Citizenship.

Many consider getting a second citizenship a complex process since most of the routes to becoming a dual citizen are quite long or demand extremely specific requirements. Here are the main routes to acquiring second citizenship:

• Naturalisation – the most common and longest route to obtaining second citizenship; naturalisation occurs when a person spends a specific amount of years as a resident of a nation until they can apply to become a citizen under the host country’s laws. 
• Citizenship by Marriage – in most countries, if you marry a citizen of that country, you are eligible to apply for citizenship, either directly or after obtaining a residence permit and then becoming a citizen through naturalisation.
• Citizenship by Descent – this route is fairly simple but extremely exclusive. Countries such as Serbia, Ireland, Israel and others offer people with ancestors who were citizens of a particular nation the chance to apply for citizenship. However, proving ancestry can be a complex process, depending on the documentation required, and it is very exceptional for a small portion of the world’s population.
• Exceptional Citizenship – in some cases, a country can grant people Exceptional Citizenship. However, this option is an extremely rare occurrence, and is usually granted to high-profile people like Tom Hanks, who obtained Greek Exceptional Citizenship for his charity work in the country.
• Citizenship by Investment – this is the simplest option. Many countries offer investors the chance to obtain citizenship through investing in a nation’s economy; this topic is covered in detail below

The idea of Citizenship by Investment also stems from ancient times, and the Roman Republic was the first nation to develop it into a route to citizenship.
Those who contributed to the Roman economy under specific requirements were granted citizenship and all the rights that came with it, and the concept holds true to this day.
Many countries now host what is referred to as Citizenship by Investment Programmes, which are routes to obtaining a citizenship certificate and passport of a nation through contributing to the economy.
The idea is that if a person contributes to a country’s economy, they have fulfilled part of their duty as a citizen and hence should be considered one. Their other responsibilities are avoiding criminal activities and respecting the laws and the rights of other citizens.

Citizenship by Investment is one of the most valuable solutions a person can pursue. The benefits of obtaining a second passport are endless, varying from one person’s circumstances to the other, addressing personal pain points and solving diverse problems a person may have. However, here are some major benefits that everyone enjoys, those are:

• Greater safety & security – a second passport is the ultimate contingency plan to mitigate the risk of political or economic turbulence in one’s home country. Having a second home means a person can flee to a safe destination, along with their family and wealth, ensuring their wellbeing. 
• Enhanced global mobility – with a second passport in hand, a person widens the possibilities of international travel, since a second passport with a substantial list of visa-free destinations makes travelling easier.
• Better investment and tax opportunities – by obtaining a second passport of a nation with a strong economy, commerce, and real estate, a person can broaden their global investment opportunities. Getting second citizenship in a tax-friendly country also provides HNWIs with more taxation options, alleviating their tax burden. 
• An elevated standard of living – a second passport opens more doors to healthcare services, luxury living locations, and regions with a higher quality of life or lifestyle.
• Higher education and employment opportunities – having a second passport means greater opportunities for top-tier education and employment opportunities in better schools and companies throughout the world, which were previously inaccessible through one’s original citizenship. 

Citizenship by Investment is extremely beneficial to the countries granting citizenship, as it provides the government with significant sums of unencumbered foreign direct investment funds to help develop the nation. 

The Commonwealth of Dominica, for example, previously used funds generated through its Citizenship by Investment Programme to create affordable housing for its residents. The programme is also funding the construction of the country’s first international airport, a project that will positively affect its residents’ lifestyle and the nation’s economy.