Citizenship & Residency · Second Passport Guide
How to Get a Second Passport — Complete Guide 2026
A second passport provides visa-free travel, optionality, and — for the right person — genuine tax planning opportunities. This guide covers every route: citizenship by investment, Golden Visas, ancestry, and naturalisation.
Why get a second passport
The reasons people pursue a second citizenship
Visa-free travel
A stronger passport means fewer visa restrictions. Caribbean and Maltese passports provide access to the EU, UK, and most major economies without advance visa applications.
Political risk diversification
Having a second citizenship in a stable jurisdiction provides an option if your home country becomes politically unstable, or if travel rights are restricted by geopolitical events.
Tax planning
Residency — and in some cases citizenship — in low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions can complement international tax structures. Citizenship alone is rarely sufficient for tax planning; residency is the operative factor.
Business and investment access
Some passports provide access to markets that are restricted to certain nationalities. Grenada's E-2 treaty with the USA is a notable example. EU passports provide freedom of movement and establishment within 27 member states.
Freedom of movement
EU citizenship — for example through long-term residency and naturalisation in Portugal or Greece — provides the right to live, work, and retire anywhere in the 27-member EU, including countries that restrict non-EU immigration.
Family legacy
A second citizenship can be passed to children and future generations, providing optionality and security that extends well beyond the original investor's lifetime.
Direct citizenship
Citizenship by investment programmes — comparison
Costs are indicative and exclude government fees, due diligence fees, and agent fees. Visa-free access counts are approximate and subject to change. All figures as of 2026.
Residency first, citizenship later
Residency by investment — Golden Visa programmes
These programmes grant long-term residency — not immediate citizenship. Citizenship typically requires living in the country and meeting naturalisation criteria over 5–10 years.
Risks to understand
What to watch out for
- Programme closure. The EU has closed two European CBI programmes in recent years (Cyprus and Malta MEIN). Caribbean and Pacific programmes are more stable but not entirely immune to change. Consider programme longevity before committing.
- Due diligence failure. Individuals with criminal records, politically exposed persons, or those with unresolved legal or financial issues may be refused. Attempting to conceal these issues is a serious offence in most jurisdictions.
- Unauthorised agents. Some companies market CBI programmes without being authorised agents. Payments made through unauthorised intermediaries can be lost without recourse. Always verify the agent's authorisation directly with the relevant government programme office.
- Overestimating tax benefits. Citizenship by investment does not, by itself, create a favourable tax position. Tax residency — not citizenship — is the operative concept in almost all tax systems. Holding a Caribbean passport while remaining UK resident has no UK tax benefit.
- Processing time promises. Agents sometimes give optimistic processing estimates. Vanuatu's 45-day figure is real; Caribbean programmes routinely take 3–6 months; delays do occur.
Frequently asked questions
Second passport — common questions
Is it legal to hold two passports?
For most people, yes. The UK permits dual citizenship without restriction. Many other countries also permit dual or multiple citizenship. However, some countries — including China, India, Japan, and certain Middle Eastern countries — do not permit their nationals to hold dual citizenship. If your current country of nationality does not allow dual citizenship, acquiring a second passport may require renouncing your first. Always verify the rules in your current nationality country before proceeding.
What is citizenship by investment (CBI)?
Citizenship by investment (CBI) is a legal pathway through which a foreign national can obtain full citizenship — and a new passport — in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution to a country. This contribution typically takes the form of a non-refundable donation to a government fund, a purchase of government bonds, investment in real estate, or investment in an approved business. CBI programmes are operated by sovereign states and governed by their own citizenship laws. Processing times range from around 45 days (Vanuatu) to 12–18 months (Malta MEIN, now closed).
Which Caribbean CBI programmes are most reputable?
Five Caribbean nations currently operate active CBI programmes: St Kitts & Nevis (the oldest, established 1984), Dominica, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, and St Lucia. All five are broadly reputable and subject to due diligence requirements. St Kitts has the longest track record. Grenada is notable for its E-2 treaty with the USA, enabling Grenadian passport holders to apply for a US non-immigrant investor visa. Dominica is often the lowest-cost entry point. All require due diligence checks and are regulated by their respective governments.
How much does a second passport by investment cost?
Costs vary significantly by programme. Following the 2024 reforms, Caribbean CBI programmes now start from a harmonised minimum of around $200,000 via the donation route (plus government fees, due diligence fees, and agent fees), rising to $300,000–$400,000+ via real estate investment. Dominica and Grenada are typically at the lower end; St Kitts & Nevis is the highest. Vanuatu starts from approximately $130,000 all-in. Malta's MEIN programme (now closed) started from €750,000+. Jordan's programme requires a $750,000 investment or $1m in business investment. Always engage an authorised agent — do not pay fees directly to government without an authorised intermediary.
What is the difference between residency by investment and citizenship by investment?
Citizenship by investment (CBI) grants full citizenship and a passport directly, usually within months. Residency by investment (RBI) — often called a Golden Visa — grants the right to live in a country as a legal resident, but does not immediately grant citizenship. Citizenship in RBI countries typically requires living in the country for a qualifying period (usually 5–10 years), meeting language requirements, and meeting residency day requirements. Residency-by-investment programmes in Portugal and Greece offer a long-term pathway to EU citizenship through naturalisation, but require sustained commitment and presence.
How many countries can I visit visa-free with a Caribbean passport?
Caribbean CBI passports typically give visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 130–160+ countries. St Kitts & Nevis currently gives access to approximately 157 countries, Grenada around 144, and Dominica around 145 — including the UK, EU Schengen area, and Singapore. Grenada's Schengen access is particularly valued. A Maltese passport (EU) gives access to approximately 190 countries — one of the highest-ranking passports globally. Passport rankings change periodically as visa agreements are renegotiated.
Are citizenship by investment programmes at risk of being shut down?
Programme closure is a real risk. The EU placed sustained pressure on Cyprus and Malta over their CBI programmes — Cyprus closed its programme in 2020 following a media investigation, and Malta's MEIN programme was struck down by the European Court of Justice on 29 April 2025, ending the last direct citizenship-by-investment route in the EU. Montenegro's programme also closed. Caribbean programmes are more politically stable as they are primary revenue sources for small nations. Vanuatu has operated its programme since 2017 with broad continuity. When selecting a programme, longevity, due diligence reputation, and international recognition are all important factors.
Do I need a local agent to apply for citizenship by investment?
In most cases, yes. The majority of CBI programmes require or strongly recommend using an authorised, licensed agent — an entity that has been vetted and registered with the relevant government to submit applications. Applications submitted directly without an authorised agent are often refused or require additional verification. Authorised agents are responsible for verifying the due diligence of applicants before submission. Global Investments acts as an authorised agent or introducer for several active programmes and manages the end-to-end application process.
Find the right second passport programme
We are authorised agents and introducers for multiple active CBI and RBI programmes. We start with your goals — travel, tax, business access, family security — and identify the programme that genuinely fits, not the one with the highest agent commission.
Programme availability, costs, and visa-free access are subject to change. This guide reflects the position as of 2026. Always verify current programme details before committing to any investment.
Find out which second passport programme suits you
Share your goals — travel freedom, tax planning, family security, or business access — and our advisers will identify the right citizenship or residency programme for your circumstances.