The EES system, along with the ETIAS, will soon be applied to all travelers intending to visit EU with the aim of tightening the security in the EU.

In order to reach Europe and facilitate entry procedures in the future, it is recommended to invest in citizenship by investment programs that provide strong passports for flexible visa-free access and long-term residence in the European Union.

About the EES system

The EES system, which is short for the Entry and Exit System, is a biometric and electronic processing procedure for travelers intending to travel to the European Union who do not have a long-term residence permit.

Travelers will have to scan their data like a passport when each time they cross the border, with biometric data such as facial scans and fingerprints being taken and stored electronically for 3 years after each visit instead of stamping the passport as was the case before.

The system will also record information about travelers with the aim of recording the identity of travelers who have been rejected and those who have overstayed their permitted stay in Europe and detecting people with forged travel documents.

After the face and finger data is recorded for the first time, one of them will be used for comparison on the next visit and will be saved for 3 years after each entry.

It was reported that vehicles entering Europe cannot be processed as a single entity, but passengers must disembark and then each individual is processed separately.

It added that airlines are responsible for people who cannot enter the union due to their data, so these companies will check passengers 48 hours before travel. The long 48-hour period can frustrate late ticket buyers.

The EES system was scheduled to be implemented in 2022, but due to technological failures and problems installing the hardware required to start the system, it has been postponed several times, most recently until November 2024 after France requested to complete the Olympics and then implement it.

 

EES system is linked to another system called ETIAS, and the ETIAS system takes six months to be operational before the EES system is operational.

The ETIAS is a system that applies to all non-EU visitors to the EU, who will need to obtain an electronic approval before travelling to Europe, which will be valid for 3 years.

Who does the EES system apply to?

EES system will apply to all non-EU citizens travelling to the 27 EU member states and 4 other countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) either on a short-stay visa or without a visa if the visa is for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

This means that it will apply to British citizens. Ironically, Ireland and Cyprus, despite being EU members, are not subject to the system and will be treated with a manual stamp upon arrival in these countries.

It is clear that the EES does not apply to citizens who can enter Europe without a visa for long periods, such as Caribbean citizens, Golden Visa holders and citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican.

Will there be any delays after EES system is implemented?

The UK and a number of countries have expressed concerns that the system will slow down processing when entering Europe through the gates, and this is likely to cause long queues for travellers, especially since some gates are not suitable for this system due to their size.

To access Europe and facilitate your passage, you can invest in a second citizenship from a Caribbean country, which will allow you to enter the European Union without a visa for 180 days a year, and European Golden Visa programmes are a great option.

If you would like more information about Caribbean citizenship and Golden Visa programmes and the other benefits they offer in addition to access to the Schengen Area, get in touch with one of our experts via the contact form.

Entering UAE with Caribbean citizenship has a double advantage, on one hand you can enter UAE and on the other you get a strong second citizenship.

The UAE recently allowed Caribbean citizens from Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia and Grenada to enter with an electronic visa only.

The application is submitted through the Federal Authority for Residency and Customs website in the UAE, after entering please provide the required data and wait for 72 hours from the time of entering the data to receive the visa on the email registered during the application.

What is the importance of Caribbean citizenship?

Caribbean citizenship programs began to appear in the early 1980s from the gateway of Saint Kitts and Nevis, providing an opportunity to taste a new cultural life in a different style and an opportunity to develop businesses.

Caribbean citizenship is the ideal destination for obtaining a second citizenship due to the huge economic benefits it provides to businessmen and investors in the UAE and around the world.

The political, social and economic stability of Caribbean countries is one of the main reasons why those seeking a second passport choose Caribbean citizenship.

When it comes to business and wealth, Caribbean countries offer Caribbean citizens tax exemptions, financial privacy, and a desirable tax regime.

