Top 6 Easiest Countries to get Citizenship in the World | DBS Treasures (2024)

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Key Takeaways

Many countries allow you to acquire permanent residency or citizenship. You can become a permanent resident via investments, marriage, naturalisation, etc. Some easiest countries to get citizenship to include Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, Thailand, Australia and Ireland.

Most people move abroad to improve their financial prospects and ultimately become citizens of that country. Becoming a permanent citizen of a new country requires you to fulfill certain obligations. You can typically acquire permanent citizenship through marriage, investments, and naturalisation, i.e., living and working in a country for a certain number of years. However, there are some countries that provide citizenship more easily than others. Consider this list of the easiest countries to get permanent residency or citizenship.

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List of Easiest Countries to get Permanent Residency

  1. Canada

    Canada is largely considered the easiest country to immigrate to and acquire citizenship status. The country offers excellent education programs and employment opportunities. Indians can get a Permanent Residence Visa through Express Entry or other immigration programs. After holding the PR for a considerable time, usually two to three years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.

  2. New Zealand

    New Zealand offers a Skilled Migration Program for individuals aged under 55 years. You can stay for two years working or studying in New Zealand. You can also add your spouse or dependent children (under 24 years old) to your visa application. If you were born overseas and have at least one parent who is a New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship.

  3. Portugal

    The Golden Visa Residence Program offered by Portugal makes it one of the easiest immigration countries. You need to acquire a residency permit through studies, work, or marriage to a Portugal citizen. Maintaining a permit for five years can get you permanent residency if you make high-value investments. After holding the Golden Visa, you can apply for citizenship.

  4. Thailand

    Thailand issues Smart Visas to highly skilled workers, executives, investors and start-up entrepreneurs with 4-year permission to stay in the country. However, you can receive the right to remain in the country for 20 years with an Elite Residence Program. This program is offered to high-net-worth individuals (HNW) in exchange for THB 2 million or USD 65,000.

  5. Ireland

    Ireland is also among the easiest countries to get citizenship. Foreign nationals can apply for citizenship through residency. You may be eligible for Ireland Permanent Resident Permit by holding a work visa for five years. You need to submit a citizenship application form to the Ministry of Justice. This body decides whether or not to grant citizenship. You can also claim Irish citizenship by descent, i.e., if your ancestors (parents or grandparents) were born in Ireland.

  6. Australia

    You can become a permanent resident of Australia if you move here for studies, hold a work visa, through descent or via investments or business. Other visa programs include Global Talent, Skill Nominated or Temporary Skill Shortage. You may be eligible for Australian citizenship if you have held a permanent residence visa for four years. These attributes make Australia one of the easiest countries to get citizenship.

Final Note:

Becoming a permanent resident of a country with better opportunities and resources brings with it several perks. Many countries offer a better standard of living, education, and healthcare facilities. However, you may still have ties with your homeland, especially financial ties, even after moving abroad. You can fulfil your financial obligations in India through DBS Treasures NRI Savings Account and NRI Deposit Account. Enjoy repatriation facilities, tax benefits, and investment opportunities in India with your DBS Bank Account.

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*Disclaimer: This article is published purely from an information perspective and it should not be deduced that the offering is available from DBS Bank India Limited or in partnership with any of its channel partners.

The purpose of this blog is not to provide advice but to provide information. Sound professional advice should be taken before making any investment decisions. The bank will not be responsible for any tax loss/other loss suffered by a person acting on the above.

Top 6 Easiest Countries to get Citizenship in the World | DBS Treasures (2024)

FAQs

Top 6 Easiest Countries to get Citizenship in the World | DBS Treasures? ›

You can become a permanent resident via investments, marriage, naturalisation, etc. Some easiest countries to get citizenship to include Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, Thailand, Australia and Ireland. Most people move abroad to improve their financial prospects and ultimately become citizens of that country.

Which country citizenship is most valuable? ›

Which is the best country for citizenship?
  • United States – Best country to settle.
  • United Kingdom – Best country to work.
  • Canada – Best country to become a citizen.
  • Singapore – Best country to do business.
  • Australia – Best country to invest.
  • Switzerland – Best country for highest quality of life.
Jan 31, 2023

Which country is best for getting citizenship? ›

Top 5 Countries to be a Citizen (2021)
  • The United Kingdom – best across the board.
  • Australia – best for education.
  • Finland – the happiest country on earth.
  • The United States – best for business.
  • Switzerland – a great place to live.

