Citizenship by Investment, Investor visa program - xiphiasimmigration.com

1. Brief History of Citizenship by Investment Programs across the globe – Many businessmen across the globe, invest in countries unknown or known to them with an intention to spread their business reach or to explore a new market or to start a new business idea altogether or just for the sake of interest in the country. It would be remarkable to know the number of investments that happen every year in different parts of the world. Investments in newer horizons increase an individual’s net-worth, reach, and knowledge adds a new place for vacation too. Countries providing Citizenship by investment, do so to encourage direct foreign investments to help fund many projects they have undertaken. This includes providing basic facilities for the citizens to funding a business too. The whole of the Citizenship by Investment program was started in the year 1984 by Saint Kitts & Nevis. This island country is in the Caribbean. It started its CIP, just after a year of having attained its independence. The country continues to provide its citizenship although the number of citizenships offered has reduced. The country has provided new passports to more than 20,000 individuals thus far. It is also one of the economically and politically stable countries offering citizenship. Applicants must simply invest and get citizenship. Followed by St.Kitts & Nevis, the Belize Economic Citizenship by Investment program was started in the year 1985. Citizenship for Belize costed only USD $40,000/- and was provided all through the 1990s. This country located in South America has since increased the ask to USD $100,000. It was one of the cheapest Citizenship programs back in the 90s. In the year 1988, Ireland started issuing Irish Passports for a minimum investment of Pound 1 million. They offered their citizenship between 1988 and 1998 to 150 individuals with the main purpose of creating job opportunities and maintaining the same. It was one of the best countries to get citizenship by investment. Then came the Dominica Citizenship by Investment program which was introduced in the year 1993. This program was a run-away hit with many investors wanting to invest in the country. However, the program was halted after few years of introducing it due to discrepancies in managing the funds and due to Canada’s Visa policies. But since the early 2000s, the program has gained momentum. The Grenada Economic Citizenship program was started in the year 1996 and has been providing passports since. The first citizenship was awarded for a mere investment of USD $40,000. Today the value of Grenada CIP stands at USD $100,000. This program was started amidst strong opposition from Political leaders in the country. However, it has proved its mettle and has continued to exist for more than couple of decades now. In 2011, Cyprus started its Citizenship by Investment program. It was the first European Union country to start off the CIP. Cyprus provided more provisions to the investors. With Cyprus CIP, investors got easy access into European Union markets. Cyprus offered their passport which allows more visa-free entries into countries across the globe. To get citizenship by investment in Cyprus is not possible any longer since the program is closed starting 2021. Grenada started its CIP in the year 2013. Although, there were certain glitches, the program is running successfully, and Grenada has started implementing their projects for which they needed the funds. In the same year Antigua and Barbuda started their Citizenship by investment program. It is one of the most sought-after countries to invest in, purely because of its scenic locations and skyline. The country has seen maximum number of applicants from China. In 2014, Malta in the European Union and Vanuathu in the Oceania started their citizenship by investment program. Malta’s systems proved effective and has since been the benchmark for

2. Brief History of Citizenship by Investment Programs across the globe – countries to follow. Vanuatu started its series of investment programs in 2014, to increase the funding for the many projects they started to develop the country. Vanuatu being a group of islands located in Pacific Ocean near Australia, is one of the countries which requires foreign funding to grow and develop. The country offers its citizenship by investment program which is attested by the President of the country himself. As Malta’s IIP reached its cap of 1800 applications, the program came to a halt in the year 2020. However, the country has started another investment program Maltese exceptional investor Naturalization policy to replace the current program. Saint Lucia Citizenship by investment program was started in the year 2016 and it is the 5th country in Caribbean to offer its CIP. In the same year, Turkey too announced their citizenship program. Turkey’s CIP has been attracting fair number of investors due to its strategic location between Africa, Europe and Asia. In the year 2018, Jordan started its CIP program which was a surprise announcement. The country offers its passport for a investment of USD $1 million. Although priced very high, the program still saw a good traction of around 100 applications in the first 6 months of its announcement. In the same year Moldova and Montenegro announced their citizenship by investment program. Montenegro CIP was introduced for a short period of time and had announced that they would be accepting only 1500 applications for the program. Moldova closed its program in the year 2019. There are many benefits attached to the citizenship by investment program. However, to successfully invest and obtain citizenship, it’s important to work with an immigration firm which is experienced and is knowledgeable in all of these CIPs. XIPHIAS immigration is built by international investment immigration expert who provides services and guidance to their clients interested to relocate to the country of their choice. For more information, reach XIPHIAS @sales@xiphias.in or call us at +91-8010 500 200 , +91- 9019 400 500 Keywords: Get citizenship by investment; Citizenship by investment; Best countries for citizenship by investment; Best countries to get citizenship by investment; Invest and get citizenship