But the biggest advantage that Caribbean citizenship is known for is the power of its passports, which give Caribbean citizens the ability to enter more than 150 countries without a visa or with an e-visa, including the UAE, the United Kingdom, China, Canada, and all Schengen countries.

The countries that offer Caribbean citizenship are: St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Dominica. Here are the most prominent aspects of cooperation and agreements between the five Caribbean countries and the UAE:

 

1. Caribbean citizenship from St. Kitts

 

3 months ago, specifically in early June 2024, His Excellency Hazza Al Kaabi presented his credentials to the Governor of St. Kitts, Her Excellency Marcella Liburd, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates during a ceremony held in the capital of St. Kitts, Basseterre.

In 2020, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the UAE and Saint Kitts during Expo Dubai, with the aim of strengthening cultural and diplomatic relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of heritage, art and literature, especially after the strong presence of Saint Kitts and Nevis locally and regionally.

At the end of 2016, the UAE and Saint Kitts signed agreements to avoid double taxation between the two countries and protect investments with Saint Kitts and Nevis.

2. Caribbean citizenship from Saint Lucia

 

In late 2017, the UAE, represented by Dr. Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Environment, abolished the entry visa for holders of diplomatic and special passports and imposed an electronic visa for holders of ordinary passports from Saint Lucia on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

3. Caribbean citizenship from Grenada

 

In 2018, a decision was issued, represented by Ms. Lana Zaki from the UAE and Ms. Keshia McGuire from Grenada, allowing holders of Caribbean citizenship from Grenada to enter the UAE with a visa upon arrival and stay for 90 days per entry.

It was also recently announced that a special Grenada consulate will open in the United Arab Emirates, with Ms. Rose Benjamin as Consul General. The opening comes as a result of the increasing number of Middle Eastern businessmen interested in coming to Grenada.

4. Caribbean Citizenship from Dominica

 

The United Arab Emirates and the Commonwealth of Dominica signed a Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in late 2014, with a focus on cooperation in the political, economic, social, humanitarian and cultural fields.

Then in late 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Dominica agreed to allow Dominican diplomatic passport holders to enter the country with a visa on arrival and the possibility of entering with an e-visa for holders of ordinary Dominican passport after the opening of the Dominican Embassy in Abu Dhabi to enhance cooperation and serve citizens and investors residing in the Emirates.

5. Caribbean Citizenship from Antigua

 

A hybrid solar power plant has been developed in Antigua and Barbuda, under the UAE-Caribbean Partnership Fund, which aims to deploy energy projects across 16 Caribbean countries to reduce costs and enhance climate resilience, and has become the largest renewable energy project in the Caribbean.

Want more information about Caribbean citizenship? Speak to one of our Citizenship by Investment experts now. Global Citizen Consultants is an accredited Caribbean Citizenship by Investment office.

Thailand added to countries that Dominica passport holders can enter easily, adding to the other benefits offered by the Dominica citizenship program.

Thailand has recently expanded and facilitated entry to several countries, including the representative of the Caribbean nations (Dominica passport holders) in order to enjoy a longer stay and simpler entry procedures.

Dominica, the so-called Nature Island, whose official language is English and whose people widely speak French, offers its passport holders many benefits, including tax management, family reunification and freedom of movement.

Details on how to get to Thailand with a Dominica passport

While many Caribbean countries require a visa to enter Thailand, Dominica passport holders are an exception, as they can now obtain a visa on arrival and stay for 60 days at a time.

In this regard, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement at the end of May 2024 stating that it has expanded the list of countries that can visit Thailand with a visa on arrival or without a visa with the aim of developing tourism and facilitating the entry of visitors from all over the world.

The requirements for entering Thailand with a visa on arrival are a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of return ticket, a statement proving that the Dominican citizen has sufficient funds during his stay, and activation of health insurance during the stay.

The holder of a Dominican passport should be aware that this residence does not allow work, but you can hold business meetings, tourism, treatment, and visit acquaintances.

