How Citizenship by Investment Can Transform Your Global Mobility as a US or Canadian Citizen

As we start the new year, more and more people are turning to CBI programs around the world. Today, we want to explore how these programs can be beneficial for all citizens, and especially Canadian and American investors who are looking for a Plan B or greater global mobility.

What is Citizenship by Investment (CBI)?

CBI is an acronym for citizenship by investment, which refers to programs that allow fast eligibility for a country's citizen status. Traditional naturalization processes take years, sometimes decades, and they depend on very specific factors.

Obtaining citizenship in a new country through standard pathways requires time, commitment and having ties to the nation. Usually, a foreign person can become a citizen after several years of physical presence with the due residency permit in place.  Now, the question is how to get to that residency in the first place.

Standard Ways To Obtain Residency And Eventually Citizenship (Besides CBI or RBI Alternatives)

• Residency through marriage: This is achieved when a foreign resident marries a citizen of the destination country.
• Residency through studies: those who study abroad (and prove it) can obtain a residency permit. Such permits require renewal and they tend to end once the person stops attending the institution, university, or school.
• Residency through work visas: when a person is hired in a foreign country, there are usually visas in place that help said person obtain a legal resident status.
• Citizenship through ius soli: Many nations consider that those who are born within the territory have the right to citizenship. They either become citizens right away or they can apply based on ius soli.
• Citizenship through ius sanguinis: ius sanguinis is the counterpart of ius soli. Many countries offer citizenship to those whose ancestors (whether parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents, depending on local legislation) were citizens in the first place. Through such programs, we can see countries like Spain or Italy being filled with Latin Americans, descendants of citizens who migrated in the early 20th century or during the times of war.

Case Study: Citizenship Through Ius Soli

Let's picture a family that travels frequently. It can be for business or because of lifestyle choices. Now, let's picture that the wife gives birth in a foreign country. In most cases, the child will be either a citizen or eligible.

Case Study: Citizenship through Ius Sanguine 

There are plenty of case studies regarding individuals trying to obtain proof that their ancestors were citizens of a certain place. These ancestors sometimes go several generations back. This is one of the reasons why Italy has lately strengthened its citizenship conditions, stipulating that the applicant must have a real connection to the country, besides a link to a relative that they may have never even met.

Key Benefits of Citizenship by Investment for Americans 

How much time can it take to research family documentation and sometimes recover documents that were lost over the decades and generations? How much time can pass since a person starts college until graduation, until they are finally eligible for citizenship?

This is why citizenship by investment programs, offer an outstanding opportunity to access eligibility immediately. This doesn't mean that the government will sell a passport; it simply means it opens a more accessible window through better alternatives. Furthermore, all countries apply strict due diligence to ensure that only honest and good character individuals are approved. 

Recently, we have had an outstanding example across the five Caribbean jurisdictions with CBI programs. Last year, they signed a memorandum of agreement through which they will align the costs, prices, admission standards, and establish a consistent monitoring system across the states. 

Financial Resilience

Why do Americans and Canadians need a second citizenship? Financial resilience is one of the main reasons. No country is ever free from economic downturns or social issues. This is why a dual nationality constitutes an excellent Plan B, which means, a destination that people can resort to in times of trouble. In high tax countries like the above-mentioned ones, a second nationality can help optimize the tax burden legally, although this should be confirmed, discussed, and designed with a trustworthy tax expert. 

Travel Freedom

If we can travel from country to country is because we have a passport, and each passport has its own characteristics. A passport is your main ID proof when you're trying to pass the borders of a new nation. 

It is only logical to conclude that the more nationalities you have, the more options you will have regarding global mobility and travel. This doesn't end with short tourist or business trips because a second passport can also bring great alternatives when it comes to studying. For example, many jurisdictions provide access to more affordable tuition fees or scholarships.

Political Stability

The world we live in is getting increasingly challenging. Geopolitical conflicts are reshaping the world and the relationships between countries, and this does not look like it's going to stop anytime soon. 

For Americans, having a dual nationality can mean that they have a place to go if things get ugly at home. This brings us back to the concept of “passport” because, if your original nationality is not welcomed in the place you're trying to enter, then the presence of a second passport can be quite useful.

