During World War II, the Nazis stripped millions of Jews of their German citizenship and shipped them off to concentration camps. Most died there, but a few thousand fortunate survivors had an escape plan: a second passport they could use to escape the Nazis to freedom.
This wasn’t the last time a second passport became a lifesaver. Just before the brief 2009 war between Israel and Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, Israel allowed individuals possessing a foreign passport to leave Palestinian territory. Hundreds left before Israel’s ground forces invaded the Gaza Strip. Over 1,000 Palestinians (and a handful of Israelis) died.
How you would react if the country you live in now became a war zone? Would the authorities allow you to leave your own country? Or, as in Gaza or Nazi Germany, would you become a virtual prisoner? Further, what would you do if your own country—or an authority controlling access to it—wouldn’t allow you to return home?
One way to protect yourself from these grim possibilities is to obtain a second citizenship and passport. And, there are numerous other benefits. A second passport can expand your travel possibilities, reduce your profile to terrorists, give you the right to reside in other countries, and give you a way to cross international borders if your primary passport is lost or stolen.
For Americans, a second passport has another benefit: it is an essential prerequisite to expatriation; i.e., giving up U.S. citizenship in order to permanently disconnect from U.S. taxing authority.
Almost every country has a program offering citizenship or passports to individuals with a family history in that nation. In Ireland, persons with at least one Irish-born grandparent qualify for Irish citizenship and passport. Many countries allow spouses of citizens to apply for citizenship and passport, usually after a specified period of residence. In Austria, the ordinary 10-year period of residence necessary to qualify for a passport and citizenship is reduced to six years if you’re married to an Austrian citizen.
Your religion may also be a viable route to alternative citizenship. For instance, Jews who immigrate to Israel are entitled to Israeli citizenship and passport. Since Israel has compulsory military service, taking out Israeli citizenship may not be prudent for parents of teenagers and young adults.
If you don’t qualify based on these factors, in most countries, you can acquire citizenship following a period of prolonged residence. Among other countries, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States exchange residence rights for domestic investment. Eligibility also depends on your age, education, life skills, health, and other criteria. Your spouse and minor children can often accompany you, although in some cases they may be subject to a separate qualification process. Some countries (e.g., the Netherlands) recognize same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships for immigration purposes. In most cases, after you live in a country for three to ten years of continuous legal residence, you and the family members accompanying you can apply for citizenship and passport.
Residents of the overseas territories of some nations, notably the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, qualify for citizenship in the home country. For instance, individuals living in one of the Dutch Caribbean island territories for a period of five years or longer may qualify for a Dutch passport. To qualify, you must demonstrate good conduct and substantial integration, including oral and written fluency in the Dutch language.
A handful of countries offer “instant” citizenship in return for an economic contribution. The Commonwealth of Dominica and the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis are the only countries with an official, legally mandated, economic citizenship.
The least expensive option is to obtain economic citizenship from Dominica. Under this country’s program, you may acquire citizenship and passport in return for a cash contribution. Total costs including all fees for a single applicant come to about US$135,000. Add US$75,000 if you need a passport for your spouse and another US$25,000 for up to two children under 18. Dominica passport holders can travel without a visa, or obtain a visa upon entry, to more than 100 countries and territories.
The Nestmann Group, Ltd. is a fully licensed and authorized provider of economic citizenship in the Commonwealth of Dominica, and the only one in the United States with this status.
In the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis, there are two ways to obtain economic citizenship. The most practical strategy is to make a direct contribution. Total costs including all fees for a single applicant under this option come to about US$285,000, or US$335,000 for an applicant with up to three dependents. Alternatively, you may purchase qualifying property worth a minimum of US$400,000. However, fees and taxes under this option are much higher than if you make a direct contribution. St. Kitts & Nevis passport holders can travel without a visa, or obtain a visa upon entry, to more than 120 countries, including nearly all of the 27 member countries of the European Union.