In addition to Dominica, there are now 16 new countries that can access Thailand with a visa on arrival and you are allowed to stay for 60 days, including Jordan, Croatia, and Morocco.

 

 

1. Expands the Suspended Nationalities for Dominica Passport

 

In early 2024, Dominica suspended all new applications from citizens of Yemen, who can still obtain a second citizenship from Saint Kitts or Saint Lucia.

Yemeni citizens have been added to the other suspended groups, which are citizens of Northern Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Russia, Belarus, and Kurdistan.

2. Change in Dominica Passport Fee Structure

 

Like other Caribbean countries, Dominica has changed its pricing structure to match the rest of its neighbors offering Caribbean citizenship and now the pricing structure is as follows:

· Donate to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF):

Contribute $200,000 per person or $250,000 for a family of 4, plus additional dependent costs and pre-screening fees.

· Real Estate Investment Option

Invest $200,000 in Dominican real estate with the right to resell the property after 3 or 5 years to another person who wants to apply for Dominican citizenship with the purchased property.

3. Boosting Dominica Passport with New Countries

 

Dominica has started requiring Turkish citizens to obtain a visa before visiting Dominica, reflecting updates to travel laws in both countries.

In addition to Thailand, Dominica passport holders can now travel to Argentina without a visa and enter Vietnam with a visa on arrival. All of these steps have boosted Dominica’s passport to rank 34th in the world and allow visa-free access to over 135 other countries, including all Schengen countries, Singapore and Hong Kong.

It is worth noting that Dominica has an embassy in the United Arab Emirates to facilitate any logistical procedures related to passport holders from the Middle East who wish to obtain citizenship after investing in Dominica.

For more information on how to obtain Dominican citizenship and learn more about its benefits in more detail or obtain other second citizenship programs around the world, please contact the Global Citizen Consultants team, the official authorized office for obtaining citizenship by investment around the world.

The Portuguese residency or the so-called golden visa is the key to entering the European world after investing in the booming investment funds.

The Portuguese residency program is not only a path to obtaining residency and citizenship from Europe, but also an opportunity to invest in the best innovative and profitable European sectors today.

Live permanently in Europe with Portuguese residency

Portuguese residency, officially known as the Activity Residence for Investment (ARI), is an initiative launched in 2012 and designed specifically for individuals from outside the European Union, which prepares them to live in Portugal for 5 years and then obtain Portuguese citizenship.

Portugal has proven in recent decades that it has promising sectors not only in tourism and trade, but also in technology and investment in local funds and stocks.

The Portuguese residency requires a stay of only 7 days per year during the first 5 years, which is especially useful for people who have responsibilities outside Portugal and do not want to stay there continuously while taking advantage of the benefits offered by this program.

The benefits of obtaining Portuguese residency include access to healthcare, multiple investment opportunities, the ability to open businesses and companies, a European lifestyle, convenient tax management, family reunification, eligibility for European passport, and the ability to live and move throughout Europe.

The processing time for Portuguese residency depends on a number of factors, but currently takes about a year, during which applicants are granted special visas until the Portuguese residency permit is issued. The nice thing for those considering Portuguese citizenship is that the 5 years are counted from the date of application and not from the time of obtaining the Portuguese residency permit.

After 5 years of residency in Portugal, the investor will have 3 options: either continue with the Portuguese residency program, obtain permanent residency, or apply for Portuguese citizenship. If you decide to choose the last two options, you will have the right to resell your investment unless you consider maintaining the Portuguese residency program.

 

After the decision to cancel the real estate investment option and transfer capital to obtain Portuguese residency, it became clear that there are several other ways to obtain Portuguese residency, most notably investing in investment funds with an amount of 500 thousand euros.

Although diversifying investment in several funds requires a little more effort and costs than investing in a single fund, this is useful in diversifying your investment portfolio. It is also possible to use a company to invest in Portuguese funds.

