From the Publisher's Desk
January 2010 - Happy New Year 2010 from PT Shamrock
"Nemo me impune lacessit - No one attacks me with impunity"
- Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle
Possibly your best insurance is a second passport!
The London born Charles Freeman spent much of his twenties backpacking
his way around the world seeking adventure. By age 29 he had been
employed in over 40 jobs including factory work, English language
teacher, night club bouncer, salesman, perfume dealer, writer and
running his own picture framing business.
Starting in 1991, and with minimal capital, he began dealing in
property. Within just 6 years he had built up a multi million pound
property empire. He became a self made millionaire with homes in
Spain, South Africa, Thailand and a fourth undisclosed locale. Dr.
Freeman retired from the property business and became involved in the
second nationality/passport business by fluke.
As the former publisher and editor of THE FREEDOM, WEALTH AND PRIVACY
REPORT, a newsletter for millionaires both current and prospective,
Dr. Freeman enjoys helping others achieve wealth and freedom. Dr.
Freeman is the author of the best selling and recently revised "How to
Obtain a Legal Second Passport." He is currently traveling the world
looking for new opportunities during this financial downturn, whilst
assisting a select few consulting clients.
PT Shamrock is honoured to present this first ever interview with
Dr. Charles Freeman.
PTS = PT Shamrock
DCF = Dr. Charles Freeman
PTS - Thank you doctor for taking the time for this interview and happy
holidays to you and yours.
DCF - Thank you Shamrock and happy holidays to you as well.
PTS - How did you get started in the passport business?
DFC - As you probably realize, I'm semi retired from the passport
business and quite selective of whom I take on as consulting/passport
clients. However to answer your question; whilst I was in South
Africa many years back, a South African gentleman was trying to obtain
a UK visa. By a stroke of luck and the mere chance being next to him
in a cue, we started chatting and before long he asked for my
assistance in helping him obtain British residency and thereafter
British (UK) nationality for him. He offered me a small fee for my
services. As I didn't have any projects at the time, I found his
request a challenge, something new and exciting for me to
accomplish, as well as being very interesting indeed for me to pursue.
Eventually after much ado, trial, error and a good bit of my time, I
managed to successfully arrange for his residency in the UK which led
to a new nationality and a second, i.e. UK passport for him. As a
thank you and to my great surprise, he gave me a huge pourboire. That
put me onto offering second nationalities, residencies and passports
for consulting clients, which I felt I could best obtain via a privacy
newsletter. Hence I started THE FREEDOM, WEALTH AND PRIVACY REPORT
(The FW&P Report.) As my newsletter grew with a rather large
subscriber base in a short period of time, soon thereafter followed
several books and reports in that same vein. I've invested many years
of my time researching nationalities for that subject and my former
newsletter (The FW&P Report,) and as they say, the rest was history.
PTS - Why did you cease publishing your excellent newsletter The
Freedom, Wealth and Privacy Report?
DFC - The internet came of age and paid hard copy newsletter
subscriptions weren't so easy to obtain. Printing and postage costs
sky rocketed and frankly I started loosing interest in having to
spend all the time, effort and hard work necessary researching the
material for each monthly issue.
Today take a look at some of the major hard print newspapers around
the world. Many have closed doors having gone bankrupt from lack of
paid readers and advertisers. Besides after many years publishing the
FWP Reports, I really didn't want to start an online newsletter
because by that time, I had lost interest writing the FWP reports. So
I just stopped publishing my newsletter in the late 1990's and
concentrated on assisting my consulting clients.
PTS - What's changed in the passport business?
DCF - A lot! After 9/11/2001 the passport game changed
dramatically... for the worse. The authorities, led by the US,
placed so much pressure on so many countries offering citizenship via
investment programs, that 90% of the countries offering legal
nationality via investment programs closed their citizenship programs
rather than risk facing sanctions and Lord knows what other kinds of
financial withholding threats [read that greenmail] from these first
world countries especially the United States. Belize was one such
country. Belize had a great investment for citizenship program, but
it's no longer available after being closed down as mentioned.
Today there are very few countries offering legitimate nationality via
investment programs.
PTS - Which countries might they be?
