Several countries around the world offer citizenship or residency by investment programs, whereby foreign nationals can immigrate to a country in exchange for a sizeable investment in the country’s economy. As war continues throughout much of the Middle East, foreign nationals who can afford these immigration programs are applying in a frenzy, as it is one of their only options remaining.
Even those Syrian and Iraqi nationals who have found their way out of their homelands by moving to safer Arab Gulf states for work for instance, are looking for second citizenship options as their passports are becoming even weaker as the wars continue. The Syrian and Iraqi passports are among the weakest in the world, allowing visa-free travel to only around 30 countries, with this number likely to decrease as the situations worsen. As hope for returning home has dwindled, these nationals are looking for a backup plan in finding a new country to call home. They need to secure a future for themselves, their families, as well as their businesses.
There are many immigration options for high net worth individuals looking for stability with a second passport. There are several business and investment immigration programs offered in the Caribbean, Canada, the USA, and Europe. The beautiful islands of St.-Kitts and Nevis, for instance, is a popular option available to foreign nationals as the program offers several benefits. First, there is no residency requirement in order to obtain citizenship. In other words, one can become a citizen of Saint-Kitts and Nevis without ever having to live there. This is good for individuals who have businesses abroad that they must tend to, while at the same time having a country to fall back on as a safety net.
Another benefit of the Saint-Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is that it is relatively inexpensive when compared to similar second citizenship programs in Europe that can cost in the millions of Euros. The Saint-Kitts investment options are as follows:
- Invest US$400,000 in an approved real estate project;
- Make a donation (non-refundable) of US$250,000 for a single applicant to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF). This donation amount increases based on number of applicants.
Last, but certainly not least, of the benefits offered by the Saint-Kitts program is that it offers individuals increased travel freedom with a list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries exceeding 130, including all countries in the Schengen zone. This is a major benefit especially to those with such restrictive passports.
As long as countries in the Middle East are at war, their citizens who can afford to do so will continue to look for citizenship and residence through investment programs that will offer them a way out.
Fill out our Free Assessment, and find out if you qualify under any of the business immigration programs offered.