The attractiveness of investment funds compared to other options is due to several reasons, most notably the distribution of investment and the fact that these funds are managed by experts, tax exemptions, strict supervision, huge investment returns, and the lack of the need to visit to verify the investment.

Portuguese residency and types of qualified investment funds

1. Private stock funds

Invest in companies with strong growth prospects such as the health, agriculture, technology, renewable energy and manufacturing sectors.

2. Capital funds

Invest in emerging companies capable of growth such as the sectors of artificial intelligence, technology, e-commerce, renewable energy and innovation.

3. Mutual Funds

Unlike stock funds, with the option of mutual funds you invest in companies listed on the stock market and there are fewer sectors in this type compared to the other two, the most important of which are telecommunications and financial services.

Top investment sectors to get Portuguese residency in 2024

✓ Technology and communications

✓ Renewable energy

✓ Tourism and hospitality

✓ Health technologies

✓ Agricultural production

Contact Global Citizen if you are interested in the Portuguese Golden Visa program or citizenship by investment programs around the world. Book a free consultation now!

The E-2 and US EB-5 visa are among the most attractive residency permits for businessmen looking to open a business and live in USA.

The US Congress created the US EB-5 visa in 1990 to create jobs by attracting qualified foreign investors.

On the other hand, the US EB-5 visa provides a direct path to US permanent residency (green card) and US citizenship for investors and their spouses and children.

About the US EB-5 visa

According to data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services, interest in the US EB-5 visa increased significantly in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter and the previous three years, due to the program’s benefits and the efforts of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

With the EB-5 visa, individuals must invest $1,800,000, or $1,050,000, or $800,000 in rural areas with high unemployment rates. In addition, the EB-5 visa must demonstrate that it will employ 10 full-time Americans.

Participants can invest in either a new business or a distressed business, which is defined as a business that has suffered a net loss in the past year or two years prior to applying for the EB-5 investor program.

Once accepted, applicants, their spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21 will be eligible for conditional permanent residency for two years, which can then be extended.

The minimum number of visas for the US EB-5 investor program is 10,000, including principal applicants and their family members, which means there is a certain limit on the number of visas available per country per year, so the application process takes between 30 and 36 months and can be up to 60 months depending on where you come from, because as we mentioned, due to the cap on the number of applications, your application is deferred to the following year if there are other applicants before you.

 

The US E-2 work visa is the best alternative to the US EB-5 visa, which is a non-immigrant visa that is granted for 5 years at a time and is renewed if the investor maintains the requirements.

After obtaining a green card with the US EB-5 investor program, you will have to pay income taxes worldwide, but with the US E-2 work visa, you can avoid any tax by reducing the number of days you spend in America.

The processing times for a US work visa depend on the consulate you apply from, but they generally only take a few weeks, unlike the EB-5 visa, which has an average processing time of 40 months, and some countries such as China and India for example, require applicants to wait 10 years for their turn due to the fixed number required each year.

To qualify for a US work visa, applicants must be from countries that have a treaty with America, such as holders of a Grenada passport, and then invest in a US company without having an official amount for that, but of course the investment required in this program is much less than the requirements of the US EB-5 investor program.

Grenada Citizenship by Investment

If your country is not among the countries that have a treaty with America, investing in a second citizenship is the smartest solution to get to America.

Grenada has a joint treaty with America, and you can invest in Grenada to get a second citizenship, and by combining the amounts required to get Grenada citizenship and investing in America to get an E-2 business residency, the amounts required are still less than half of those required to get a US investor residency.

In addition to the possibility of access to America, Grenada citizenship is an attractive program for investors because you will be able to enter China, Britain and all Schengen countries without a visa, in addition you will get a favorable tax system and many other benefits for the investor and his family members.

For more information about the Grenada Citizenship Program and other Citizenship by Investment Programs, please contact one of the experts at Global Citizen Consultants, an accredited company for obtaining second citizenship after investment worldwide.