DCF - Surprisingly the USA is one of them. However who in their right
mind would want to become an American when they would be taxed on
their world-wide income and become subject to some of the harshest and
most arcane legal reporting and compliance requirements the world has
is beyond me. Besides one needs to invest a minimum of one million
dollars plus in a business in the US for many years in order to
qualify. Aside from the super wealthy, that type of required
investment leaves the vast majority of people out of that program.
Austria also has an investment for nationality programme. However
that program is extremely difficult to comply with, as there are so
many requirements. The investment for that programme is, IMHO, too
large for anyone except the super wealthy. Further and for your
information, Austrian nationals are not currently allowed to hold dual
nationality. One exception is US California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger. When granted US citizenship some years back, the
Austrian government, by special decree, allowed Schwarzenegger to
retain his Austrian citizenship, as Schwarzenegger is considered a
national hero of sorts.
Aside from the US and Austria there is Panama, Dominica, St. Kitts& Nevis, New Zealand, Paraguay and a few other minor countries, mainly
in Central America, offering nationality by investment programs. Of
course you also have a small investment for a African banking
passport, but those banking documents are strictly, or rather should
be used strictly, for bank account opening purposes and definitely NOT
for travel.
PTS - Why aren't the African banking passports valid for travel? I
thought they were registered in the home countries computers?
DCF - Some of them are registered and valid for travel. However when
it comes to acquiring a second passport, many people think merely
about getting the least expensive passport for travel. If they obtain
an African banking passport thinking they can travel with it, they're
going to experience much difficulties and more likely than not get
into trouble trying to travel with one.
PTS - How might that be for instance?
DCG - For instance, one must obtain a visa for nearly every country in
the world. Those visas must be applied for and obtained in the home
or host country issuing the passport or from a country where there is
a legal residency visa stamped in the passport (banking) document.
That makes obtaining visas for travel with banking passports extremely
difficult if not impractical.
Therefore banking documents should be acquired for banking purposes
only and definitely not for travel. I certainly wouldn't try to enter
the European Union with one. Maybe travel to Cuba and a few other
less than desirable countries might be possible using one. However I
strongly recommend that if anyone is thinking of obtaining one, they
should use the banking document for opening bank accounts via the
internet only. I really can't stress that enough.
PTS - What type of decent passport programs valid for travel are there
available today, in 2010 and how may one obtain one?
DCF - There are several ways of acquiring second nationalities. I'll
outline each of those ways for you. However I warn you in advance, my
response will be lengthy.
Basically there are four ways to obtain a second, or third,
nationality/passport:
A.) Investment program
B.) Residency/marriage
C.) The midnight shift method
and
D.) Reborn method
1. Some of the legal Investment programs are in Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and if I am not mistaken, one or two others in Central and
South America as I mentioned previously. The investments can range
from approximately US$40,000 to US$350,000 and up. In the case of the
United States and Austria, there is a minimum of a one million dollar
or Euro investment, plus or minus, depending on which country one
wishes to select.
Good points; these programs are 100% legitimate and you do not have to
have any long term residency to qualify.
Bad Points: No name change allowed; and in most, but not all cases,
the issuing Government gives your details to your home government.
These offer somewhat limited visa free travel documents requiring
visas for some of the decent places to travel to. They are very
expensive and you'll probably never see your investment again.
Becoming a US citizen enslaves you to severe taxation on your
worldwide income with no exceptions. No joy in that for the wealthy.
In fact many wealthy Americans are leaving America for good taking up
a second or even third nationality, and in many cases, giving up or
renouncing their US citizenship.
My recommendation; For a US Citizen, unless you renounce your
citizenship and pay a HUGE EXIT TAX on your capital, I do NOT
recommend many of these "investment programs," at least the expensive
ones. For other nationalities they're okay so long as you can afford
the investment and are not a US citizen or resident, at least if one
is so inclined.
2. Residency/marriage: This offers a 100% legal-bullet proof way to
obtain a citizenship via residency and or marriage in most countries
of the world.
After a period of time, normally a minimum 5 years residency in the
country and with limited time allowed outside the country during the
required residency period, one is eligible for naturalization via
residency. This naturalization leads to citizenship and therefore a
passport from that country.
