CBI is a process whereby, subject to the fulfilment of certain requirements, an applicant receives citizenship of a country in return for an investment in that country’s economy.  Investment options vary from country to country, although countries tend to prefer fund contribution or real estate purchase models.

The world’s earliest CBI programme was launched in 1984 by St Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean island-state. CBI is now administered across the Caribbean, as well as in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania – allowing prospective applicants to choose a destination for second citizenship from almost every corner of the globe.

CBI is distinct from residence by investment (RBI). When a successful applicant receives residence through an RBI programme, that applicant gains the right to ‘reside’ in that country. The applicant generally has to fulfil physical presence requirements, for example, for six months out of each year, or risk losing his or her residence. Residence does not necessarily lead to citizenship, and the application for citizenship is a separate process. Residents often have to wait between three and six years before they can apply for citizenship. By contrast, CBI is a direct route to citizenship, in most cases, without the need to demonstrate any degree of residence. A successful CBI applicant receives citizenship for life, which cannot be lost by virtue of where the applicant chooses to live.