For non-Americans, this applies too, as we never know how geopolitics will evolve within the next 10, 20, or 30 years. Thus, it becomes a matter of future generations, as we will see in the next paragraph.

Family Benefits

All countries allow you to apply with your loved ones. Their spouse and children are always accepted as dependents as long as the relationship is proved (through birth and marriage certificates). What changes across the program are the ages of the children and the conditions. 

Citizenship by investment programs accept children older than 18 as long as they are not married and as long as they're pursuing formal studies. However, recently we've seen this trend changing thanks to programs like Saint Kitts and Nevis’s. 

In 2025, the government made a change in which older children are accepted even if they don't study. This considers the family dynamics of the 21st century and also individualities, like young people who take a few years before choosing a career, or those who are engaged in non-formal education.

Business Opportunities

It goes without saying that accessing a new country is accessing new business opportunities along with other currencies, policies, and structures. People from the US or Canada can access better business conditions as they meet with new partners who can help them enhance their businesses back home. 

Overview of Citizenship by Investment Programs

Top Countries Offering Citizenship by Investment

In this article, we've chosen to focus on Caribbean programs because they have a long history of reliable reputation and they have recently enhanced it by applying stronger regulations and unifying monitoring systems. 

Nevertheless, we put together a list of countries that have or have had a residency or citizenship by investment program at some point (please check the clarifications in parentheses):

• Saint Kitts and Nevis (current)
• Antigua and Barbuda (current)
• Dominica (current)
• Grenada (current)
• Saint Lucia (current)
• Sao Tome (current)
• Vanuatu (Current)
• Montenegro (finished)
• Cyprus (cancelled)
• Portugal (RBI, current)
• Greece (RBI, current)
• Malta (RBU, current)
• Turkey (current)
• Panama (RBI and other visas, current)
• Latvia (RBI and other visas, current)
• Spain (RBI)
• France (RBI)

Caribbean Programs

St. Kitts & Nevis

Known for being the very first citizenship by investment program, Saint Kitts and Nevis offers a clear path to citizenship through donation or real estate investment. At the moment, we recommend a donation option called the PBO (public benefit option) through which applicants donate a minimum amount that will be used for building affordable houses for St Kittians and Nevisians.

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is another country offering the possibility to obtain a passport and achieve greater global mobility and more travel options. It also includes the typical pathways of real estate and donation, and allows us to include several family members in the application. 

Dominica

Like its neighbors, Dominica offers one of the safest programs around the world. Whether through investment or donation, applicants can access wider opportunities that Americans and Canadians in particular can seize to their advantage.

Grenada

Grenada is the country that has been chosen as the headquarters for the ECCIRA (Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority), a common regulatory organ that will help enhance monitoring across the region and strengthen accountability and enforcement. It is dubbed the “island of spices” because of its ample production of condiments such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and mace. 

Investment Options for CBI

Real Estate Investment

One of the pathways into becoming eligible for a dual passport is an investment in real estate. The minimum investment varies according to the jurisdiction, yet not all developments are viable. Unlike Panama, the Caribbean nations have stipulated pre-approved projects, and these are the only ones through which investors can apply. 

Projects can vary in size, features, and conditions, and can take different shapes, like investments in shares in a resort, or private luxury villas.

Government Bonds

Government bonds constitute an outstanding option because of their simplicity. At the moment, the only country offering them is St. Lucia, and they represent a real advantage since they don't require any more from the investor then depositing the funds.

While the donation is non-refundable and real estate requires a higher commitment, government bonds allow you to keep your citizenship and obtain your money back in five years. 

Donation Options

In our days, more and more investors are relying on the donation options for a variety of reasons. Many don't feel that the real estate projects provide the value that they should or that they don't constitute good investment vehicles. The restriction on the projects by the government's pre-approval doesn’t help. 

Others don't see that real estate investment really helps the local economy. Therefore, they go for the donation to a government fund, which is used to develop infrastructure and boost the country's economy. 

Application Process for Citizenship by Investment

The application process may vary depending on the country, nevertheless, it usually consists of paying a due diligence fee and the government fee before donating/investing. Once the candidate is pre-approved, investors can proceed with the purchase of the property or transfer of the funds. 