Many countries have in their citizenship laws provisions allowing the government to offer citizenship and passport to individuals who provide a significant benefit to that country. These countries do not offer “economic citizenship” as such. Rather, individuals with a genuine interest in that country and who are prepared to provide an outstanding service to it (including an investment) may be rewarded with citizenship and passport without requiring a period of prolonged residence or proof of fluency in the official language. Two countries in the European Union offer such an opportunity, with total costs starting at a minimum of US$600,000. Holders of an EU passport can live and work in any of the 27 members of the European Union.
In all cases, applicants must pass a strict vetting process that includes a comprehensive criminal background check.
An Internet search will reveal many companies offering to sell passports from countries that don’t legally sanctioned economic citizenship programs. In recent years, passports from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, and other countries have been offered. All these offers are either scams or involve illegally purchased or stolen documents. Securing a passport on this basis, through fraudulent misrepresentation, either directly or through an agent is clearly illegal. Your passport could be revoked at any time and you could be subject to arrest and/or deportation.
The Nestmann Group, Ltd. can assist individuals seeking a second passport through an economic contribution or investment in Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and in selected EU countries. Please contact us for more information.
Copyright (c) 2011 by Mark Nestmann
I came to USA with my parents in 69 and became a US Citizen in 80. I still have my Uruguayan Passport in good standing and want to live there now, but I have family in US and would like to go back and forth as much as I desire. Can I do the expat. and still be able to come in freely? Or am I destined to be a ward of US for the rest of my life! Any suggestions?
Thanks
Zoe
Zoe, yes you should be able to get a visa to re-enter the USA after you expatriate. You will need to show that you have a closer ties to another country (in your case, Uruguay) when you apply for a visa after expatriation. Assuming you can demonstrate these ties, and don’t pose a security threat to the USA, you should be able to obtain a visa.
Speaking of Uraguay….from International Living: “Foreign Retiree Visa under Law 16.340: This law has received a lot of publicity over the years, because it entitles the retiree to a passport (without the normal wait time) and the importation of a vehicle, in addition to the duty-free importation of household effects that you’d have with the rentista visa. But restrictions apply…so contact an attorney for assistance.”
Why isn’t this on the list? I’ve heard you say in interviews that Uruguay is a very viable option.
Steven, I agree that Uruguay is a viable residence option for some people, although I understand that the rules have tightened substantially in recent years in order to qualify for a passport.
Mexican Passport: I’ve travelled to Mexico and I love it. I researched the Mexican travel guidelines to travel to other countries (visa requirements) and found that they have a lot more freedoms than with a US passport. Let’s face it the “American” is the international pariah. We can’t even get a foreign bank account unless we give up our US citizenship. Well, I’ve had enough of the US Government and am willing to give up my parasitic US citizenship. I only wish I could sell it to some senseless, uninformed foreigner. Since I can’t be stateless, is there a way one can obtain a Mexican passport?
The Mexican passport is a perfectly acceptable travel document. But unless at least one of your parents is a Mexican citizen, or you are married to a Mexican citizen, you must become resident in Mexico and live there for at least five years thereafter to qualify for Mexican citizenship and passport.You must also demonstrate substantial integration into the culture of Mexico, speak Spanish semi-fluently, and demonstrate good conduct prior to your application for citizenship.
I have read numerous advertisements re Dominican Republic, Honduran and Paraguayan passport acquisition, most of which give conflicting information. Where and from whom can I get reliable infomraton and assistance that won’t rip me off with unjustified fees and expenses?
Dear Kelsey, we have done extensive research into all of these passports. Yes, it’s possible to obtain them, but there are numerous “ifs, ands, or buts” you need to be aware of. We can share this information with you in the course of a consultation.
I just found out my grandparents and great-grandparents were born in Lithuania. What proof would I need to acquire a Lithuanian passport and who would I contact to get said proof. None of my relatives have anything. Any suggestions, Mark?
Thanks.
