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The Many Benefits of a Second Passport

By Mr. Mark Nestmann - Email Editor

Date : October 15, 2009

Having a second passport and dual citizenship has numerous benefits. It 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.  

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 the Netherlands Antilles for a period of five years or longer may qualify for a Dutch passport. In certain circumstances, knowledge of the Dutch language is not necessary to qualify.

A handful of countries offer "instant" citizenship in return for an economic contribution. The Commonwealth of Dominica, the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis, and Austria are the only countries with an official, legally mandated, citizenship-through-investment program.

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$105,000. Add US$25,000 if you need a passport for your spouse and up to two children under 18. Dominican passport holders can travel without a visa, or obtain a visa upon entry, to nearly 90 countries and territories.

In the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis, two ways exist 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$220,000 or US$270,000 for an applicant with up to three dependents. Alternatively, you can purchase qualifying property worth a minimum of US$350,000. 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 virtually all countries in the European Union.

Finally, you may be able to obtain Austrian citizenship and passport after making a substantial investment in that country. Unlike the programs in Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis, in Austria, you must make your investment first and then apply for citizenship. You don't get your money back if you're not approved. Generally, you must invest—or donate—the equivalent of at least US$2 million to have a reasonable chance at qualifying, and pay legal fees of US$100,000 or more. Austrian passport holders can travel to more than 150 countries visa-free and live and work in any of the 27 members of the European Union.

In all three of these economic citizenship programs, 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 sanction 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.

If you have questions, please email us at info@trustmakers.com.

By Mark Nestmann
TrustMakers.com

If you would like to discuss the use of trust for you, your family, or even as a marketing tool for your business, give us a call we would love to talk with you about it. Please contact us at info@trustmakers.com

By Mark Nestmann
TrustMakers.com

 

 

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