Upon approval, some countries like Antigua and Barbuda require a five-day visit to collect the passport, provide biometrics, and take the oath, while others don't require a visit or allow you to fulfill the processes fully online or in nearby embassies.

Costs and Fees Involved

When it comes to relocation and citizenship, prices, costs, and minimum investments are subject to change. Therefore, the following numbers* apply only at the time of writing this article.

Country

Investment

Donation

Fees for main applicant

St Kitts

USD325,000

USD250,000

From 10,000

Grenada

Consult with experts

USD 235,000

From 50,000

Antigua

USD 300,000

USD 230,000

From 10,000

Dominica

USD 200,000

USD 200,000

Consult with experts

* These numbers may be inaccurate, or they may be outdated at the time of reading. For updated information, consult with trusted specialists. 

Processing Times for Such Programs

The key to understanding processing times is the moment of document submission. Applicants’ effectiveness in gathering documents fast and assuring their quality (the copies should be clearly readable, the documents must be duly apostilled and translated, and they must contain the necessary information) defines the following steps. 

Once all the documents are received correctly, the process begins and takes from a few weeks to a few months. 

Pros and Cons of CBI Programs

Advantages of CBI

The process of CBI alternatives comes wide variety of factors, including higher global mobility, flexibility in times of travel, and access to business and education options.

Disadvantages of CBI

On the other hand, they can have downsides like minimum stay requirements, and they can be subject to future changes.

Common Misconceptions about CBI

It is not uncommon for these types of frameworks to be seen as shady or immoral. Many consider them as ways to sell passports, and manifest against it on behalf of patriotism and related values. However, citizenship by investment doesn't sell nationality, it just provides eligibility in faster ways and regardless of traditional, lengthy processes. 

If anything, we strongly believe that the focus must be on enhancing due diligence and monitoring processes like the Caribbean has been doing in the past two years. This ensures that the countries’ economies still benefit from the initiative while maintaining an impeccable reputation so that the programs can bloom and fulfill their purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Countries Offer Citizenship For Free?

As we have explained above, most countries offer citizenship for free outside the CBI structure. It's worth noting that “for free” is never actually “for free” because there are always fees involved. 

Nonetheless, those paths are usually lengthy and, most importantly, not available for everyone. If you gather $230,000 plus the fees you can apply through citizenship by donation, but you can't make up an Italian grandfather that you didn't have, and you can't change the place where you were born, referring to the ius solis and ius sanguinis principles we mentioned earlier. 

What is the Strongest Passport In The World?

Although this is a frequently asked question, we strongly recommend not thinking of economic citizenship as a way to obtain a passport. It is much more than obtaining a travel document: it is about enhancing one's possibilities. 

Usually, the strongest passports are considered the ones that allow you for more visa-free entries, yet the strongest passport for you will be the one that helps you achieve your personal goals. 

Grenada, for example, has strong connections with China and an E2 treaty with the US. Antiguans and Barbuda offers a scholarship for one member of the family group under one of the alternatives. To sum up, the strongest passport in the world is the one that best fits your interests.

Can You Get A Passport By Investment?

The short answer is yes. One of the beauties of this approach is that it's available for anyone, regardless of where you were born or where your family came from. It is worth noting that some nationalities are restricted within some frameworks, which usually has to do with the current geopolitical conflicts. But even these nationalities have perfectly good alternatives in other nations. 

What Are The Best CBI Programs For Families?

One of the best programs for families is definitely Antigua and Barbuda because of the wide array of family members it allows you to include. The main advantage is that it lets applicants add in-law relatives. In simple words, everyone can be included: children, legally adopted children, parents and grandparents, siblings, and future children, everything both of the main applicant and the spouse. The only condition in all cases is that they are financially dependent and their age. 

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Citizenship By Investment For Canadians And Americans

In an increasingly complicated world where geopolitics change and can affect people's lives, having a Plan B is no longer an option but a must. Luckily, CBI programs offer a straightforward route towards this goal, free of red tape and without extra bureaucracy. 

Mundo is a publication dedicated to migration, relocation, and related topics, and we are connected to several agents and experts who can help you obtain a citizen status in your preferred location. Contact us today and ask for more information.