According to our investors, which are the top 10 citizenship by investment programs for 2023 in terms of cost, freedom of travel, and ease of obtaining citizenship?

Who are the countries that occupied the first ranks in the citizenship by investment programs for 2023, did the countries maintain their ranking, or did some countries exit the circle of competition?

CBI programs target various categories of investors around the world.  These countries offer second citizenship in exchange for paying a sum of money for a specific purpose that varies between donating to international economic funds, buying real estate, or contributing to projects that have a role in strengthening the country’s economy.

 The Caribbean Islands topped the top 5 of the top 10 citizenship by investment programs for 2023.

• Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia ranked first in the Caribbean region in citizenship by investment programs for the year 2023, due to its distinction in many points, the most important of which are:

• The amount for obtaining a second citizenship starts from $100,000 so it is considered the most affordable option in the world.
• Saint Lucia’s passport ranks 39th among the most powerful passports in the world.
• A Saint Lucia passport can enter more than 127 countries without a visa.

There are a variety of ways to obtain citizenship in Saint Lucia, which are:

1- Donate a sum of money to the National Economic Fund.

2- Purchasing real estate from one of the real estate projects approved by the government.

3- Investing in government bonds.

4- Investing in pioneering projects.

 Saint Lucia is considered as a low-cost country in terms of adding family members to the same application, so it is an ideal choice for large families.

 Furthermore, the government encourages CBI investors to invest actively in the country and provides support in many projects, such as the pharmaceutical industry, factories producing agricultural crops, and others. The investors are able to work and reap profits from his project that nominated him to obtain citizenship.

Saint Lucia offers a range of investment incentives to attract foreign investors, including tax breaks, duty-free imports, and special economic zones. These incentives can help reduce the cost of doing business in the country and make it a more attractive investment destination.

• Grenada:

Grenada is the first  Caribbean in terms of passport power and the number of countries allowed to enter without a visa. 

It maintained its second place among the top 10 citizenship by investment programs for 2023, especially after the government sought to connect Grenada with most countries of the world to make mobility easier for holders of investment citizenship in Grenada.

Investment citizenship in Grenada can be obtained in two ways:

1- Government non-refundable Donation to National Transformation Fund (NTF):

2- Real estate investment starting from $220.

• The possibility of obtaining an E2 visa for investors in the United States of America.
• An investor who obtains second citizenship from Grenada can enter more than 140 countries, including China.
• Grenada’s passport ranks 33rd in the world.
• The presence of the best universities that include many specializations, especially the study of medicine.
• Economically independent country.

Grenada opens its doors to all projects that seek to improve the country’s economy, especially projects related to development, technology and communications services. The investor can benefit from the return on investment profits through tourism projects. Grenada is also the first choice for families in terms of stability and living.

• Saint Kitts and Nevis:

The third programme is the environmentally friendly islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the oldest one in the second citizenship program worldwide, which began in 1984. 

Therefore Saint Kitts and Nevis is well developed with good infrastructure, which gives this program strength and permanence.

 Investment citizenship can be obtained in one of the following ways:

1- Government non-refundable Donation to Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF)

2- Buying real estate from one of the projects approved by the government.

3- Buying private property.

Among the most important benefits that the investor may obtain:

• Access to more than 137 countries.
• Establishing a private investment in any country around the world.
• Study in the most powerful universities, as there are 7 universities for more than 58 majors.
• Low tax rates and general income tax exemption.
• SKN is considered one of the best places worldwide to establish trust and offshore entities. 
• The only one of the Caribbean countries that give a passport of 10 years for adults and 5 years for children

The St Kitts and Nevis program and the St. Lucia program compete in reducing the amount of adding family members to the applicant, so it is also considered the best choice for large families.

• Antigua and Barbuda:

Here you can visit a beach every day, which means visiting  365 beaches throughout the year. The island of Antigua and Barbuda, which ranks fourth, is also one of the Caribbean islands that offer citizenship by investment programs for 2023. An investor can obtain second citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda through One of the following methods:

1- Non-refundable government donation to the National Development Fund (NDF).

2- Purchasing a property from one of the real estate projects approved by the government.

Investment citizenship also offers many benefits and advantages, the most important ones  are:

• It shares with Saint Kitts and Nevis the perfect family option.
• The best investment through real estate in terms of administrative and government fees compared to other Caribbean countries
• It is characterized by a varied topography and the beauty of its landscapes.
• It ranks 37th among the passports worldwide.
• Possibility of payment through cryptocurrencies.

• Dominica:

The land of nature and the habitat of the sperm whale, diverse terrain and natural resources, and thus greater investment opportunities, as it is possible to obtain investment citizenship in the island of Dominica through the following methods:

1- Government non-refundable Donation to Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).

2- Purchasing a property from one of the projects approved by the government.

Among the most important advantages of obtaining citizenship in Dominica:

Access to more than 117 countries.

The value of obtaining a second citizenship starts from $100,000, which is a reasonable amount compared to other citizenship programs.

It seeks to develop international relations, including allowing a Dominican citizen to enter China without a visa.

