{"id":10488,"date":"2020-07-29T10:53:17","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T10:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/?p=10488"},"modified":"2020-07-29T10:53:17","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T10:53:17","slug":"want-to-escape-from-america-12-countries-where-you-can-buy-citizenship-and-a-second-passport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/2020\/07\/29\/want-to-escape-from-america-12-countries-where-you-can-buy-citizenship-and-a-second-passport\/","title":{"rendered":"Want To Escape From America? 12 Countries Where You Can Buy Citizenship And A Second Passport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After the 2016 presidential election, so many people were dreaming about moving out of the US that Canada\u2019s immigration website crashed<\/a>. Now, the idea of becoming an expat is getting hot again. According to a recent YouGov survey<\/a>, 31% of Americans say they are interested in bolting if their candidate isn\u2019t elected in the upcoming November elections. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson made headlines<\/a> when they recently became honorary Greek citizens and received passports. And with the coronavirus pandemic restricting travel for US citizens and the power of the US passport on the decline<\/a>, it\u2019s no surprise that many Americans are investigating<\/a> how they can buy a second passport, whether it\u2019s to seek shelter in another country or just to be able to travel more freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some countries like Barbados<\/a> and Estonia<\/a> are luring remote workers with the promise of extended residency programs, which allow you to live and work there for a specified amount of time. But when it comes to obtaining an actual passport, it\u2019s typically more complicated than you\u2019d expect. It can often take up to five years of living in a place to become a resident. (If Hanks and Wilson had taken the normal route to Greek citizenship<\/a>, they would have had to invest several hundred thousand dollars in Greece real estate and live in the country for seven years.) Many countries also require you to renounce your US citizenship. But from Portugal to New Zealand, there are countries around the world that will welcome Americans\u2014for a price\u2014with citizen by investment programs that grant residency and a second passport. And thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, a handful of Caribbean islands are making it even easier (and cheaper) than ever to obtain that coveted second passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Portugal
A view of Carvoeiro in Portugal\u2014just one of the places where you can buy citizenship around the … [+] world. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDemand for these programs is accelerating, just as the supply has grown globally,\u201d says Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, a company that helps people obtain citizenship in other countries. \u201cIncreasingly, nations and wealthy individuals see investment migration as more than a competitive advantage. Today, it is viewed as an absolute requirement in a volatile world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the idea of moving abroad is truly calling your name, here are some of the best places where you can buy citizenship and a few of the top-line details about what it will take to secure that second passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Places to Get Caribbean Citizenship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"St.
The island of St. Kitts, where you can buy citizenship. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

St. Kitts & Nevis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pair of lush islands has one of the strongest passports in the Caribbean, allowing visa-free travel to more than 100 countries, including Italy and the United Kingdom. Now St. Kitts & Nevis <\/a>is offering a 23% discount on citizenship through the end of 2020. With a $150,000 contribution to the country\u2019s \u201cSustainable Growth Fund<\/a>\u201d and a minimum real estate investment of $200,000, a family of four can obtain passports. The contribution is usually $195,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Piton
A view of the Pitons on St. Lucia, where you can buy citizenship and a second passport. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

St. Lucia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The island of St. Lucia started offering residency to foreigners in 2015, and according to Nestor Alfred, CEO of the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program<\/a>, about 700 people have obtained passports since then. In May, the price to obtain citizenship was cut in half thanks to new \u201cCovid-19 Relief\u201d bonds: Through the end of 2020, it\u2019ll cost $250,000 for an individual and $300,000 for a family of four. With a St. Lucia passport, you can get visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 146 global destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"St
Colorful houses along the waterfront in St John’s, Antigua. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another twin-island nation, Antigua and Barbuda<\/a> welcomes foreigners who want to live the Caribbean dream and is making it less expensive to get a passport here. A $100,000 donation to the country\u2019s development fund, plus a real estate investment, will secure passports for a family of four, and the government recently made it cheaper to add more children. A passport here will get you visa-free access to 151 destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dominica
The village of Scotts Head on Dominica. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dominica<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica<\/a> also welcomes foreigners to its beautiful shores and is considered to be one of the best countries for citizenship by investment, since citizenship is extended to your spouse, dependent children and dependent parents or grandparents and can also be passed on to future generations. Applicants need to either make a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or invest in luxury and sustainable hotels and resorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"St.
St. George’s, the capital of Grenada. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Grenada<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a passport from Grenada<\/a>, you can get visa-free access to many countries, including China. There are two different ways to obtain citizenship, <\/a>including a $150,000 contribution to the country’s National Transformation Fund via the Grenadian Citizenship-by-Investment Program or by buying approved real estate<\/a> with a minimum value of $350,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Places to Get Citizenship in Europe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Lisbon,
It’s possible to become a citizen of Portugal. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Portugal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portugal has become a hot spot for people looking to quit their jobs and move abroad. In order to get a Portugal passport, you need to participate in the Golden Visa program<\/a>, which has several ways to qualify, including making a donation to Portuguese art and culture, investing in a business, starting a business or by buying real estate. Fun fact: To become a citizen, you\u2019ll need to take a Portuguese history test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cappadocia
Hot air balloons at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey\u2014your possible new home. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Turkey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a real estate investment of $250,000, you can buy your way into Turkey\u2019s Citizenship-by-Investment Program<\/a>, which secures a Turkish passport that will give you citizenship in this gorgeous Mediterranean country plus visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 111 destinations around the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skyline,
The skyline of Valletta, Malta. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Malta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malta<\/a>\u2019s Individual Investor Program is one of the most popular citizenship schemes. To get Maltese citizenship it\u2019ll cost you approximately $1.1 million through a combination of donations and real estate holdings. In return, you have the right to live and work in Malta or throughout the EU. You\u2019ll also get visa-free access to 183 place around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Girne,
Girne on the island of Cyprus island. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cyprus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cyprus<\/a> Investment Program doesn\u2019t come cheap: You\u2019ll need to spend about $2.5 million between donations and real estate investments, but in exchange you\u2019ll be able to travel visa-free to 174 destinations worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Austria,
You could live here: Vienna. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Austria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Austria<\/a> has one of the world\u2019s strongest passports, giving its holders visa-free access to 187 destinations worldwide, plus the right to live in all EU member countries. But it\u2019s not cheap: You\u2019ll need to make a minimum investment of about $3.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Places to get Citizenship Around the World<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Roy's
On a hike to Roy’s Peak in Wanaka, New Zealand. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it was good enough for the Lord of the Rings, it\u2019s good enough for you. New Zealand has made headlines with wealthy expats like Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel buying their way t<\/a>o citizenship. But it doesn\u2019t come cheap. There are two different ways to get citizenship in New Zealand by investment<\/a>, starting with an investment of at least $2 million over a four-year period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Champagne
On Champagne Beach in Vanuatu. getty<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vanuatu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who wouldn\u2019t want to live in the South Pacific? The archipelago of Vanuatu<\/a>\u2014about 1,000 miles east of Australia\u2014has a Development Support Program that requires a non-refundable donation to the islands of $180,000 for a family of four. In return, you\u2019ll get a passport that will secure visa-free travel to 116 countries, plus the opportunity to call this island paradise your new home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Forbes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After the 2016 presidential election, so many people were dreaming about moving out of the US that Canada\u2019s immigration website crashed. Now, the idea of becoming an expat is getting hot again. According to a recent YouGov survey, 31% of Americans say they are interested in bolting if their candidate isn\u2019t elected in the upcoming November […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10489,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.funminews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Travel-Views-I.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10488"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10488\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10489"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}