If one were to marry a national of that country, the residence period
is in some cases, somewhat shorter. In Western Europe, which is the
place I'd strongly recommend one doing this, an EU passport (EU =
European Union) is, IMHO, superior to that of a US passport as it
affords worldwide, nearly visa free travel without taxation due in
that country, provided you live elsewhere, i.e. not in the same
country where you become naturalized in.
Good points: The price is right, nominal. The standard of living in
the EU is as good as, if not better than the USA; the cost of living
in the "right" European Union country can be somewhat less or higher
than in the United States, though naturally this depends on which
country, city and province where one decides to reside.
Becoming naturalized in the right country e.g. Western Europe, offers
excellent opportunities for the privacy seeker. You avoid having to
pay large investment fees or having to pay outright the purchasing
fees for a second nationality/passport. Currently there are 27 member
states and that means you can move to and from, live and work in any
of those 27 states without hassles. Unlike the US where one has to
show ID just to get on a bus, in the EU one can cross borders without
ID inspections. If you stay for 3 months or less in most EU
countries, sometimes longer, there are no reporting requirements to
any EU country authorities regarding your stay. That said it is
always advisable to check local laws regarding such matters before you
make any extended visit or stay in any particular EU or other country
for an extended length of time.
Bad points: 5 years plus or minus residency can be a long time to wait
for a 2nd nationality. Marriage to the wrong person can be a
nightmare and could end up costing you far more than money invested in
a citizenship investment program. Some, but certainly not all EU
countries "may" repeat "may" or may not report your new nationality to
your present motherland.
3. The midnight shift method: You have probably read about these
programs under the guise of buying a passport in Central America and
getting instant naturalization, citizenship and a 2nd passport, etc.
and that the documents are registered on the governments computers.
Some providers even say that local solicitors (lawyers) handle all the
paperwork for you. The countries where of this type of documents are
created, is mostly from Central America and sometimes in Paraguay and
Brazil, both of which I previously offered to clients.
The truth of the matter is that though the naturalization certificates
are secured, as well as the passport, and even with all the documents
being registered on the computers, the truth is that regardless of
what anyone says to the contrary, a bribe to a government official is
made to secure the documents, period. I cannot be any more emphatic
than that.
So even with these documents registered, in the event that one is
stopped at immigration/customs and a thorough background search is
made in the country that the person is holding the document from;
here's what might happen;
Normally anyone that has LEGALLY become naturalized in any country
will have an immigration file with 5 years worth of paperwork in it.
So if some blue eyed non Spanish speaking gringo is stopped at
immigration in Europe or anywhere and is asked why they don't speak
fluent Spanish, unless you have a bullet proof answer believe you me,
a thorough background search will be made. Why? They are not just
looking for people who want to hide money; they're looking for people
in the pharmacy business and terrorists and these immigration and
customs people are very good at what they do and well trained. The
slightest hesitation to any of their questions and you'll have a
problem. No joy in that! These immigrations and customs people
employed and located at entry points around the world are very good at
what they do, I might say! They are well trained and know what to
look for and the right questions to ask. If you don't have the right
answers then its game over and you'll most probably come under greater
investigation.
When the host country, for example Honduras, is contacted by the
immigration/customs people that has stopped the person with the "Midnight shift passport", the Honduran officials (or wherever) will
look and see that while in fact the passport IS registered on the
computers, instead of seeing 5 years worth of paper in your file,
there will only be minimal paperwork. The authorities in Honduras (or
wherever) will know that someone in the passport office used the "MIDNIGHT SHIFT" method for the document and received a propina to
secure the documents for the client. Then its game over and VERY
severe repercussions can happen for the holder of such a document.
At that point, any and all persons having issued the documents will,
naturally, disavow themselves from knowing anything about this
document and the passport holder will be in a very serious situation.
Now for the good news! On the other hand according to the World Bank,
there are currently 200 million people living outside of their native
countries worldwide. [Source: http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/10976/1/ ] So if you don't
carry anything naughty on you, have a good reason/story why you are
naturalized in such and such country, with 200 million expats
worldwide this fact makes you one of them and gives you plenty of
leeway. You are NOT in such an event unique!
