The Citizenship by Investment Programme allows foreign investors to obtain full legal citizenship and passports for  investors and their family where that investor has made a significant investment in the country which qualifies under the Citizenship by Investment Regulations. Presently the qualifying investments are either a contribution to the Government Fund of a minimum amount of US$100,000 or the purchase of a property to the minimum value of US$200,000.

Just over a dozen countries in the world currently offer citizenship by investment (CBI). There is a higher concentration of CBI programmes in the Caribbean, a region considered the cradle of second citizenship by investment.  Geohippy carefully selected five citizenship by investment programmes that we recommend to our clients: those of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.

Applicants for citizenship must be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without criminal records and who are able to make the required contribution, when necessary. A detailed breakdown of the steps for applying for citizenship can be found (at) here.

An authorized agent is a person licensed by the Government to act on behalf of applicants for Citizenship by Investment.

Applicants for citizenship must be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without criminal records and are able and willing to make the required contribution. Applicants must engage an authorized agent who will assist them to prepare the required forms and supporting documents.

The total cost will be made up of the investment, and then other fees relating to the processing of the application. These will depend on whether you choose to obtain citizenship through the Government Fund option or the Real Estate Investment option. For a breakdown of the fees applicable please click here.

Yes, citizenship is extended to your spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. Fees for family members are provided with the application form.

A dependent means:

• A spouse of the main applicant;
• A child under eighteen (18) years of age of the main applicant or his or her spouse;
• A child of the main applicant or his or her spouse between eighteen (18) and twenty five (25) who is in full time attendance at a recognized institution of higher learning after his or her eighteenth birthday and fully supported by the main applicant;
• An unmarried daughter of the main applicant who is under twenty five (25) years of age and is living with and fully supported by the main applicant;
• A child of the main applicant or spouse of the main applicant who is above the age of eighteen (18) years and physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the applicant;
• Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or his or her spouse above the age of sixty five (65) years living with and fully supported by the main applicant.

A child means a biological or legally adopted child of a main applicant, or of the spouse of the main applicant.

For more information, Contact us for questions relating to which family members may be included in the application.

Dual citizenship has many advantages, including greater global mobility, new economic opportunity, better quality of life, and improved personal security. Once citizenship has been granted, applicants will have  all of the same rights as any citizen. They will have the right to live and work in the country at any time. Since the CBI countries are members of CARICOM, they can also live in any other member nation. With a CBI passport, they can travel visa-free to over 100 countries, including the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Ireland. For more information about the benefits of Dual citizenship, please Contact Us.

The tax laws vary, but in certain countries there are no wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax and approved applicants will only be liable to pay personal tax if they reside in the country.

Everywhere. The passport that will be obtained as a Citizen by Investment is a fully legal passport, and is universally recognized by all States party to the UN.

Yes, dual citizenship is recognised and allowed and persons are not required to renounce their other citizenships. Furthermore, they do not notify authorities of a person’s country of residence or citizenship. Persons are not required to reside in the CBI country to keep  their citizen’s status.

With a CBI passport we offer, persons can travel visa-free to over 100 countries, including the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Ireland. You will have the right to live and work in your chosen CBI country at any time. Since the countries are members of CARICOM,  citizens can also live in any other member nation. Passport holders of all Caribbean countries do require a visa to enter the United States, as they are not a member of the Visa Waiver Program.

All passports are valid for up to 10 years. Passports for children under 16 years old are issued for 5 years.

Passports that have expired or have no free pages can be quickly renewed for a fee at the Passport and Immigration Department or at any country’s Embassy (with no need to personally travel to the country or its Consulates).

As part of the laws, citizens are entitled to a passport.

No, one does not need an address in the country. Passports can be  renewed  at Passport and Immigration Departments or through any Consulate and your primary place of residence may be given as address.

Yes, as long as  the property was held for the required number of years after citizenship was obtained.