A Second Passport: The Ultimate Accessory

• Posted on Apr 17, 2017
• In Program Guides, Global Citizenship

Since 1984 citizenship by investment has become a multi-billion dollar industry, and second passports and citizenships are now seen as must-haves for the world’s high net worth individuals. Indeed, today’s volatile global climate has positioned second citizenships as a necessity.

At Arton Capital we are proud to serve as trusted advisors to many governments and as authorized representatives for many CBI programs around the world. Of course, we would love to live in a borderless world, but as long as this is a mirage in the desert we can only commit ourselves to helping and advising high net worth individuals and families on how to legally shutter boundaries by investing in a second residency or citizenship. As long as there is uncertainty, risk and instability around the world, the citizenship and residency by investment industry will thrive on the following basic human demands:

Security

Unfortunately the world is becoming increasingly volatile. Nationalist sentiments, anti-immigration policies and never-ending wars sadly are becoming the norm. Stable, peaceful countries are safe havens for individuals coming from places where the geopolitical or political situations are less than ideal. A second citizenship is a priceless insurance policy when it comes to personal and familial safety.

Global Mobility

Many passports are quite restrictive in the visa-free travel they allow. As such, a second passport grants increased mobility without the hassle of constantly applying for travel visas. For example, China’s passport has a visa-free score of 56, meaning that Chinese citizens can only travel to 56 countries without applying for a travel visa. However, investing in a second citizenship in Cyprus, for example, boosts that citizen’s global mobility to 153.

Increased mobility is advantageous for both security and business reasons. Borders should not be boundaries, and a second passport offers access to a global world.

See our Passport Index for the visa-free scores of the world’s passports and how you can improve your global mobility.

Business

Second citizenships open up business opportunities that may otherwise not be available to business owners in their home countries. For example, Grenada has an E-2 Visa Treaty with the United States. This treaty allows Grenadians to enter and reside in the US by investing in an American business. Many international investors find this treaty a favourable way of working in the US.

Tax Management

A second passport may also aid high net worth individuals in managing their taxes efficiently and effectively. For example, some countries only tax income earned from that country and do not subject capital gains to taxes either. This allows investors to manage their wealth more efficiently and effectively.

Family

Most citizenship by investment programs are available to the family members of the main applicant. This means that investors can secure a better future for their spouse and children. Second citizenships offer access to world-class health care, education and an improved lifestyle.

Education

Education is the foundation of a successful life as a global citizen. Investing in a second citizenship can open up access to the best schools in the world for applicants and their children by qualifying them for domestic rather than international tuition fees.

These are the primary reasons individuals seek out second citizenships and residencies. No matter where we come from, security, mobility, family, lifestyle and career opportunities are driving forces in our decision-making and likely always will be.