In this article, we will take a look at the 15 easiest countries to get citizenship without investment.
Citizenship is an identity. Different states have distinct regulations about who their citizens are and how they might get citizenship. Jus soli and jus sanguinis are two important foundations of citizenship. Jus soli refers to citizenship by blood, which means that a child’s citizenship is derived from the citizenship of his parents. Jus sanguinis, on the other hand, refers to citizenship at birth, i.e., citizenship is granted at the place of birth. Citizenship, however, can be earned in an array of ways, including through residency and naturalization, descent, investment, or familial ties. Armenia, Dominica, Taiwan, and Ecuador all provide citizenship through residency and naturalization. Citizenship by descent is permitted in Latvia, Grenada, New Zealand, and Mexico. Citizenship by investment is available in Portugal, St. Lucia, Vanuatu, and Columbia. Citizenship can be earned through familial links in countries such as Ireland, Antigua and Barbuda, Israel, and Brazil.
On the other hand, some states recognize dual citizenship, while others do not because they believe it is inimical to the state’s interests. In a study that looked at the factors that influenced states to pass laws recognizing dual citizenship, the analysis that came out of it suggests that national, ex-colonial, and post national cultural identities, rather than the presence of cross-national immigration, are what drive states to recognize dual citizenship. If you want to go abroad and change your citizenship, there are also free citizenship countries without investment that you can apply to.
Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, Thailand, and Australia are among the easiest countries to get citizenship by naturalization. Many individuals choose to relocate to foreign lands with the goal of enhancing their financial opportunities and ultimately obtaining citizenship in their new place of residence. To become a full-fledged citizen of a different country, certain obligations must be met and maintained.
Israel, Paraguay, and Ireland are some of the countries offering citizenship for free. Israel through the Law of Return for Jewish individuals, Paraguay for those seeking a swift path to citizenship, and Ireland offering various avenues for obtaining citizenship without charge.
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Our Methodology
We performed an extensive study and reviewed seven distinct sources. We started with more than thirty-eight countries listed in these sources. Each time a country appeared on a source’s list, it was awarded a single point. These factors were then used to rank the countries, generating the top 15 easiest countries to get citizenship without investment.
15 Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship Without Investment
15. Barbuda and Antigua
While not the conventional citizenship that results from marriage or birth, this is still the most straightforward citizenship for a family. The least expensive choice for a family of up to four people to obtain Caribbean citizenship is now Antigua and Barbuda.
14. Dominica
Dominica is an excellent choice for citizenship insurance or a quick way to abandon your US citizenship. They even have alternatives for waiving the residency requirement, allowing you to obtain a passport without ever leaving the country. You can become a citizen without making any financial investments if you live on the island for seven years.
13. Grenada
The little island of Grenada may not allow you to claim citizenship by descent, but this is the Caribbean’s most straightforward passport for passing on to your children and grandchildren. If you get citizenship in another Caribbean nation through citizenship by investment (CBI), it does not automatically pass to your offspring or include them as co-owners of your investment. But once you become a citizen of Grenada, it will be passed on.
12. Ecuador
To get Ecuadorian citizenship, you must have been a permanent resident of the nation for at least three years. This amounts to a total of 5 years of residency, including a 2-year temporary stay. The easiest country in Latin America to live in is Ecuador, which currently only requires three years of residency before seeking citizenship. Ecuador outperforms Panama because it has a stronger history of actually awarding citizenship, whereas Panama has an incredibly simple residency program but a less than stellar history of awarding citizenship to individuals who qualify.
11. Taiwan
The jus sanguinis principle—which stipulates that children born to at least one Taiwanese parent are automatically citizens at birth—serves as the cornerstone of the Nationality Act. After five (5) years of uninterrupted stay, foreigners possessing permanent residency in Taiwan are eligible to become citizens.
10. Brazil
Brazil comes out on top as the simplest country to obtain citizenship through familial ties. If you have immediate familial links to a Brazilian citizen, you will be granted Brazilian citizenship within one year. That implies you can obtain citizenship by marriage, birth, or adoption. The alternatives do not end there. Brazil also offers a fast-track route for parents to gain Brazilian citizenship without having to negotiate Brazil’s time-consuming investment immigration program.
