There is no direct way to buy a passport. Instead, this phrase often refers to Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs that offer a second passport and legal citizenship in exchange for making a significant financial investment in real estate, government bonds, or a national development fund.
In this guide, we will take you through how to buy a passport, the advantages of doing so and the different citizenship by investment programs worth investing in.
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs allow individuals to obtain citizenship in a country by making a financial investment, such as purchasing real estate, contributing to government funds, or investing in local businesses. In exchange, applicants receive citizenship, including a passport, which grants them benefits like visa-free travel, tax advantages, and access to new business opportunities.
Investment programs have become more popular as countries rely on foreign investment to strengthen their economies. Each Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program has different requirements and benefits. Therefore, when comparing these programs, key factors to consider include investment amounts, processing times, tax advantages, and each program’s unique selling points. These elements are crucial in selecting the right program for your needs.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the leading CBI programs and highlight essential factors to help you make an informed decision.
Buy a Passport: Key Takeaways
Can you buy citizenship?
Countries that offer economic citizenship don’t directly allow foreigners to buy citizenship but instead require them to invest in the country’s economy through a range of investment choices.
This process is known as citizenship by investment and involves a detailed due diligence process. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can buy a passport.
A number of countries in the Caribbean and Europe run Citizenship by Investment programs, allowing foreigners to invest in a country’s economy in exchange for citizenship.
Many countries have adopted these types of citizenship programs, from Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada in the Caribbean to Malta in Europe, which also offers an expedited passport application process for citizenship by naturalization.
How to Buy a Passport
There are several steps you must take before you can “buy a passport”:
STEP 1: Pick a citizenship by investment program. Think about what you want to get out of your second passport. Consider tax breaks, visa-free travel, timeline to citizenship, and costs to obtain citizenship and a passport.
STEP 2: Pass the eligibility criteria. Check that you fulfill the eligibility criteria, including being over 18, having a clean criminal record, not being from a prohibited country, and having the economic means to meet the minimum investment requirements.
STEP 3: Make your qualifying investment. Review the investment requirements of your chosen citizenship program and ensure you make your investment according to its specifications.
STEP 4: Submit your citizenship application along with the supporting documents, which may include proof of funds, a clean criminal record, a passport copy, a medical certificate, and proof of investment. After submission, you can track your application status. Remember to pay the necessary application fees.
STEP 5: Secure a new passport for yourself and your family. Once you’ve successfully applied for citizenship, submit a passport application to secure a second passport.
Benefits of Buying a Passport
Travel Freedom
Access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to many countries.
Business Opportunities
An Plan B passport allows you to expand your business in new markets with fewer restrictions.
Tax Advantages
Some countries have no income or capital gains tax, which reduces your tax burden.
Security
Provides a backup plan in case of political or economic instability in your home country.
Family Inclusion
Most programs let you include your family, giving them access to the same benefits.
Residency and Citizenship Flexibility
Freedom to live, work, and settle in multiple countries.
Education and Healthcare
Better options for schooling and medical care in your new country.
Quality of Life
Enjoy safer environments, improved living standards, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
To learn more about second citizenship
6 Caribbean Countries You Can Buy a Passport
Second citizenship with a Caribbean or Oceania passport offers personal and financial security. If you’re running a business, a Caribbean passport can help you manage your corporate assets, protect your finances, and offer numerous tax exemptions that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
Additionally, several citizenship programs have no residency requirements or the requirement to visit the country to complete the passport application process, meaning your citizenship application can be completed remotely.
Buy a real passport online with citizenship by investment and get:
- Visa-free travel to over 140 destinations worldwide
- Freedom to own a second home in paradise
- Economic advantages through tax concessions
- Dual citizenship that can be passed down to future generations
1. Grenada
A passport issued through the Grenada citizenship by investment program gives passport holders access to over 140 countries, including Europe’s Schengen Area, the UK, Russia, and China. It also allows citizens to apply for the US E-2 Visa. Grenada’s citizenship by investment program delivers passports in four to nine months, and the entire family is eligible.
2. Dominica
Dominica has one of the cheapest passports by investment programs and offers the most affordable passport for a single applicant. Those who invest in the Dominica citizenship by investment program can obtain a Dominica passport by investing $200,000 in the country’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), with processing fees of $10,000.
3. Antigua and Barbuda
Through Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program, a foreign investor and their family of five can acquire second passports, with the added benefit of sending one family member to the University of the West Indies for a year with waived tuition fees.
4. St. Kitts and Nevis
Besides staking claim having one of the Caribbean’s most powerful passports, it is also home to one of the oldest CBI programs, the St. Kitts and Nevis’ citizenship by investment program. It requires a minimum investment of just $250,000 in the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). Foreign nationals can gain a passport in 12 months, providing visa-free travel to 153 countries worldwide.
5. St. Lucia
While most Caribbean citizenship programs revolve around investments in real estate or non-refundable state contributions, St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program provides the option of a straightforward capital transfer into government bonds, which is refundable after five years. A new St. Lucia passport through refundable government bonds costs just $240,000.
6. Vanuatu (Oceania)
Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment program is highly regarded for the efficiency of its citizenship and passport agency, which processes Vanuatu passport applications within 60 days. After making the required investment of $130,000 in the country’s development fund and passing due diligence checks, new passports are issued quickly.
8 Countries in the EU You Can Buy a Passport
The growing popularity of dual and multiple citizenships is driven by an increasing interdependence of economics and the expansion of global mobility.
Global Intelligence Unit’s “The Transformation of Citizenship” report notes this is especially prominent in regions with strong economic or political networks, such as the European Union as citizenship offers access to a 27 countries in total.
