With the percentage of people obtaining a second citizenship by investment increasing by 42% since 2018, you may be wondering if you’re eligible for citizenship by investment too. 

The regulations and requirements surrounding citizenship by investment can be complicated, leaving many feeling confused and unsure about the process.

At WorldPassports, we understand the importance of staying informed before making life-changing decisions.

So let's dive into the requirements for citizenship by investment to see if you qualify…

What Are The Eligibility Criteria For Citizenship By Investment?

To be eligible for citizenship by investment, there are several criteria that need to be met.

Firstly, applicants must have a clean criminal record and be of good character.

Additionally, they must be able to provide proof of a significant financial investment in the country, typically through real estate or business ventures.

The investment amount may vary depending on the country, but it is usually in the range of hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Finally, applicants must demonstrate a genuine intent to reside in the country and contribute to its economy.

Meeting these criteria can pave the way for obtaining citizenship through investment.

Obtaining citizenship by investment requires meeting specific eligibility criteria.

These criteria include having a clean criminal record and demonstrating good moral character.

Another crucial requirement is making a substantial financial investment in the country, typically through real estate or business ventures.

The investment amount can vary depending on the country, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Lastly, applicants must show a genuine intention to live in the country and contribute to its economic growth.

By fulfilling these eligibility criteria, individuals can pursue citizenship through investment and enjoy the benefits it offers.

What Are the General Eligibility Criteria for Citizenship by Investment? 

Certain general eligibility criteria can be found across all citizen by investment (CBI) programs.

These include a clean criminal record, a significant investment in the host country, and a willingness to fulfill the residency requirement. 

Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the general eligibility criteria for citizenship by investment. 

Age 

Age is the first general eligibility criterion for citizenship by investment.

In most instances, applicants must be at least 18 years old. 

In some cases, minors may apply for citizenship with parental consent, whereas other countries impose upper-age limits for applicants 21-25 years of age.¹

Age requirements ensure that applicants are legal adults and capable of making the significant financial investment required for the program.

Clean Criminal Record

A clean criminal record is one of the most common eligibility requirements for citizenship by investment. 

A clean criminal record means that applicants don’t have any serious criminal convictions or charges pending against them.² 

The reason for this requirement is to ensure that the applicant won’t be a threat to the security or political stability of the host country. 

While there may be some leniency for minor offenses, serious criminal convictions will usually result in an automatic denial of the application.

Financial Capacity

Financial capacity is a crucial factor when it comes to obtaining citizenship through investment. 

Most citizenship by investment programs have a minimum investment requirement that applicants must meet in order to be eligible. 

This investment can take the form of a donation to a government fund, the purchase of real estate, or an investment in a local business. 

Also note...

The goal of financial requirements is to ensure that applicants are genuine investors who can contribute to the host country's economy. 

Applicants may also be required to demonstrate the source of their funds and may be subject to additional financial scrutiny.³

Due Diligence & Background Checks

Due diligence and background checks are designed to assess applicants' criminal, financial, and personal backgrounds to ensure that they don’t pose a risk to the host country.

Typically, independent third-party firms conduct a thorough investigation as part of the process. 

Depending on the program and the country, the checks can range from basic to very extensive. 

The purpose of these checks is to protect the integrity of the program and prevent the entry of individuals who may have malicious motives. 

Will My Family Dependents Be Included in My Citizenship by Investment Program?

More often than not, citizenship by investment programs permit primary applicants to apply with their families. 

Many programs allow you to include your immediate family members in the application, which may include your spouse, children, and parents. 

Other programs may also permit extended family members, which can include siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. 

In addition

It’s important to note that there may be additional costs to include family dependents in your citizenship by investment program. For instance, some programs charge an additional fee per dependent. 

There may also be additional eligibility requirements for family dependents to qualify for citizenship by investment, such as age, proof of relation, and health requirements. 

Which Family Dependents Are Eligible to Be Included Under Each Citizenship by Investment Program?

