On the market since 2006
We know everything about the industry, including how the Due Diligence check is conducted in different countries and whether an application for a residence permit or citizenship by investment suits our client’s needs.
Due Diligence for a citizenship by investment
A detailed manual on Due Diligence for citizenship by investment applications with examples from our practice and recommendations for preparing for a Due Diligence check
Preliminary Due Diligence check at Immigrant Invest
Immigrant Invest is a government-licensed agent for citizenship and residence programs in the European Union, the Caribbean, and Vanuatu. It is one of only a few government-licensed agents in the world with its own compliance department.
Government-licensed agent
We are government-licensed agents for residence and citizenship by investment programs in the EU and Caribbean.
Offices in 6 countries
We know the nuances of the relevant laws in each foreign jurisdiction in which we operate: our lawyers in international law, experienced local lawyers, and notaries draw up the required documents and know how to get around all the pitfalls that might arise.
99% success rate
We conduct our own preliminary Due Diligence check on clients to reduce the risk of their applications being rejected. If we find any areas that might lead to their applications being rejected, we offer an alternative solution or even, in some cases, explain to our clients why they should not submit their applications.
1,500 preliminary Due Diligence checks per annum
Conducted by our compliance department. Applicants' documents are checked by our certified Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officers.
5,000 families
Have obtained second citizenship with our company.
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St Kitts & Nevis
$273,644
Portugal
€3,225
Answers to frequently asked questions
Ensure that the applicant or their business partners are not involved in illegal activities like money laundering, tax evasion, and financing terrorism.
A Due Diligence check is carried out for any major transaction: for example, the purchase of real estate or the conclusion of business contracts. Due Diligence is also the main step in applications for citizenship and residence permits by investment: a preliminary Due Diligence check is carried out by the licensed agent, and the main Due Diligence check is undertaken by the government department responsible for the application.
It depends on the requirements of a particular program. Investors with a criminal record that has not lost their legal force will not be able to undergo a Due Diligence check successfully. The result of the check may also be negatively affected by sanctions being placed on the applicant by the European Union or the United States and any applications by the investor for visas, residence permits, or citizenship being rejected by other countries.
Many countries prohibit citizens of certain states from applying for a residence permit or citizenship by investment. For example, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Syria citizens cannot apply for a St. Kitts and Nevis passport by investment.
There are several risk factors related to Due Diligence:
Country risk. Citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Arab countries, and some other countries are at high risk: they are checked more carefully.
Industrial risk. If the company is involved in mining minerals, trading in luxury goods, the gaming sector, freight transport, and some other industries, their source of income is checked in greater detail.
Company features. It is more difficult for investors who own or work for companies registered in offshore jurisdictions with complex ownership structures to undergo Due Diligence successfully. Funds, hedge funds, and trusts also pose an increased risk.
The activity and reputation of the investor. It is more difficult for politicians, civil servants, a person who participated in court proceedings as a defendant, a person with negative information on the Internet or in the media, and a person who has gone through bankruptcy proceedings to undergo a Due Diligence check successfully.
The presence of high-risk factors does not mean that the applicant will not be able to get citizenship by investment. However, they will need to prepare more carefully for the Due Diligence check. A preliminary Due Diligence check with a licensed agent helps the agent compile an individual list of required documents to address the high-risk factors and thus reduce the risk of the application being rejected.
Depending on the country, the Due Diligence check lasts from three weeks to seven months and costs at least $5,000.
Find a licensed agent with Due Diligence experience and their own compliance department. It is better to sign the contract with the agent and make the payment after undergoing a preliminary Due Diligence check and all potential risks have been identified.
The investor needs to disclose detailed information about themselves, their family, and their business, including any negative information: in this way, the agent will be able to prepare a comprehensive package of documents and the government department handling the application will make fewer, if any, requests for additional information.
An investor who has successfully undergone a Due Diligence check with a professional team will find it easier to undergo Due Diligence in the future, for example, in relation to a real estate transaction or when opening a bank account. They will be aware of the questions that could be asked, and the required documents.
A strict Due Diligence check when applying for a citizenship or residence permit by investment guarantees that only law-abiding investors’ applications will be approved. It also significantly reduces the likelihood of a passport or residence permit being revoked in the future.
