Getting a second residency in another country is often the cheapest and . Some countries offer easy second residency in exchange for an investment in the country, or often for just filling out some paperwork. The Americas — including Central and South America — is the easiest place in the world to get second residency and a second passport. While bureaucracy can be an issue, the countries here are much more open to foreigners than many Asian or European countries, and they require a lot less cash. There are a number of emerging countries eager to attract foreigners, even if they’re only living there on paper. Since many Canadians and Americans prefer living in North America (what with the decent weather and proximity to home), there is no excuse not to plant your residency flag and establish a second home in another, more free country. Discover how to get a Second Residency and Passport The five best second residency programs in Central and South America Uruguay: one of the easiestplaces to get a second passport, residency is easy to obtain but requires you to live there much of the year. 5. Uruguay Uruguay is one of the most advanced countries in South America. For someone looking for a place to actually live, Uruguay is an excellent option. The country is clean, modern, and has a high standard of living for the region. It is also close to Argentina and Chile, two places on many expats’ radar. Obtaining residency in Uruguay is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. The catch is that, unlike Paraguay, Uruguayan officials want you to actually live there. There is no hard and fast rule, but anywhere from six to ten months per year is recommended, especially in the first two years. The payoff is that residents can apply for Uruguayan citizenship after four years, making it an excellent option for second passport seekers. Brazil: in exchange for a business investment, investors can gain residence in the Portuguese speaking country and be eligible for a passportin one to four years. 4. Brazil While its economy has been experiencing issues as of late, Brazil is an excellent second residency option for almost anyone. First, it is a melting pot. Unlike in smaller countries where you’ll stand out, Brazilians range in appearance from pale blonde to African. The Brazilian culture is very laid back and accepting of all. As a relatively developed, large country, Brazil is somewhat unique in that its investor visa program offers the potential for future . The only qualification for obtaining a Brazilian investor’s visa, other than being of legal age, is that you are the owner and operator of a Brazilian company. You must invest 150,000 Brazilian reals (about US$65,000) into your company. After obtaining permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship after four years, providing you have some knowledge of the Portuguese language. During this time, you must spend less than approximately 18 months outside of Brazil. However, if you have a Brazilianspouse, parent, or child, the waiting period decreases to one year. Brazil has a strict policy of its citizens from Brazilian soil. One drawback, however, is that residents are taxed on their . Brazil is highly bureaucratic and your application may take a while, but a Brazilian passport is an excellent travel document with to almost all of Europe. 3. Nicaragua The is incredibly straightforward and very affordable. Probably the , Nicaragua is a great place to live. You can choose from the beaches of San Juan del Sur (where you can find ), the colonial towns of Granada or Leon, or any number of rural towns, many of which offer excellent soil for agriculture. My lawyer contact in Nicaragua can process your application a “cedula” (the local ID card) for about $1,000 including all fees. All you need is an income of $600 per month ($750 for couples). You are supposed to live in Nicaragua six months out of the year to keep the , however many expats come and go at their leisure. Nicaraguanresidency does entitle you to eventual permanent residency, and possible citizenship in seven years if you can speak decent Spanish and know a little Nicaraguan history. Paraguay: one of the easiest places to get second residency and a second citizenship. 2. Paraguay We’ve been talking about Paraguay as one of the world’s easiest options for a for some time. While bureaucracy in Paraguay is a bit intense, and most lawyers move at a slower pace, you can easily get Paraguayan residency within two months if you rush your application, or within six months if you prefer standard service. The cost is reasonable, starting at less than $2,000 including government fees. And Paraguayan residents are eligible to apply for citizenship as soon as three years after applying. Paraguay is somewhat unique in South America in that there is really no requirement for you to actually live in the country as a resident. While nearby Uruguay offers citizenship after four years, it requires you to actuallyspend a significant period of time on the ground there. Paraguay does not enforce any such requirement, although you may need to open a small Paraguayan bank account or buy a few local stocks — several thousand dollars should suffice. In case you do want to actually live in Paraguay, land and residential real estate are some of the cheapest on earth, and Germans have been retiring to the country for years. The problem with Paraguayan residency is that lawyers there can be slow and there have been a few issues with agents back-dating cedillas for those willing to pay more, which puts the entire system in jeopardy. Panama’s Friendly Nations visa offers Americans and 46 other nationalities easy access to residency. You just need a small bank deposit and a clean record to qualify. 1. Panama Panama’s is hands down the easiest second residency option in Central America — and possibly the entire world. The only catch is that you have to be a citizen of one of the 47 “Friendly Nations” whichPanama looks favorably upon. That means Americans, Canadians, Australians, and most Europeans (save those from Italy) can apply and enjoy an easy application process. The Friendly Nations visa requires a $5,000 bank deposit and an “economic tie” to Panama. Typically, a Panama corporation is a good way to go. Fees are reasonable, although you do need to hire a Panama attorney to help you. Panama has long been an hub, and while the Panamanian government tried to tax Panama corporations on their worldwide income for about a day earlier this year, they backed down knowing the consequences that would ensue. Panama is a world-class country in Central America with all of the comforts of home, and Panama residency allows you to apply for citizenship after five years. Many countries in Central and South America offer good second residency programs that didn’t make this list. Belize offers a retiree visa program for those forty-five years and older, while Costa Rica offers various programs thatrequire bank deposits or an investment. Discover how to get a Second Residency and Passport
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Andrew has been internationalizing since 2007, and has learned what works and what doesn't work when it comes to second passports, offshore banking, tax reduction, and investing. He shares strategies you can use to grow and protect your own wealth and freedom. . Latest posts by Andrew Henderson () - April 8, 2016 - April 6, 2016 - April 4, 2016