If you can, you should. That’s how most people seem to view getting a second passport or dual citizenship.
Insider reports that a 2017 survey of Brits showed that while only 11% of those surveyed had second passports, the rest said they would like to have one. Thirty-four percent looked into second passport programs, and 15% said they’re willing to spend 50% of their salary on the quest for a second passport.
Dual citizenship itself is becoming increasingly popular and growing in acceptance. A paper published in Migration Studies (Vink, 2019) reinforces this claim by reporting that the number of states that tolerate dual citizenship has increased from 33% to 75% worldwide in the last 50 years.
Yes, obtaining a second passport and citizenship can be complicated and expensive, but if you can, you should. Here are three powerful reasons why you may want to consider getting a second passport.
1. Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Lifestyle
People get insurance when they’re healthy to protect themselves if they get sick. In the same manner, people get a second citizenship to protect themselves if something happens that makes living in their home country dangerous or undesirable.
Somewhere to Go
As a citizen of another country, you can rest assured that you will always have a place to go. There will be another country you can call home in case of political unrest in your home country or if you’re suffering political or social discrimination in it.
To Evade Restrictive International Policies
If your current country becomes ostracized by other governments, you – as that country’s citizen and resident – may have to experience embargoes, travel bans, and other restrictive policies. Dual citizens, however, can leave and evade such punitive policies.
To Guarantee Freedom From Restrictive Policies
If your country becomes restrictive on its people’s movements or curtails its people’s liberties, you may have more freedom of movement as a citizen of another country.
Suppose there is political unrest, and your government decides to stop citizens from leaving or traveling out of the country. In this case, your status as a citizen of another country will help you (and your family, if you were able to extend your second citizenship to them) leave and escape the political turmoil.
2. Travel the World, Visa-Free
Not all passports are created equal. Some passports will let you travel visa-free to more countries than other passports. Some passports will let you travel to more than 190 countries without a visa, while some will let you travel to less than 30.
A Malta passport, for instance, will let you travel visa-free to more than 180 countries. Likewise, a St Kitts and Nevis passport will let you travel to 157 destinations visa-free.
Traveling visa-free to numerous destinations worldwide is not only convenient. It is also awfully liberating to be able to pack up at a moment’s notice and go wherever in the world you want without needing to submit reams of documents and seeking approval first.
Therefore, if your country’s passport severely limits your travel options, perhaps you should consider applying for a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship through the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program.
In fact, any Caribbean passport should give you visa-free access to more than 150 destinations worldwide.
3. Better Life and Lifestyle
Applying for citizenship in another country can also be your means of achieving a better life and lifestyle for your family than is available in your home country.
Better Environment
For instance, if you want a more laidback lifestyle for your family, you may apply for a Caribbean citizenship by investment program and obtain a Caribbean citizenship. You can apply for an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship or a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and live there, in the Caribbean, enjoying majestic sea views, fresh air, and freshly caught seafood.
Better Financial Infrastructures
If your priority is to protect your hard-earned assets, you may consider obtaining citizenship in Malta. Malta has robust financial infrastructures and well-established tax-friendly regimes.
Better Education
Families with school-age and college-age children will also find Malta advantageous. Maltese citizens can enjoy free college education, and they get a stipend, too. Public schools are free to attend, and the government also pays for the schoolchildren’s books, materials, and even transportation to and from schools.
Better Healthcare
If you are frustrated with the quality of healthcare in your home country, you can apply for citizenship in another country with more advanced healthcare. It’s a bonus if it has a superior healthcare system that is freely accessible to its citizens. Malta is just such a country.
Other Benefits
Some countries offer guaranteed parental leaves, no income taxes, no capital gains taxes, and no-residency requirements. Such benefits can be attractive, depending on your priorities and what benefits are available in your current domicile and your citizenship by investment options.
More Opportunities
Finally, having a second citizenship means you get more options regarding where you want to live, work, and study. You will no longer be limited by the opportunities available in your home country.
You Need Expert Guidance
The easiest method of obtaining a second passport is through a citizenship by investment program. Two of the most popular Caribbean citizenship by investment programs are the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program and the St Kitts and Nevis economic citizenship program.
But acquiring second citizenship through investment is expensive. Make sure you have the expert guidance of a knowledgeable second citizenship consultant, so you can be sure of applying for a second citizenship program that will give you the greatest value per investment dollar.
Contact us today if you want to start your journey to a second citizenship now.