Top 9 countries with the fastest citizenship and passports by investment

When choosing a country for obtaining citizenship by investment, one of the important factors to consider is the speed of obtaining a passport. The fastest pathways to citizenship by investment are available in Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Malta, Turkey, and Egypt.

Let’s explore the requirements to applicants in each country and learn about the additional benefits they provide.

Vanuatu: 1­–4 months. As of September 2024, Vanuatu offers the quickest path to citizenship by investment, with the process taking 1 to 4 months. Applicants invest $130,000+ and demonstrate financial stability with $250,000+ in their accounts.

The Vanuatu passport offers visa-free access to 100+ countries and allows for tax optimisation due to a 0% tax on income, capital gains, and inheritance, along with a 20-year corporate tax exemption.

Vanuatu citizenship by investment is available via many options — there is even a way for crypto investors.

Dominica: 6+ months. Dominica is among the fastest citizenship countries too. Not only does it offer a favourable tax regime and visa-free entry to European countries, but also gives the opportunity to obtain a 10-year US visa.

Passports are granted for investment of $200,000 or more. When getting citizenship by investment, you can be sure the money is spent on noble causes: the government is building hospitals and hurricane-resistant houses, developing alternative energy, and trying to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals.

St Lucia: 6+ months. In St Lucia, an investor can make a non-refundable contribution of $240,000+ to the National Economic Fund, buy government bonds, purchase government-approved real estate, or invest in a business project.

Similar to other tax systems in the Caribbean, St Lucia imposes no taxes on worldwide income, capital gains, or inheritance. Its citizens enjoy visa-free travel to 147 countries, including the Schengen Area and the UK.

Grenada: 8+ months. Grenada also levies no taxes on worldwide income, capital gains, and inheritance. Its citizens are eligible for US E–2 business visas and have visa-free access to the EU, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China.

With a Grenada passport, an investor’s children can enrol in prestigious universities in the UK, the US, or the EU — sometimes even without student visas.

To acquire Grenada citizenship, foreigners must invest $235,000 or more in the country’s economy.

Individual cost calculation for Grenada citizenship

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Antigua and Barbuda: 6+ months. In addition to a warm climate and azure ocean, the country boasts one of the most favourable tax regimes for individuals and companies. There are no taxes on income, capital gains, or inheritance. International business companies enjoy tax exemptions on foreign-source income for 50 years.

Citizens can travel visa-free to 150+ countries and are eligible for 10-year B–1/B–2 visitor visas in the US.

The investment threshold in the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program is $230,000. The country also offers preferential conditions for large families, with contributions of just $260,000 for a family of six.

St Kitts and Nevis: 6+ months. The country doesn’t impose taxes on income, capital gains, or inheritance. Additionally, as a Caribbean paradise, St Kitts and Nevis is ideal for yachting, fishing, and diving.

The nation’s growing economy, free education for children, and visa-free entry to the Schengen Area make it a favourable option for acquiring a second passport.

The least expensive investment option involves a contribution of $250,000+ to the Federal Consolidated Fund.

Individual cost calculation for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

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Turkey: 8+ months. Turkey boasts excellent healthcare, high-quality education, and a low cost of living.

The country also offers favourable tax exemptions; for instance, companies registered in “free zones” don’t pay corporate tax, and foreigners are exempt from VAT on purchases of new real estate from developers.

Turkish citizens are eligible for long-term Schengen and US tourist visas, as well as the US E–2 business visa.

To be granted citizenship, investors purchase real estate for $400,000 or more, or invest in business, government bonds, investment fund units, or open a bank deposit.

Individual cost calculation for Turkish citizenship

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Egypt: 10+ months. The country offers favourable tax conditions to businesses. Entrepreneurs worldwide can set up companies in one of nine public free zones operating in the country and do not pay tax on corporate income.

Egypt citizenship by investment is available in 10 or more months. To qualify, foreigners can choose from 4 investment options: make a non-refundable contribution, purchase property, invest in a business, or open a deposit in the Central Bank of Egypt.

The investment threshold is $250,000. Applicants do not need to take exams on Arabic or Egypt history. They are also not required to move to the country to keep their passport.

Egyptians can travel visa-free to over 80 countries and are eligible for an E‑2 business visa to the US.

Malta: 1—3 years. The only EU state that offers citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment, Malta can grant the passport in as little as 1 year.

First, candidates receive a residence permit, then apply for citizenship by naturalisation after one year, and then make an investment of €750,000+. Those wishing to invest a smaller amount of €690,000+ must obtain a residence permit and wait three years before applying for citizenship.

Although this may seem lengthy compared to other countries from our rating, it remains one of the fastest countries to get citizenship in Europe — with all the benefits of its passport.

Obtaining a second passport by investment takes at least 1 month, depending on the chosen country.

The shortest time to citizenship is offered in Vanuatu, with a passport obtainable in 1 to 4 months. A Caribbean passport can typically be granted in 6 to 8 months. Turkish and Egyptian passports take slightly longer: 8 and 10 months, respectively.

