Citizenship by Investment as a Nigerian Passport Holder 

In recent years, citizenship by investment (CBI) programs have gained considerable popularity, providing individuals with the opportunity to acquire a second citizenship through financial investment. These programs are attractive not only for wealthy individuals seeking global mobility but also for those looking for a more favorable tax regime, enhanced security, and access to better healthcare and education systems. For Nigerian passport holders, these programs offer an appealing route to obtaining second citizenship in countries with stronger passports, granting access to more visa-free travel destinations, business opportunities, and a secure plan B. 

What is Citizenship by Investment? 

Citizenship by investment (CBI) is a legal process by which an individual can obtain citizenship in a foreign country through financial investment. Typically, these programs involve making a significant investment in the host country’s economy, such as purchasing real estate, making a donation to a national development fund, or investing in a business. In return, the investor and their family members may be granted full citizenship, including a passport. 

Countries offering CBI programs often aim to boost their economy, attract foreign capital, and stimulate growth in various sectors like real estate, tourism, and business development. For the individual investor, CBI programs offer numerous advantages, including increased global mobility, improved quality of life, tax planning benefits, and access to better healthcare and educational opportunities. 

Benefits of Citizenship by Investment 

• Visa-free travel: Many countries offering CBI programs provide access to a significant number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries, which can be a game-changer for individuals holding passports with limited travel privileges. 
• Tax advantages: Some CBI countries have favorable tax regimes with no income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes, offering potential financial savings. 
• Improved quality of life: A second citizenship often grants access to higher standards of living, better healthcare systems, and top-quality education. 
• Business opportunities: Investors can benefit from enhanced business opportunities in their new country, including access to foreign markets and investment incentives. 
• Security: A second citizenship provides a safety net for individuals seeking political or economic stability. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular CBI countries for Nigerian passport holders, along with the details of their programs. 

1. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis has one of the oldest and most established CBI programs, having launched it in 1984. The program offers a fast-track route to citizenship, which is highly sought after by investors globally due to its benefits, particularly visa-free travel to more than 150 countries. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis 

There are two primary ways to acquire citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis through investment: 

Investment Options: 

1. Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) Donation: 
2. Investment Required: $150,000 for a single applicant. 
3. Details: This is a non-refundable contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund, which finances various social, infrastructure, and economic projects. Additional costs apply for family members. 
4. Family: $150,000 for the main applicant; an additional $20,000 for a spouse, and $10,000 per dependent. 

Real Estate Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $200,000 (minimum) in a government-approved real estate project. 
2. Details: The investment must be held for at least 7 years before it can be resold. You can also invest a higher amount ($400,000) and hold the property for five years. Only certain real estate projects are approved for the program, such as luxury hotels and resorts. 
3. Family: You can include family members for an additional fee, but the property must be retained for the specified holding period. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free access to over 150 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Hong Kong. 
• No residency requirement. 
• Citizenship is hereditary, meaning it can be passed down to future generations. 

Processing Time: 3 to 6 months. 

2. Dominica

Dominica’s CBI program, established in 1993, is one of the most affordable citizenship by investment programs. Dominica is particularly popular for those looking for a quick and cost-effective route to second citizenship. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Dominica 

Dominica offers two main pathways for citizenship through investment: 

Investment Options:

Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) Contribution

1. Investment Required: $100,000 (minimum) for a single applicant.
2. Details: This is a non-refundable contribution to Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund, which is used to fund public and private sector projects such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. 
3. Family: For a family of four, the minimum investment is $175,000. 

Real Estate Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $200,000 in a government-approved real estate project. 
2. Details: The property must be held for a minimum of 5 years. The real estate options include luxury hotels, resorts, and villas. 
3. Additional Fees: For family members, additional government fees apply. For example, for a family of four, the total real estate investment costs rise after including government processing and due diligence fees. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the UK, Schengen Area, and Singapore. 
• Dominica allows dual citizenship, meaning Nigerian investors can keep their Nigerian citizenship. 
• No requirement to live in or visit Dominica. 
• Citizenship is hereditary and can be passed down to future generations. 

Processing Time: 3 to 4 months. 

3. Grenada

Grenada is a Caribbean country that offers a unique CBI program. One of the major advantages of Grenada’s program is its E-2 Treaty with the United States, allowing Grenadian citizens to apply for an E-2 Investor Visa, which allows them to live and work in the U.S. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Grenada 

Grenada provides two primary investment options for obtaining citizenship: 

Investment Options: 

National Transformation Fund (NTF) Donation: 

1. Investment Required: $150,000 (minimum) for a single applicant.
2. Details: The NTF supports the development of Grenada’s economy. This is a non-refundable donation. 
3. Family: For a family of four, the donation requirement is $200,000. 

Real Estate Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $220,000 in a government-approved real estate project. 
2. Details: The investment must be held for at least 5 years. These projects are typically luxury resorts, hotels, or high-end residential developments. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free travel to over 140 countries, including China, Russia, the UK, and Schengen Zone countries.
• Access to the E-2 Investor Visa for the U.S., which allows you to start and operate a business in the U.S. and live there with your family. 
• No residency requirement to obtain or maintain citizenship. 

Processing Time: 4 to 6 months. 

4. Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia launched its CBI program in 2016, making it one of the newer programs. It offers a variety of investment options, including real estate, donations, and government bonds, making it a versatile choice for Nigerian investors. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Saint Lucia 

Saint Lucia offers four different routes to citizenship through investment: 

Investment Options: 

National Economic Fund (NEF) Contribution: 

1. Investment Required: $100,000 for a single applicant. 
2. Details: This is a non-refundable contribution to Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund, which finances public and private projects across the country. 
3. Family: For a family of four, the contribution required is $190,000. 