The Grenada Passport Unit has begun extending the validity of its passport to enable its citizens to access the world with ease.

Grenada’s powerful passport allows visa-free entry to 145 countries and can be obtained after investing in its property or making a financial contribution to the country.

Decision to Extend Grenada Passport to 10 Years

The Grenada Passport Unit has begun issuing 10-year passports instead of the previous 5 years to those over 18, but the under 18 category remains at 5 years due to the rapid change in the youth appearance.

In this regard, Grenada’s Prime Minister Mr. Deacon recently said in Parliament: “Since we took the position, citizens have complained about the short life of Grenada passports compared to other Caribbean countries.”

He added: “Once citizens are issued a new passport or an old one is extended, they will be able to obtain a Grenada passport for 10 years.”

He explained that this step will particularly benefit citizens traveling to Canada and Britain, as entry visas to these countries exceed the validity period of the old passport, which was 5 years.

Grenada Passport Offers Promising Investment Opportunities

Grenada’s passport offers its holders tremendous job opportunities and special support from the government with financial incentives. Thanks to its fertile lands, investors can open agricultural projects. Investing in the transformation or energy industry also gives Grenada passport holders investment incentives encouraged by the Grenada government.

The CARIFORUM EC_EPA agreement signed with the European Union means that Grenada passport holders are exempt from customs duties with European countries in order to help investors access wider promising markets.

In addition to all this, Grenada’s international airport and container port located in Grenada help access the continents of the world through direct flights. Grenada also does not impose any tax on foreign income, wealth and capital gains, and offers complete exemption from import duties and export allowances.

Grenada’s currency is pegged to the US dollar, trade is tax-free in the Caribbean, and the ability to open international bank accounts are all real opportunities to improve strategies, protect assets, and establish businesses.

✓ Grenada passport is ranked 33rd in the world and grants its holder visa-free access to over 145 countries and is a British Crown Dependency.

✓ With a Grenada passport, you can spend 180 days in the UK per a year, 90 days out of 180 in Schengen, 30 days at a time in major Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and visit Australia and Canada with an e-visa.

✓ Grenada passports continue to expand and grow, with Grenada recently signing visa waiver agreements with China and Ukraine, and a visa-on-arrival agreement with the United Arab Emirates, and the list is growing.

✓ The passport’s biometric fingerprint technology prevents theft and misuse.

✓ Grenada is the only Caribbean citizenship that allows you to start a business and live in the United States with a work and visit visa.

To renew your passport or obtain a Grenada passport by investment, contact our authorized Caribbean citizenship by investment

Dual citizenship gives its holder many advantages such as ability to settle in other countries, increase mobility, and diversify investment portfolio.

Dual citizenship or what is called second citizenship can be obtained in several ways, but first make sure that your first and second countries accept dual citizenship.

Dual citizenship means obtaining a second, third and fourth citizenship in addition to your first citizenship, so you must adhere to the laws imposed on you and at the same time benefit from the advantages and rights of holders of these nationalities.

Ways to obtain dual citizenship

✓ By lineage (ancestors)

✓ By marriage

✓ By naturalization (long-term residence)

✓ By citizenship through investment

Position of some countries regarding dual citizenship

✓ Countries such as America, Canada, Bahrain, Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Yemen accept dual citizenship.

✓ India, China, Ethiopia, China, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Ukraine, Vietnam, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia do not accept dual citizenship.

✓ Argentina only allows dual citizenship if you are an Italian or Spanish citizen, and Spain only accepts dual citizenship from several countries.

✓ Australian parliamentarians with dual citizenship cannot run for election, in Egypt and Armenia you cannot run for parliament, and in Colombia you are prohibited from applying for the Ministry of Defense and Foreign Affairs.

✓ In Azerbaijan, dual citizenship can be granted after a presidential evaluation, while Ethiopia does not allow dual citizenship, but the Ethiopian identity card reserves some privileges for individuals who have become citizens of other countries.

