Citizenship by investment (CBI) programs have been deemed a glimmer of hope for stateless people and their families, who do not hold the nationality of any country, as it gives them the chance to live in freedom and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Stateless people
Stateless people are those who do not hold the nationality of any state. This can happen for a number of reasons, including not meeting the requirements for citizenship in the country of birth, not having a country of origin, or being deprived of citizenship due to laws or procedures.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there are around 10 million stateless people in the world. Stateless people often live in poverty and marginalization, and face difficulty accessing essential services.
Bidoons at a glance!
The Bidoons are a stateless ethnic group primarily found in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The term \”Bidoon\” literally means \”without\” in Arabic and refers to people who are without citizenship or statelessness and lack all identity documents. Several Bidoon families are successful; however, they continue to face practical problems in their daily lives due to the lack of official papers.
Citizenship: A suitable solution for stateless
Citizenship through investment programs may be an ideal solution for stateless people, as it offers them a potential avenue to obtain citizenship from a country that offers such programs. CBI programs allow Stateless people who have the financial ability to invest a certain amount of money in exchange for citizenship and, therefore, gain access to the benefits and protections that come with it. These benefits may include access to education, healthcare, employment, and travel, among others.
Obstacles facing Stateless people
Freedom of travel
Stateless people are often severely restricted in their freedom of movement due to their lack of identity cards or passports, and they have never crossed an international border. Therefore, citizenship by investment can offer them global mobility and the ability to enter more than 140 countries without a visa or upon arrival.
Banking services
Another obstacle stateless people face is difficulty opening a bank account because they lack the identification documents required. They may also have limited access to financial services such as credits and loans, which can make it difficult for them to start businesses or invest in their futures. Banks may also view stateless individuals as higher-risk customers due to their lack of official identification documents and, as a result, be hesitant to do business with them. This can make it difficult for Stateless people to transfer money or conduct financial transactions. However, obtaining citizenship can make it easier for stateless people to access financial services, obtain credits and loans, and open bank accounts.
Education and healthcare services
Lack of official papers prevents Stateless people from having access to formal education, healthcare, employment, the ability to obtain a driving license, and even the ability to own or buy any assets such as a car or a home. However obtaining citizenship can offer them a source of lifelong security and access to all social services. Stateless people cannot legally marry and register their children; therefore, they remain stateless, but by obtaining a passport by investment, they can pass their citizenship on to their children and the following generation.
Citizenship through investment programs can be expensive and may not be a viable option for many Stateless people, who often face economic and social challenges due to their statelessness.
Which CBI programs accept stateless applicants?
Stateless people who can invest $100,000 or more can receive immediate citizenship and a passport from some countries that run CBI schemes. The countries that allow stateless people to invest in their citizenship programs are:
- Dominica, with a minimum investment of $100,000 USD.
- Antigua and Barbuda, with a minimum investment of $100,000 USD.
- Vanuatu, with a minimum investment of $130,000 USD.
- Saint Lucia, with a minimum investment of $100,000 USD.
St. Kitts and Nevis do not accept stateless people for CBI. All countries providing citizenship require a police certificate or no criminal record from the country of origin. Stateless people have the option to donate to these states or invest in real estate properties.
How can Stateless people obtain citizenship?
There are a few documents that can serve the purpose of establishing identity in the absence of a passport for the purpose of obtaining citizenship by investment. These include a birth certificate issued by the country of birth, a government-issued family book, and travel documents issued by the country of residence. Additionally, stateless applicants must have a clean source of funds or be sponsored by an individual who will need to undergo due diligence. They must also be able to obtain the necessary police clearance reports.