What is the easiest country to get a second passport? ›

If you're looking for the quickest way to get a second citizenship, go with Dominica. Its program has been around since 1993 and is part of their constitution. More than half of their country's revenue comes through foreign investment so they're always looking to develop good innovative programs for investors.

Which country is easiest to get US citizenship? ›

Due to the program's efficient and rapid process, Antigua and Barbuda is considered one of the easiest countries to get citizenship by investment. The Antigua and Barbuda passport provides its holders visa-free travel to over 140 nations worldwide.

What is the most powerful citizenship? ›

According to the 2023 Henley Passport Index, Japan is the world's most powerful passport.

Is US citizenship powerful? ›

You Earn the Right to Hold a United States Passport

A US passport is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world and can be used to travel to over 180 countries without a Visa.

What countries pay for citizenship? ›

Which countries grant citizenship by investment? Many countries worldwide offer citizenship by investment programs, including but not limited to Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece, Vanuatu, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Dominica, among others.

What countries make you give up US citizenship? ›

If you become a naturalized citizen in any of the following countries, you have to renounce your US nationality:
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Netherlands.
  • Croatia.
  • Bulgaria.
  • Taiwan.
  • South Korea.
  • Hong Kong.
  • Cambodia.

Which country is most welcoming to immigrants? ›

Canada. Located in North America and sharing the longest binational land border of the world with the USA, Canada is undoubtedly the most desirable country in the world to immigrate to. The government is known for its welcoming attitude toward immigrants.

Is America the best country to live in? ›

The US is still the land of opportunity and still ranks as one of the most desirable countries in the world to move to. The US offers great career opportunities, an unparalleled lifestyle and one of the highest standards of living in the world – all in a beautiful environment.

Where is the hardest to get citizenship? ›

17 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship [Updated May 2023]
  • Qatar.
  • Vatican City.
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Bhutan.
  • Saudi Arabia.
  • Kuwait.
  • Switzerland.
  • China.

Where is the best place for Americans to get dual citizenship? ›

American dual citizenship is possible in certain countries such as Portugal, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, Belgium, Denmark, Australia, the UK, and Dominica. The list may be subject to change depending on the changes in policy. Among them, Portugal and Spain offer Golden Visa programs.

What is the 2 strongest passport in the world? ›

The World's Strongest Passports for Travel Freedom

A passport issued by Japan allows the holder to enter 193 different countries and territories without having to get a visa in advance. Singapore and South Korea are tied for 2nd place.

What is the lowest powerful passport? ›

The Least Powerful Passports

Many of least powerful passports come out of war-torn and politically unstable nations. As visas for travel are typically required to counter illicit activity, these nations are often flagged whether justly or not. One immediate standout among the least powerful passports is North Korea.

What country are Americans moving to? ›

40% opt for the Western hemisphere — Canada, Central and South America. 26% move to Europe. 14% head to East Asia and the Pacific — think Australia and New Zealand as well as China and Japan. 14% head to the Middle East.

Where can US citizens go without a visa? ›

As of June 2023, US passport holders can travel visa free to 143 countries and territories:
  • Albania.
  • American Samoa.
  • Andorra.
  • Anguilla.
  • Antigua and Barbuda.
  • Argentina.
  • Armenia.
  • Aruba.

What is the easiest English speaking country to immigrate to? ›

Canada is one of the most welcoming countries to immigrate to. It is also one of the easiest because it has a vast landmass and a small population. Canada covers several programs for immigrants to move to attract new residents.

What countries can a U.S. passport not go to? ›

What countries do not accept U.S. passport? The only destination where it is forbidden for US citizens to travel to is North Korea, due to its closed border status for both US citizens and citizens of other countries.

What is the number 1 passport in the world? ›

World's 50 most powerful passports
1United Arab Emirates
2Luxembourg
3Switzerland
4Ireland
5Portugal
16 more rows
Mar 3, 2023

Which is the fastest citizenship program? ›

The St Lucia passport has one of the fastest turnaround times in the world – around three months. Your entire family is eligible to apply for the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program. The St Lucia passport is quite affordable. You can obtain citizenship in return of a minimum economic investment of $100,000.