Jeffrey, I don’t know much about Lithuania other than that you may be eligible for citizenship and passport there based on your ancestry. You will need to obtain proof of your grandparent’s birth in Lithuania at minimum, and possibly other documentation. I would start by contacting the Lithuanian embassy in whatever country you live in
Your article gave a Dutch island as an illustration of your sentence, “Residents of the overseas territories of some nations, notably the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, qualify for citizenship in the home country.” Could you tell me on which UK island(s) can one be a resident leading up to citizenship? Do you recommend any of them? THANKS!
Al, if you become a legal resident of a UK territory you will eventually qualify for the status of “UK overseas citizen.” You can learn more about this status at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/britishcitizenship/informationleaflets/bnchapters/bn1.pdf.
whom to contact for if required commonwealth of dominica citizenship?
Jason, you already contacted us but when we tried to send information to you it bounced back. Kindly give us another email address and we will send you what you need to get started.
Where would one get visa for travel to the US and Europe with a Dominica passport. Are there embassies in Dominica for all the countries?
For the USA, passport holders from the Commonwealth of Dominica need to apply in person at the U.S. embassy (consular affairs division) in Barbados. See http://barbados.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html for more information. Dominica only has a few embassies. You can see the list at http://barbados.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html
I received an email today from the Dollar Vigilante:
http://www.dollarvigilante.com/blog/2012/6/14/feedback-friday-june-15-2012.html
In its article it mentions the following:
As for your comment on passports, you have greatly overstated the costs. TDV Passports hasn’t announced it yet, but we have negotiated three separate expedited passport programs with the governments of three different countries. One in the caribbean, one in South America and one in Asia. The cheapest is less than $12,000. There is one for $25,000 and takes 8 months. The fastest is 42-90 days and costs $90,000. We have negotiated all of these directly with the governments of those countries and we will be announcing them all to subscribers in the coming weeks. Or you can call us to get more info now (646-568-5518).
My question is: are you aware of these “upcoming” 2nd passport countries for American citizens? If they are indeed legit as far as you can determine I presume you would offer help in the future in obtaining a passport from these countries through your consultations. Comments?
Warren, I know nothing about this. It would be helpful to know the names of the specific countries so that we could make an official inquiry of the appropriate Ministry to determine their legal status. However, I recommend that you avoid what I call grey market or black market passport programs (see http://nestmann.com/white-market-gray-market-and-black-market-passports/). Unless a promoter can show you an actual published law authorizing an “expedited passport program” and the passport also comes with a certificate of naturalization, you should assume that you will receive grey market or black market documents. However, if an official government ministry in can show that citizenship and a passport is available for $12,000 (or whatever) and can establish beyond a shadow of a doubt that the issuance of citizenship and passport is legally authorized, we would gladly promote it!
I read in the Sovereign Society that Spain is offering residency for foreigners who invest in properties above a certain amount. Do you have any information on that?
Mei, please see today’s blog posting for more information: http://www.nestmann.com/more-options-opening-for-eu-residence-through-investment/
If an American applies for a passport from the Commonwealth of Dominica, does the U.S. government find out about it–either from the due diligence or some other way?
Noel, there is no formal notification by Dominica to the U.S. government of U.S. nationals applying for citizenship in Dominica. However, the due diligence process, the wiring of large sums of money to Dominica, and the mandatory interview in Dominica make it hard to hide your intentions. If you live outside the USA, make your contribution for Dominica citizenship from a non-U.S. account, and travel there for the interview without leaving or re-entering the USA, there’s obviously greater confidentiality. However, the names of new citizens are a matter of public record in Dominica, so there’s no way to keep your Dominican citizenship a secret.
Always enjoy reading and rereading your posts. Just wondering how the Antigua & Barbuda Economic Citizenship Programme was advancing? If anyone would know its you guys!
Thanks for the great work you do! Guy
Guy, we are still waiting for the government to make a decision.