How To Invest In Montenegro’s CBI Scheme

In 2018, Montenegro launched its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. Known as the Special Investment Program, the program intends to offer opportunities to foreign High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to acquire Montenegrin citizenship through certain investments. The program has been tailored to provide maximum benefits within a short period and is said to have done away with many otherwise mandatory requirements under similar schemes. Originally, the program was slated to run until three years from the date of enforcement. However, it has been extended until December 31st, 2022. Note that the program came into force on January 1st, 2019.
Of course, there is so much more to the Montenegrin CBI than this. Today, I will try to offer an insight into the broader aspects of the program. However, readers are advised to read the official documents and keep track of the timeline. Remember that the program will expire by the end of this year. On this note, it is time to uncover the Montenegrin program.

1. Eligibility criteria
   First thing first, interested applicants must satisfy some eligibility conditions. These conditions include the following:

• • They must be a minimum age of 18 years.
  • They must make the minimum investment as required under the program.
  • There must be proof that they have sufficient funds to sustain themselves and their dependents (if added to the application).
  • No criminal antecedents. A police clearance certificate will have to be submitted for the same.
  • Certificate of kinship, if required.

2. Investment requirements
   Montenegro promotes investment in certain large-scale projects, covering five-star hotels and resorts, agriculture, wood processing, and fisheries. The minimum amount under the program is EUR 370,000, parts of which are distributed across different areas. A minimum of EUR 100,000 must be contributed to a government fund created for the program, a minimum of EUR 250,000 in a real estate property or project, EUR 15,000 as the main applicant processing fee, and EUR 10,000 for every dependent added. You must note that each project’s minimum investment amount differs.

3. Processing Time
   What is the point of a CBI program if it lacks a streamlined, fast-tracked processing framework? Montenegrin CBI program endeavors to cut down the processing time significantly. All in all, it should take about six months to get done with the entire process. The application prep time is around a month, after which the authorities take time for due diligence. The processing time should be around 4-5 months. A compliance time of 1 month is given for investing in real estate. Only after all these processes are finished the Montenegrin passport is issued. Note that the processing time is subject to the nature of the application. If you haven’t provided details properly or documents are incomplete, it may take much longer. Therefore, you should consider hiring immigration consultants who can save you time.

4. Why Montenegrin CBI
   This question must have popped up in your mind already. Why Montenegro? Think about it, what makes a CBI program good? It should be accessible, rid of administrative hassle, replete with good investment opportunities, and entitlement to citizenship benefits. Well, Montenegro should not disappoint you unless, of course, you are looking for something different. Let me tell you what Montenegrin CBI is a good choice:

• • Montenegro is a prospective member of the European Union.
  • Unlike many CBIs, the Montenegrin CBI does not mandate physical residence during and after citizenship.
  • Family members can be added to the application.
  • As a Montenegrin citizen, you will have visa-free access to as many as 123 countries, including the Schengen Area.
  • Dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Investors can optimize their income as the tax slabs are not rigid.
  • You can apply for an E-2 visa to visit, live, and work in the United States. For this, separate conditions will be dealt with some other day.

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