Good Points: reasonable cost, starting from approximately Euro 25,000
depending on the country; will show you being naturalized with your
name and place of birth as it really is, or in some cases can be
anything you choose. If you select your real name, date of birth,
etc. you get an automatic name change. You will have your mother's
maiden name as your NEW surname on your passport, which is standard
procedure for Hispanic countries in Central America.
For example: if your given names are: John Paul, and your surname
(fathers name) is JONES; and your mother's maiden name was "SMITH", on
your Central/South American condo/auto, your NEW name will be, "John
Paul Jones SMITH, with your real date and place of birth, etc.
Bad points: Naturally it was made on the midnight shift method and
these are only valid for 5-years. They can of course be renewed from
the original source and in some cases even at any of the countries
consulates around the world. However in that event, you better read,
write and speak acceptable Spanish or the local language in order to
avoid any potential problems. If one doesn't read, write or speak
fluent Spanish, this is a potential liability that might cause one
trouble own the road. Though many have used these types of documents
without problems, I would be remiss if I didn't inform you on the
absolute truth regarding how these products are secured.
4. The Reborn method: Sometimes called the ghost method. A dead
infant's certificate [for example as in the movie "The Day Of The
Jackal"] is obtained within a year or two in either direction of your
real date of birth, and a passport is "legally" obtained in that
person's name via the same and regular channels any person in that
country obtains a passport. It is legally issued by the government's
passport office, and normally comes with the birth certificate, along
with the envelope that the document is delivered in (via the postal
system) to authenticate the documents. A reborn obtained from an
English speaking western European country can offer an excellent
opportunity for the privacy seeker, who can open bank accounts with
their picture and signature, but in a "reborn" name.
Good points: World class travel product with nearly worldwide visa
free travel, valid for ten-years and renewable for life. In some
cases this could be hard to beat. Everything is legally registered on
the host country computers and unless you open your big mouth, nearly
100% bullet proof.
Bad points; the document is issued illegally and is a serious offense
to secure and use one. They're not cheap and of course the name of
the person in the document really isn't you. After 9/11 it has become
exceedingly difficult if not impossible to obtain such reborn
documents from decent countries. Most countries today cross check
birth certificates with death certificates, at least for first
time passport issuing purposes. In the event one is caught with
such an illegal document, they could be charged as a terrorist and
spend very serious time in prison for such an offense.
[Publisher's note: Caveat: It has been reported by some that there are
crooks operating on the internet offering so called reborn EU
documents for a very cheap and unrealistically low cost, i.e.
US$10,000 or thereabouts. However most if not all are likely crooks and
have taken many a person's money never to deliver anything to the
paying party other than a good thrashing, lies and possible loss of your
freedom as well as your money. See
http://www.ptshamrock.com/shame.htm ]
Recommendation: Only the client can make this call, as some people
find it difficult "getting through" being a ghost or being reborn
using the above technique, though this method offers total anonymity
personally and financially if done properly. Personally I don't
offer or recommend the reborn method as the risks far outweigh having
such a document.
So there you have it, the real truth about passports. I hope this
information will save your readers time, effort, money and hopefully
avoid any potential problems. Believe me; anyone that tells you
anything different from this information is either not well informed,
not telling you the truth and is probably dishonest as well.
PTS - Boy that was quite a dissertation if I say so myself, thanks.
What caveats or pit falls are there lurking out there for our readers
that they should be aware of?
DCF - This answer is based solely on my personal experience with my
consulting clients over many years. I've found that some, but
certainly not all, Americans (rarely other nationalities) had
difficulty giving up their creature comforts from their American
lifestyle or their American citizenship. That can be good or bad
depending on oneself and their present lifestyle. Naturally this
depends on the individual and how flexible one is.
Americans have few options as to where to easily relocate to, e.g.
Canada, Mexico, plus a few island countries in the Caribbean and
Central America without a lot of paperwork trying to obtain a work or
residency visa, etc. and so forth.
