Being a citizen of a country with a powerful passport, the privilege of freedom to travel, and human rights are gifts that everyone wants. Citizenship in a stable country means you can enjoy civil rights, live with peace of mind, work or do business on merit, and enjoy world-class healthcare and educational facilities. Being a national of a country where political stability is at stake means you must find a country where you and your loved ones can flourish in every walk of life. These things bring our attention to finding the easiest countries to get citizenship.
Why to Get a Second Citizenship?
Second citizenship brings a bunch of benefits that people love to enjoy. A group of people may want the level of freedom that isn’t available in their current home country, while some may feel the honor of being a citizen of a certain nation. There is a group that focuses on their safety and security. Whatever the reason is, you have to qualify for the minimum criteria. Here are the pros of getting a second citizenship:
- Easy and visa-free travel
- Freedom to travel anytime anywhere
- Money saving as no need to apply to embassies for visa
- Promote Your Business Globally
- Access to world-class healthcare and education
- Be a part of diverse cultures and enjoy festivals of a new homeland
- Safeguard your and family’s future
Benefits of Second Citizenship for Travel Enthusiasts
Travel enthusiasts from a country with hard access to international travel may find themselves cornered and neglected. If your current passport is hindering you from traveling freely or if you want the freedom to travel globally, you must consider second citizenship with global visa-free travel access. Your motivation for spending money may not be buying materialistic stuff like expensive cars but seeing the world. But facing all these challenges has been an impediment and made international travel super difficult.
There is always this anxiety that you can’t plan your international trip, purchase the airline ticket, or book hotels and tickets to famous tourist sites until you get a visa to your favorite country. Getting a powerful passport will reduce your time at passport control to some minutes, and you will phase out the depression of being denied entry. You will also feel that the airport officials won’t ask you dozens of questions.
The Magic of Second Citizenship for Business Travellers
This magic of citizenship in a country with an improved mobility score allows visa-free and visa-on arrivals. In short, second citizenship can make your dream of international travel for business, adventures, or leisure possible. You need not apply and wait for visa decisions as you can purchase an airline ticket and fly to your favorite destination. You need to present your passport to the immigration counter, and they will stamp your passport without tough screening and questions.
Easy Ways to Get Citizenship
Citizenship is a status that tells about your nationality or the country you belong to. Being an official citizen of a country means you have to adhere to its policies and laws while you also have access to certain rights and privileges, i.e., freedom to move into the country, do business or job, access to healthcare, education, pensions schemes, etc. Let’s discuss the easy ways to get citizenship in developed and stable countries:
Citizenship by Investment
Citizenship by investment is one of the most popular programs that make the process easy and quick. These investment programs can make you a citizen of your favorite country in a matter of months, while CBI may require a period starting from 5 years to 10 years.
Countries offering citizenship by financial contribution target foreign investment to their countries by offering benefits to business persons, executives, and retired persons. The investment amount depends on the program, which varies from country to country.
Citizenship by Descent
Citizenship by descent is when either the father or mother is a national from a country or when a child is born to a national of a country; in this case, the non-national parent becomes eligible for citizenship by descent. Just like parents, citizenship by descent is also applicable if your ancestors are from the country where you are seeking citizenship.
Citizenship by Naturalization
If you live in a country for a specific time, you can apply for citizenship by naturalization. This pathway to citizenship also requires you to pass the language and culture test.
Citizenship by Marriage
When you marry a citizen of a foreign country, you become eligible to apply for citizenship of that country. This citizenship route requires a registered and legal marriage, your stay in the country, and maybe a language and culture test.
Countries with Easiest Immigration Policy
Globally, there are many politically and economically stable countries offering citizenship, and their passports are also considered to be the best around the world. These citizenship-friendly countries focus on bringing foreign investment and rewarding people investing in the country. Some programs target talented people, while some focus on entrepreneurs. The citizenship requirements for these countries are minimal when compared with countries with hard immigration policies. Let’s have a look around the Groups of easiest countries to get citizenship by investment:
Turkey Citizenship
With a big and multicultural background and a diverse landscape, Turkey is a transcontinental country that provides easy access to European and Asian markets. The program is the quickest CIP option that only requires 3 months to become a Turkish citizen. You need to invest USD 400K in the Turkish real estate market to qualify for Turkish citizenship. With a chance of Turkey becoming part of the European Union, visa-free, and visa-on-arrival access to 110+ countries, a second Turkish Passport could be a life-changing decision for you.
