How to Buy Yourself a Citizenship: 3

Leading Country Programs of the USA,

Dominica & St Kitts-Nevis

by David Drake

Countries either create or adopt #investment programs to boost their economic development. The
Citizenship by Investment Program and the Immigrant #investor Program are

two programs

toward this end. These programs grant residency and citizen rights to individuals that invest in a
country of their choice.

I have researched this as a Special Advisor to Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, #dominicas

ambassador to the United Nations.

In Dominica, the economic citizenship program dates back to

1993. The program takes the form of direct non-refundable payments to the Government of the
Commonwealth of Dominica. Under the Commonwealth of Dominicas citizenship investment
program, enacted in 1993, a foreigner must invest $220,000 in a government approved real estate
project. In St. Kitts-Nevis, where the citizenship investment program has been in place for 30
years, individuals must invest at least $430,000 in a government approved real estate project. To
qualify for the #us immigrant investor program, an individual, singly or with family, must invest a
minimum of $500,000 to generate 10 jobs for Americans within the next two years.

The USA, UK and Australia have the

most successful immigrant investor programs in the world.

Switzerland is claimed to be the most friendly immigrant country to live in, but expensive. Other
countries with immigrant investor programs are Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic,
France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Monaco, Montenegro, Panama, Portugal, Seychelles,
Singapore, Spain, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates. Antigua and Barbuda approved its
Citizenship Investment Act in 2013. Cyprus, Grenada and Malta also have similar programs.

Two real estate projects are ongoing in the Commonwealth of Dominica and at St. Kitts. These are
attractive projects, not only because of their locations natural beauty but of the investment
potentials they offer. On the other hand, the United States offers options for individuals availing of
the immigration investors program.

Cabrits Resort Kempinski at the Commonwealth of Dominica

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica invites individuals to take advantage of its
first approved real estate project in the country the Cabrits Resort Kempinski. This project is
under the citizenship by investment program. An investment of $220,000 from an individual is
required to qualify for citizenship in Dominica. Payment of this amount plus other government fees
will give the individual an investment share in the Kempinski luxury resort and yearly income
yield. The investment must be held for 5 years.

Rainforest in Dominica
(Photo credit: nationalgeographic.com)

Located in the Cabrits National Park, the Cabrits Resort Kempinski is set to rank among the top
five star resorts in the Caribbean. Designed to maintain a natural equilibrium between sea and
land, the resort offers modern experience for guests.

Dominicas outstanding beauty is formed by volcanic activity over decades, and aptly called, The
Natures Island. Its tropical forests cover two thirds of the country with a rich fauna, and 1,200
species of plants. Its numerous rivers with invariably fast and steep streams flow to hundreds of
pristine waterfalls.

The Government of Commonwealth of Dominica offers full citizenship status to persons that invest
in approved real estate projects, and fulfill due diligence requirements. This means having a
citizenship status for life; holding a Commonwealth of Dominica passport; and travelling visa free
to more than 90 countries including Singapore, United Kingdom and Hong Kong. This project offers
a lower cost investment in citizenship acquisition than in other Caribbean countries.

Park Hyatt at St. Kitts-Nevis

The Government of St. Kitts-Nevis has the oldest citizenship for investment program in the world
spanning 30 years. The twin-island nation allows investors to acquire citizenship by investing in
government sponsored projects. Individuals must invest at least $430,000 in a government
approved real estate project such as Park Hyatt St. Kitts.

With this investment, they will be

entitled to a share of a 5-star hotel and a promise of annual income.

St. Kitts
(Photo credit: monarchandco.com)

Park Hyatt St. Kitts is nestled within Banana Bay. Investing in this real estate project gives
investors a wide array of benefits St Kitts-Nevis citizenship status, passports, tax waiver, visa
free travel to more than 139 countries, right to work and reside in St. Kitts-Nevis. This project also
has a 5 year mandatory holding period.

Caribbean coastline at St Kitts

(Photo credit: classictravelusa.com)

Dominica is likely to raise investment to $450,000 to place it at par with St. Kitts-Nevis. It is also a
means to reduce the number of applicants who qualify to the citizenship by investment program.
Due to crimes committed in St. Kitts-Nevis by persons who have previously received citizenship,
applicants are now expected to undergo background checks with Langley and Interpol in the U.S.
before being approved for citizenship and passports. Dominica has started implementing stricter
requirements for investors to gain citizenship.

United States Immigrant Investor Program

An individual, with or without his/her family, can apply for citizenship in the United States via its
immigrant investor program. To qualify, the individual is required to create 10 full time permanent
jobs for qualified U.S. workers and employees. To be able to fulfil this requirement, the applicant
must invest $1 million, or at least $500,000. These 10 jobs will be assessed at the end of the two
year conditional residency period.

At the end of the conditional residency of two years, the 10 jobs created will be assessed. Once
this requirement is satisfied, the

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will issue a green

card, or permanent resident status. The United States may issue up to 10,000 visas every year
for eligible entrepreneurs.

Featured Image: Dominica Boiling Lake

Featured Image credit to blog.cariboutdoor.com

Note: This article originally appeared on with HedgeCo.net with this link
http://www.hedgeco.net/blogs/2015/06/29/how-to-buy-yourself-a-citizenship-3-leading-countryprograms-of-usa-dominica-st-kitts-nevis-by-david-drake/on June 29, 2015

David

Drake

is

the

Chairman

of LDJ

Capital,

private

equity

advisory; Victoria Partners, a 110 family office network; Drake Hospitality

Group; and The Soho Loft Media Group with divisions Victoria Global
Communications, Times

Impact

Publications,

and The

Conferences. Reach him directly at David@LDJCapital.com.

Soho

Loft