A Closer Look at the Requirements for Citizenship by Investment
A majority of the world’s residents claim to be happy about the countries of their birth, but there are those who wouldn’t mind getting dual citizenship. Many of those who would wish to become citizens of other countries would like to do so because of political tensions, risks to their investments, and differences with political bigwigs. If you are a wealthy individual who is facing such or other threats to your property, it is wise to consider citizenship by investment. Here, you will fast-track the naturalization process that other applicants have to go through. It is necessary, however, to meet certain requirements that vary from country to the next before the process is complete.
There is a certain period that you will be required to stay in a certain country as a resident before becoming a full citizen. What this requirement intends to achieve is the formation of ties with the people and culture of the new nation. You might be required to show some form of proof of this fact to the immigration officials during the course of the application.
Due to security risks that have become a global problem, a thorough background check has to be carried out. It is the institution of such measures that the immigration authorities can weed out terror elements and persons who have looted public funds from their countries of origin. So, if you have a record of criminal activity, it may be impossible to obtain citizenship by investment. You may also be required to demonstrate to the immigration officials of the new country that your income source is justifiable.
Some form of minimal investment is required for you to become a citizen by investment in any country. In most cases, applicants are asked to purchase government bonds, buy a home or rent one for several years, or contribute to a fund that benefits the nationals of the target country. At times, you could be asked to invest in a venture that employs the local population.
It will be easy to travel to other countries once you get the dual citizenship of another nation. Many nations have formed economic or political blocks, meaning that you do not need a visa to travel to any of the countries in the block if you are granted the new citizenship.
Some nations require you to learn their language so as to get to get citizenship by investment. Others, however, have no such requirement, which means that you do not need to learn the foreign language to be granted citizenship.
The presence of a reciprocal visa program between your country and that of the foreign nation will make it easy to get citizenship by naturalization.
Supporting reference: official source