What is citizenship by investment?
Some jurisdictions provide legal programs through which eligible applicants may apply for citizenship after meeting defined requirements that can include an approved investment, fees and due-diligence checks. The existence of a program does not mean every applicant qualifies or that approval is guaranteed.
What should you compare between programs?
- Approximate minimum investment and additional fees.
- Which family members may be included.
- Any residence or visit requirements.
- Expected processing timeframe.
- Due-diligence and source-of-funds requirements.
- Legal and tax implications that should be reviewed with independent specialists.
Total cost is more than the investment amount
Total cost can include government fees, due-diligence charges, processing fees and professional services, and may vary according to family size, age and program structure. A decision should not be based on one headline figure alone.
Due diligence and source of funds
Serious citizenship programs rely on background screening, source-of-funds and source-of-wealth reviews and other compliance checks. Information and documents provided during a formal application need to be accurate, consistent and verifiable.
Is citizenship by investment suitable for you?
That depends on your objectives, budget, family situation, current nationality and future plans. An initial assessment can help eliminate unsuitable routes before you enter a specialist consultation.