Second Citizenship & Passports

Most CBI jurisdictions explicitly permit holders of dual or multiple citizenships. However, your current country of citizenship may restrict dual citizenship — the US, Germany, Japan, India, Singapore, China and several others impose conditions or restrictions on acquiring foreign citizenship. For US citizens, foreign naturalisation does not automatically terminate US citizenship unless the act is performed with the specific intent to relinquish it (as per Afroyim v. Rusk, 387 US 253). We advise on your home country's dual citizenship rules and, where renunciation of any citizenship is advisable, on the process and irreversible consequences before any application is made.

All Tier-1 CBI programmes (St Kitts, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, Malta) conduct multi-agency due diligence through accredited due diligence providers — typically Kroll, Control Risks or equivalent. Checks cover criminal history across all jurisdictions of residence, citizenship and significant business activity; sanctions screening (OFAC, EU, UN, UK, FATF); adverse media in multiple languages; regulatory enforcement history; source of wealth and source of funds verification; and PEP screening. Malta's CMA conducts the most rigorous process, including interviews and extended investigation periods for complex cases.

Donation-based routes (the dominant form in Caribbean programmes) are not refundable — they are contributions to a national development or economic diversification fund. Real estate routes allow the investment to be sold after a mandatory holding period — typically five years for Caribbean programmes, three years for Malta property. Sale proceeds depend on the performance of the specific development, and prices in CBI-approved developments are frequently at a premium to reflect the programme inclusion. We advise on specific approved real estate options where commercial viability after the holding period is a priority.

Yes. All major CBI programmes allow the inclusion of a spouse, dependent children (typically under 25–30 depending on the programme), and in several programmes dependent parents and grandparents aged 55+ and financially dependent siblings. Antigua's flat-fee family pricing makes it particularly cost-effective for families of four or more. Each dependent undergoes the same background checks as the main applicant. Additional government fees apply per dependent at rates varying by programme. We calculate the total all-in cost for your specific family composition before any commitment is made.

For most citizens — all except US citizens — citizenship does not itself determine tax liability. Tax liability is determined by tax residency (where you live and spend time). A second citizenship therefore has no direct tax consequence unless it facilitates a change of tax residency. The exception is US citizenship: under the Internal Revenue Code, all US citizens are subject to US income tax worldwide regardless of where they live or hold citizenship. A second passport does not reduce US tax liability — only renunciation of US citizenship (with all its consequences) achieves that. We advise on the tax position specifically.

CBI programme integrity and international recognition fluctuate. The EU revoked visa-free travel for holders of Vanuatu passports in 2022 and has maintained pressure on Caribbean programmes over due diligence standards. The OECD has published guidance on CBI schemes with multiple residency certificates being used to circumvent CRS reporting — a risk that has increased regulatory scrutiny of programme operators. We monitor current programme status, EU and UK visa-free recognition lists, and FATF/OECD positions continuously. We will advise against using any programme whose international recognition is currently compromised.