Guide to obtaining citizenship by investment program

Investment programs are gaining popularity internationally not only as an excellent opportunity to obtain a second passport but also as an option to fast-track your permanent residence claim in a foreign country. If you have the means and the will for an investment program-driven citizenship then the road to a new home is short! Countries allow investment into their nation by foreign nationals and offer them substantial benefits in return.

A recent study has found that over 3.5% of the total world population is made up of immigrants, and three-quarters of those people are of the working-age group. International travel is not just about leisure anymore, it is where the future of business lies. In the present article, we will offer you a step-by-step guide to obtaining citizenship by investment program.

1. Identify your goals
   You need to start by being objective about your reason to apply for this program. What is it that you want to achieve? Are you a businessman in need of a better opportunity? Or are you just looking for a second home away from your home? There are plenty of reasons for wanting to go with this investment or pleasure-related initiative.

   Start by making a list of the opportunities that you want to avail yourself of, which will give you an idea about what you want to achieve. Once you have done that, next comes the question of your possible options.

2. Make a list of your options
   You have multiple options to choose from once you have made up your mind about what it is that you want out of the residency program. Making a list will help you choose and prioritize your options. There are two types of options, generally speaking, that are available to any prospective investor.

   The first is the really quick one – the ones that are willing to give you a residency permit within a very short time. And then there are the popular options, the ones that most people want to avail themselves of. They take time to come through and you might have to wait an additional six to seven months for your residency program to come through.

3. Get your finances in order
   As soon as you decide of investing in another country, you have to understand that you are talking about moving money out of the country. As soon as you do that, your investment will come under a lot of prying eyes, especially in the country that you are investing in. The recipient country will want to know the legitimacy and the origin of the money that you are moving.

   Also, since it is a very large sum of money that you are deciding to move, you have to rethink your decisions and be sure of the commitment that you are about to make. As a safety precaution, consider getting in touch with a consultant and talking about the viability of your program.

4. Comparative analysis
   After you have made your list and spoken to a consultant, start comparing the various options that you have at your disposal. List options by the number of benefits that you stand to gain; your decision will affect not only your movement but also that of your family. Some countries offer freedom of movement to only the investor and some countries allow the family members to accompany the investor.

   A comparative analysis will also give you the best route to proceed. Traveling internationally and moving your money to another country are big decisions. Make sure that you are channeling your decision and movement only through legitimate authorities and sources.

5. Immigration lawyers and attorneys
   Since now is the time for the final step in the process, you must get in touch with a lawyer from an authorized firm. They will need to put your papers through for immigration and hold your funds in escrow till the time comes for making the transfer. Hiring a lawyer is a smart decision because they are well-versed in the technicalities of the trade and can help you if anything falls through.

   You also stand to benefit from the confidentiality clause that lawyers are bound by. Your details and the details of your financial transactions will remain confidential and not be leaked out to any third party. At first glance, this might seem like an unnecessary measure but identity thefts and financial scams are a common practice in international travel.