<p>A few countries in the world grant individuals full citizenship without the trouble of moving there and all other difficulties associated with it. Under such programs, these countries simply require a financial contribution or real estate investment in exchange of providing individuals and stakeholders a second citizenship in a period of two to six months.</p>
<p>Citizenship with no commotion: Which countries offer a passport without migrating? </p> <p>Written by<br /> Veronica Cotdemiey, CEO of Citizenship Invest</p> <p>The vast majority<br /> of people believe that the process of obtaining a second citizenship or another<br /> nationality is long and tedious. Most look to countries such as the US, Canada,<br /> Australia and the UK, along with other European countries, only to be faced<br /> with their stringent requirements. These requirements are both costly and<br /> time-consuming, often demanding people to reside in the country for a<br /> significant period of time, assimilating the culture and learning a new native<br /> language. However, another solution exists that many are not be familiar with. </p> <p>A few countries<br /> in the world grant individuals full citizenship without the trouble of moving<br /> there and all other difficulties associated with it. Under such programs, these<br /> countries simply require a financial contribution or real estate investment in<br /> exchange of providing individuals and stakeholders a second citizenship in a<br /> period of two to six months. For wealthy and affluent businessmen and<br /> entrepreneurs who do not have the option of immigrating without disrupting<br /> their lives, these programs are ideal as they can provide them and their<br /> families with the ability to obtain a second passport in a swift and convenient<br /> manner. </p> <p>The following<br /> are the most prominent countries in the world that provide people with full<br /> citizenships without ever residing there:</p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/residency-programs/cyprus" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cyprus</a></p> <p>Number one on<br /> the list is Cyprus. This is due to the fact that it is the only country that<br /> grants investors a European passport in only 6 months without ever re-locating.<br /> The passport allows access to 145 countries visa-free and most importantly the<br /> possibility to live and work anywhere within the European Union. Obtaining a<br /> Cypriot nationality comes with a price tag of Euros 2 Million in luxury real<br /> estate, however, for wealthy businessmen becoming a European national is the<br /> best option for their families and businesses, certainly well worth investing<br /> in. These individuals have also realized the investment power in Cyprus<br /> booming real estate market. In addition, according to the Cypriot citizenship<br /> law, an investor is eligible to sell the property after 3 years, keeping one<br /> lower in value for Euros 500,000. This provides investors with the opportunity<br /> of making a profit while retaining full citizenship status. </p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/fast-citizenship-programs/grenada" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grenada</a></p> <p>Grenada is a<br /> Caribbean country that has seen a great surge in demand for its citizenship.<br /> Grenada is special because is the only country in the Caribbean with a<br /> citizenship program which allows citizens to apply for an E-2 visa which grants<br /> them residency in the USA. The Grenadian passport is the only Caribbean<br /> passport that allows visa-free access to China, which can be a major advantage<br /> for stakeholders with business operations and ties with China. Grenada grants its<br /> passport for a USD 200,000 financial contribution to the countrys National<br /> Transformation Fund. The countrys passport holders do not need to relocate to<br /> Grenada, and they will also get visa-free access to 120 countries including<br /> China, Schengen states, and the United Kingdom.</p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/fast-citizenship-programs/st-lucia">Saint Lucia</a></p> <p>The citizenship<br /> by investment program being offered by this beautiful island in the Caribbean<br /> has become a major international player. It namely rose to fame because with a<br /> recent change in the legislation the citizenship program became more affordable<br /> and because it does not require you visit the country at any point in time. A<br /> USD 100,000 contribution to St. Lucias National Economic Fund or an investment<br /> in a Government-Approved project in St. Lucia will lawfully grant you a second<br /> passport allowing you instant visa-free travel to 123 countries worldwide including<br /> the Schengen zone and the United Kingdom as well as other notable international<br /> business and tourist hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. With the launch of<br /> The Ritz-Carlton Resort in St. Lucia, that is set to open its doors in 2021,<br /> the resort is set to be a major contributor to the country CBI program.</p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/fast-citizenship-programs/dominica">Dominica</a></p> <p>Another favorite<br /> country among citizenship by investment programs without the need to immigrate is<br /> the Commonwealth of Dominica. It is one of the most cost-effective programs and<br /> allows visa-free access to 118 countries. The program has been established<br /> since 1991 and it grants an individual full citizenship rights for a financial<br /> contribution of USD 100,000 to the countrys Government Fund. Another<br /> investment option is Dominicas Government-Approved real estate projects such<br /> as Kempinski Hotel, through which investors have a tangible investment with a profitable<br /> potential.</p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/fast-citizenship-programs/st-kitts">Saint Kitts & Nevis</a></p> <p>This Caribbean<br /> country allows you to acquire its citizenship without immigrating and living in<br /> it at any point in time. It requires a financial contribution of USD 250,000 to<br /> the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund (SIDF) or a real estate investment of<br /> USD 400,000 in any Government Approved project. St. Kitts passport offers visa-free<br /> travel to 129 countries included Schengen states and United Kingdom. </p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/fast-citizenship-programs/antigua-barbuda">Antigua & Barbuda</a></p> <p>Unlike other<br /> countries in the Caribbean, Antigua does require you to visit the country for<br /> at least 5 days before granting you its citizenship, which is certainly<br /> worthwhile as the country is stunning. The citizenship program requires a<br /> minimum financial contribution of USD 250,000 to the National Development Fund<br /> or a USD 400,000 in the countrys Government-Approved project. Its passport<br /> allows you visa-free access to 129 worldwide including all of the Schengen zone,<br /> UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other first world countries. </p> <p><a href="https://www.citizenshipinvest.com/en/our-programs/residency-programs/portugal">Portugal</a></p> <p>This is the last<br /> country on our list. We chose to mention Portugal in this list because it<br /> technically could grants you citizenship without moving or living in the<br /> country. The major difference with Portugal and the rest of the countries on<br /> the list is that an individual need to obtain a Residency card in Portugal and<br /> maintain the card for a period of 5 years, subsequently obtain Permanent<br /> Residency and after year 6 he or she could be eligible to apply for Portuguese<br /> citizenship, provided that they have a basic knowledge of Portuguese language. The<br /> initial residency card is granted after an initial investment of Euros 500,000<br /> in real estate anywhere in Portugal and must be renewed a couple of times over<br /> the first 5 years. </p> <p>According to the<br /> law of each country, the issued passport can never be revoked. Each country, with<br /> the exception of Portugal, processes the citizenship in a timeframe of two to six<br /> months, the period varies from one country to the other and from a case to<br /> another.</p>