[Hencredible Casanova]

Singapore is the easiest place in the world for doing business.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ease_of_Doi...ness_Index

[GiovanniRio]

If it's for tax purposes, it's still easier to setup a Hong Kong Ltd, owned by a Belize or Panama company. However, if you want to have an official company office, Singapore is one of the best options to go for... But you don't need a passport for that...

[Vickers]

(02-24-2012 10:41 AM)GiovanniRio Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 08:05 AM)Vickers Wrote:  

[quote] (02-24-2012 05:41 AM)GiovanniRio Wrote:  

Yes if you can,but as it seems approximately 38 million of your fellow-citizens "can't afford" it.

What kind of "service" is that?

What is the average life expectancy in your society and in the "tax-financed" govermental invested EU countries?
So which countries offer the better service?

Let this "question" be.


@Vickers Not sure what you mean, but I'll give it a try...

There are only 11million people in Belgium AND health insurance is FREE - or costs up to around 60€ a year... schools are free, same with many other things... Thing is that its never free... as you pay taxes (quickly up to 51%, and 21% VAT). In case you have a decent business running, the taxes you'll be paying are WAY more than the costs of paying your own health insurance, pension,... 1.in other words, you are paying for the once who don't make anything out of their lives. Not my thing.

Average life expectancy in Flanders; 80.7 years, being with the best in the world... I however don't care for that. This means you are depending on others. 2.If you make something out of your live, you are able to afford the best everywhere in the world, and thus life expectation becomes location independent.

3.If you are talking about Brazil, there's a free health insurance system to, all be it low quality. The same thing counts there to; 4.I only pay a small amount of taxes, which are fair; roads, security,... those services need to be paid to, as I'm using them. No problem with that.

Now, back to the passports. First: I can stay as long/live in Brazil without any limitations. My Belgian also allows me to travel to most countries without a visa, or live in any European country if I wish to. Second, thanks to both my passports I always have safety-nets. Third, its a massive value if you want to be creative with your taxes.

1.That's the point of the well-fare state,but not because they don't make anything out of their lives.I don't think those 38 million americans are all lazy people.That's far away from reality.

2.Yes,IF you have the chance than you can afford it,but that's just theoretical.For most people, who were born in poverty or just low-class families this is just a dream.

3.Nope,i thought of the US,but speaking of Brazil,does Brazil has the economic power to offer much better quality,to invest much more into services?I mean do they have the cash?First question.

4.Yes but if you want to stay healthy,you have to use health services too.
Of course if you don't "need" health and wanna pass out early it's another queation.

[Princeton]

(02-23-2012 04:44 PM)chairman Wrote:  

Im not 100% on the regulations of getting Belgium citizenship, but I am assuming you will have to be close to fluent in French which to many would be too big of an issue. Also, the EU citizenships are all very similar in order to keep consistent regulations in each country.

Belgium doesn't allow dual citizenship -- at least not with U.S.

EDIT: Nevermind. They changed the law in 2008:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_nat...itizenship

When I was there in 2007 they still didn't allow it.

[chairman]

(02-24-2012 02:41 PM)Princeton Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 04:44 PM)chairman Wrote:  

Im not 100% on the regulations of getting Belgium citizenship, but I am assuming you will have to be close to fluent in French which to many would be too big of an issue. Also, the EU citizenships are all very similar in order to keep consistent regulations in each country.

Belgium doesn't allow dual citizenship -- at least not with U.S.

EDIT: Nevermind. They changed the law in 2008:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_nat...itizenship

When I was there in 2007 they still didn't allow it.

Yeah I think the only non dual citizenship country in the EU is Germany and even there you can sometimes have an exception.

[Roosh]

It seems like Belgium is the most practical since it gives you access to the EU.

So let's say I wanted to do it. What's the next step... contact a Belgian immigration lawyer?

[chairman]

(02-24-2012 03:27 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

It seems like Belgium is the most practical since it gives you access to the EU.

So let's say I wanted to do it. What's the next step... contact a Belgian immigration lawyer?

You would have to live there for three years and I am assuming speak proficient French (enough to hold interview). Lately because of the power the EU is gaining, it has forced countries to make naturalization harder to ward of boatloads of immigrants. I am working on my French passport now and its rules state 5 years continuous stay and a deep understanding of French and the culture (from oral and written exams). The easiest EU passport is through the country you wouldn't mind spending a few years in and be willing to learn the language.

