Top 5 Offshore Jurisdictions Offering Citizenship by Investment

Economic and governmental tension are encouraging investors everywhere to look for other ways to protect their assets. Among the most prevalent tensions include the upcoming elections in the United States. In fact, during the recent Presidential debate, Google searches for “how to move to Canada” and the like surged, showing the level of dissatisfaction Americans have right now. While many people say that they want to move to Canada to escape the tensions in the United States, is this really a good idea?

Well, moving to Canada might place some distance between individuals and the American government and economy, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. When U.S. citizens begin looking into making the move to Canada, they so often realize that it’s not as great as they thought it would be. The reasons why moving to Canada might not be a great idea for an American citizen include the expenses of immigration and relocation, a higher cost of living found in Canada, and the fact that some American citizens could actually end up paying U.S. taxes - even after they move to Canada.

This raises the question: what options do American citizens - and people everywhere - have when it comes to escaping the economic and governmental tensions of their home country?

In this article, we’re going to discuss one solution - citizenship by investment - and the 5 best jurisdictions today where citizenship by investment is perhaps the best alternative.

So, what is citizenship by investment?

Citizenship by investment is a process in which a second passport and citizenship to another country are obtained by way of investing in the host country’s economy. This process allows individuals to obtain citizenship status faster than by other, more traditional means, and this process doesn’t require investors to terribly interrupt their lives to get the job done.

Citizenship by investment is not a new idea, and many jurisdictions have citizenship by investment programs in place. So, if not for the current circumstances, what other reasons would someone have for using citizenship by investment? Well, citizenship by investment has served as a great choice for those who want to ensure security in the face of political unrest in the past. In addition, citizenship by investment offers opportunities for business people who are looking for new business investments and securities, and this process can provide tax benefits. Family members can also benefit from citizenship by proxy of the main applicant.

With that said, COVID-19 has changed citizenship by investment to some extent. For instance, some jurisdictions have reduced their donation requirements to make it a bit easier for individuals to take advantage of citizenship by investment.

So, what are the best citizenship by investment jurisdictions?

1. St. Kitts

St. Kitts offers a donation program in which prospective citizens can offer the government development fund $150,000 for a family of four. In addition, prospective citizens can opt to purchase approved real estate. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, donation rates have been temporarily reduced.

2. Vanuatu

Right now, Vanuatu is offering a donation program of $130,000 for an individual; $150,000 for a married couple; $165,000 for a couple with one child; and $180,000 for a couple with two kids. This is a great way to enjoy citizenship by investment that extends to the family.

3. Dominica

Financial Times’ Pro Wealth Management Magazine recognized Dominica as one of the best in the world for citizenship by investment. Their donation program costs $100,000 for an individual, $150,000 for a married couple, and $175,000 for a family of four.

4. Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia’s citizenship by investment program launched in 2016, making it perhaps one of the newest ones you’ll find today. Their donation option is $100,000 for an individual; $140,000 for a married couple; and $150,000 for a married couple with two qualifying dependents. Other options for citizenship by investment in Saint Lucia include approved real estate and investment in an approved enterprise project, as well as purchase of government bonds.

5. Antigua and Barbuda

Last but not least on our list, Antigua and Barbuda offer a donation program that costs $160,000 for a main applicant and up to three family members. The other option is to invest at least $400,000 in approved real estate.

To Conclude...

As the U.S. gears up for presidential elections and uncertainties present a dark cloud above daily life for many as tensions rise, people continue to consider what they’ll do if situations get worse. While moving to Canada might seem like the easiest option, those who truly want to get the most from moving to escape tensions of their home country can benefit from the jurisdictions on these list.