Citizenship by Investment 2025 | Canadian Program Guide

Second Passports in 2025 (Part 2): Program Comparisons for Canadians

 

Quick context Canadians should know (2025)

• • • Caribbean CBI floor price: The five Eastern Caribbean programs agreed to a minimum investment of US$200,000 via a regional Memorandum of Agreement; countries began implementing from 1 July 2024. Caribbean News Global+1

    • Visa reality example (UK): The UK imposed visitor visa requirements on Dominica (and others) effective 19 July 2023 … illustrating how visa access can change. Don’t assume any passport’s access stays constant. questions-statements.parliament.uk

    • Tax reality: A second passport does not change your Canadian tax status. To stop being taxed as a resident you must become a non-resident for tax purposes (often with departure tax on deemed dispositions). Canada.ca+1

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Programs Canadians compare most in 2025

1) Caribbean (CBI)

• • • What they are: Legal routes to citizenship via approved contributions or real estate.

    • Minimums: From US$200,000 (floor via regional MoA; exact structures/fees vary by country). Caribbean News Global+1

    • Example specifics:

      • St Kitts & Nevis – SISC contribution option widely cited at US$250,000 (amount for an applicant with up to 3 dependants under the SISC route). Always verify current fee tables. Henley & Partners

      • Dominica – Real estate route requires min. US$200,000 in an approved project (hold period applies). Dominica

    • Good for: Faster timelines, diversified mobility; robust due-diligence standards post-2024 MoA.

Caution: Visa-free access can tighten quickly (e.g., UK change for Dominica), so program marketing lists may lag reality. questions-statements.parliament.uk

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2) Türkiye (CBI)

• • • Core route: Real estate investment of at least US$400,000, with a no-sale hold for 3+ years, as per the official investment office. invest.gov.tr

    • Why Canadians look: Strategic hub, lifestyle arbitrage, business options; strong value at the price point compared with EU.

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3) Malta (EU) – status in 2025

• • • Update: On 29 April 2025, the EU Court of Justice ruled Malta’s investor citizenship (“golden passport”) contrary to EU law, ending new CBI applications. Existing citizenships stand; future options are shifting to other bases. Financial Times+2AP News+2

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4) Portugal (RBI → potential citizenship)

• • • The program continues, but real estate and capital-transfer paths were removed under Law 56/2023, effective October 2023. Remaining routes include investment funds, cultural/art projects, research, job creation, and company formation. Natlex

    • Why Canadians look: Low physical-presence requirements and a 5-year path to naturalization (subject to meeting all legal conditions). (Use official counsel to confirm current routes and processing rules.)

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5) Greece (RBI → potential citizenship)

• • • New thresholds (tiered): As of late 2024 / 2025, €800,000 in prime areas (e.g., Athens, Thessaloniki, popular islands) and €400,000 elsewhere; €250,000 remains for special cases (e.g., conversions/heritage restorations). See legal analysis and program summaries. Watson Farley & Williams+1

    • Notes: New restrictions on short-term rentals in many cases; check local compliance.

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6) UAE (Golden Visa – RBI)

• • • Property route: AED 2,000,000 property value can qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa (investor category), with family sponsorship options; confirm emirate-specific administration (e.g., Dubai Land Department). UAE+1

    • Why Canadians look: Business hub, tax environment, logistics, school options.

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Snapshot table (minimums & notes)

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Due diligence & compliance (don’t skip this)

• • • Tax & residency: Becoming non-resident (not the number of passports you hold) determines your CRA obligations. Review residency status and potential departure tax far in advance. Canada.ca+1

    • Automatic information exchange (CRS): Financial accounts are reported across participating countries annually. Factor this into structuring. OECD

    • Visa-free claims: Treat marketing claims cautiously. Example: the UK’s sudden visa requirement for Dominica in 2023 reduced that passport’s utility for UK travel. questions-statements.parliament.uk

    • Official sources first: Always cross-check with CIU/government portals before committing.

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“Which one is best for me?”

• • • Mobility-first: Caribbean CBI or Türkiye offer relatively fast timelines and clear thresholds. But check present-day visa maps. pressroom.oecs.int+1

    • EU lifestyle path: Portugal/Greece (RBI) give residency now and a potential route to citizenship later (with stay, language, and legal requirements). Natlex+1

    • Business-hub relocation: UAE (Golden Visa) if you want a base with favourable business infrastructure and schooling. UAE

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax, accounting, or real-estate advice, and it does not create a client-broker relationship. Laws, regulations, market conditions, and program eligibility change by jurisdiction and over time. You are responsible for verifying any facts or figures before acting. Always do your own research and consult licensed professionals in your area (lawyer, accountant, mortgage professional, and a locally licensed real-estate agent or broker).

No warranty is made as to completeness or accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any loss arising from reliance on this content or on third-party links. Any examples are illustrative only and are not guarantees of results. We support Equal Housing Opportunity / Fair Housing.

Licensing note (Canada & U.S.): Services are provided only where properly licensed and permitted. Readers outside our licensed jurisdictions should seek advice from a local, duly licensed real-estate professional.

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