Profiles Page | eumigration

COUNTRY PROFILES

There are a number of strong options for citizenship by investment, and many countries offer unique programs. Please see a selection below.

The information summarised here can be explained to you in further detail. Please contact us for further information or alternative options.

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

Citizenship by Investment

St. Kitts and Nevis is an exclusive Caribbean destination with impressive natural beauty, and has a rich history with varied influences from different cultures. The islands offer sunshine almost year-round, and a diverse range of landscapes. Today, the main economic drivers are tourism, real estate and financial services.

The Federation is a member of the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the British Commonwealth, CARICOM and many other international organizations.

With a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, it is possible to travel visa-free to 140 countries, including the UK and Europe's Schengen area.

St Kitts

Advantages:

Dual citizenship permitted
A St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free travel to 140 countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, the UK and Europe’s Schengen area
The applicant and their family receive full citizenship and passports
St.Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth, which entitles citizens to certain privileges in the UK and other Commonwealth countries
St. Kitts and Nevis is an attractive location for owning a second home in the Caribbean, with good air links to Europe and North America

Requirements:

To qualify for citizenship, the person must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements and select one of the following options:

The purchase of real estate with a minimum
value of USD 400,000 from an approved real estate development. The real estate cannot be resold within a five-year period
A non-refundable contribution to the SIDF of an amount starting from USD 250,000 for a single applicant
A non-refundable contribution to the Hurricane Relief Fund (HRF) of an amount starting from USD 150,000 for an applicant with up to three dependents

SWITZERLAND

Private Residence Program

Switzerland, famous for financial services, watchmakers and its popular tourism regions, ranks among the top countries to live in due to the very high quality of life, with Zürich, Bern and Geneva frequently nominated as some of the best cities in the world to live in.

An ideal combination of political and economic stability, a clean and safe environment, excellent communications and transport links, efficient public services and relatively low tax rates make it an excellent choice for both business and residence.

Switzerland is home to a large number of international organizations, such as the International Red Cross, World Trade Organization (WTO), Universal Postal Union, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Many leading international corporations are relocating their headquarters to Switzerland, as the country is business-friendly by tradition. Its 26 cantons offer companies a wide range of options and opportunities.

Switz

Advantages:

After 12 years of residence, foreign nationals can apply for citizenship
Dual citizenship permitted
Residence permit allows visa-free access to the Schengen area
Political, social and economic stability
Multilingual society, English widely spoken
First-class infrastructure and excellent banking facilities
Attractive lifestyle and healthy environment
World-renowned schools and excellent education system
Favorable taxation system

Requirements:

EU/EFTA nationals can obtain a residence permit easily if they have an employment agreement with a Swiss employer, if they become self-employed in Switzerland, or, if no gainful occupation in Switzerland is intended, they can prove that they are financially independent with sufficient income or wealth to cover their living costs.

Non EU/EFTA must fulfil the following requirements:

The applicant must be older than 18. The applicant (if married) can bring their spouse and any of their children under the age of 18 to Switzerland under one application
The applicant and any dependents included in the application must be of good character, have a clean record and provide the relevant documentation such as copies of passports, CV, business information, etc.
The applicant may not be gainfully occupied
in Switzerland, but may administer their own worldwide investment portfolio in Switzerland, and may be active outside of Switzerland
The applicant must undertake to pay a certain amount in net taxes per year. The annual lump-sum tax amount (forfait fiscal) primarily depends on various factors such as on the applicant’s standard
of living in Switzerland, and which canton and municipality they reside in. The actual tax liability may range from CHF 150,000 to over CHF 1 million per year
The applicant agrees to pay the fixed one-time application fee for the obtainment of the residence permit(s) and the negotiation of a favorable lump- sum tax arrangement on their behalf
The SRP is designed to save the client time, as most of the work is executed under the basis of power of attorney; when the client is required to participate in the process, the interaction is made as simple as possible

CYPRUS

Citizenship by Investment

Cyprus has been a full member of the EU since 2004. The island is located in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. The strategic location of the island has played an important role in its development as a financial centre.

When you acquire citizenship under the Cyprus Citizenship- by-Investment Program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent. There is also a popular permanent residence program.