However Europeans, especially the Brit's, have a huge basket of
opportunities for relocation with 27 member EU states. Plus there are
special allowances for extended stays in Commonwealth countries for
Brit's whilst visiting Australia, New Zealand, Canada and even South
Africa to name a few. A six month visitor's entry visa is
automatically given to UK passports holders in most Commonwealth
countries, e.g. Australia, New Zealand and so forth. That gives a UK
passport holder a heck of a lot of flexibility whilst visiting such
Commonwealth countries.
If you haven't traveled much or especially if you've never been abroad
before, for some there could be culture shock. Two brothers,
Americans both clients of mine, where hell bent on relocating and
living in a particular country in Asia. In spite of the fact they
never visited the country previously and against my better advice,
they made the move to that new locale lot, stock and barrel. They had great difficulties trying to adapt to the local culture, language and
inferior infrastructure. It also cost them a great deal more money
making such a move before investigating and investing in a new home
country. Had they visited, planned and researched all beforehand, I
believe they would have saved a good bit of money and lots of stress
and aggravation. That said, and much to their credit, they stuck it
out and at the end of the day they're enjoying themselves in their new
homeland, one with a new wife and child. They tell me they are saving
nearly 70% by renting a house in their new homeland from what they
were previously paying for rent in the USA! They have a better house,
better clean air, better lifestyle all which makes their retirement funds
go a lot further for them these days.
That stated the large majority of my clients have at the end of the
day found it somewhat easier relocating, whilst experiencing
exhilarating living overseas as they soon discovered they are free
from the shackles of their motherland, taxation and more recently the
ever increasing encroachment into one's civil liberties and freedoms
that we all knew and grew up with.
So with all of the above in mind, my recommendation would be: If you
have the time, marriage/residency is the only legal way to go as you
can obtain citizenship in a world class jurisdiction, e.g. Western
Europe and a highly valued EU passport. IMHO this would be far better
than some legal investment program countries mentioned above.
Even when you qualify having started the process using these methods,
and a country claims they would NOT report you, i.e. obtained local
citizenship to your motherland that may not actually be the case in
the future. Spain made such a claim previously, i.e. NOT reporting
new nationality to one's homeland. However, just recently Spain made
an agreement with the US and most European Union nations to report new
nationalities to the motherland. Now Spain reports all yanks to their
govt. and European Union countries. Several of my clients fell into
this trap and a few years back which caused considerable consternation
for them. Be advised and govern yourself accordingly is the best
advice in such cases. The authorities can change the rules at any
time, and they do quite often as well!
PTS - Okay let's cut to the quick: What recommendations do you have
for our readers in this regard?
DCF - Recommendations? I'd really need to know what one is trying to
accomplish. For example; do they plan on exiting their country of
birth or current residence and live elsewhere, but want to be able to
return to your present locale (legally) anytime they want?
If one is an American, they might want to think about leaving their
current country of residence for 18 months, so that they'd qualify and
receive a legal tax exemption using your new nationality/passport they
may be intent on acquiring, e.g. going to a Western European country
and applying for legal residency there.
This might be a way for one to go. Another reason to make an exodus
is one isn't readily available to be handed a law suit (get sued) in
the USA or the UK. It's very difficult for your EX or anyone to sue
YOU abroad, especially if they don't know where you are and you have a
new name and nationality! The same holds true for my female clients.Some of them changed their names and nationalities because of abusive
ex husbands or persons stalking them. Actually there are many
legitimate reasons for one wanting to change their name or especially
obtaining a second or third nationality.
There's one small country in the Western European Union, which still
offers fairly easy residency for Westerns. How long that country will
retain such lax residency terms is your guess as well as mine. But as
of this interview, that opportunity is still available.
PTS - Okay all of this is understood. However in a nutshell is there
any flexible near instant, legal and affordable second nationality
programs for our readers?
DCF - Yes there is. There is a particular country in Central America
that offers a little known and lesser used program where one can
acquire citizenship via a flexible but legal method to acquire a
second nationality.
PTS - Sounds interesting. What are the particulars of this program if
you please?
DCF - They receive a cedula, i.e. citizens ID card, a passport and my
sources can assist in them obtaining a driver license as well when
they go to pick up their passport in the host country. As with your
one European client earlier last year Shamrock (2009), this is not a
naturalization program. Citizenship will be granted through adoption
or other similar tie to a XXX as a foreign born XXX citizen. For your
information naturalization does not legally allow you to keep your
other passport(s) in this particular country.