Real Estate Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $300,000 in government-approved real estate. 
2. Details: The investment must be held for at least 5 years. Only properties approved by the government are eligible. 
3. Additional Fees: There are government fees for including family members. 

Government Bonds: 

1. Investment Required: $500,000 in non-interest-bearing government bonds.
2. Details: The bonds must be held for 5 years, and there are no additional fees for family members. 

Enterprise Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $3.5 million (minimum) in an approved enterprise project. 
2. Details: The enterprise must be government-approved, such as in the tourism or agriculture sectors. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Hong Kong. 
• No residency or physical presence requirements. 
• Dual citizenship is allowed. 

Processing Time: 3 to 4 months. 

5. Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program is known for being one of the most family-friendly, with a relatively low cost for families applying together. The program was established in 2013 to attract foreign investment into the country. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda 

Antigua and Barbuda offer three primary investment options for citizenship: 

Investment Options: 

National Development Fund (NDF) Contribution: 

1. Investment Required: $100,000 for a family of four. 
2. Details: The NDF funds public sector projects, and this is a non-refundable donation. It is the most cost-effective option for larger families. 
3. Processing Time: 3 to 6 months. 

Real Estate Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $200,000 (minimum) in government-approved real estate. 
2. Details: The investment must be held for 5 years and can be resold after the holding period. 
3. Family: Additional fees for each family member apply. 

Business Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $1.5 million in an approved business. 
2. Details: Investors can either start a business or invest in an existing business in Antigua. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 countries, including the UK, Schengen Area, Hong Kong, and more. 
• No requirement to live in the country but a requirement to visit Antigua for at least 5 days in the first five years. 
• Dual citizenship is allowed. 

Processing Time: 3 to 6 months. 

6. Turkey

Turkey offers a CBI program aimed at encouraging real estate investment, making it one of the more straightforward options for investors looking for a European and Asian hybrid country. Turkey’s strategic location between Europe and Asia, combined with its E-2 Investor Visa Treaty with the U.S., makes it a popular choice for Nigerian investors. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Turkey 

Nigerian investors can gain Turkish citizenship by investing in real estate or making a capital investment: 

Investment Options:

Real Estate Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $400,000 (minimum) in a government-approved property. 
2. Details: The real estate must be held for at least 3 years before it can be sold. Investors can purchase multiple properties to meet the threshold as long as the total value is $400,000 or more. 

Capital Investment: 

1. Investment Required: $500,000 in fixed capital (such as stocks, government bonds, or shares in Turkish companies). 
2. Details: This capital must remain in Turkey for at least 3 years. 

Job Creation: 

1. Requirement: Create at least 50 jobs for Turkish citizens. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 110 countries, including Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. 
• Access to the E-2 Investor Visa for the U.S., which allows the investor to reside in the U.S. with their family.
• Dual citizenship is allowed. 

Processing Time: 3 to 6 months. 

7. Malta

Malta’s CBI program is considered one of the most prestigious due to the extensive benefits it offers, particularly full European Union (EU) citizenship. However, it also requires a significant financial commitment. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Malta 

Malta offers Nigerian investors a pathway to EU citizenship through a combination of financial investments: 

Investment Options: 

Contribution to National Development and Social Fund: 

1. Investment Required: €600,000 if the investor has maintained residency in Malta for 36 months, or €750,000 if they have only been resident for 12 months. 
2. Details: This is a non-refundable contribution that supports Maltese social programs, such as healthcare and education. 

Real Estate Purchase or Rental: 

1. Investment Required: Purchase real estate worth a minimum of €700,000 or rent a property for at least €16,000 per year for 5 years. 
2. Details: Investors must commit to maintaining this property for a minimum of 5 years. 

Charitable Donation: 

1. Investment Required: A donation of at least €10,000 to a registered Maltese charity. 

Benefits: 

• EU citizenship, allowing visa-free access to over 180 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, as well as the right to live, work, and study in any EU country. 
• No residency requirements after obtaining citizenship. 
• Dual citizenship is allowed. 

Processing Time: 12 to 36 months, depending on the investment option. 

8. Vanuatu

Vanuatu offers one of the fastest CBI programs, with citizenship available in as little as 1 to 2 months. The program is popular with investors seeking quick and cost-effective solutions. 

How to Gain Citizenship in Vanuatu 

Vanuatu’s CBI program allows Nigerian investors to obtain citizenship through a direct financial contribution to the country’s Development Support Program. 

Investment Options: 

Development Support Program (DSP) Contribution: 

1. Investment Required: $130,000 (single applicant). 
2. Details: This is a non-refundable donation that supports the development of Vanuatu’s economy. 
3. Family: For a family of four, the minimum investment is $180,000. 

Benefits: 

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries, including the UK, EU Schengen Area, and Hong Kong. 
• No personal income tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax. 
• Fastest processing time among CBI programs, typically completed in 1 to 2 months. 
• No residency requirements. 

For Nigerian passport holders, citizenship by investment offers a pathway to new opportunities, including visa-free travel, enhanced business prospects, and access to better quality of life. Each country offers unique benefits, from the prestige of Malta’s EU citizenship to the quick and cost-effective options in the Caribbean and Vanuatu. When selecting a CBI program, it’s essential to consider not only the initial investment but also the potential returns, including travel freedom, tax incentives, and quality of life. 

Before committing to any CBI program, consult with professional advisors to ensure that the program aligns with your financial goals and personal aspirations. Citizenship by investment is more than just acquiring a passport—it’s about securing a future filled with greater possibilities and freedom.