 

✓ Distribution and diversification of the investment portfolio across several countries and routes.

✓ Wider social services, free education in different educational institutions, healthcare in the best hospitals.

✓ Possibility of owning real estate and opening companies and bank accounts in different places.

✓ Greater mobility with two passports.

✓ Settling in two different countries and experiencing different lifestyles and hedging in case of disasters and problems.

Are there any disadvantages to having dual citizenship?

Yes, it is known that despite the great importance of the advantages that dual citizenship provides, it is not without potential disadvantages.

One of these drawbacks is the issue of double taxation, as most countries impose taxes on both domestic and foreign property, such as America, but Caribbean countries do not impose any taxes on foreign property, profits and companies outside their territories, thus protecting yourself from its biggest drawbacks.

There are some countries that do not accept dual citizenship, and when you discover this, they will ask you to cancel one of the two nationalities, and with Caribbean countries recognizing dual citizenship, you have gotten rid of the other drawback.

Another drawback is the legal obligations that you must follow in order to maintain your citizenship, as countries that offer citizenship by investment, such as the Caribbean, do not require any obligations from citizens after obtaining their citizenship. You do not have to travel to these islands at all unless you want to and you can only benefit from the advantages of the second passport that you will obtain.

As mentioned, despite the importance of dual citizenship and its impact on individuals around the world now, it comes with its challenges and responsibilities. Let Global Citizen Consultants guide you in choosing a second citizenship that you can benefit from without compromising your legal status and obligations. Talk to one of our experts.

The St Kitts Citizenship Unit has surprised everyone by reducing the amount required to obtain its citizenship while the other have increased it.

The recent reduction in investment amounts for St Kitts citizenship is a golden opportunity as most citizenship programs around the world are either increasing the costs or eliminating the program, unlike the recent move by the St Kitts Citizenship Unit.

Last year, following the Caribbean-European-American talks, St Kitts raised the amount required to obtain its citizenship and is now reducing it in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Caribbean countries.

News of Lower Costs for St Kitts Citizenship by Investment

In a surprise move, the St Kitts Citizenship by Investment Unit has announced a reduction in the investment amount required to obtain citizenship after a year of increasing it.

Mr. Michael Martin, CEO of the St Kitts Citizenship Unit, shared the news regarding the change in investment and post-approval amounts and asked agents to keep everyone informed of important updates.

One update is to reduce the amount required to obtain St Kitts Citizenship by Investment in the Sustainable Island State (SISC) to match the minimum costs required by other Caribbean citizenship programs, which have decided to standardize the amounts in early July 2024.

For St Kitts Citizenship by Investment via the Sustainable Island State option, the non-refundable amount required was $350,000 for a family of 4, and has now been reduced to $250,000 for a family of 4, at the same cost per person, effective July 2024.

As for other notable changes, the contribution option for each additional person over the age of 18 in the contribution option now requires a payment of $50,000 instead of $75,000, and $25,000 instead of $50,000 for each person under the age of 18. The real estate investment requirements, the private housing investment requirements, and the private benefit contribution requirements remain the same.

 

1. Sustainable Island State Contribution Option (SISC):

 

✓ Single applicant or family of 4: $250,000 (previously $350,000).

✓ Additional dependents under 18: $25,000 each.

✓ Additional dependents over 18: $50,000 each.

2. Investment in St. Kitts Real Estate

 

✓ $400,000 with the property resold after 7 years.

3. Investment in Private Housing

 

✓ $400,000 Investment in a residential unit or share thereof with the possibility of resale after 7 years.

✓ $800,000 in a private residence for an entire family with the possibility of resale after 7 years.

4. Investment in Public Benefit

 

✓ $250,000.