If a name change is required be advised a name change can take many
months and isn't the simple process it is in English speaking
countries unfortunately. If you remember how long it took for your
one European client earlier last year - part of the delay was his
collecting the necessary documents, but the name change itself still
took more than 3 months.
Also the name change adds another Euro 5000 to the fees which I know
is a ridiculous price for such a simple legal process. However
somehow the colonial Spanish inherited civil legal system which can be
quite cumbersome.
The total time frame is only 3 to 4 weeks (without a name change) and
the documents mandatory are:
* Passport copy
* Birth certificate and a
* Parent's passport copy (or death document certificate).
All must be legalized with apostille. The client's visit in person is
mandatory for client's passport pictures once the client's passport is
ready to be issued, although clients are of course welcome to come and
visit this beautiful country while waiting for its issuance from the
passport office. The passport is valid for 5 years and can be renewed
at any consulate around the world for the normal prevailing renewal
fees (currently around US$150 depending on the consulate).
PTS - What is the full cost for the non name change program?
DCF - First of all the interested party must be a paid consulting
client of mine. Sorry there are no exceptions to this requirement of
mine. Before I agree to accept any person, I insist on having the
client send a full written statement of their background, approximate
net worth, goals, objectives and ambitions, plus a statement that they
are seeking information from me for their own personal use and that
they are neither a journalist, government employee, nor an agent for
any undisclosed person.
Then they should list how they think I could assist them. They don't
have to disclose their real name or address! But for a person to get
their money's worth out of consulting with me, they should supply me
with good input. So if they want good advice, give me all the FACTS!
I will vet each and every serious query and if I agree to take them on
as one of my clients, my initial consulting fee of Euro 1,750 is
required. I will be happy to have clients remit their written
facts/statement and payment to you Shamrock, then you can forward all
to me. Upon my receipt of their fee, I will disclose the name of the
country along with full details direct to the client and only to the
client, whilst of course answering any and all questions and concerns
they may have. In the event the client wishes to proceed with the
programme, I agree to deduct my initial consulting fee from the total
cost of the none name change program, which is Euro 36,000 leaving a
balance of Eur34,250.
PTS - Is there any family program?
DCF - Yes, but the cost is only slightly less per family member.
PTS - Is there a way for clients to leave a partial deposit, then pay
the balance after picking up the documents?
DCF - Shamrock you know as well as I do that there's no free lunch in
this world. I believe both your (Shamrock's) and my personal
reputation speaks or should speak for itself. All funds are payable
in full and in advance with no exceptions. The process is handled by
a top law firm in the host country. The client goes to the country in
person in order to have their passport pictures taken and they pick up
their documents in person at the government issuing office. Unfortunately the law firm simply won't proceed until and unless it
has full payment in hand as well as all required documents as listed
previously.
In the many years I have been scouring second nationalities for people,
no one, I repeat no one has lost a single pence. I've made a few
refunds over the years where, for one reason or another, i.e. my
sources couldn't procure the documents for the client. But at the end of the
day for the vast majority of my consulting clients, it's a very simple
and straight forward arrangement;
1. They submit their written statement and facts
2. If I accept them as a consulting client and they pay my fee, full details
and the name of the country are disclosed.
3. If they wish to proceed and BEFORE they remit any funds for the
nationality program, the send all required paperwork.
4. The paperwork is pre-screened and if all is in order the client
can elect to proceed.
5. If they wish to proceed, payment is full is remitted and the process
starts.
6. When it comes time for their passport to be issued, they travel to
the host country, have their passport pictures taken.
7. Then the receive full citizenship, their new second nationality
documents, including their passport.
It is a simple and straight forward process. Therefore if a person
isn't sure about proceeding or if they are unwilling to remit payment
to you (Shamrock) or myself in full and in advance, then I don't believe
they're serious and they shouldn't waste their time or ours regarding this
unique program. I admit it's not for everyone, but in my humble
opinion, this special program is one of the best, easiest and legal
ways to obtain a second or third nationality in a respectable and
widely recognized third world country with decent visa free travel to
all of Western Europe and most of the rest of the world.
