When you think of the best countries for acquiring second citizenship by investment, you need to consider the application processes, cost of application, and the benefits the country has to offer. We have factored all of these into this article, and below are the best countries you can obtain dual citizenship by investment. 

Let’s get down to business. 

Best Countries to Obtain Dual Citizenship by Investment

St. Lucia 

With the citizen by investment St. Lucia program, you can obtain a second citizenship. It takes about three to four months to complete all the processes. St. Lucia is located in the northwest region of Barbados and the south of Martinique, and it rests in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea. St. Lucia is a beautiful island that’s famous for its mesmerizing beaches and twin peaks, the Pitons. 

St. Lucia enjoys benefits from being a member of the Commonwealth, and its citizens enjoy benefits, too, because the island has strong air links to North Africa and Europe.

The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program requires you to contribute to the island’s economy with a minimum of 1000,000 US dollars, and you must be at least 18 years of age to seek citizenship from St. Lucia. Once you make this commitment, your application will undergo an intense check, and if nothing is lacking, you and your entire family will be granted full citizenship. 

Other economic commitments you’re allowed to consider include; 

• Purchasing real estate from a legal real estate development with a minimum of USD 200,000 and a minimum duration of five years. 
• Participating in approved enterprises, contributing a minimum sum of USD 3.5 million, and creating no fewer than three permanent jobs. 

Some of the benefits include free movement to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Europe’s Schengen Area. 

Other benefits include; 

• As an applicant, you can include a spouse, siblings under age 31, children under age 31, and parents who are over the age of 55
• St. Lucia acknowledges dual citizenship and allows you to function as a citizen of the island 
• No personal visits or residency period is required during the filing process 

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis have the oldest citizenship-by-investment program in the world, and it offers applicants a 60-day investment opportunity to get their applications approved. St. Kitts currently has two investment categories. 

• Donating $150,000 into a Sustainable Growth Fund for yourself or a family of four members 
• Buying a property worth $200,000 and retaining it for as long as seven years, or a property of $400,000 and retaining it for as long as five years 

The St. Kitts passport is internationally recognized and respected, and as its bearer, you gain access to 156 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Russia, South America, and the European Union. 

Malta 

Malta is located in southern Europe. As a country that has English as its predominant language, Malta boasts excellent business opportunities, a suitable climate, and a friendly tax system. As a citizen by investment applicant, you have to reside physically in Malta for one year, during which your portfolio will be reviewed. Once your application is approved, you get worldwide respectability.

To become a citizen by investment, you must do the following ;

• Donate 650,000 euros to a Maltese government national development fund. 
• Invest 150,000 euros in Maltese government bonds or stocks 
• Buy real estate of at least 350,000 euros for a minimum of five years. If that doesn’t work out for you, you can opt for a five-year property lease at the rate of 16,000 euros annually 

The benefits of Maltese citizenship include freedom of movement within the European Union and Schengen Area and visa-on-arrival or visa-free access to 184 countries. 

Grenada 

All it takes for Grenada to grant you citizenship is three months after filing. No personal visits are required, and no residency period during the filing process is needed. And to top it off, you can include siblings, grandparents, parents, children, and spouses in your application. However, you have to pick between the following options to commence your application process.

• Invest USD 200,000 as a part-owner of a local real estate project for five years 
• Donate a minimum sum of USD 150,000 to Grenada’s National Transformation Fund. If yours is a family of four, the donation would be USD 200,000

Acquiring a Grenada passport gives you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Russia, and other countries, including Europe’s Schengen Area. One other key benefit of the Grenada passport is that it serves as a bridge for you to get an American E-2 investor work visa, which grants you access to the United States. 

New Zealand 

The citizenship investment program for New Zealand has two options. 

• Make a minimum investment of NZ$10 million for three years, at least 
• Make a minimum investment of NZ$3 million for four years, at least 

Whichever one you opt for, you get a refund of your money at the end of the duration. After five years, you can retain your residence and become a full citizen of New Zealand.  

New Zealand and Australia are members of the Trans-Tasman agreement that allows freedom of movement within their borders. New Zealand is also negotiating a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom while setting its sights on enforcing an agreement of freedom of movement for the British and New Zealanders alike. 

Britain and New Zealand are also members of CANZUK, a new geopolitical union that’s likely to include Australia and Canada. When this agreement is signed, New Zealand citizens can work and live freely in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom without visas. 

Ready to start your second citizenship application? 

These are five of the best countries where you can acquire a second citizenship. These countries recognize and acknowledge dual citizenship and allow you to carry out businesses and other activities within their shores. If you want to enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship, begin the application process today.