Investors seeking citizenship in an EU country can consider Malta. Citizenship is not granted directly by investment. It is acquired by naturalisation for exceptional services after 1 or 3 years of residency.

Investment options available under CBI programs differ by country. The time required to fulfil the investment condition depends on the chosen option. For example, making a donation generally takes less time than investing in business.

Below are investment options which typically provide some of the fastest paths to citizenship.

Making a charitable donation. This is one of the quickest ways to citizenship. It involves contributing directly to a national development fund or another government-approved initiative. Donation amounts vary by country but usually require minimal paperwork and processing time.

Purchasing government bonds. In some countries, such as St Lucia, purchasing government bonds is a fast track to citizenship. This involves investing in government-backed bonds, which are typically held for a specified period before the investor can sell them. The bond purchase process can be completed within several days.

Investing in a national infrastructure project. Some countries offer citizenship to those who invest in large-scale national infrastructure projects. Approved projects may include building schools, hospitals, or other public works.

For example, investors in Vanuatu can buy shares of the CNO Future Fund holding company, which promotes sustainability and develops coconut oil production. In St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis, applicants can invest in government-approved projects that enhance the country’s infrastructure.

Buying real estate. This option may take more time than making a donation due to the paperwork involved in acquiring property and registering ownership rights. However, the entire process can be done remotely via a representative, including purchasing property and concluding the purchase and sale agreement.

Examples of investment real estate

Grenada, Morne Rouge

$270,000 — $564,000

Apartments in a residential complex by the ocean

35 m² — 93 m²

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Grenada, Saint Davids

$270,000+

Share in a modern SPA complex resort

Grenada, St. George's

$270,000 — $350,000

Share or apartments in full ownership in an oceanfront university complex

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1. Safe haven. Whatever happens in your primary country of residence, you will be able to enter the state of your second citizenship without restrictions. The borders are open for citizens even when all other travelling is shut down, as during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

2. Ease of travel. Most countries which grant citizenship by investment have pretty strong passports, allowing their holders to travel visa-free to popular destinations such as the Schengen area, the UK, Singapore, or South Korea. They are often also eligible for long-term US visas on simplified conditions.

All visa-free countries with a Maltese passport

3. Free residence in the country of choice. With a passport, you don’t need visas or residence permits to stay in the country of your second citizenship. This is especially convenient with EU passports, which generally allow their holders to live and work anywhere in the EU and not only in the country of issue.

4. Tax optimisation. Many countries, especially the Caribbean, have favourable tax regimes for individuals and companies. For instance, there might be no income tax, taxes on capital gains, or corporate tax. Becoming a tax resident in a different country might ease your tax burden significantly.

5. Business with Europe and the US. A simplified process of obtaining visas or no need for visas altogether makes business travels easier, faster, and cheaper. In some countries, you have to be a citizen or a resident to open a business — so the passport comes in handy, too.

6. Bank accounts. In many countries, it is easier to open bank accounts for yourself and your business if you are a citizen. In others, being a citizen is a requirement for the banks.

7. Prestigious education. Caribbean countries are part of the Commonwealth of Nations, meaning their citizens benefit from applying to UK universities. This might be especially important if you want to give your children prestigious, world-renowned education for a reasonable price.

Each country has their own list of the necessary paperwork for citizenship by investment. Gathering all the documents and correctly filling out all the required forms is a job for a certified immigration agent.

Here is a brief overview of what you might need regarding paperwork.

The general list of document required for applying for citizenship by investment includes the following:

• an international passport;

• a citizenship application form;

• a certificate of no criminal record;

• a birth certificate;

• a certificate of civil status;

• bank accounts’ statements;

• a confirmation of investment;

• translations of documents.

Additional documents sometimes requested by specific countries are as follows:

• a brief description of the investor’s life story in the form of a CV;

• certificates of medical check-ups;

• medical insurance;

• proof of ties to the country;

• an assessment of property if one invests in real estate;

• company documentation if one invests in business;

• permissions for children if the second parent is not included in the application;

• affidavits if one’s criminal record history is less than perfect.

1. The top 9 countries for investors to get citizenship include Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Turkey, Egypt, and Malta.

2. Vanuatu offers citizenship in as little as 1 to 4 months, with the minimum investment of $130,000. A Caribbean passport can be obtained within 6 to 8 months and requires an investment of at least $200,000, depending on the country. A Turkish passport is granted in 8+ for investments of $400,000 or more. To obtain an Egyptian passport, one would need 10+ months and at least $250,000.

3. The Maltese passport cannot be obtained by investment directly. Candidates prove their intention to make an investment, acquire a residence permit, and apply for citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services within 1 or 3 years.

4. After obtaining a second passport, investors can enjoy a number of benefits, including increased global mobility, an opportunity to optimise taxes, ease of opening bank accounts, favourable business conditions, and access to education in prestigious institutions for children.