9. Mexico
To be able to apply as a Mexican citizen, you must have lived lawfully in Mexico for at least five years in a row. If you are of Mexican origin, have Mexican children, have been married to a Mexican for at least two years, or have made a major artistic, athletic, cultural, social, or scientific contribution to Mexico, this is lowered to two years. You can only spend 180 days away from Mexico in the two years before the application. You must be fluent in Spanish. And you should be well-versed in Mexican history and culture so you can become a Mexican citizen for free.
8. New Zealand
Under-55-year-olds can apply for New Zealand’s skilled migration program. In New Zealand, you are allowed to stay for two years and work or study. On your visa application, you can also list your spouse and dependent children who are younger than 24. If at least one of your parents is a citizen of New Zealand and you were born abroad, you could qualify for citizenship.
7. Peru
In approximately two years, one can get Peruvian citizenship. A residence visa is the first step in the procedure, allowing an outsider to dwell in Peru. The approval of these visa applications typically takes three months. The applicant has six months to complete their visa after receiving permission. The applicant may submit a citizenship application after two years of residence in Peru. Candidates must pass exams on a variety of topics, including history, culture, and the Spanish language, unless they are married to a Peruvian national. The government of Peru allows applicants to pay in installments, which lessens the financial strain of the around $25,000 USD citizenship price.
6. Latvia
Latvia offers numerous intriguing alternatives for citizenship by descent due to its history. The first is if you were banished owing to foreign occupation between June 17, 1940, and May 4, 1990. It also applies to exiles’ children born before October 1, 2014. If you fall into this group, you can apply for citizenship and have dual citizenship in another nation. If all of your documentation and payments are in order, the procedure should take roughly four months. One who was born outside of Latvia, is at least 15 years old, and has one parent who was a citizen of Latvia at the time of the applicant’s birth may choose the second option.
5. Paraguay
If you want to obtain citizenship without committing to a lengthy stay in the country, Paraguay is ideal. Before seeking citizenship, you must have been a permanent resident of Paraguay for at least three years. The candidate must spend a minimum of 183 days in Paraguay throughout these three years and pass a Spanish language exam. You should also be conversant with the geography, history, and politics of the nation. If you want to retire in Paraguay, this is an excellent choice. Finally, there is no import tariff on personal items.
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4. Argentina
Most nations provide citizenship through marriage. Those seeking citizenship can receive a passport after marrying a national of the country. Argentina has the most straightforward procedure for getting citizenship by marriage. You may apply for a passport the day after your wedding.
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3. Canada
Canada is often regarded as the simplest country in which to immigrate and obtain citizenship. The country has outstanding educational programs and job prospects. Through Express Entry or other immigration processes, Indians can get a Permanent Resident Visa. After a significant period of time, generally two to three years, you can petition for Canadian citizenship.
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2. Ireland
Ireland is also one of the simplest countries in which to obtain citizenship. Foreign nationals may seek citizenship via residence. If you retain a work visa for five years, you may be eligible for an Irish Permanent Resident Permit. You must complete and submit a citizenship application form to the Ministry of Justice. This body determines whether or not to grant citizenship. You can also get Irish citizenship by descent if your ancestors (parents or grandparents) were born in Ireland.
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1. Israel
Obtaining citizenship in Israel is as easy as 123. If you are married to a Jewish man or woman, no matter where you are from, you are eligible for a second passport from Israel. The Law of Return in Israel is fairly technical, yet it permits Jews and their descendants to seek permanent residence in Israel quickly and easily. A “Jew” is anybody whose mother or grandmother is Jewish or who has converted to Judaism. In the 1970s, the Israeli government expanded the Law of Return restrictions to include a Jew’s spouse, children, and grandchildren. Even if you are not Jewish, you can invoke the Law of Return if you fall into one of these categories. There is a 90-day waiting period after you arrive in Israel before you may be granted citizenship. Citizenship is automatically conferred unless you formally request that the government not grant you Israeli citizenship.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship Without Investment is originally published on Insider Monkey.