Each citizenship by investment program has its own eligibility requirements for family dependents that can be included in your application. 

Family dependents eligible for CBI programs typically include spouses, children under 18, and financially dependent children over 18 who are unmarried. 

Some programs may also allow for dependent parents and additional family members to be included. 

Let’s take a closer look at the specific family dependents eligible to be included in your citizenship by investment programs by country. 

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda's citizenship by investment program permits family members to be included in your application.

The specific family members eligible to apply to Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program include:

• Spouses
• Children 
• Dependent parents
• Grandparents 
• Siblings 

The Antigua and Barbuda CBI program charges additional fees for each family dependent included in your application, and each dependent may be required to meet specific criteria, such as age or proof of relation. 

Dominica

Dominica's citizenship by investment program allows family members to be included in your application.

The specific family members that Dominica’s CBI program permits include:

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents and grandparents
• Siblings

It’s important to note that Dominica’s citizenship by investment program charges additional fees per family dependent, and each dependent may be required to meet specific eligibility requirements in order to qualify for this program. 

Eligibility requirements may include age, proof of financial dependence, or proof of relation. 

Grenada

Primary applicants can apply for Grenada’s citizenship by investment program along with family dependents.

The specific family dependents that may be included in Grenada’s CBI program include: 

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents and grandparents

Grenada charges an additional fee per family dependent added onto your CBI program and may impose additional requirements such as proof of financial dependence. 

Malta

Malta’s citizenship by investment program does permit you to include family dependents in your application as the primary applicant. 

Here are the family dependents eligible to apply for Malta’s CBI program:

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents  

It must be noted, however, that Malta imposes additional fees per family dependent and may require you to submit additional documentation such as proof of relation, proof of financial dependence, or proof of age. 

North Macedonia

North Macedonia’s citizenship by investment program doesn’t permit family dependents to apply with the primary CBI applicant. 

It does, however, permit spouses and dependent children (under the age of 18) to apply for citizenship after you, the primary applicant, have successfully received citizenship by investment. 

So, if you’re looking for a citizenship by investment program that allows you to include your family dependents in your initial application, it may be best to consider an alternative CBI program. 

St. Lucia

St. Lucia's citizenship by investment program allows family members to be included in your application.

The specific family members that are eligible for St. Lucia’s CBI program include:

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents and grandparents 

Additional processing fees apply to each additional family dependent on your application and they may be required to meet additional requirements such as proof of financial dependence, proof of relation, and proof of age. 

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis is the final Caribbean country on our list, and its program does indeed permit you to apply with your family dependents. 

The family dependents allowed to apply with you for the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI program include:

• Spouses
• Children
• Siblings

Similarly to other Caribbean countries, additional fees apply per family dependent included in your application. 

Moreover, they may need to meet additional requirements such as proof of relation, financial dependence, and age. 

Türkiye

Türkey offers a citizenship by investment program that permits you to apply with your family dependents. 

The following family members can be included in your CBI application in Türkiye:

• Spouses
• Children 
• Parents 

It should be noted that Türkiye's CBI program requires a fee per additional family dependent and imposes additional eligibility requirements for dependents, such as proof of age and relation.  

Vanuatu

Vanuatu offers family dependents the opportunity to apply on your citizenship by investment program. 

The family dependents eligible to apply with you for CBI in Vanuatu include:

• Spouses
• Children 
• Parents 

Additional processing fees apply for each additional family dependent on your application, and they may be required to meet certain eligibility requirements, such as proof of age and relation to you.  

Common Questions

In Conclusion

Well done for educating yourself on the eligibility requirements for citizenship by investment programs. 

Whether you’re looking to secure a better future for yourself and your family or hoping to expand your global reach, citizenship by investment can offer a viable path toward achieving your goals.

At WorldPassports, we’re committed to providing you with the most up-to-date and accurate information about citizenship by investment, as well as personalized guidance throughout the entire process.