Rankings

Overall

In 2020, Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme ranked first for the fourth consecutive year.

Dominica

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$100,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Very fast processing
Spotlight: the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit is highly competent and adheres to strict due diligence procedures

II.

St Kitts and Nevis

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$150,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Fast processing, with an Accelerated Application Process
Spotlight: the world’s oldest citizenship by investment programme, commonly referred to as the ‘Platinum Standard’

III.

Grenada

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$150,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Fast processing
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.

St Lucia

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$100,000
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Fast processing
Spotlight: the country has inaugurated a limited-time, Covid-19 government bonds option

Antigua and Barbuda

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$130,000
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, and can be completed by minors after they turn 18
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Average processing speed
Spotlight: is the only country allowing families to qualify by making a donation to a university fund

VI.

Vanuatu

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$130,000
Applicants must travel to take the oath of allegiance, except during the height of the Covid-19 crisis
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Very fast processing
Spotlight: the Development Support Programme offers full (not honorary) citizenship and may soon be the country’s only CBI option

VII.

Malta

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 and will be substituted in September 2020

VIII.

Cyprus

Please note that the Cyprus Investment Programme will be cancelled on 1 November 2020. The decision to cancel the Programme was made after the 2020 CBI Index was published.

Single applicant minimum outlay: €2,150,000
All applicants must own a €500,000 Cypriot residence and must be resident permit holders prior to applying. Travel is required twice, to give biometrics and take the Oath of Faith
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Average processing speed
Spotlight: due diligence includes showing a valid Schengen Visa and no rejection for citizenship of the EU; a 700-applications-per-year cap applies, although this is rumoured to be removed in the late summer of 2020

IX.

Montenegro

Single applicant minimum outlay: € 365,000
One trip is required to receive the final decision on citizenship and supply biometrics
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Fast processing
Spotlight: Montenegro began accepting CBI applications in October 2019.

Turkey

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$250,000
No residence requirements, but the applicant must obtain an investor residence card and provide biometrics
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Fairly quick processing
Spotlight: to be valid, all investments must first be recognised by the relevant Government ministry

XI.

Bulgaria

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
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

XII.

Austria

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; must show a proven track record of achievement
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

XIII.

Cambodia

Single applicant minimum outlay: KHR 1 billion
No residence requirement for applicants for the donation route; nominal residence requirement for the approved investment route. Travel is required to obtain certificates and take the citizenship oath
No interview requirement; Khmer language and history test
Fairly quick processing
Spotlight: it is unclear when or if applicable laws will be amended to increase the minimum outlay

XIV.

Jordan

Single applicant minimum outlay: US$1 million
No travel or residence requirements
No interview requirement; no language or culture test
Fast processing
Spotlight: naturalised Jordanians face bars to pursuing political or diplomatic positions

Learn more about the CBI Index by downloading the report below

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