[GiovanniRio]

(02-24-2012 03:39 PM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:27 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

It seems like Belgium is the most practical since it gives you access to the EU.

So let's say I wanted to do it. What's the next step... contact a Belgian immigration lawyer?

You would have to live there for three years and I am assuming speak proficient French (enough to hold interview). Lately because of the power the EU is gaining, it has forced countries to make naturalization harder to ward of boatloads of immigrants. I am working on my French passport now and its rules state 5 years continuous stay and a deep understanding of French and the culture (from oral and written exams). The easiest EU passport is through the country you wouldn't mind spending a few years in and be willing to learn the language.

French or Flemish (most Belgians speak Flemish). And you have to live 3y in the country, which means you'll have to work (or start your own company). Marriage could be an option to, but a little hard on your lifestyle

The language classes are actually free. I know 2 people (1 American & 1 Brazilian) who started a company in Belgium, and received visa's which allowed them to stay & travel around in Europe without any problem. 1 company actually does something, the other has 0 figures.

Starting up a company is easy, cheap and goes fast, 2 days max.

You can have a dual passport citizenship (as I have).

[snoop]

(02-24-2012 03:23 PM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 02:41 PM)Princeton Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 04:44 PM)chairman Wrote:  

Im not 100% on the regulations of getting Belgium citizenship, but I am assuming you will have to be close to fluent in French which to many would be too big of an issue. Also, the EU citizenships are all very similar in order to keep consistent regulations in each country.

Belgium doesn't allow dual citizenship -- at least not with U.S.

EDIT: Nevermind. They changed the law in 2008:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_nat...itizenship

When I was there in 2007 they still didn't allow it.

Yeah I think the only non dual citizenship country in the EU is Germany and even there you can sometimes have an exception.

Do you know what countries America allows dual citizenship with? I don't think there are many, if any, but I haven't looked into it for a few years.

[Roosh]

Chairman: But how do you stay in France for 5 years? Student visa? Work visa?

[oldnemesis]

(02-24-2012 09:29 PM)snoop Wrote:  

Do you know what countries America allows dual citizenship with? I don't think there are many, if any, but I haven't looked into it for a few years.

In short:
- The USA does not recognize dual citizenship with any other country;
- The USA allows you to have both the US citizenship and any other citizenship(s) in any other countries.

If this sounds confusing, read this.

[oldnemesis]

(02-24-2012 10:22 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

Chairman: But how do you stay in France for 5 years? Student visa? Work visa?

In general to be qualified for citizenship you need to be the resident of that country for some term. Note that "resident" here is a legal term, which means applying for, and getting the residence permit (and registering with the police, and whatever else). Typically to get this permit you need to obtain a long-term stay (D) visa - student, working etc. The catch here is that if you're getting a student visa, you may get only one year stay, and your permit will be only one year; when you get a new visa for the next year, you will get the second one-year permit, and in five you will not get the continuous five year residency.

There may also be other terms - for example, to get French citizenship not only you have not only to be the resident for 5 years, but your primary income must be in France as well (and you should speak French and be deemed as "integrated" into the society). My friend went through the whole process, and said it was quite long and annoying.

[chairman]

(02-25-2012 02:31 AM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 10:22 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

Chairman: But how do you stay in France for 5 years? Student visa? Work visa?

In general to be qualified for citizenship you need to be the resident of that country for some term. Note that "resident" here is a legal term, which means applying for, and getting the residence permit (and registering with the police, and whatever else). Typically to get this permit you need to obtain a long-term stay (D) visa - student, working etc. The catch here is that if you're getting a student visa, you may get only one year stay, and your permit will be only one year; when you get a new visa for the next year, you will get the second one-year permit, and in five you will not get the continuous five year residency.

There may also be other terms - for example, to get French citizenship not only you have not only to be the resident for 5 years, but your primary income must be in France as well (and you should speak French and be deemed as "integrated" into the society). My friend went through the whole process, and said it was quite long and annoying.

