Golden Passport : Worth the Investment? (2024)

A golden passport is a term that refers to a citizenship-by-investment program, which allows foreigners to obtain the citizenship and passport of another country by making a significant financial contribution to its economy or society.

The process of obtaining a golden passport varies depending on the country and the type of investment you choose. Generally speaking, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You must have a clean criminal record and pass a background check.
• You must have a legitimate source of funds and prove that you can afford the investment.
• You must maintain the investment for a minimum period of time, usually between 3 to 5 years.
• You must visit the country at least once and take an oath of allegiance.

Depending on the country, you may also need to pass a language test, a medical exam, or an interview. The application process can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the complexity and demand of the program.

There are many reasons why people may want to have a golden passport, such as:

• Travel freedom: It grants you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to hundreds of countries around the world, including some of the most desirable destinations such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Planning your trip can save you time, money, and hassle.
• Tax optimization: Helps you reduce your tax burden by allowing you to benefit from lower tax rates, exemptions, or incentives in your new country of citizenship. You may also be able to avoid double taxation or exit taxes if you renounce your original citizenship.
• Asset protection: Helps you diversify your portfolio and protect your wealth from political or economic instability, currency fluctuations, or confiscation in your home country. You can also access more investment opportunities and markets in your new country of citizenship or region.
• Quality of life: Improves your quality of life by giving you access to better health care, education, infrastructure, security, culture, and environment in your new country of citizenship. You can also enjoy more personal freedom and privacy by having multiple options of residence.

While having a golden passport can offer many advantages, it also comes with some challenges and risks, such as:

• Cost: Can be very expensive to obtain and maintain. Depending on the country and the type of investment you choose, you may need to pay hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars upfront or over time. You may also need to pay additional fees for legal advice, due diligence, application processing, taxes, or maintenance.
• Scrutiny: Can expose you to more scrutiny from authorities, media, or public opinion. Some countries may view golden passport holders as tax evaders, money launderers, or security threats. You may also face discrimination or resentment from locals who may perceive you as an outsider or an opportunist.
• Compliance: Can complicate your tax and legal obligations by requiring you to comply with multiple jurisdictions and regulations. You may need to file tax returns, disclose assets, report income, or pay taxes in both your home country and your new country of citizenship. You may also need to abide by different laws and customs that may conflict with your values or interests.
• Loyalty: Can affect your sense of identity and belong by requiring you to pledge allegiance to another country and its people. You may lose some rights or benefits in your home country if you renounce your original citizenship. You may also face ethical or moral dilemmas if there is a conflict between your home country and your new country of citizenship

One of the most popular destinations for golden passport seekers is Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea that is part of the European Union. Malta offers one of the last remaining golden passport programs in the EU, after Cyprus and Bulgaria suspended theirs amid controversy and criticism from the European Commission.

Malta’s citizenship by investment program requires applicants to make a donation of €650,000 to the National Development and Social Fund, invest €150,000 in government bonds or stocks, and purchase or rent a property worth at least €350,000 or €16,000 per year for five years. Applicants also have to pass a due diligence check, prove their ties to Malta, and reside in the country for at least 12 months before obtaining citizenship.

According to Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, Malta’s golden passport program has seen a surge in demand from wealthy Americans in recent years. The firm reported that the number of US applicants increased by 266% in 2022 compared to 2021, making the US the second-largest source of applicants after China.

The main reasons why Americans are interested in Malta’s golden passport are:

• Visa-free access to 184 countries, including the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
• The right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member states and Switzerland.
• A favorable tax regime that does not tax foreign income or capital gains, and has no inheritance or wealth taxes.
• A high quality of life with a warm climate, rich culture, and English as an official language.
• A hedge against political and economic uncertainty in the US.

However, obtaining a Maltese passport is not without challenges and risks. Some of the drawbacks of Malta’s golden passport program are:

• The high cost and complexity of the application process, which can take up to two years and involve multiple fees and intermediaries.
• The scrutiny and criticism from the EU and other countries that view golden passport schemes as a threat to security, transparency, and fair taxation.
• The possibility of losing one’s US citizenship or being subject to double taxation if one does not renounce it or comply with the US tax laws.
• The ethical and moral implications of buying citizenship as a commodity rather than earning it through genuine ties and contributions to a country.

In conclusion, obtaining a golden passport is a decision that requires careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks involved. While it can offer travel freedom, tax optimization, asset protection, and improved quality of life, it also comes with a high cost, scrutiny, compliance, and loyalty issues. Whether a golden passport is worth the investment depends on individual circ*mstances, goals, and values.

It is important to conduct thorough research, seek professional advice, and weigh the risks and rewards before making a commitment. Ultimately, a golden passport should be viewed as a means to enhance one’s personal and professional opportunities, rather than a shortcut to circumvent legal or moral obligations.