There is no doubt that getting a second passport is an essential step in designing your offshore strategy. Whether to secure your Plan B, increase investment opportunities, or improve visa-free travel options, a second passport is among the most important flags to plant.
But not every second passport is made alike, and not every passport program is of equal quality. In fact, following the advice you see being discussed online can potentially land you in a lot of trouble.
Over the years, we have come across surprising recommendations for some shady ways to buy passports online.
Some even suggest making a considerable donation to a presidential campaign in exchange for a passport authorized by the president. Regardless of whether or not you think such a transaction is corrupt, engaging in shady activity is a bad idea.
You don’t want a second passport that carries any hint of corruption. We promise you.
Various countries worldwide allow this type of agreement between the president and investors, but it’s supposed to be based on legitimate waiving of naturalization as prescribed in the constitution and not because you paid some official off.
Either way, we highly caution you from pursuing a second passport in this fashion and recommend you choose another route. Even if a legitimate government issues it, it will (eventually) do you about as much good as a fake passport.
When navigating the complexities of second citizenship and passports, there are various routes you can take, including citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage, citizenship by investment, and naturalization.
Navigating the world of second passport services has become increasingly challenging. The process has generally been pretty straightforward for the past decade, but in recent years has brought about significant changes. Golden Visa and Citizenship by investment programs are becoming more difficult, raising rates and increasing the required ‘donation’ in many jurisdictions.
Don’t put it off any longer; apply here to become a Nomad Capitalist client, and we will help you legally go where you are treated best.
How To Identify A Fake Passport Deal
Unfortunately, the growing demand for second passports has led to the emergence of scams and the spread of false information. Some of the most common passport scams to be aware of include:
- Diplomatic passports
- Canceled economic citizenship programs
- Camouflage passports
- Gray market passports
- Black market passports.
- Banking passports
Using an illegitimate passport can cause serious problems. Renewing such passports is often difficult or impossible, and they can be canceled at any time if discovered by government authorities. This could lead to severe consequences when crossing borders.
We advise always following the official and legitimate route by filling out a passport application.
The risk of using a fraudulently issued passport far outweighs any potential benefits.
Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. When obtaining a second passport, you can expect only two: cheap, easy, or fast. If someone claims to offer all three, it is likely a scam.
If you need assistance navigating the world of second citizenship, consider consulting the Nomad Capitalist team. Trying to do it all on your own may cost you more in the long run and may expose you to unexpected tax issues or worse scenarios.
Seeking guidance beforehand can help prevent such troubles.
If you want a real second passport through investment, be prepared for a residency period.
Beware of anyone who tells you that you can get a passport in two weeks. It is a total scam.
Several countries offer a quick timeline toward naturalization, and still more have fast-track economic citizenship programs. None of these legitimate options will promote a two-week timeline in exchange for campaign donations.
Besides residency, you should also be prepared to ADD VALUE to your new residence and place of citizenship. In some cases, like Dominica, the government determines the value they want. In other cases, the government says, “come and invest, impress us, then ask about citizenship, and we’ll decide.”
While it’s not a great example because very few passports are issued, Austria allows multimillionaires willing to make a sizable donation to the country to “impress them” into granting citizenship.
Paying off a guy at immigration is not adding value. You should never bribe anyone to get a passport. Bribing foreign officials is illegal for US citizens under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
A “donation” doesn’t let you off the hook, either. In fact, it’s a good way to lose your passport.
As a rule, never give money to government officials to get yourself a passport. There is a difference between meeting the criteria and paying someone for a passport. Whether the criteria are set in stone or a bit vaguer, a legal criterion will be outlined in the letter of the law.
Don’t do anything gray market, use “special connections,” or pursue anything of the type. You can avoid gray and black market passports by steering clear of unclear, overly cheap, or anonymous offers. Stay away if you don’t know exactly where your passport is coming from.
Instead, focus on countries with established citizenship by investment programs that allow you to do just that: invest and obtain citizenship.
A Fake Passport Won’t Buy You Freedom
As with all things, taking the time to do things right will pay off in the end. You’ll enjoy more freedom following the law than getting a fast passport with shady methods. Fail to do things right, and you’ll constantly have to deal with the fear of the consequences — or the consequences themselves.
So be cautious.
Ultimately, spending the time to get a legitimate second passport is worth it. If you need help finding the right program for you, apply to become a client so we can determine your best options as part of a personalized and completely legal offshore plan.
To learn more about the right path to take to secure a second passport, sign up for our Weekly Rundown for exclusive access to hand-picked insights on global citizenship and residency, real estate, tax strategies, and diversified living.
From billionaires and celebrities to everyday entrepreneurs, we’ve helped over 1,500 successful clients create their holistic Action Plans, grow their wealth, and increase their peace of mind. We can help you do the same – so what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today, and let us help you go where you’re treated best.