Well my situation is a little more complicated because I was born in France so me obtaining French citizenship is easier. Instead of 5 years continuous stay I just have to live there for 5 years over the course of my life. Regarding the visa, all you have to do is have the Carte de Sejour and getting that is fairly easy, you just have to prove that you have a home, enough money to sustain yourself (not going to use their welfare) and a reason to be in France (learning the language, work, retiring, etc). I was able to walk into the French embassy in the US and receive the visa in 2 months. In my case, I went to play water polo for a French club team. I am hoping I can use my water polo to expedite the 5 years by saying that I am intending to try for the national team. Also, if someone is young enough, they can go to college/graduate school in France for 2 years and receive citizenship instead of the 5.

And here is the link of the specific requirements to receiving residency or carte de sejour: http://riviera.angloinfo.com/countries/f...ency.asp#4

[chairman]

(02-24-2012 09:29 PM)snoop Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:23 PM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 02:41 PM)Princeton Wrote:  

(02-23-2012 04:44 PM)chairman Wrote:  

Im not 100% on the regulations of getting Belgium citizenship, but I am assuming you will have to be close to fluent in French which to many would be too big of an issue. Also, the EU citizenships are all very similar in order to keep consistent regulations in each country.

Belgium doesn't allow dual citizenship -- at least not with U.S.

EDIT: Nevermind. They changed the law in 2008:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_nat...itizenship

When I was there in 2007 they still didn't allow it.

Yeah I think the only non dual citizenship country in the EU is Germany and even there you can sometimes have an exception.

Do you know what countries America allows dual citizenship with? I don't think there are many, if any, but I haven't looked into it for a few years.

They allow dual citizenship which is the only thing that matters. The only obstacle is finding another country that allows dual citizenship:

http://www.immihelp.com/citizenship/dual...tries.html

[KanyeWest]

I've just gone through the process of getting the Brazilian Investor Visa and it was definitely a lot of bureaucracy but ultimately will be worth it. The tax situation is certainly complex and even services provided by foreign companies can be hit by 10-15% and when you start to hire employees there are taxes galore....

However, as Giovanni said owning and trading with several businesses offshore (places like Hong Kong, or Belize) means you can do some creative tax planning and reduce your overall burden substantially.

Another good option for people looking for EU residence if you have some money to invest, is Latvia.

https://www.rietumu.lv/en/residence-permit

[insideasd]

Does anyone have any stories about people successfully using fake passports? I am not interested in that(may be) but just curious.

[the_conductor]

Singapore is only for those who are willing to relinquish their original citizenship, as it's a must if you want to become a Singapore citizen.

[germanico]

(02-24-2012 03:39 PM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:27 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

It seems like Belgium is the most practical since it gives you access to the EU.

So let's say I wanted to do it. What's the next step... contact a Belgian immigration lawyer?

You would have to live there for three years and I am assuming speak proficient French (enough to hold interview).

Do they drop by to check in? Do they track you going in or out of the country? Can you claim that "you do a lot of travelling in your work"?

Because it would be easy to just rent a cheap room or get some utility bills in your name, spend the time wherever you want to be, and tell them "oh, I live there, Im just in X for the week"

[rozayINTL]

(02-25-2012 09:19 AM)KanyeWest Wrote:  

I've just gone through the process of getting the Brazilian Investor Visa and it was definitely a lot of bureaucracy but ultimately will be worth it. The tax situation is certainly complex and even services provided by foreign companies can be hit by 10-15% and when you start to hire employees there are taxes galore....

However, as Giovanni said owning and trading with several businesses offshore (places like Hong Kong, or Belize) means you can do some creative tax planning and reduce your overall burden substantially.

Another good option for people looking for EU residence if you have some money to invest, is Latvia.

https://www.rietumu.lv/en/residence-permit

Congratulations man. I may look into doing the same in a few years depending on how things pan out and how much I have to invest.

Quick question, what's the minimum limit your required to invest/brazilians that you must employ to qualify?

Also I would be curious as to what countries around the world are open to investor visas.. that'd be an interesting list to look at

[chairman]

(02-25-2012 11:24 PM)germanico Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:39 PM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:27 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

It seems like Belgium is the most practical since it gives you access to the EU.

So let's say I wanted to do it. What's the next step... contact a Belgian immigration lawyer?

You would have to live there for three years and I am assuming speak proficient French (enough to hold interview).

Do they drop by to check in? Do they track you going in or out of the country? Can you claim that "you do a lot of travelling in your work"?