Dominica is a suitable choice for investors who want to own a property or set up a company. Dominica is also blessed with natural resources such as geothermal energy, mineral deposits, and fertile lands. The country is also home to rainforests.

Dominica also occupies first place in the Caribbean in terms of the diversity of mountains, so it is the best choice for hiking and climbing enthusiasts, in addition to the presence of dolphins and sperm whales, which have an important economic benefit.

Common advantages related to investment citizenship programs in the Caribbean island countries mentioned in the previous paragraphs:

• Possibility of inheritance and transfer of assets to heirs. 
• Obtaining citizenship in the Caribbean islands does not require any language requirements or educational degrees.
• Possibility of entry to the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. 
• Allow dual citizenship.
• Allowing the addition of a brother, sister, and parents for both the investor and his spouse.
• The speed of obtaining citizenship within a period ranging from 4 to 6 months.
• Tax exemption on global income.
• Possibility to live and trade freely within all regions of the Caribbean according to the CARICOM agreement.

• Türkiye:

Türkiye has a rapidly growing economy, and its strategic location between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East makes it an important center for international trade. The government has implemented economic reforms to attract foreign investment, which has led to an increase in foreign direct investment in recent years. In addition, Türkiye has a large domestic market and well-developed infrastructure, which makes it an attractive destination for investors.

One of the most important advantages of obtaining investment citizenship in Türkiye is its diversified program, where the investor can possess a second passport through one of the following methods:

• Buying a property in any project chosen by the investor.
• Deposit a sum of money.
• Buy shares in investment funds.
• Buying government bonds.
• Capital company.
• Recruitment of 50 employees.

Advantages of obtaining investment citizenship in Türkiye:

• Possibility of refunding after 3 years.
• Türkiye does not demand proof of no conviction as it does its own internal research.
• Safe investment through investment funds in Türkiye.
• It is the 49th best passport in the world.
• Türkiye opens its doors to investors from Russia and Iran to obtain investment citizenship.
• Türkiye is the least expensive country in the world by adding family members.

• Malta:

The first European country to offer an investment citizenship and residency program, Malta is located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and has long been a center of trade. It has excellent transportation links and is easily accessible from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Malta is one of the smallest countries, yet it was able to rank seventh among the best citizenships by investment programs for the year 2023. An investor can obtain investment citizenship by purchasing or renting a property in addition to making a contribution to the National Fund and investing in government bonds.

Among the best advantages offered by second citizenship in Malta:

• Entry to 183 countries without the need for a visa.
• The Maltese passport ranks ninth in the world.
• Study at the best international universities.
• Low tax rate at the European level.
• Obtaining investment citizenship in Malta is an opportunity to enter the European labor market and the Schengen countries, in addition to the opportunity to live and enjoy European beaches.
• The possibility of obtaining a fixed annual tax of 15% of not less than 15 thousand euros
• Access to Swiss and European banks. 
• The availability of a stable economy.

Obtaining investment citizenship in Malta is an opportunity to enter the European labor market and the Schengen countries, in addition to the opportunity to live and enjoy European beaches.

• Austria:

The second European country to offer an investment citizenship program after Malta, Austria has a highly developed, stable and open economy, which has grown steadily over the years. Austria is known for its business-friendly environment, with a strong focus on innovation and research and development. The country has a highly educated workforce, and there are many government incentives and programs to support foreign investment. The quality of investment is the first priority for the conditions for obtaining investment citizenship in Austria. Among the most important benefits of obtaining investment citizenship in Austria:

• An investor with a passport from Austria has access to Swiss and European banks.
• The availability of a stable economy in Austria provides many business opportunities, and the government in Austria provides support to entrepreneurs in business development.

• Vanuatu:

An ideal opportunity to live in the happiest place on earth, and a unique opportunity for adventure lovers and jumping from the heights of the mountains. Second citizenship in Vanuatu can be obtained through one of two methods:

  Donate a non-refundable amount of money to the Vanuatu Development Support Program (DSP).

Recently, the door has been opened for real estate investment.

Among the most important advantages of obtaining investment citizenship:

• The only program in the Asia Pacific region.
• Low real estate prices.
• Free trading environment.
• Vanuatu’s passport ranks 43 globally.
• Vanuatu receives investment citizenship requests from Russian investors.

• Egypt:

From one of the countries in the Middle East that have citizenship by investment programs for the year 2023.

Investment citizenship in Egypt can be obtained in one of the following ways:

• Buying a real estate project approved by the government.
• Donate to the government in a non-refundable amount.
• Establishing a company or investing in an existing company.
• Bank deposit refundable after 5 years.

The E2 Visa Treaty with the United States of America qualifies Egyptian nationals to enter the United States.

A resident of Egypt needs an Egyptian partner to open an investment, but when the investor obtains Egyptian nationality, he will be free to conduct his business directly.

With the diversity of investment citizenship programs, the world has become open for the investor to choose the most suitable country for him, his family, and the nature of his investment project. He can also contact the specialized team at NTL to obtain the necessary advice from experts in the field of second citizenship and wealth management.