Citizenship by investment (CBI) programs are not open to all nationalities. Most of the CBI countries impose restrictions on nationalities. Which are the banned nationalities or restricted countries? Who cannot apply for second citizenship?
We try to give you an up-to-date summary of banned countries and territories for the major CBI programs. Updated on 29th July 2023.
Who cannot apply for second citizenship?
As a general rule:
- Applicants from a country subject to US/EU embargo or sanctions cannot apply for CBI programs.
- Applicants from a country where due diligence checks cannot be conducted cannot apply.
Who is eligible or ineligible to apply for economic citizenship?
You are either eligible or ineligible (or ineligible with exceptions) to apply for a citizenship by investment program. Ineligible means that you are completely banned. Ineligible with exceptions means partial restrictions that allow more room for individual considerations.
Some CBI programs impose no restrictions but treat applications from risk-prone regions with extra care.
If you are a stateless person
A stateless person is someone who does not have the nationality of any country. Stateless people are often severely limited in movement due to a lack of identity cards or passports.
In principle, 4 countries may accept stateless persons: Antigua, Dominica, Turkey and Vanuatu.
Summary Table
| Applicant Origin | Antigua & Barbuda | Dominica | Grenada | Malta | Montenegro | St Kitts & Nevis | Saint Lucia | Turkey | Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Ineligible* | Eligible | Ineligible* | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
| Armenia | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible |
| Belarus | Eligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Eligible |
| Cuba | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible |
| DR Congo | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
| Iran | Ineligible* | Eligible | Ineligible* | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible* |
| Iraq | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Ineligible* |
| Nigeria | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible |
| North Korea | Ineligible* | Ineligible* | Ineligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Ineligible* |
| Russia | Ineligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Notes and exemptions
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
You may still apply if you meet the following criteria:
"Individuals born in these restricted countries but who migrated before the age of majority and/or have maintained permanent residence in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for a period of not less than 10 years and maintain no economic ties to any restricted country."
Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program
Exemptions:
- have not lived in restricted countries for the last 10 years;
- have no substantial assets there; and are not performing and
- have not performed any business or similar activity in or with these countries.
Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program
There are no specific country restrictions, but cases are decided on an individual basis. Grenada rejects applications refused by any other CBI countries.
Malta
Even if you are not a citizen of a restricted country, but you reside, do business, have significant ties with, or have connections to these countries -- you cannot apply. Citizens from countries included in the US Travel Ban also cannot apply.
Montenegro Citizenship by Investment Program
No restrictions.
Saint Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program
No exemptions.
Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program
St Lucia citizenship program now accepts Iranian citizens.
Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program
Applicants from countries subjected to sanctions may have difficulty opening bank accounts or making payment transactions in Turkey to buy real estate under the citizenship by investment scheme.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
Vanuatu may accept nationals from the restricted country if they have not resided in restricted countries for at least 5 years and can provide evidence of permanent residence abroad.