Citizenship for Sale: Countries Where You Can Buy a Passport for a Price
From Vanuatu to Panama, these countries offer citizenship in exchange for investment, providing tax benefits, safety, and lifestyle options
Citizenship By InvestmentTax HavensOffshore CompaniesFinancial PrivacyHenley PartnersReal EstateJul 17, 2024
Several countries offer citizenship in exchange for investment, providing an attractive option for those seeking to minimize tax obligations and maintain financial privacy. Here are some of the top destinations
Vanuatu, a small Pacific island nation, offers a fast-track citizenship process with an investment of roughly ₹1 crore. The Vanuatu passport offers visa-free access to over 55 countries and visa-on-arrival in 34 more.
Antigua, another popular destination, offers citizenship through a non-refundable donation of around ₹1 crore or by investing in real estate with an initial amount of approximately ₹1.66 crore. The investment grants visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the EU and UK.
Grenada offers a similar deal, with citizenship available through a non-refundable donation of around ₹1.24 crore or a real estate investment of ₹1.83 crore. Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Program allows for a fast relocation route to the US through the USA E-2 Investor Visa and provides visa-free access to 144 countries, including the EU and UK.
Dominica offers citizenship through a non-refundable donation of close to ₹83 lakh or by investing around ₹1.6 crore in real estate. This program offers visa-free access to over 140 countries and an attractive tax regime with no tax on income, wealth, or inheritance.
The Bahamas, a tax haven in the West Indies, offers permanent residency with a minimum stay of 90 days and owning a residence worth more than ₹6 crore. The Bahamas has no income, capital gains, inheritance, or gift taxes, relying instead on VAT and stamp tax revenue.
Panama and the Cayman Islands stand out as prime destinations for those seeking to minimize tax obligations and maintain financial privacy. Panama offers attractive tax laws and financial secrecy regulations, benefiting offshore companies with no income, corporate, or estate taxes, and the absence of exchange control laws or tax treaties.
Saint Kitts and Nevis, Malta, and Dubai also offer options for the rich. Saint Kitts and Nevis provides a strong passport with visa-free access to over 156 countries and substantial tax benefits, including no taxes on capital gains, inheritance, or wealth. Malta features competitive tax rates through its expat resident programs, with a flat 15% tax rate on foreign income remitted to Malta and tax-free non-remitted capital.
Additionally, Malta offers the only EU citizenship by investment programme. Dubai, part of the UAE, is renowned for its tax-friendly environment, with no personal or corporate taxes for most businesses, although it does impose VAT, excise taxes, and customs duties on imports.
Henley & Partners is a global leader in residence and citizenship by investment, providing individuals and families with access to alternative residency and citizenship options.
Henley & Partners is a global leader in residence and citizenship by investment, providing individuals and families with access to alternative residency and citizenship options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is citizenship by investment?
Citizenship by investment is a program that allows individuals to obtain citizenship in a country in exchange for a significant investment, usually in real estate or a non-refundable donation.
Which countries offer citizenship by investment?
Several countries offer citizenship by investment, including Vanuatu, Antigua, Grenada, Dominica, The Bahamas, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Malta, and Dubai.
What are the benefits of citizenship by investment?
The benefits of citizenship by investment include tax benefits, safety, better lifestyle options, and visa-free access to multiple countries.
How much does it cost to obtain citizenship by investment?
The cost of obtaining citizenship by investment varies depending on the country and program, but it typically ranges from ₹1 crore to ₹6 crore or more.
Is citizenship by investment legal?
Yes, citizenship by investment is a legal and legitimate way to obtain citizenship in a country, as long as the program is government-approved and the investment is made in accordance with the program's requirements.
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