PTS - What about a refund in the event the client does not qualify or
doesn't receive their documents?
DCF - First of all, and before they remit any money for any
nationality program through me, they're pre-screened, i.e. they send
all their paperwork, or copies of it, beforehand. If all is in order,
then and only then they can remit payment for the program. That said,
in the unlikely event the client doesn't qualify or doesn't receive
the documents for any reason, subject to their having supplied all the
required documentation, all monies are refunded less my initial
consulting fee of Euro 1,750.
PTS - Do you have the latest information on the St. Kitts and Nevis
Passport by Investment programme?
DCF - Indeed I do. Following is the latest direct from my people there.
St. Kitts & Nevis Economic Citizenship Program
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis introduced their "Economic
Citizenship Program" well over a decade ago and to date it is still
attracting many professionals, groups, expatriates and even the
average individual from all corners of the world.
The program has been tried, tested and proven to be the best across
the Eastern Caribbean with its efficiency, professionalism and
affordable fees being the leading factors towards this success.
Recent research indicates that there are only 2 countries in the
Caribbean that offers The Economic Citizenship Program Dominica & St.
Kitts/Nevis.
It is quite an easy process to obtain Citizenship in the federation of
St. Kitts & Nevis. With a minimum investment of US$350,000.00 one is
eligible for this program. Investment may be in the form of Real
Estate, Government Treasury bonds, Charity Donations.
Just in case you have not been informed and you may be wondering at
this moment what benefits would be derived from becoming a Citizen of
St. Kitts and Nevis, below speaks to some interesting benefits:
1. You will be covered under the St. Kitts and Nevis Constitution as
a Citizen and have Full Residency Status.
2. You will have Tax Free status on capital gains, foreign income, gifts,
wealth and inheritance tax.
3. You will be eligible to vote in Elections in St. Kitts/Nevis.
4. Rights to Freedom of Dual citizenship is permitted, you will not be
required to notify your country of birth and not be required to reside in
St. Kitts/Nevis.
5. You will be entitled to Visa-Free Travel to up to 80 countries including:
Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and most British Commonwealth countries.
6. You will receive St. Kitts/Nevis passport which is relatively easy to renew.If a family applies each person will get their individual passport.
7. You will have the right to own Land and not have to deal with the
hassle of applying for Alien Land Holding License.
Below lists the few steps towards approval and unto obtaining your
passport:
Step 1 - The First order of business is to decide on what type of
Investment you will engage in. As indicated above The Government of
the federation accepts "for this program", Investment in the form of
Real Estate (Land or House and Land), purchase of Treasury Bonds from
the Nevis Island Administration or proof of a Charity Donation towards
a Government Department or a significant NGO in the community.
Naturally my source there can assist you with locating a plot of Real
estate on Nevis or St. Kitts and the Legal Procedures in obtaining
your Certificate of Title. My sources offer a program designed specifically
for EC (Economic Citizenship) where you can choose from a listing of Lands,
Mansions and Beach Front Properties. All of these properties are over
350K the minimum investment amount for qualification. They also can
coordinate with the government on your behalf for the purchase of Treasury
Bonds or acceptance of Charity donation.
At this point you need to become familiar with the relevant fees. My sources fee for basic co-ordination of the process is US$5000.00. Depending on the technicality and amount of work we may have to engage
in along the way this particular fee may be higher.
The registration fees applicable will be: A. US$35,000.00 or its
equivalent in East Caribbean currency for head of household (male or
female) or any other adult. B. US$15,000.00 or its equivalent in
East Caribbean currency for either spouse. C. US$15,000.00 or its
equivalent in East Caribbean currency for each child under 18 years,
and D. US$35,000.00 or its equivalent in Eastern Caribbean currency
for unmarried dependent child of the applicant between the ages of 18
and 25.
There are two other fees payable to the government outlined in Step 2
below and Step 4. Please note there will also be other fees depending
on the type of investment you chose. For example if you decide to buy
Land there is a Transfer of ownership Tax that is payable to the
Government which is 12% of the purchase price of the property. (6%
Seller and 6% buyer) similar arrangement also applies to House & Land.
