As the world gently blinks open its eyes following months of global lockdown, people are becoming aware of the value of having a second passport to afford them the opportunity of a haven away from dense cities, with the bonus of being able to travel freely worldwide.
This door has been opened by the growing number of countries offering Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programmes whereby well-vetted investors and their families contribute to a government fund or pre-approved real estate in exchange for citizenship.
When exploring CBI Programmes, a range of considerations come into play, such as processing times, climate, social safety, economic stability, education, as well as a sound healthcare system. These considerations are paramount in deciding where you place your family, your investment and gain your second passport.
But where does one start to find a country that meets all of these needs?
The Caribbean continues to outrank the rest of the world with its CBI Programmes owing mainly to their affordability and speedy processing timeframes. Coming out on top once again in these areas is the colourful Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis.
The dual-island country, previously known for its sugar farming area, has transformed itself into a safe and desirable citizenship destination. St Kitts and Nevis, with its sunshine and glorious beaches, robust health care system, low crime rate as well as good national infrastructure, has turned into one of the most flourishing economies in the Caribbean.
St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI Programme has been ranked highly by the CBI Index, standing out for its ease of processing, robust vetting procedures, convenient travel and residence requirements, and for offering a safe and reliable product overall.
The fourth edition of the CBI Index, published by the Financial Times’ Professional Wealth Management magazine recently, is a comprehensive ranking system that compares active CBI programmes worldwide.
St Kitts and Nevis continues to top the list, as it meticulously maintains its commitment to rigorous due diligence and once again shows that it is the nation with the fastest citizenship timeline. The country also continues to increase the number of visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations for its citizens, allowing ease of access to nearly 150 different countries.
The St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme is known as a family-focused Programme, with a limited-time offer allowing investors to add up to three family members for the same investment amount as a single applicant. It is also the only country in the world that promises to process applications within 60 days under its Accelerated Application Processing (AAP).
Offering one of the longest-standing and best managed CBI programmes in the world since 1984, the country has warmly welcomed investors and migrant families for decades. Holding a second passport to this developed Caribbean nation allows one to relish all the benefits enjoyed by locals, and it also presents a great Plan B for investors and their families.