Christopher ZeniosWith so many CIP on offer, how do you chose? Many believe that the best programs rely on the ability of how many places you can travel however, you should not focus on the number of places but rather where you need to go. Factors such as tax, business, and daily life also important and should come into consideration. With this in mind here are some of the top CIP to choose from.
Cyprus
Cyprus CIP requires an investment of €2 million ($2,223,500.00) in new real estate. The island has seen a flurry of investment especially in the city of Limassol, known for its cosmopolitan lifestyle. Cyprus also benefits from low tax and as a result, the Cypriot passport is ideal for those who wish to start a low tax company with the majority of the population speaking English with aids business.
Malta
The CIP in Malta is broken down into investments into government bonds alongside donations which altogether cost €650,000 ($722637). The Malta passport provides access to the European Union and also the United States making it a very popular passport for those who wish to do business in both Europe and the US.
Moldova
The Moldova CIP provides visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen Area and to Russia, however, does not include travel to the UK or Ireland. However, this passport is ideal for those who want access to Russia. The price for the Moldova passport is to either donate €100,000 ($111175.00) plus pay a government fee or invest €250,000 ($277937.50) in approved real estate.
Turkey
Turkey’s CIP was launched in 2017 following the all-time tow of the Turkish lira. The CIP is designed to entice investors to Turkey, with the program popular mostly Arabs seeking an Islamic safe haven. The process is not as simple as others with an investment $250,000 into real estate with the properties (if multiple) required to be purchased, titled and signed on the same day.
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis CIP is one of the longest-running programs, starting in 1984. It offers a fast track option of just 45 days for those who can provide a valid reason. There are two options for investment one being a donation starting at $150,000 or the purchase of select real estate starting from $200,000. The passport has recently lost its appeal after losing visa-free access to Canada in 2014. However, the passport does provide visa-free travel to Russia.
Grenada
Grenada passports provide visa-free travel to Russia and China. The CIP is the only Caribbean program to be apart of the E-2 treaty program which put simply provides a simplified procedure to live part-time in the US as a business owner. To qualify for citizenship a donation of $150,000 for a single person or $200,000 for a married couple is required.
What CIP should you choose?
As you can see a variety of programs are on offer each with interesting features. When deciding what CIP is best, you will need to assess your needs. For example, an individual who wishes to frequently travel to Russia for business would not benefit from a CIP that gives EU access only, but rather a program such as Grenada or Moldova that grants access to Russia.
For someone who is seeking low tax and to start a business a program such as the Cyprus CIP is ideal. Or for those seeking a cheap safe haven Turkey CIP could be of interest. Another factor to keep in mind is that some of the CIP require you to reside in the country for a certain amount of time each year. So, when choosing a CIP it is best to ask:
Can I live here?
What facilities are available for everyday life?
What business/banking/legal infostructure is in place?
If you have children, what education is available?
What language is spoken?
What healthcare is available?
Once you answer the above and know all your requirements and specific needs the process of choosing a CIP will be narrowed down and you will join the ever-growing group of those who obtain a second passport.