Because it would be easy to just rent a cheap room or get some utility bills in your name, spend the time wherever you want to be, and tell them "oh, I live there, Im just in X for the week"

They get suspicious if you go out of country for than a month a time. I believe I read that you need to be in country for about 8-10 months of the year for it to count.

[germanico]

(02-26-2012 05:13 AM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-25-2012 11:24 PM)germanico Wrote:  

Do they drop by to check in? Do they track you going in or out of the country? Can you claim that "you do a lot of travelling in your work"?

Because it would be easy to just rent a cheap room or get some utility bills in your name, spend the time wherever you want to be, and tell them "oh, I live there, Im just in X for the week"

They get suspicious if you go out of country for than a month a time. I believe I read that you need to be in country for about 8-10 months of the year for it to count.

How tight is their border? Could you fly down there, get your passport stamped. then drive down to Paris, go back to your country for any lenght of time, and then fly back, drive up, and fly out again to get another stamp?


Although, "how tight is the belgian border" made me lol.

[chairman]

(02-26-2012 05:38 AM)germanico Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 05:13 AM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-25-2012 11:24 PM)germanico Wrote:  

Do they drop by to check in? Do they track you going in or out of the country? Can you claim that "you do a lot of travelling in your work"?

Because it would be easy to just rent a cheap room or get some utility bills in your name, spend the time wherever you want to be, and tell them "oh, I live there, Im just in X for the week"

They get suspicious if you go out of country for than a month a time. I believe I read that you need to be in country for about 8-10 months of the year for it to count.

How tight is their border? Could you fly down there, get your passport stamped. then drive down to Paris, go back to your country for any lenght of time, and then fly back, drive up, and fly out again to get another stamp?


Although, "how tight is the belgian border" made me lol.

The point of the three years is to spend time their so they will assume you are there. That being said, I know that with receiving French citizenship they ask your neighbors about you and if they say you are gone all the time they will figure out you are scamming them. You better off finding a European country that you actually like and just spending the time there that way you do not get to the end and they reject you.

[KanyeWest]

(02-26-2012 01:07 AM)rozayINTL Wrote:  

Congratulations man. I may look into doing the same in a few years depending on how things pan out and how much I have to invest.

Quick question, what's the minimum limit your required to invest/brazilians that you must employ to qualify?

Also I would be curious as to what countries around the world are open to investor visas.. that'd be an interesting list to look at

The rules changed last December and the limits were substantially increased - it used to be R$150,000 with no employment restrictions.

Right now you have two options:

R$150,000 with the requirement to hire more than 10 Brazilians within 2 years of getting the visa (quite a high burden)

R$600,000 with no requirement to hire a certain number of Brazilians (which is the option I went with for more freedom).

Remember though you don't need to SPEND this money - you only need to be able to show that you have it when you want to apply for the visa.

[nmmoooreland20]

(02-24-2012 06:59 PM)GiovanniRio Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:39 PM)chairman Wrote:  

(02-24-2012 03:27 PM)Roosh Wrote:  

It seems like Belgium is the most practical since it gives you access to the EU.

So let's say I wanted to do it. What's the next step... contact a Belgian immigration lawyer?

You would have to live there for three years and I am assuming speak proficient French (enough to hold interview). Lately because of the power the EU is gaining, it has forced countries to make naturalization harder to ward of boatloads of immigrants. I am working on my French passport now and its rules state 5 years continuous stay and a deep understanding of French and the culture (from oral and written exams). The easiest EU passport is through the country you wouldn't mind spending a few years in and be willing to learn the language.

French or Flemish (most Belgians speak Flemish). And you have to live 3y in the country, which means you'll have to work (or start your own company). Marriage could be an option to, but a little hard on your lifestyle

The language classes are actually free. I know 2 people (1 American & 1 Brazilian) who started a company in Belgium, and received visa's which allowed them to stay & travel around in Europe without any problem. 1 company actually does something, the other has 0 figures.

Starting up a company is easy, cheap and goes fast, 2 days max.

You can have a dual passport citizenship (as I have).

So you’re saying you could basically start a dummy company with no assets, no operations, no hiring of Belgians, and it would count?

[GiovanniRio]

For a country who pays illegal homeless people 500 euro/night they have to sleep on the street, it's pretty much like that, yes

The trick is not so hard to achieve, you just need to make sure to surround yourself with the right book keeper/financial advisor. It will cost you around 10 000 euro's to setup the construction.