Being a citizen of a country, as opposed to a temporary resident, provides more than just a sense of belonging – it invites you to engage with the country completely, including its economy, laws and investment potential. Indeed, obtaining citizenship as a permanent legal status puts you in a position of strength whereby you enjoy equality with all other citizens of the nation, for the rest of your life. You will have the same rights and opportunities as someone who was born there. This includes the right to travel freely overseas and return on the passport of that country, and to take up opportunities available to nationals. Put simply, obtaining a second citizenship can be a life-changing move that opens the door to better prospects around the globe. It comes as no surprise, then, that it is increasingly being viewed as one of the most powerful investments you can make. While the motivations vary according to the applicant, for many people, enjoying visa-free travel to up to 80% of the world (depending on the program you choose) is a major draw card, which can allow you to be much more flexible when it comes to living your life and running your business.

It may surprise you to learn there are a number of different ways that citizenship can be recognized or granted. What’s more, each country has its own policies, regulations or criteria as to who is entitled to citizenship, and how to obtain it. We highlight a selection of the most common ways you can be granted citizenship.

The programs for Cyprus, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis ask for no residency requirements.

Choose your second citizenship by investment program. The first step you need to decide upon is the second citizensip program that best suits your profile and is a match for your eligibility criteria. Passportzen is happy to guide you when it comes to making the right choice in confidence.

Depending on the country, applicants can generally pursue three investment routes: making a non-refundable contribution to a Government Fund, investing in an Approved Real Estate Project, or investing in an Approved Business.

Contributing to a Government Fund will see your investment go to a fund designed to support the development of selected enterprises, which can include financing infrastructure projects, as a contingency or resilience fund against natural disasters or to deliver important services such as healthcare and education. These funds can only be utilized for specific purposes that have been laid out by the government. Fund utilization is often discussed as part of the annual budget plans.

When thinking about your family, it is important to remember that many of the most popular second citizenship programs invite you to pass on your citizenship to your children, allowing you to build a secure and stable future for you and your family. At the time of applying, you will be able to include your spouse and any dependent children in the same application. Many of the countries offering Citizenship by Investment programs (CIPs) are home to prestigious universities, allowing your children to pursue a high standard of further education. Many educational establishments in the Caribbean, for instance, are linked to institutions in the US, providing a route to future studies that can open up a world of opportunity. In addition, it can present more options when it comes to attending schools around the world by making it easier to obtain a study visa for destinations such as the UK, Europe, Australia and Canada.

In short, no. Dual citizenship is your choice, and if you care to inform your government of your intentions, that is also your choice. Neither passportzen.com nor the country of your choosing for second citizenship will inform your current country of your application or your receipt of a second passport.