Foreign parents can secure citizenship for children born in the Caribbean.
Foreign nationals that migrate to a foreign country are faced with difficulties when acquiring citizenship for themselves and their children. This is usually caused by numerous factors that affect citizenship being approved.
Foreign Families have difficulty acquiring citizenship in a foreign country
A Zimbabwean family had recent case in South Africa, having the Pretoria High Court reject their children obtaining South African birth certificates.
Their reasoning was backed by citizenship eligibility requirements in the country that the parents did not meet the requirements.
Citizenship in South Africa for families is one of many countries that is a complex and challenging process.
Families seeking citizenship in a host country are faced with a series of factors that impact the safety and security of their children’s future.
Citizenship Eligibility Requirements
Most countries have rigorous eligibility criteria for citizenship, which normally include evidence of family relationship, affordability, and language requirements. These conditions can be strenuous Limited for families, especially if there are weak relations between the family’s home country and the host country.
Let’s have a look at the different citizenship eligibility requirements.
Processing Times
The process of obtaining citizenship for family members can be pro-longed and unpredictable. Governments are often dealing with a backlog of applications, resulting in families waiting for a long time. This can impact the emotional and financial well-being for families during this period.
High costs
The financial aspect of the application process are often quite high. Application fees, possible tests and legal assistance can influence costs.
Limited Quotas and Caps
Various countries impose quotas or caps on the number of family citizenship grants issued annually. This limitation creates strong competition, for who can obtain citizenship.
Changing Immigration Policies
Immigration policies can change over time due to political, economic, or security considerations.
A policy shift, such as stricter immigration rules or reduced family reunification quotas, can adversely affect the chances of foreign nationals obtaining citizenship for their children.
Language and Cultural Barriers
Many countries require family members to demonstrate proficiency in the host country’s language and culture, this mostly occurs in European countries.
Differential Treatment
There are countries that differentiate between immediate and extended family members, offering more favourable immigration pathways to spouses and minor children compared to adult children or siblings.
Political and Social Factors
These factors can influence a family obtaining citizenship. Discrimination, xenophobia, or changes in government policy can impact the treatment of foreign nationals and their families.
These are some factors that foreign nationals face when attempting to secure citizenship for their families. There is a need for families to seek legal guidance and fully grasp the citizenship requirements in the host country.
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programmes
Some Eastern Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes have recently made important changes to their programmes to maintain credibility in the investment migration industry.
Parents seeking opportunities to safeguard the future of their children have the opportunity apply for an Eastern Caribbean CBI programme. There is a plethora of opportunities for families to create safety and security for their children and investing opportunities.
Some of the best Caribbean CBI Programmes include:
St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme
Established in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme is the first and finest. The twin island federation has been operating for almost four decades and is one of the most trusted CBI Programmes in the world.
There have been key updates to the regulations and this CBI Programme now has four distinct investment options:
Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
The SISC focus is on the economic and social development projects in the country and has seven pillars which are as follows:
- Increasing local food production;
- Transitioning to Green Energy;
- Diversifying the economy;
- Attracting and supporting sustainable industries;
- Evolving the Creative Economy;
- Recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; and
- Expanding social protections and safety nets to protect the most vulnerable citizens.
Real Estate
The Approved Developments investment option has returned to the Programme. Each main applicant can invest US$400,000 towards a real estate development and is only resaleable seven years, including purchasing costs.
Private Home Sales
An Approved Private Home can be a condominium valued at US$400,000 or a single-family private dwelling home of US$800,000.
Each real estate property must also be owned for a minimum of seven years.
Public Benefit Option
This investment option allows applicants to invest in the country’s capital investment goals. This option allows for Approved Public Benefactors to apply for their projects to become Approved Public Benefit projects.
There is a minimum contribution of US$350,00 in a unit of an Approved Public Benefit Project.
Dominica CBI Programme
The renowned Nature Isle of the Caribbean is one of the most idyllic islands in the Carribean. Dominica’s CBI Programme has also recently made regulations changes.
Here are the investment options available under Dominica’s CBI Programme:
Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)
Applicants can submit a minimum financial contribution of US$100,000 towards the EDF that supports socio-economic initiatives in the Nature Isle.
There are additional fees for family members, and due diligence and processing fees.
Real Estate
Dominica has some of the world’s award-winning real estate properties. The minimum investment amount is US$200,000.
Saint Lucia CBI Programme
Saint Lucia CBI Programme is the youngest CBI Programme, founded in 2016 and has one of the most affordable investment options. This Programme has four investment options to choose from:
The National Economic Fund (NEF)
These funds support government initiatives on the island, through the provided contribution levels by the government. There are due diligence and processing fees applied.
Real Estate
Saint Lucia has some of the most luxurious real estate projects in the Eastern Caribbean region for applicants to make a new home.
A minimum of US$200,000 can secure a real estate property and must be owned and maintained for a minimum of five years after citizenship has been granted.
There are due diligence and government administration fees applied.
Enterprise Project
Applicants can submit independently or submit a joint application towards a pre-approved enterprise project in the country.
There are due diligence, processing and government administration fees apply per application.
Independent investment applications should have a minimum value of US$3.5 million and create three permanent jobs for local citizens.
And joint investment applications should invest a minimum of US$1 million totalling a joint investment of US$6 million and created a minimum of 6 permanent jobs for local citizens.
National Action Bond (NAB)
This is a non-interest-bearing Government bond for US$300,000. There is no limit of dependents that can be included on the application. And there is a mandatory administration fee of US$50,000.
Families that choose either of these Caribbean CBI Programmes can explore the magic and mystery of these islands, economic safety and security, and one of best luxury Caribbean lifestyle.
In addition, families can become global citizens, with access to favourable taxes to conduct business operations, as well as extend their citizenship to their future generations.