Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs allow individuals to acquire citizenship in a country by making a significant financial investment. The primary aim of CBI programs is to attract foreign capital and boost economic growth.
Many countries have programs that offer long-term or permanent residency to investors, but currently there are only 11-12 countries that offer immediate citizenship by investment.
The first main cluster is in the Caribbean. (Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua & Barbuda, an Dominica.)
Then there are countries seeking to attract significant investors
(Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Cambodia)
And the last group is high-end European programs, of which there is currently only Malta and Macedonia. (Cyprus and Bulgaria recently terminated their programs.)
Applicants usually undergo rigorous vetting, including background checks, to ensure they meet the criteria. Once approved, investors and their families can enjoy the benefits of citizenship, such as visa-free travel to many countries, better quality of life, and access to educational and healthcare systems.