU-member consulate globally.
Unfortunately, certain nationalities are put at a disadvantage, considered suspicious or can be seen as a security risk based on the country of their birth. This is an unfair bias that is forced upon innocent individuals daily. If your child is at risk of this problem, it is best to obtain second citizenship or permanent residency to avoid any arbitrary prejudgement and ensure that they are given the treatment and respect they deserve.
Please be aware that applying to any citizenship or residency by investment program can only be done through a government-approved agent like Savory & Partners. When seeking second citizenship or permanent residency, be sure to render the services of an accredited and recognised advisor.
The Savory & Partners team is made up of a diverse group of industry experts who span over 15 nationalities, speak over 25 languages collectively, and come with decades of accumulated CBI and RBI industry experience. Our level of expertise and competence combined with our commitment to serving our clients with the highest level of professionalism and transparency has led us to aid over 1,100 families obtain a second passport with a 100% success rate. There is no one better positioned and more trustworthy than Savory & Partners when seeking the best results on your quest to secure a better future for yourself and your family.
If you would like to apply to citizenship or residency by investment program or would like to learn more, get in contact with us today for a free online consultation and one of our skilled agents will happily aid you in your enquiry.
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