3 Countries Iranian Nationals Should Buy the Citizenship of!
Update February 2020:
As per latest update, these countries have stopped processing request for Irani nationals to apply for Second Citizenship.
If you are an Iranian citizen thinking of securing a second passport that will give you travel freedom or access to the world, think not. Embrace the new possibilities by investing in Caribbean countries to get a passport that will give the freedom to travel to more than 145 countries, including the UK, Japan, Singapore, the EU, and Schengen countries.
It’s no longer news that holders of Iranian passports have access to just a few visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries. And this can be somewhat restraining for the people of Iran who wish to explore the world and possibly invest in other countries. With the 102nd position on the passport rank, Iranian citizens can only travel to 42 visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries. This includes Azerbaijan, Benin, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, etc.
In the best-case scenario, you need to apply for a visa to a country of choice for which the possibility of approval is uncertain. For example, countries like Japan, Singapore, the UK, the US, the EU, Schengen countries, and many more.
But however, Iranian citizens can still bypass these diplomatic policies and visa restrictions by embracing the Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs, which can automatically give you the travel freedom you always wanted. Keep reading as we break down how Iranian nationals can acquire a second passport and dual citizenship through the CBI programs.
What is Citizenship-by-Investment?
Citizenship-by-investment programs are investment programs designed by the government of a nation to give foreign investors the opportunity to invest in their country in exchange for a second passport and citizenship. There are many countries that are offering the CBI programs which Iranian nationals can embrace and they include:
- Dominica
- St. Lucia
- Grenada
Dominica Citizenship by Investment for Iranian Nationals
The Commonwealth of Dominica has the most sought-after Citizenship by Investment program in the world, not only for its reasonably affordable price, it’s a fast track program that can be achieved within 60 to 90 days. The minimum investment for Dominica Citizenship starts from US $100,000 and you can travel to as many as 122 countries.
Iranian Nationals can obtain a Dominica passport in two pathways:
- By contributing to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)
- Real Estate Investment
Dominica Economic Diversification Fund
For an Iranian investor to acquire the Dominica passport through the government economic diversification funding program, you must make a non-refundable donation of at least $100,000. For a detailed breakdown of the required fees, see the table below:
| Single Applicant | USD $100,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse | USD $150,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse + 2 Children | USD $175,000 |
| Additional Dependent | USD $25,000 each |
| Eligible Siblings (18 to 25 years) | USD $50,000 each |
Dominica Real Estate Investment for Iranian Nationals
In this option, Iranian nationals can invest in the approved government real estate in order to obtain a Dominica passport and citizenship. The minimum investment is US $200,000. See the table below for the extra government fees.
| Main applicant | USD $25,000 |
| Spouse | USD $10,000 |
| Family of up to 4 | USD $35,000 |
| Family of up to 6 | USD $50,000 |
| Family of 7 or more | USD $70,000 |
| Additional dependents | USD $25,000 each |
| Eligible siblings 18 to 25 | USD $50,000 each |
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment for Iranian Citizens
St Lucia has one of the coveted passports in the market, with visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 146 countries. With the passport currently ranking 31st position, Iranian investors can opt for the numerous citizenship-by-investment programs, which are:
- Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF)
- Real estate investment
- Business Investment
- Government bond
Saint Lucia National Economic Fund:
Under this option, Iranian investors can make a non-refundable donation of $100,000 to the national economic fund to secure the passport and citizenship of Saint Lucia.
See the breakdown of the required investment amount below:
| Single applicant | US $100,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse | US $140,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse + 2 Children | US $150,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse + 4 Children | US $150,000 (with $15,000 each for the additional 2 children). |
Extra fees and Due diligence
| Main Applicant – Due diligence | US $7,500 |
| Each qualifying dependent over 16 years of age | US $5,000 |
Real Estate Investment
Under the Saint Lucia real estate investment, investors from Iran can secure second citizenship by investing at least $300,000. The Saint Lucia real estate investment is considered the best choice because investors can resale the property after 5 years. Below are the extra government fees payable:
| Main applicant | US $30,000 |
| Main applicant + spouse | US $45,000 |
| Dependents aged 18 and above | US $10,000 |
| Dependents aged 17 and below | US $5,000 |
| Other dependents after the sixth family member | US $10,000 |
Investment in Business
This option enables Iranian nationals to invest in a government-approved business project to secure a Saint Lucia passport and citizenship. But the investor must invest a minimum of US $3.5 million
See the required amounts to be invested below:
| The minimum investment for a single applicant | US $3.5 million |
| Group investments | US $6 million at least with $1 million for each applicant |
| Government processing fee for the main investor | US $50 million |
| Government processing fee for other dependents | US $25,000 each |
Investment in Government bonds
Another way to secure Saint Lucia citizenship and passport is by purchasing government bonds. Valid until December 31st, 2022, Iranian nationals can take advantage and buy the Saint Lucia Covid-19 Relief Bond for $250,000 to acquire a second passport and citizenship from the Caribbean country. See details of the payable amount below:
| Applicant | US $250,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse + 2 Children | US $250,000 |
| Applicant + Spouse + 4 Children | US $280,000 |
| Government processing fees | US $30,000, including a family of up to 6 |
| Due diligence – main applicant | US $7,500 |
| Each qualifying dependent over 16 years of age | US $5,000 each |
Grenada Citizenship by Investment for Irani Passport Holders
Iranian Nationals can obtain the Grenada passport in two pathways:
- By contributing to the Grenada Transformation Fund (NTF)
- Real Estate Investment
Grenada Transformation Fund (NTF)
For an Iranian investor to acquire the Grenada passport through the National Transformation funding program, you must make a non-refundable donation of at least $150,000. For a detailed breakdown of the donation, see the table below
| Single Applicant | US $150,000 |
| Main applicant and Spouse | US $200,000 |
| Family up to four members | US $200,000 |
| Any additional dependent after the third dependent | US $25,000 |
Extra fees and Due diligence:
| Due Diligence | USD 5,000 per person 17 and over USD 0 for dependents 0 to 16 |
| Application fee | US $1500 per person |
| Passport fee | US $250 person |
Grenada Real Estate Investment for Iranian Nationals
The minimum investment for Iranian investors to acquire a second passport and citizenship through Grenada real estate program is USD $220.000.
Additional fees:
| Main applicant + Spouse + 2 Children | USD $50,000 |
| Additional dependents | USD $25,000 |
| Application fee | USD $1,500 each |
| Application fees for dependents under 18-years | USD $500 each |
About CTrust Global
CTrust Global is an authorized agent of Caribbean countries and over the years, we have used our services to help countless foreign investors to secure their second passport and citizenship. Iranian investors are not left behind. Contact us today or fill out our form and one of our representatives will get back to you.