Rankings

Overall

As compared to 2017, the 2018 CBI Index saw continuity in its overall results. The Caribbean was once again the most successful region, with Dominica taking first position and St Kitts and Nevis second.

Dominica

Two options for economic citizenship: fund contribution or real estate purchase
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$100,000 contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes between 45 and 60 days
Spotlight: the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit is known for its high competence, epitomised by its continued regular output even in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in September 2017

II.

St Kitts and Nevis

Three options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$150,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Current slow processing is due to high uptake under the temporary Hurricane Relief Fund option. The country is unique in offering an Accelerated Application Process
Spotlight: the world’s oldest citizenship by investment programme, commonly referred to as the ‘Platinum Standard’

III.

Grenada

Two options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$150,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing has slowed down significantly, with the Government notifying parties of “prolonged delays”
Spotlight: citizens of Grenada can apply for an E-2 Visa to the United States and travel without a visa for up to 30 days to China

IV.

Antigua and Barbuda

Three options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$125,000
Adult applicants must make one trip to take the oath of allegiance and show five days of residence within five years of citizenship. The travel and residence requirements can be fulfilled contemporaneously
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing delays of around six months
Spotlight: lost visa-free travel to Canada in June 2017

St Lucia

Four options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$100,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes between three and five months
Spotlight: reductions in minimum outlay, elimination of the US$3 million net worth requirement, and removal of the 500-applicant annual cap have led the St Lucian opposition to pledge to review applications and seek larger contributions

VI.

Vanuatu

One option for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$155,000
Applicants must travel to either Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes between six and eight weeks
Spotlight: applicants must show a minimum net worth of US$250,000. Although there was speculation that bitcoin would be accepted, this was refuted by the Government

VII.

Cyprus

Three options for economic citizenship (plus combinations thereof)
Single applicant minimum outlay: €2 million
All applicants must own a €500,000 Cypriot residence and must be resident permit holders prior to applying. Travel is required, among other things, to give biometrics
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes around six months
Spotlight: in 2018, a 700-applicant-per-year cap and heightened due diligence were introduced

VIII.

Malta

One option for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: €880,000
Applicants must show 12 months of Maltese residence, and travel to apply for a residence card, give biometrics, and take the oath of allegiance
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing can take no less than 12 months
Spotlight: applicants must maintain global health insurance; the IIP is capped at 1,800 main applicants

IX.

Bulgaria

Two options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: BGN 1 million
Minimum physical presence is not required, but multiple trips must be made to apply for and register permanent residence
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Citizenship takes at least three years, and five years where the most affordable investment option is selected
Spotlight: economic citizenship is only available to non-EU nationals

Turkey

Five options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$1 million
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes around three months
Spotlight: to be valid, all investments must first be recognised by the relevant Government ministry. There is speculation that the minimum outlay for real estate will be reduced to US$300,000

XI.

Austria

One option for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: actual or expected outstanding achievement of an economic nature
Applicants must make one trip to Austria to take the oath of allegiance
Interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes around two years
Spotlight: lack of clarity as to requirements and likelihood of success has generated reluctance towards applying for Austrian economic citizenship

XII.

Jordan

Five options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: US$1 million
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Processing takes around two months
Spotlight: naturalised Jordanians face bars to pursuing political or diplomatic positions

XIII.

Cambodia

Two options for economic citizenship
Single applicant minimum outlay: KHR 1 billion
No residence requirement for applicants for the donation route; nominal residence requirement for others. Travel is required to obtain certificates and take the citizenship oath
No interview requirement; Khmer language and history test
Processing takes between three and six months
Spotlight: applicable law is likely to be amended to increase the minimum outlay

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