Only a very few countries offer a passport for buying government debt in the form of treasury bills, bonds, securities and certificates. Turkey and St Lucia offer citizenship in exchange for investment treasury bonds for USD 250,000 (Limited offer)
Governments issue public debt in the form of bonds issued to citizens, international investors and companies.
A T-Bill is a short term debt instrument valid for less than a year, while T-Bonds are long term debt instruments valid over 5 years to 10 years. A government security is a bond issued by a government with a promise of repayment at maturity. These come with fixed interest rates payable at maturity.
Direct fast track citizenship and passport is possible for buyers of Government debt in the form of bonds without interest with 5 year holding period.
Citizenship by Investment
These countries offer citizenship for treasury bonds. Passport and citizenship approved within 3-4 months.
Citizenship by Investment | Government bonds/securities |
Cyprus | No (€2 million – Govt bonds removed from 15th May 2019) |
St Kitts and Nevis | No |
Dominica | No |
Grenada | No |
St Lucia | USD 250,000 Covid Govt bonds interest free Covid-19 bonds (fully refundable) |
Vanuatu | No |
Turkey | Yes (USD 500,000 Govt bonds or treasury securities) |
Bulgaria | EUR 1 million (Bonds/securities removed from March 2021) |
Jordan | USD 1.5 million |
T-Bill – Treasury bill
T-Bond – Treasury Bond
Golden visa
These countries offer instant residence rights or golden visa in exchange for investment in government securities, bonds and bills. Residence visa approved within 3-4 months.
RBI/Golden visa | Govt bonds |
Spain | €2m |
Portugal | €1m |
Italy | €2m |
Luxembourg | €500,000 (Bonds) |
Bermuda | USD 2.5 million (Govt bonds) |
Canada | $1.2m Quebec IIP |
United Kingdom | £2m closed from May 29, 2019. Only private/corporate bonds possible. |
Ireland | €1m |
Greece | €400,000 |
Bulgaria | €512,000 |
Latvia | 250,000 (interest free) |
Malta | €250,000 interest free – removed from Mar 29, 2021 |
Australia | AU$ 1.5m |
New Zealand | NZ$ 3m |