Legal fees also will apply and this could vary depending on the amount
of work involved.
Step 2 - After securing a minimum Investment of US$350K you will then
need to purchase from the Office of National Security the Economic
Citizenship Application form. The cost for this is US$250.00 per
application. (As per policy of the National Security Office.)
Step 3 - Proceed to fill out the form. The supporting documents to be
submitted along with the form are:
1. Certified Copy of your current passport (s) showing name, photo,
citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date,
passport number and issuing country.
2. Original excerpt of full birth record or certified copy of full
birth certificate (i.e. birth document that also includes your
parent's details, or a household register, family book etc.)
3. 1 original Bank reference Letter issued by an internationally
recognized bank, not older than 6 months.
4. 1 original professional reference (e.g. from an attorney, notary
public, chartered accountant, or other professional of similar
standing), not older than 6 months
5. 1 original document of evidence of residential address (e.g.
certified copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement showing full
name and address, or written confirmation from a bank, attorney,
chartered accountant or notary public)
6. Original Police Record or Police Certificate from country of
citizenship. (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you
have never lived there) Document must not be older than 6 months
7. Certified copy of military records (IF APPLICABLE)
8. Certified copy of proof of name change (IF APPLICABLE, i.e.
statutory declaration, adoption papers etc.)
9. Certified copy of your current national identity card (s)
10. 6 original passport-size photos of yourself taken within the past
6 months.
11. Investment Confirmation / Escrow Deposit Evidence - i.e. in the
case of Real Estate option: copy of duly executed real-estate contract
(Purchase and Sales Agreement), evidence of Title Transfer (either
deed or certificate of title) Also copy of escrow deposit for purpose
of building.
12. Photograph and Signature Certificate (Form C2) (This form will be
a part of the application form package)
13. Medical Certificate (Form C3) (This form will be a part of the
application form package)
Step 4 - Forward the application forms (Forms C1, C2 and C3) along
with the supporting documents to me. Upon receipt of your application
and supporting documents our Legal advisor will review the entire
package to ensure everything is in order. We then would proceed to
submit your application to the office of National Security for
processing. There is a Due Diligence fee, payable to the Government
of US$3,500.00 (USD Thirty Five Hundred)
Step 5 - Sit back and wait, what is happening at this point is The
Citizenship by Investment Processing Unit is processing your
application. This involves doing back-ground checks on you, checking
for criminal records; sometimes making actual calls to the referees
you provided in your reference letters, verifying the authenticity of
your documents etc
Step 6 - After approximately 2 weeks the Due Diligence process would
have been over and the Unit on the verge of making a decision. A
letter would be forwarded to our office indicating whether or not you
have been approved for citizenship "in principle". If approve the
letter would request payment of US$35,000.00 to the Government of St.
Kitts & Nevis as application fee. If disapprove it would indicate the
reason or reasons for disapproval.
Step 7 - Assuming that you've been approved then you would now move
towards making the application fee payment. You can do this directly
to the Government or you can forward to my source to remit on
your behalf. Once the payment is made then the Unit will issue your
Certificate of Registration as a Citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis. If
you desire to get your passport right away then my source will send you
the simple passport application form which normally takes 1-2 weeks max to
process. There is however an express service where you can get your
passport in 3 business days at a cost of EC$150.00.
Step 8 - Source then forwards your new Certificate of Registration document
and passport to the address you provide.
PTS - Wow US$350,000 plus fees is a lot of money indeed. Aren't
there other alternatives less expensive?
DCF - Yes. You see the 350K investment is what the St. Kitts/Nevis
Government requires where one invests in the country to be
qualified... that is not my recommendation but rather the policy of the
Program. There is a cheaper way whereby one can make a donation of
US200K into the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund and get
citizenship. But that info is for my consulting clients only and I
charge a Euro 5,000 fee on top of that for my referral!
[Much laughter] - End Part I, Dr. Charles Freeman Interview.
Part II of Dr. Freeman's interview will conclude in our PTBuzz,
Mid-January 2010 Newsletter issue. See you next issue
Shamrock
"The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion."
- Edmund Burke, 1784
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