Middle East

More Iraqis and Syrians buy second passport

Citizenship by investment programs (Second passport programs) offer the chance to lawfully acquired a new passport rapidly and straightforward.

Around the globe, many countries offer Citizenship-by-investment programs (Second passport programs) for foreign investors in exchange for investment or real-estate purchase. And with few other alternatives, Iraqis and Syrians who can pay for such second passport programs are being drawn to them.

Iraq and Syria passport ranking

Iraqi passports are only just above those issued by Afghanistan, allowing entry to 28 destinations without getting a visa prior to the trip. Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen round out the bottom 5 in 2021, with 29, 32, and 33 visa-free destinations, respectively.

An exciting list of benefits is on hand to “newly-hatched” citizens

There are many benefits to have a second passport, from, security, business, and quality of living to global mobility.

Second Passports Iraqis and Syrians can buy

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a relatively attractive option for Iraqis and Syrians as it does not require those looking to become citizens to live in the country for any set period of time. Actually, prospective citizens never even have to visit the country. St Kitts and Nevis's citizenship program by investment is the oldest in the world, it was launched in 1984.

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program  is another smart option. However, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, at its meeting held on 26th February 2020, updated the Restricted Countries List as follows:

• Afghanistan
• Iran
• North Korea
• Somalia
• Yemen
• Sudan

Nationals of the countries listed are eligible to apply for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment Program after having met the following criteria:

• Individuals born in these restricted countries but who migrated before the age of majority and/or have maintained permanent residence in any country other than those on the restricted country list, for a period of not less than 10 years and maintain no economic ties to any restricted country.

Dominica's citizenship by investment program is one of the cheapest in the Caribbean. While St Lucia is the only Caribbean country that allows the investor to obtain a second passport by purchasing government bonds. The applicant will not receive any interest against the bond, and she/he must hold the bond for a minimum of five years. The minimum investment required through this option is USD 500,000.

Grenada’s citizenship by investment is the only one in the Caribbean to offer visa-free travel to China and Russia in addition to Europe and over 143 countries in total.

It is also the only Caribbean citizenship by investment jurisdiction that is an E-2 Visa Treaty Country meaning that citizens of Grenada may apply for an E-2 visa in the U.S.A.

The Vanuatu citizenship by investment program (CBI) has become very popular among investors with a fintech background in the blockchain and crypto space. The Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP) requires one-time donation starting from USD 130,000 to the state fund, in exchange for lifetime citizenship.

Getting citizenship in Malta – an EU country whose passport allows visa-free access to 183 countries ranking the Maltese passport among the top ten in the world including the US – costs EUR 1.2m and requires applicants to live in the country for a year. Maltese passport is one of the best and highly respected passports in the world.

Citizenship of Cyprus by investment, another EU country, cannot be acquired anymore as before as the government of Cyprus has closed the citizenship program for investment last year.

What’s next?

In a nutshell owning a second passport through one of the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIP) gives you a new found freedom that you only dreamt about but can now become a reality.

For more information on the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program (Antigua and Barbuda CBI Program), please click here.

For more information on the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program (St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Program), please click here.

For more information on the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program (Grenada CBI Program), please click here.

For more information on the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program (St. Lucia CBI Program), please click here.

For more information on the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program (Dominica CBI Program), please click here

For the Citizenship by Investment Programs comparison table, please click here.

To compare St Kitts vs. Antigua vs. Grenada vs. St Lucia vs. Dominica, please click here .

Fill out our Free Assessment to see if you qualify for any of the immigration programs offered.

Contact us today if you are interested in finding out more about these programs or if you have any questions about the application procedure in general.