Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Citizenship by Investment programs are fully legal, sovereign programs established through national legislation by the governments of participating countries. These programs are regulated by government-appointed bodies, subject to international compliance standards, and recognized by international organizations including the IMF and World Bank.

The concept has been in practice since 1984, when St. Kitts & Nevis pioneered the first CBI programme. Today, numerous countries across the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific offer similar programs under strict regulatory frameworks. Every application undergoes comprehensive due diligence conducted by international intelligence agencies.

Citizenship obtained through investment is, in most jurisdictions, irrevocable under the same conditions as citizenship obtained by birth or descent. Your citizenship status is constitutionally protected.

However, citizenship may be revoked in exceptional circumstances, including: obtaining citizenship through fraud or misrepresentation, concealment of material facts during the application process (such as undisclosed criminal records), or subsequent conviction of serious criminal offenses. Maintaining the integrity of your application through truthful and complete disclosure is essential.

Yes, all CBI programs allow the inclusion of immediate family members in a single application. Eligible dependents typically include:

• Spouse: Always included
• Children: Dependent children (age limits range from 18 to 31 depending on the program)
• Parents: Dependent parents aged 55+ (most programs)
• Siblings: Allowed in some programs (e.g., St. Kitts under 31, Dominica under 25)

Additional government and due diligence fees apply for each dependent. Family members can also be added after the initial grant through supplementary applications.

Most CBI programs have no residency requirement whatsoever. You are not required to visit, reside in, or even travel to the country at any stage of the application process or after obtaining citizenship. This includes St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Turkey, Vanuatu, and Egypt.

Exceptions:

• Antigua & Barbuda: Requires just 5 days of physical presence within the first 5 years of citizenship
• Malta: Requires 12–36 months of genuine residency before citizenship application

Processing times vary significantly by program:

• Vanuatu: ~30 days (fastest in the world)
• Dominica: 3–4 months
• Saint Lucia: 3–5 months
• St. Kitts & Nevis: 3–6 months
• Antigua & Barbuda: 3–6 months
• Grenada: 4–6 months
• Turkey: 3–6 months
• Egypt: 6–9 months
• Malta: 14–38 months

These timelines include document preparation, due diligence, approval, and passport issuance. Timelines may vary based on individual circumstances and completeness of documentation.

It depends on the investment route chosen:

• Contribution/Donation routes: Non-refundable. These are one-time government fund contributions.
• Real estate routes: The investment is recoverable. You can sell the property after the mandated holding period (typically 3–7 years).
• Government bonds: The principal is returned after the holding period (e.g., Saint Lucia - 5 years), though bonds are non-interest-bearing.
• Bank deposits: Returned after the holding period (e.g., Turkey, Egypt - 3 years).

Important: Due diligence and processing fees are non-refundable regardless of application outcome. The main investment amount (for contribution routes) is typically only collected after Approval in Principle is issued.

As with any significant financial and legal undertaking, there are risks to consider:

• Application denial: If due diligence reveals undisclosed issues, the application may be rejected. Due diligence fees are non-refundable.
• Program changes: Governments may alter investment thresholds, processing requirements, or suspend programs entirely.
• Real estate market risk: Property values may decline during the mandatory holding period.
• Visa access changes: Countries may revise visa waiver agreements, potentially reducing passport strength.
• Reputational considerations: Some programs face international scrutiny; choosing established, well-regulated programs mitigates this.

Working with a licensed, government-compliant advisory firm like Beyond Borders significantly reduces these risks through thorough pre-screening, program selection guidance, and expert application management.