Who gets denied U.S. citizenship? ›

A denied citizenship application may be the result of having a criminal record. The USCIS reviews allow your past criminal history before making their decision to accept or deny your application. Some more extreme crimes may merit a court hearing for someone to be deported after applying for citizenship.

Why is US passport so strong? ›

A US passport provides the passport holder visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 173 countries or territories. A key reason for their strong performance in mobility is that the US has negotiated and established treaties that allow citizens with easy access to travel, business, and trade.

Why is getting U.S. citizenship so hard? ›

Why Is It So Hard To Become A U.S. citizen? It is hard because of the long processing times, the financial and personal costs involved, and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States.

What is a golden passport? ›

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.

What is this golden visa? ›

The Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa that enables foreign talents to live and work or study in the UAE for up to 10 years. This golden residency scheme is renewable and reserved for certain categories ranging from investors to individuals with exceptional talents.

What is the cheapest citizenship program? ›

St Lucia, Dominica is cheapest for one person. Saint Kitts is offering a USD 25,000 discount under Limited time discount for all applications submitted (LTO) until Jun 30, 2023. All applications are accelerated processing within 60 days without paying additional fee.

Can I lose my U.S. citizenship? ›

You may lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you: Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.

How many US citizens are giving up citizenship? ›

Renunciations of U.S. citizenship are on the rise. Between 2005 and 2009, less than 2,500 people renounced. Between 2010 and 2020, this number went up to 36,840.

Does U.S. allow 3 citizenships? ›

Yes, the U.S. does allow for triple citizenship and does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up citizenship in their home country or other countries.

What is the unfriendliest country in the world? ›

Bolivia was ranked the unfriendliest country for travelers in the World Economic Forum report. The category 'Attitude of population toward foreign visitors' is just one of many used to rank countries in the new Travel and Tourism Competitive Index. Bolivia ranked 110th out of 140 countries in the overall index results.

What country has the best quality of life? ›

1. Sweden. Sweden is the top country in 2022 best quality of life rankings. The country stands out in the ranking of quality of life for health systems and well-developed public education, security, economic stability, and politics.

Which US state is best for immigrants? ›

5 Best States to Live In If You Are An Immigrant
  • New Jersey – The Garden State.
  • Maryland – The Old Line State.
  • Texas – The Lone Star State.
  • New York – The Empire State.
  • California – The Golden State.
  • Talk to an immigration attorney.

What's the cheapest country to live in? ›

Pakistan tops the list of the cheapest countries in the world, with a cost of living index of $294. Sri Lanka and Nepal come in second and third on the list, with cost of living indexes of $316 and $385 respectively. Several African countries also feature on the list of the cheapest countries in the world.

What is the number 1 place to live in us? ›

Topping the 2023-24 list: Green Bay, Wisconsin. The magazine called Green Bay "The perfect mix of big-city amenities complemented with a Midwestern, small-town feel."

What is America number 1 in? ›

The U.S. economy is the world's largest in terms of gross domestic product, and also the most technologically powerful. The country's most significant exports are computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food, live animals and military equipment.

What is the easiest country to get permanent residency? ›

In Europe, countries that give residence permits easily are Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro and Malta. You can easily obtain residency in the Americas in Antigua and Barbuda, Mexico, Belize, and Nicaragua. Asian countries whose residence permits are easy to get are Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

What is the hardest citizenship test? ›

Arguably the hardest question on the U.S. citizenship test is number 67: The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. This answer is unknown to even most American citizens because the Federalist Party ceased to exist back in 1824.

What is the best citizenship grade? ›

“O” = Outstanding

He or she is respectful at all times and is an active participant in class. In addition, students who receive an "O" in citizenship demonstrate kindness and respect for fellow classmates, not just adults on campus, on a daily basis.

How many passports can a US citizen have? ›

The answer is you can have as many as you want, depending on your original citizenship. While some countries allow dual citizenship or many citizenships at the same time, others do not and require you to renounce your previous citizenship.

Which countries does the US not allow dual citizenship? ›

Countries where Dual Citizenship is not permitted
  • Andorra.
  • Austria.
  • Azerbaijan.
  • Bahrain.
  • Botswana.
  • Brunei.
  • Chile.
  • China.

Does the US allow dual citizenship? ›

If you qualify for dual citizenship, you must first immigrate to the U.S. Then you must become a permanent U.S. resident before being eligible for U.S. citizenship. Learn more about immigrating to the U.S. And find out how to become a permanent resident.

