Passport is a document that allows one to pass or to go anywhere; it is issued by a national government for the purpose of international travel, and also to detect the identity and its nationality of its holders.
Its elements of identity can be classified by the date of birth, gender, place of birth and typically requiring the nationality.
Obtaining a second passport and a second citizenship is one of the smartest moves you can make if you really value managing your international freedom. It is sort of like taking out an insurance policy. Applying for a second passport is a necessary step to freedom for the person or family that values international freedom more than the illusion of momentary comfort. It is for the person or family that refuses to be trapped in a country that has lost the founding freedom and greatness. You need to be able to flee if this happens with your alternative passport.
This is something you can't put a price on, but it is something many men have laid down their lives for. It is worth millions. A second passport can be one of the best things that any person may possess. There are certain benefits of getting a second passport.
WHY GET A SECOND PASSPORT?
A SAFEGUARD IN TROUBLED TIMES
Obtaining a second passport might save your life in times of civil war, political unrest, or other situations. For good reasons, wealthy individuals, businessmen, and smart folks worldwide have an alternative in the second passport as an additional life insurance. It can provide a protective shield that extends to your spouse and children. Having and using a second passport certainly is not an illegal tax evasion or a criminal intent; rather it is a reasonable means of defending yourself in the turbulent age in which we live.
GREATER FINANCIAL PROTECTION
A second citizenship/passport can also protect your assets and serve to reduce your taxes. It is a means of a stronger financial privacy, comprehensive asset protection, more diversification of investments, higher returns in carefully selected markets, increased safety and security—both personal and financial—and deferred taxes on life insurance and annuities.
LIVING STANDARDS
Everyone likes to make his living standard and monetary condition better, and dual citizenship is the simplest way to do that. With this facility, one always gets an alternative to shift to a new nation and reap the advantages of the facilities of that nation. However, the law of a country differs from that of the other and some country might have a set of strict laws for its citizens. Some countries often renew the citizenship at regular intervals.
INCREASE INVESTMENT
Besides experiencing the rights and benefits of a country, second citizenship also allows an individual increase investment. In some countries, there is a maximum limit for making investments. In such a scenario, it will be a wise decision to travel to some other country and take the advantages of their investment policies. This citizenship is also helpful in avoiding terrorism, political unrest, and other such adverse conditions. Hence, in any respect, a second citizenship can prove beneficial for an individual of a country.
WAYS TO GET NEW CITIZENSHIP
The easiest country to get citizenship actually depends on your desire to live abroad, the resources available to you and your family tree. Below are three ways to get a second citizenship.
BY NATURALIZATION
Most countries provide a means to obtain citizenship and second passport by applying for residency and then spending a certain amount of time in the country (generally five years). The regulations to become eligible vary significantly in some countries. For instance, United States, make their own very difficult while in some countries, you don’t even need to really spend any time in the country to become eligible to apply for a second passport.
BY INVESTMENT
The fastest, but surely not the most affordable way to get a second passport is through an investment wherein you actually buy a second citizenship. These programs often take the form of an investment program where you either invest in real estate or in certain funds as specified by the local government. It’s legal, but, again, it’s expensive.
BY DESCENT
By far, showing you’ve had the good fortune to have parents, grandparents, or in some cases is the easiest way to get a passport, from any place worldwide. This means you can get a second passport within a very short time and at a very low cost.
HOW TO AVOID SECOND PASSPORT SCAMS
The first thing to know in the world of Passport scamming is that these people are everywhere. They are online, offline, on the phone, posing as experts, e-mailing people, you name it and you’ll find them hiding under a rock. I am not saying this to make you frightened, rather you need to be careful because these people are always looking for an opportunity to scam. This is as a result of increasing desire for second passports which has, in turn, created a cottage industry of scammers and misinformation peddlers.
For individuals in need of a second citizenship and passport, it is a vital task, and being done once upon a life is thus very important. It’s normally well-known that you've at least to spend several years in a foreign country before it allows you to apply for its citizenship. Some individuals must have also heard about fast-track naturalization programs or supported by a number of countries which is referred to as a quicker alternative. Here is where rumor and misinformation start giving the ground for numerous scammers looking for your money.
HOW TO AVOID SECOND PASSPORT SCAMS
The first thing to know in the world of Passport scamming is that these people are everywhere. They are online, offline, on the phone, posing as experts, e-mailing people, you name it and you’ll find them hiding under a rock. I am not saying this to make you frightened, rather you need to be careful because these people are always looking for an opportunity to scam. This is as a result of increasing desire for second passports which has, in turn, created a cottage industry of scammers and misinformation peddlers.
For individuals in need of a second citizenship and passport, it is a vital task, and being done once upon a life is thus very important. It’s normally well-known that you've at least to spend several years in a foreign country before it allows you to apply for its citizenship. Some individuals must have also heard about fast-track naturalization programs or supported by a number of countries which is referred to as a quicker alternative. Here is where rumor and misinformation start giving the ground for numerous scammers looking for your money.
BAD SIGNS TO BEWARE OF
TOO CHEAP OFFERS.
Prices for legal citizenship and passport vary from one country to another. Even if you received your long-awaited passport immediately, be rest assured you're inviting trouble. An ordinary interview can find you out to have no relations with the country having issued the passport. With the official economic citizenship programs, you won't have such problem.
TOO QUICK PASSPORT PROGRAMS.
No matter what, but a real citizenship cannot be obtained within a space of 7 to 10 days. You should expect it to last at least 30 days, and on very rare occasions for a shorter term.
NO NEED TO TRAVEL.
Be especially careful here. The only official program that does not require a personal visit is the one of Dominica, St. Kitts, and Nevis. This is as a result of thorough due diligence check. Your documents will really be shipped to you, in this situation, with the authorized official person in your country for an extra fee. With this, every other program that doesn't require you to travel is fake.
DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS.
Be careful of companies offering diplomatic passports. Diplomatic passports require providing specific information by the government of both countries.
NON-EXISTING CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMS.
Through official citizenship programs, some websites still offer their assistance in obtaining citizenship. The only problem is that those economic citizenship programs have been officially terminated years ago.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I suggest you always make an arrangement with licensed agents and law firms in the country of your choice If you’ve got dealing with an intermediary, ensure to get to the source. If possible, have a lawyer to travel with you and check every step you do. Ensure you do your own due diligence before proceeding.
Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola is an entrepreneur and investor based in London and operating mainly in Europe, Asia and Oceania with main focus on UK, Baltic Countries, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East and New Zealand as area of interest! At the moment is the Ceo of Astorts Group. He is an UK FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) Approved Person and is has great experience as director of regulated companies. He uses to dedicate part of his life to inspire others and help them achieve the most out of their life. Since he was 20, he had successfully founded and managed several companies operating in the field of management consulting, wealth management and fintech. He loves travelling, he is a cigars lover, an amateur golfer and a dapper man.