St Kitts Citizenship Post-Approval Fees

✓ Main applicant: $25,000 (Real Estate Investment Option)

✓ Applicant’s spouse: $15,000 (Real Estate Investment and Public Benefit Option)

✓ Dependents under 18: $10,000 (Real Estate Investment and Public Benefit Option)

✓ Dependents over 18: $15,000 (Real Estate Investment and Public Benefit Option)

Due Diligence Fee

✓ Applicant: $10,000.

✓ Spouse and all dependents over 16: $7,500.

Processing Fee

✓ $250 per applicant.

Certificate of Registration Fee

✓ $50 per applicant.

St Kitts Citizenship Benefits after investment costs reduced

This move is expected to have a positive impact on St Kitts and investors applying for St Kitts citizenship, as it will attract more foreign investment, boost real estate development and fund public benefit projects.

The importance of this step for applicants is that the updated SISC option will be a suitable option for families in particular due to the simplification and reduction of the amount for a family of up to 4 members and ensuring that applicants receive fair and equitable treatment from all countries offering second citizenship programs.

The above were the advantages of St. Kitts citizenship after the reduction of the amounts, but in general, St. Kitts citizenship is an ideal citizenship option for all individuals due to the strength of its passport, the attractiveness of its tax system, the fact that it allows the family to apply with the applicant and other points.

For more benefits and details about the St Kitts citizenship program, please contact us on the contact channels and one of our experts at Global Citizen Consultants will provide you with a free consultation.

With today’s global interconnectedness, dual citizenship has become a necessity. This allows individuals to be citizens of two different countries.

With their stunning landscapes and pristine beaches, the Caribbean islands are not only a popular holiday destination, but also an opportunity to obtain dual citizenship from countries that offer a lot to their investors.

The Caribbean countries are a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea and near North America. They belong to the British Commonwealth and the countries that offer dual citizenship programs are: Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, and Dominica.

Dual citizenship by investment

The Caribbean islands offer the opportunity to obtain dual citizenship from one of their countries after a significant financial investment in the country in a faster and safer way than traditional methods.

Other traditional methods include: obtaining citizenship after birth, descent, marriage, or long-term residency. This method consists of investing in Caribbean economies and then obtaining dual citizenship.

Caribbean citizenship is not only granted to the main investor, but extends to his or her family, represented by spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandparents and future generations, providing them with equal opportunities and a brighter future.

 

What makes dual citizenship from the Caribbean special is that it is one of the fastest programs for obtaining citizenship, as it extends for only several months, in addition to that it requires less investments compared to European programs, which enable you to obtain dual citizenship for a value of $200,000.

The Caribbean passport is powerful and provides you with the ability to enter 150 countries without a visa, most notably the Schengen countries, Britain, Canada, China and Britain.

We conclude the advantages of Caribbean citizenship by saying that its islands enjoy an upscale lifestyle, an alternative option in times of crisis, accept dual citizenship, and its program is 100% reliable.

Dual citizenship is a cure for all tax issues

Many Caribbean countries claim to have tax programs that are beneficial to entrepreneurs and landlords, backed by financial privacy laws and low tax payments.

In addition to favorable tax services, the Caribbean islands are known for efficient corporate and institutional tax registration, offshore banking and insurance, and easy access to European banks. And some of their islands do not tax cryptocurrencies and their profits.

Dual citizenship is the smart investment gateway

With their political and economic stability, high standards of living and natural beauty, the Caribbean islands are a golden choice for investment and dual citizenship.

In addition, investing in real estate is an option that generates a stable income from renting the property used to obtain dual citizenship, as these islands are touristic and the demand for rentals is high, especially in high season.

Caribbean countries are also a haven for cryptocurrency investors and offer wealth management solutions such as offshore investment funds and bank accounts, not to mention mobility with their powerful passport.

Before making the final decision on citizenship by investment from a Caribbeans countries, it is important to consult a specialist and then find an accredited office to apply through. Let Global Citizen Consultants help you choose the right program and then apply. Contact our communication channels.

The Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit joined the rest of the five Caribbean countries by signing several important decisions on citizenship programmes.

When news emerged that four Caribbean countries had signed a memorandum of understanding on pricing in March 2024, the absence of Saint Lucia citizenship was conspicuous, but because the memorandum was not binding or legal, the Saint Lucia government requested a postponement.

However, based on assurances made by the CEO of the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit, the Government of Saint Lucia recently signed the Caribbean Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which aims to standardize the investment costs of obtaining Caribbean citizenship.

Saint Lucia citizenship signs the understanding memorandum

On Tuesday, 3 June 2024, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Mr. Philip J. Pepper, announced a package of ideas and decisions regarding Saint Lucia citizenship shared with the rest of the Caribbean.

The decisions relate to unifying the minimum requirements for obtaining Caribbean citizenship for Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua & Barbuda.

The Caribbean Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the Caribbean Citizenship Units, with the exception of the Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit, in March 2024. Saint Lucia had requested time to fulfill its legal obligations and local developer contracts, and now the Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit is also signing the MOA.

Saint Lucia’s decision to join the MOA is an important step in the Caribbean’s unified efforts to create a strong and unified citizenship by investment programme.

Regardless of whether your goal is to choose a program you can afford, seek global mobility, or want to reach Europe, the Saint Lucia Citizenship Program is your ideal choice. This program is considered an attractive option for high-net-worth individuals because it provides promising investment opportunities in addition to a second passport.

MOA details signed by the Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit

In addition to implementing the minimum, the Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit proposed to the rest of the Caribbean countries to improve several other aspects, including imposing an annual quota on applicants and establishing an escrow account on these islands` and other.

The purpose of these suggestions and improvements proposed by the Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit is to strengthen Caribbean citizenship economies, attract foreign investment, prevent abuse, and maintain the integrity of the programs.

The new costs were implemented in collaboration with international partners to ensure optimal operation. As of this month (July 2024), the previous cost, which was a non-refundable contribution of US$100,000 to the Saint Lucia Government Fund, has been doubled to US$200,000.

The Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit is always trying to cooperate with the Caribbean Nationalities Unit on the one hand and trying to improve its program in order to attract foreign investments and protect them at the same time on the other hand.

Proof of this is that Saint Lucia applied the six principles discussed at the American table, which included preventing Russian and Belarusian passport holders from applying, conducting interviews with applicants, and evaluating and examining files by specialized agencies.

 

◈ Pricing procedures and application of minimums

◈ Information exchange and transparency

◈ Improve security

◈ Only authorized agents are allowed to represent applicants, and agents are responsible for paying due diligence costs

◈ Decisions related to promotion

◈ Joint training and competency building

◈ Settlement of Disputes

◈ Proposing legislative amendments regarding name change requests

◈ Determine a fixed quota for applications submitted to each Caribbean country within one year, so that it does not exceed the permitted number

New amounts required to obtain Saint Lucia citizenship

◈ Saint Lucia citizenship through the National Economic Fund: $240,000

◈ Saint Lucia citizenship through real estate investment: $300,000

◈ Saint Lucia citizenship by investment in an approved institutional project: $250,000

 

What is the Caribbean Memorandum of Agreement?

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is a non-binding document initially signed by Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada, and later joined by Saint Lucia.

Although the document is not a legal paper, it aims to unify laws and establish common rules among Caribbean countries for equality in pricing, exchange of information, regulation, security examination, and unification of marketing efforts.

It is worth noting that the document contains many points, but the focus was on unifying the investment pricing for obtaining Caribbean citizenship, relying on a minimum of $200,000, and implementing it starting in July 2024.

Global Citizen Consultants has been a team of experts in the field of Saint Lucia citizenship for years, in addition to being a certified Saint Lucia citizenship by investment office. Contact us now if you have any questions or if you are interested in obtaining Saint Lucia citizenship.