Samuel OskysFor those that are looking at the programs, it can be difficult to know how to choose between the different CIP Programs available. Here are some of the most popular programs:
St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis is home to one of the oldest programs in the Caribbean. To gain citizenship, €135,000 one-time contributions are required or a €180,000 investment in real estate is required. No residency or time spent living on St Kitts and Nevis are required to gain the passport. They also offer a 60-day fast track procedure that provides travel to 151 countries.
Cyprus
Cyprus citizenship by investment program is particularly popular due to it being a European Union Country. The program requires a €2million investment into real estate bonds or enterprises. Applicants are required to possess a Schengen visa when applying and there is a maximum of 700 passports issued every year.
Malta
The Malta citizenship program is yet another popular program since it was approved by the European Commission and the executive body of the EU in 2004. The government is very efficient, strict and committed to high levels of due diligence and evaluation of investors, in order to attract the most trustworthy candidates with the highest standards. Some of the requirements are a contribution of €650,000 after being issued a Malta approval letter, purchase in real estate of €350,000 and maintaining it for 5 or more years. See more on the Malta citizenship program here.
Moldova
Moldova opened the new program in 2018. At just €100,000 it is one of the cheapest programs in eastern Europe. The process takes 3 months with no requirements for residency. The price is somewhat cheap due to Moldova not being a member of the EU or apart of the Schengen. However, it benefits from an E-2 treaty investor visa with the US.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers fast track citizenship but strictly through residency. Applicants are required to invest one million euros that are locked for five years in government bonds. Due to recent stricter changes applicants now face language requirements. However, the passport provides many benefits as Bulgaria is an EU country and also has visa-free travel to Canada.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu in the south pacific offers its citizenship by investment program for €135,000. Vanuatu has the fastest program of just one month and also has the benefit of providing visa-free travel to Russia. A person visit to the country is required but following this, no residency is required to gain the passport.
Montenegro
Relatively new the Montenegro citizenship program began to accept applications in January 2019. The program required a government donation or investment in an approved real estate project. Investments start from €350,000 and increases depending on the length of citizenship. Once a citizen it will be possible to travel to 117 countries without visas and it will also be possible to benefit from a favourable tax system.
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