According to our Global Passport Index, European passports are some of the most powerful passports, providing travel freedom and a secure plan B.
Buy EU citizenship and get the following benefits:
- The right to work, live, study, and conduct business. anywhere in the EU and the Schengen Area.
- Visa-free travel to over 170 destinations globally.
- Access to the EU trading bloc.
- Access to quality healthcare, schooling, and work opportunities.
1. Malta
It’s important to emphasize that Malta’s citizenship by investment program does not provide a direct pathway to Maltese citizenship and an EU passport. The Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program (CES) is the fastest route to obtain an EU passport by naturalization, with foreigners able to get passports within 12 to 36 months starting from an investment of €690,000.
2. Turkey
While many CBI countries impose specific criteria on real estate investments for citizenship eligibility, Turkey’s CBI program offers a distinct advantage by allowing investors to choose real estate without restrictions or pre-approval requirements. An investment of $400,000 can grant a second passport in four months.
3. Portugal
The Portugal Golden Visa program allows investors to gain residency through investment. The minimum investment starts at €250,000 in research and cultural contributions. You can apply for permanent residency in Portugal after five years of legal residence. After 10 years of residence in total, you may become eligible for Portuguese citizenship. For EU and CPLP citizens, the citizenship requirement is reduced to seven years.
4. Greece
With a minimum investment of €250,000 in real estate you can get a Greece Golden Visa. This program also grants access to the Schengen Area, and after seven years of residency, investors can apply for citizenship.
5. Latvia
One of Europe’s most affordable programs is Latvia’s Golden Visa, with a minimum investment starting at just €50,000. There is also a real estate option with an investment requirement of €250,000. The program provides access to the Schengen Area, and Latvia has one of the highest rental yields in Europe, making it an attractive option for investors
6. Serbia
Serbia’s residency by investment program allows individuals to acquire residency by investing in real estate. There is no investment requirement, but investors must purchase apartments, houses, or commercial properties. Citizenship is possible after six years of residency.
7. Cyprus
Cyprus offers a residency by investment program with a minimum real estate investment requirement of €300,000. It provides easy access to Europe and the Middle East, making it a popular choice for those looking for residency in a Mediterranean location.
8. Hungary
The Hungary Golden Visa Program, officially known as the Guest Investor Program (GIP), was reintroduced on July 1, 2024. A qualifying investment of only €250,000 in a state-approved real estate investment fund is required, and after five years, applicants can apply for citizenship.
Buying a Passport: A Comparison
You can choose between citizenship by investment and residency by investment programs when looking to purchase a passport.
Citizenship by investment are a direct route to citizenship as you receive your passport immediately after making the investment and meeting requirements.
On the other hand, residency by investment (also known as a Golden Visa) is not a direct route to citizenship but it can still lead to permanent residency, citizenship, and a passport once specific criteria are met. The one key benefit of a Golden Visa is that it grants flexibility without the need to relocate immediately.
Let’s take a look at an overview of the best programs if you’re looking to buy a passport.
| Country | Program Type | Minimum Investment | Type of Investment | Stay Requirement | Time Until citizenship | Ease of Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Citizenship by investment | €2 million | Business investments or government funds. | None | Case-by-case basis | Hard |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Citizenship by investment | $230,000 | Real estate National Development Fund contribution, or business investment | 5 days within the first five years | Six months | Easy |
| Grenada | Citizenship by investment | $235,000 | National Transformation Fund contribution or real estate investment | None | Six to nine months | Easy |
| Dominica | Citizenship by investment | $200,000 | Economic Diversification Fund contribution or real estate investment | None | Six to Nine months | Easy |
| Malta | Citizenship by investment | 700000 | Property investment government bonds, and a donation | 12-36 months | 12 to 36 months | Hard |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Citizenship by investment | $250,000 | Sustainable Growth Fund contribution or real estate investment. | None | 12 months | Easy |
| Turkey | Citizenship by investment | $400,000 | Real estate investment Turkish bank deposit or government bond investment | None | Three to six months | Medium |
| Vanuatu | Citizenship by investment | $130,000 | Contribution to the Vanuatu Development Support Program | None | 60 days | Easy |
| St. Lucia | Citizenship by investment | $240,000 | National Economic Fund (NEF) Real estate investment | None | 10-12 months | Easy |
| Portugal | (Portugal Golden Visa) Residency by investment | 250000 | Job creation, research, cultural contribution | 7 days in the first year, 14 days each subsequent 2-year period | 10 years (7 for EU and CPLP nationals) | Medium |
| Greece | (Greece Golden Visa) Residency by investment | 250000 | Real estate government bonds, or business investment | None | Seven years | Medium |
| Cyprus | (Cyprus Golden Visa) Residency by investment | €300,000 | Real estate | None | Seven years | Medium |
| Serbia | Serbia Residency by investment | There is no minimum amount required but investors must buy certain types of real estate: – Apartment – Residential building – Business premises and business buildings | Real Estate | 183 days annually | Six years | Easy |
| Latvia | (Latvia Golden Visa) Residenct by investment | 250000 | Real estate, Business investment, Bank deposits, Government bonds | None | Five years | Easy |
| Hungary | Hungary Golden Visa | 250000 | Real Estate Investment Fund, Residential Real Estate Donation | 270 days | Five years | Easy |
| United States (EB-5 Visa) | (EB-5 Visa) Residency by investment | $240,000 | $800,000 in targeted employment areas; $1.05 million otherwise.. | Six months a year | Five years after obtaining a Green Card | Hard |
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