Curacao Citizenship
Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean island country that allows high-net-worth individuals to get easy citizenship and fly to 100+ destinations without visa requirements. By March 2024, Curacao citizens can travel to 148 countries without visas, while 26 countries allow visa-on-arrival services. Visa-free countries include Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, South American countries (except Suriname), Caribbean countries, Mexico, UAE, and some Oceania countries. To get a Curacao passport, you need to invest $300K in real estate and hold the investment for 5 years. After 5 years, you can apply for Dutch citizenship.
Portugal Golden Visa – Easiest European Country with Citizenship Program
Portugal is a popular European country and famous equally among business persons and leisure travellers. The perfect year-round weather, rich history and culture, and lavish beaches make the country a perfect option for second citizenship. The country citizenship through its Golden Visa program with investment options starting from 200K Euros. Though Portugal ended real estate investment program, there are still many options available to own a Portuguese passport and become a European citizen.
Latvia Golden Visa Leading to Citizenship
Latvia is a member of the EU and offers a Golden Visa Program that leads to citizenship. The country has a high GDP per capita and is a business-friendly country. Latvia launched its Golden Visa program in 2010 and the country received EUR 1.3 billion for that program. Investment in the real estate sector topped as investors purchased properties of EUR 1.1 billion.
The country suspended real estate investment in January 2022. Latvian Golden Visa investment amount requires €50,000, plus €10,000 donation, plus fees. You need not reside in the country while the residency permit is renewable after 5 years. With a minimum investment option, Latvia is the best option for people with limited funds.
Costa Rica Citizenship
Costa Rica offers residency permits leading to citizenship with a modest investment starting from USD 100,000. Investment options include active business, forestry projects, stocks, and real estate. The investment makes you eligible for a residency permit valid for 2 years. You need to hold your investment to renew your residency and need to stay in the country for 6 months in a year. The Costa Rica TRP holder can earn income on their investment but can’t work as an employee.
3 Years TRP makes you eligible for Permanent Residency of Costa Rica and you can work as an employee or do business. You need at least 1 visit and stay 72 hours in the country with permanent residency status. Staying in Costa Rica for 7 years, either with TRP or as a permanent resident, makes you qualify for a Costa Rica Passport.
Top Caribbean Countries with Easiest Immigration Policies
Caribbean countries are tourist havens and are known for their natural beauty, climate, and easy immigration policies. The main attraction for migrants is the powerful passport that allows them to travel visa-free to important countries. Further, Caribbean countries are famous among business persons as low tax policies mean they can build their empires to the next level. These countries offer various investment programs that allow you to make your footprint in these countries and access world-class facilities for you and your family members.
The following table shows the list and requirements for Caribbean citizenship by investment programs:
| Countries | Minimum Investment | Estimated Processing Time | Investment Holding Period | Countries with Visa Free Travel | Key Visa Free Destinations |
| Dominica | USD 100,000 | 4-6 Months | 5 Years | 140+ Visa Free Destinations | Schengen, Singapore, China, Hong Kong |
| St. Lucia | USD 100,000 | 6-8 Months | 5 Years | 140+ Visa Free Destinations | Schengen, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore |
| Grenada | USD 125.000 | 4-6 Months | 5 Years | 140+ Visa Free Destinations | Schengen, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, UK, Singapore |
| Antigua and Barbuda | USD 150,000 | 6-8 Months | 5 Years | 150+ Visa Free Countries | Schengen, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, UK, Singapore |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | USD 270,000 | 6-8 Months | 7 Years | 150+ Visa Free Countries | Schengen, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, Singapore |
*Note: Caribbean countries except St. Lucia have signed a MoU to increase the CIP investment amount from 1st July 2024.
Countries with Citizenship by Birth
You get citizenship by birth when you are either born to parents who are national of that country or you were born during their stay in that country. If you are born in the United States of America, you become a citizen of the USA by birth. However, if you are born to diplomats and recognized government employees working in the USA, you won’t get US citizenship by birth.
The list of countries offering citizenship by birth includes:
- Barbados
- Jamaica
- Fiji
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Panama
- Uruguay
Countries Offering Citizenship by Descent
The following countries offer citizenship by descent:
United Kingdom Ireland Italy
Greece Portugal Latvia
Spain Poland Hungary
Romania Luxembourg Armenia
Conclusion
There are some countries where the route to citizenship is long and lengthy. Some countries initially only offer residency, which leads to citizenship when you meet certain requirements. If you want quick and easy citizenship in a country with a powerful passport and global mobility, you can target Caribbean countries where CBI programs are quite popular. You can get a passport in as early as 3 months, while the longest time requirement is under eight months only. Further, the Caribbean countries didn’t require any stay in the country. You must consult a recognized and official Caribbean immigration expert who can help you with your cause to become a global citizen.
