teddybear84

· 09 May 2023

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What is a Golden Passport?

A "Golden Passport" is a term used to describe a citizenship or residency-by-investment program that allows wealthy individuals and their families to obtain a second passport by investing a significant amount of money in the host country's economy. These programs like list of countries offering Golden Passports https://globalciti-zen.com/blog/countries-where-you-can-buy-a-golden-passport/  offer a quick and easy way for high-net-worth individuals to obtain citizenship or residency status in a new country, with the added benefit of visa-free travel to several other countries.

Golden passports are often sought after by wealthy individuals who wish to diversify their citizenship portfolio, increase their global mobility, and take advantage of the benefits that come with having a second passport, such as better tax planning, access to better healthcare, and political stability.

Citizenship by investment programs (CIPs) have been around since the 1980s, and several countries offer these programs, including the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, as well as several European countries, such as Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal.


To obtain a Golden Passport, applicants must invest a significant amount of money in the host country's economy. The investment can take several forms, including purchasing real estate, making a donation to a government fund, or investing in a local business.

For example, in the Caribbean, the minimum investment required for a Golden Passport ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, depending on the country. In Europe, the minimum investment required is higher, ranging from €250,000 to €2 million.

In addition to the investment, applicants must also go through a thorough vetting process, which includes a background check, a source-of-funds review, and an interview with immigration officials. This process ensures that only individuals with a clean criminal record and legitimate source of funds are granted citizenship or residency status.

While Golden Passports can be a great way for wealthy individuals to obtain a second passport and enjoy the benefits that come with it, these programs have also faced criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that Golden Passports can be a gateway for money laundering, tax evasion, and other financial crimes, as well as a threat to national security, as applicants may not undergo the same level of scrutiny as other immigrants.

In conclusion, a Golden Passport is a term used to describe a citizenship or residency-by-investment program that allows wealthy individuals to obtain a second passport by investing a significant amount of money in the host country's economy. While these programs can be beneficial for investors, they also have their fair share of critics who argue that they can be a gateway for financial crimes and a threat to national security. As such, it is important for governments to have stringent vetting procedures in place to ensure that only legitimate investors are granted citizenship or residency status.