What are the top 5 strongest passports? ›

Here are the world's 10 most powerful passports for 2023:
  • Japan (193 locations)
  • Singapore, South Korea (192 locations)
  • Germany, Spain (190 locations)
  • Finland, Italy, Luxembourg (189 locations)
  • Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden (188 locations)
  • France, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom (187 locations)
Jan 27, 2023

Which is the No 2 worst passport in the world? ›

Here are the worst passports in the world ranked by Nomad Capitalist.
  • Nepal. Visa-free score: 54. ...
  • Palestinian Territories. Visa-free score: 51. ...
  • Somalia. Visa-free score: 45. ...
  • Yemen. Visa-free score: 45. ...
  • Pakistan. Visa-free score: 45. ...
  • Syria. Visa-free score: 40. ...
  • Iraq. Visa-free score: 42. ...
  • Afghanistan. Visa-free score: 39.

What is the best passport to hold in 2023? ›

These are the world's 10 best passports in 2023, according to Nomad Capitalist:
  • Switzerland.
  • Ireland.
  • Portugal.
  • Germany.
  • Czech Republic.
  • New Zealand.
  • Sweden.
  • Finland.
May 16, 2023

Which country has weakest passport? ›

Afghanistan has been ranked as the world's weakest passport for 2023, according to the Henley Passport Index's latest power list. Afghanistan placed firmly at the bottom in the 109th place, with only 27-visa free destinations for Afghan passport holders.

How many countries can a US passport enter without visa? ›

Good news for US passport holders – that dream is closer to reality than you might think! With the power of the US passport, you can travel to 186 countries or territories visa-free or with a visa on arrival.

What is the fastest citizenship program? ›

The St Lucia passport has one of the fastest turnaround times in the world – around three months. Your entire family is eligible to apply for the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program. The St Lucia passport is quite affordable. You can obtain citizenship in return of a minimum economic investment of $100,000.

Which country is easiest to get permanent residency? ›

In Europe, countries that give residence permits easily are Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro and Malta. You can easily obtain residency in the Americas in Antigua and Barbuda, Mexico, Belize, and Nicaragua. Asian countries whose residence permits are easy to get are Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Which country citizenship is hardest to get? ›

15 hardest countries to get citizenship
  1. Qatar. Qatar is one of the most difficult countries in which to obtain citizenship. ...
  2. Vatican City. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, with a population of just over 800. ...
  3. Liechtenstein. ...
  4. Bhutan. ...
  5. Saudi Arabia. ...
  6. Kuwait. ...
  7. Switzerland. ...
  8. China.
Jan 24, 2023

What is the hardest countries to get citizenship? ›

17 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship [Updated May 2023]
  • Qatar.
  • Vatican City.
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Bhutan.
  • Saudi Arabia.
  • Kuwait.
  • Switzerland.
  • China.

How fast can you become a US citizen? ›

In general, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all other eligibility requirements.

How fast can you get citizenship in USA? ›

The processing time for naturalization (citizenship) averages 8-14 months according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). During this time, as the government works to process the Application for Naturalization, applicants must complete several steps before becoming citizens.

What is the cheapest country to immigrate to? ›

Germany is the cheapest country to immigrate to on our list of easiest countries to move to. The immigration costs for Germany are likely to be under 1000 euros, in general.

Is it harder to become a US citizen? ›

The chances to become a United States citizen depend mainly on how tricky it is for you to first become a permanent resident and get a green card. If you're extremely educated and can find work, you can expect to get citizenship in just over 5 years after becoming a green card owner.

What countries do not accept immigrants? ›

The Hardest Countries to Immigrate To
  • Saudi Arabia.
  • Kuwait.
  • Bhutan.
  • China.
  • Japan.
  • Switzerland.
  • Denmark.
  • Liechtenstein.

Why is US immigration so hard? ›

Today, most lawful means of entering the country take years because of overwhelmed immigration agencies, rising levels of global migration and a limit on the number of certain visas, all of which have culminated in a massive backlog of people trying to get to the U.S.

Who is the toughest country? ›

Currently, some of the most dangerous countries in the world according to the GPI include Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and Somalia, all of which are facing ongoing conflicts and high levels of violence.

Which US territories don't get citizenship? ›

People born in American Samoa, which has been held by the United States for more than 120 years, are not automatically citizens of the United States.

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