Cyprus, with its warm and stable climate and convenient geographical position, is considered an attractive place for residence. The investment landscape in Cyprus is beneficial due to the island’s well-qualified labor force, attractive taxation and a reliable transport and telecommunications system.

Cyprus has a modern, free-market, service-based economy, with an effective and transparent regulatory and legal framework, giving international investors and businesses confidence to invest, grow and prosper.

Cypru

Advantages:

Dual citizenship permitted
Citizenship of an EU member state, and as an EU citizen you enjoy the right to freedom of movement; freedom to work and study; and security within the social and legal system
Full citizenship with passport is granted to the applicant and family
A Cypriot passport allows visa-free travel to 158 countries including Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK
Flexible options with no residence required; and granting of citizenship within 180 days

Requirements:

To qualify for citizenship, the person must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements and select one of the following options:

Real estate, developments and infrastructure projects: the applicant must commit at least EUR 2 million to the purchase or construction of real estate
Purchase, establishment, or participation in Cypriot businesses and companies: the applicant must commit at least EUR 2 million to the purchase, creation or participation in businesses or companies that are based and operating in the Republic. These businesses or companies should have a demonstrable and tangible presence in Cyprus and employ at least five Cypriot or EU citizens
Participation in alternative investment funds or the purchase of financial assets of Cypriot enterprises or organizations licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission: the applicant must purchase units amounting to at least EUR 2 million from alternative investment funds (AIF)
This criterion also covers the purchase of financial assets of Cypriot businesses or organizations for at least EUR 2 million, in the form of bonds, securities and debt securities
Combination of the above options: the applicant may choose a combination of the above, provided that the total amounts to at least EUR 2 million. The applicant’s combination may include the purchase of special government bonds of the Republic of Cyprus of up to EUR 500,000

MALTA

Individual Investor Program

Malta has been an EU member since 2004 and a member of the Schengen area since 2007. In 1964, after more than 160 years of British rule, Malta gained independence. In 1974 Malta became a republic with a parliamentary democracy system and a constitution.

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean and consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and

Comino, with a total population of over 400,000 inhabitants occupying an area of 316 km2. Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture. The national language is Maltese but the official languages of the country are both Maltese and English. Malta has an excellent climate, friendly people, a very low crime rate and is neutral, stable and safe.

Malta

Advantages:

Dual citizenship permitted
Citizenship of a well-respected and stable EU country
Reasonable contribution and efficient application process
World’s strictest due diligence standards and vetting of applicants, thus ensuring only the most suitable applicants will be admitted
Visa-free travel to over 167 countries
EU citizenship gives right of establishment in all 28 EU countries and Switzerland
Malta is an attractive place to live or to own a second home and is strategically located with excellent air links

Requirements:

18 years of age, meet all of the application conditions, make a non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund, and meet certain other requirements. The contribution requirements are as follows:

For main applicants, a contribution of EUR 650,000
An additional contribution of EUR 25,000 is required for a spouse and for each child under the age of 18
The application may include children between
the ages of 18 and 26 years if they are financially dependent on the main applicant and are not married; in such cases, the additional contribution is set at EUR 50,000 for each dependent
Parents over the age of 55 may also be included
in the application as dependents, if they are living with and are fully supported by the main applicant. In such cases, an additional contribution of
EUR 50,000 per person is required

Due diligence fees are payable for all applicants: EUR 7,500 for the main applicant; EUR 5,000 for spouses, adult children and parents; and EUR 3,000 each for children between 13 and 17 years of age.

Additionally, the following requirements and obligations must be met:

Property — either the purchase of a residential property in Malta with a minimum value of at least EUR 350,000 which must be held for five years,
or the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per annum, also held for five years. Please note that the property cannot be let during this five-year period
Participationinapprovedfinancialinstruments— EUR 150,000 in a prescribed financial instrument,
the details of which are published by the Identity Malta Agency, which must be held for five years
Insurance — the holding of a valid global health insurance policy with medical expense cover amounting to at least EUR 50,000 per family member
Residence — the applicant must have been a legal resident of Malta for one year prior to the Certificate of Naturalization being issued
Oath — all applicants aged 18 years and over must visit Malta in person to undertake the Oath of Allegiance

Once the application is approved in principle, the applicant is required to:

Remit the contribution (less the deposit already paid)
Demonstrate compliance with the property requirement
Show proof of residence for one year
Remit payment into the prescribed financial instrument
Be in possession of a valid health insurance policy for the entire family with the requisite level of cover
Undertake the Oath of Allegiance in person in Malta, together with all dependents aged 18 years and older

MALTA

Residence & Visa Program

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean and consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and

Advantages:

Residence in an EU member state that is neutral, stable and highly respected with freedom of movement within the Schengen area and security within the social and legal system
No minimum presence is required
A very straightforward application process
Competitive rates of taxation. For those persons
who choose to be resident yet non-domiciled in Malta, tax would only become due on income or capital gains arising in Malta and on income generated outside of Malta which is received in Malta
Family members can be included

Requirements:

The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age to qualify and must provide an affidavit declaring that from the date of the application they have an annual income of no less than EUR 100,000 or have in their possession capital of no less than EUR 500,000. The following investment options apply to meet the application requirements:

Purchase of government bonds to the value of EUR 250,000 to be retained for a minimum five-year period
A property purchase of EUR 320,000 (EUR 270,000 in South Malta or Gozo) to be held for a minimum period of five years
or
A property lease of EUR 12,000 per annum
(EUR 10,000 in South Malta or Gozo to be leased for a minimum period of five years)
A non-refundable government contribution of
EUR 30,000 and, where applicable, EUR 5,000 per parent or grandparent of the main applicant or of the spouse paid in accordance with these regulations
Once five years have elapsed a suitable property needs to be held in order to renew the residence permit

BREXIT

What some of the changes may mean for you.

On 1 January 2021, the Brexit transition period will draw to a close and the new points-based immigration system will come into effect, bringing with it a raft of changes. These changes will be wide-ranging, and will reconfigure the UK’s approach to immigration.

How will the new system work?

From 1 January 2021 onwards, the UK’s participation in EU freedom of movement will end, meaning that EU migrants can no longer freely travel to the UK for work. Instead, all workers will be subject to the new points-based system (PBS), which requires all applicants to score a minimum of 70 points based on possessing attributes such as a high level of English language proficiency and a job offer from an approved employer.

What is the points-based system (PBS)?

The new points-based system is designed to limit the numbers of ‘low-skilled’ workers entering the UK while maximising the numbers of ‘high-skilled’ gaining entry. When it comes into effect on 1 January 2021, only applicants who score 70 points will satisfy the requirements for a UK visa.

But before any points are accrued, applicants must first have a job offer that pays a minimum of £20,480 a year.

The first 50 points are gained from non-negotiable requirements. These are:

A job offer from a licensed sponsor (20)
The required standard of English language proficiency (10)
A job offer at skill level RQF3 (A-level equivalent) or higher (20)

Applicants must then earn at least 20 ‘tradeable points’- these are gained through displaying the following characteristics:

Having a job offer in a “shortage occupation” (20)
Being a “new entrant” to the labour market (20)
Having a PhD in a relevant STEM subject (20)
Having a PhD in a relevant non-STEM subject (10)
Earning at least £25,600 or the “going rate” for the profession, whichever is higher (20)

How does the salary threshold work?

Under the new PBS, all persons applying for a ‘skilled work’ visa must earn a bare minimum of £20,480. But in order to score additional 20 ‘tradeable’ points, most applicants will need to earn above this bare minimum.

The extra points are assigned to either set thresholds or the ‘going rate’ for the role- whichever is higher.

10 points for earning at least £23,040 or 90% of the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.
20 points for earning at least £25,600 or 100% of the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

What about NHS workers?

The new immigration system will include a dedicated Health and Care Visa designed to give fast-track entry, high-quality support and a discount on the £610 standard Tier 2 Visa application fee.

Holders of this visa will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), as will any dependents they bring to the UK with them.

Health and Care Visa applicants must still meet the same basic requirements as other ‘skilled workers’, but will be exempt from the ‘tradeable’ requirements.

Persons applying for Health and Care Visas can secure an extra 20 points purely for possessing a job offer that pays £20,480- providing that is on the list of recognised healthcare professions.

Book a consultation for a better understanding of how this may impact you and what are your best options.

Brexit