Quote: (12-23-2017 12:05 PM)Count Pierre Wrote:
Quote: (10-17-2017 06:44 PM)Tail Gunner Wrote:
Rumor has it that Montenegro, Georgia, and Kazakhstan are working to create citizen by investment programs -- and that several other countries in the Balkans are also considering such programs. A recent CNN article mentions these facts and provides a good overview of citizen by investment programs and how they work.
http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/multip...index.html
Moldova has since this summer a citizenship by investment program, with a contribution to a Public Investment Fund of 100,000 €, government bonds of 250,000€ (locked for 5 years), or property investment of 250,000 € (a 120 square meters baller penthouse in a last generation building with a prime location in Centru). The negative is that you have to maintain your investment for five years before getting a passport.
A moldovan passport allows you to travel to Russia and Belarus without visa.
For wealthy FSU addicts.
http://citizenshipbyinvestment.ch/index....t-program/
The Moldovan passport/second citizenship will be quite attractive once it starts: visa free travel to 102 nations? An ignored landlocked nation that will piggy-back on Romania's rise? And Ukrainian (eventual) peace and long-term prosperity? What's not to like? (I'm more optimistic about Moldova than Macedonia, the nation North of Greece).
THANKS for starting this thread
Tail Gunner! The Obama years taught me and my friends that planning on a second-citizenship is important, despite the Patriot-Act era evisceration of financial privacy. I think planning on second citizenship is smart for any - and every one - who is 30-something (and older)!
If you don't have ancestry to fall back on, then citizenship by investment IS definitely on the table! Obviously money/wealth gives on options others don't have (cf, Elon Musk's mega-home leading to New Zealand citizenship is a premier example). I see the solution as a ladder of cost versus time (including foreign residency time), ascending from the bottom, here's my list:
4. Dominican Republic (NOT to be confused by "Dominica," also another island in the Caribbean, but a very small one). Corruption is great enough that one can "Buy" or accelerate residency and citizenship by making friends or buying advice, for $10-40K. Obviously, waiting time is longer with a cheaper price is the trade-off, but what do you get? Access only to other Caribbean nations. Will that do? For many American's that's enough.
3. Paraguay. Land-locked in South America, it is a much more desirable passport. Rules are similar to DR (ABOVE), but it is a much rougher country. One first-hand report says the capital there is like the bar-scene in the original "Star Wars" pic - open carry and CC arms, and lethal fights can break out, kind of like the westerns of your grand parent's time. Don't be a gringo and drive! (You'll get stopped by the cops for shake-down pay-offs!) Do know Spanish to protect yourself and do make friends and influence locals to keep costs low! $5-10K (Gotta put money in a bank account for a short period!)
2. Chile. THIS is still THE best option. Argentina takes two years, but one must be resident for that time and plan in advance for the future citizenship - documentation, documents - at the outset there. Chile takes longer, but for an "investment" time of six months (can be down to 3 or 4) for residency, then wait five years, PLUS Spanish competency - and use the option of getting annual waiver from Chilean embassy if not physically in Chile. The Chilean passport is top-10 most desirable. Taxation by residency only! Escape US tax burdens (by renouncing US citizenship). For the farsighted and patient and cheap, Chile is the best option!
1. Moldova. What if you're not farsighted and not patient and not cheap? Or too much of any of these? Right now for a similar range of investment, you can do Nevis-St Kitt's until April (SEE post above)! What to do later? Look to Moldova for 102 visa free travel, including EU. Or what if you don't like South America/Latin America? Wait for Moldova to buy!
The Obamunist era taught me that governments change and liberty will be lost - quickly. Even in the age of Trump, the ruling GOP is eager to sell out your Fourth Amendment freedoms! How do you protect yourself? GET A SECOND CITIZENSHIP/PASSPORT. Invest in your liberty.
If you can't travel (because of the nature of your work), you can buy later. If you work location independent, then options are available, if you think and plan ahead. If you can't travel and change your mind, you can buy.
What about options like Vanuatu? Their desirability is limited by the number of nations they give you entry to - plus they are in the far-off Pacific. This may well work for those into SEA and China, etc. This is off my map of expertise - seek others for advice.
But for my money - and given the fact that Spanish is the most sensible second language for most Americans - this is my list. And I'm sticking to it.
Finally, what about a third citizenship (as mentioned above)? Some people get carried away with the process of gaining one, two - why not more? If you have a poor quality passport like DR or Vanuatu or Carmoro (sp?), then it makes sense. Otherwise, it can mean trouble (conflicting laws - and the law may change in time), and a third gains little. Unless marriage gives you one.
Many nations accept dual citizenship, often as a price for marriage/family integration, etc. But some nations accept dual citizenships but reject a third - they might require to to renounce and surrender it! Then you've wasted money and time in getting it.
Planning for a future of freedom can only go so far. But in general, more options mean better protection against losing it! GET second citizenship/passport - by residence, ancestry or buy it.
Thanks
Tail Gunner for deepening the discussion here