Launched under Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment programme in reaction to the pandemic in May, the temporary COVID-19 Relief Bond which gives potential investors the chance to acquire citizenship by purchasing government bonds for half their previous price, has been extended for one more year.
From closed borders and travel restrictions to lockdowns and quarantines, the effects of the pandemic throughout 2020 has led to a surge in enquiries for second passports and residency by investment proving that what once was a luxury for HNWIs has now become a necessity.
Dubai-based RIF Trust, part of global residency and citizenship by investment advisory firm, the Latitude Group, has expanded its operations to China, with two new offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, providing Chinese HNWIs with on-the-ground support from December 2020.
When it comes to the Citizenship by Investment options on the global table, the Caribbean countries continue to lead the way offering affordable, fast, efficient and stable routes to second passport ownership. Couple this with global mobility, mainly Covid-free spaces, and an excellent quality of life, and it’s clear to see how these West Indies’ islands are giving other CBI countries a run for their money.
With the aim of delivering an application and investment process that is friction-free and to combat delays caused by the pandemic, Saint Lucia’s CIU has unveiled its e-payment platform, making the Caribbean nation the first citizenship by investment programme to offer a wholly owned and managed e-payment platform as part of its recently launched website.
Launched on June 10 with a news story titled 'Chinese citizens turn to CBI for Plan B', the CBI Guide has just passed the significant milestone of 1 million page views.
Rigorous due diligence. Check. Integrity and transparency. Check. Minimum financial outlay. Check. Booming economy. Check. Exemplary handling of the pandemic. Check. It’s easy to see why the Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment programme, which has entered its fifth year of successful operation and undergone a recent rebrand, has proven so popular in the past few months.
Following a recent spate of changes by CBI-bearing countries to make their programmes more family-friendly, the Saint & Kitts Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit has announced the inclusion of siblings in its CBI Programme, making it the last Caribbean island to do so.
According to fDi’s Tourism locations of the future ranking for 2019/2020, the top 20 nations considered to be ripe for investment include eight countries that currently offer Citizenship or Residency by Investment programmes. Another reason to invest via citizenship or residency, perhaps?
If St Vincent and the Grenadines' opposition NDP party were to win in the forthcoming election on November 5, it could mean the unveiling of yet another - the sixth - Caribbean-based Citizenship by Investment programme.