Best Citizenship Countries for Russians

Governments of other countries are quite actively attracting specialists from the countries of the former Soviet Union to work in various fields. In addition to specialists, investors and entrepreneurs who are able to make investments in agriculture, the agrarian sector or the economy as a whole enjoy increased attention. If a person meets certain criteria, shows high results and efficiency in work, is able to create jobs for the local population, then the process of acquiring the full rights of a citizen of a particular state is simplified for him. Based on this, many foreigners have the question “Which country is the easiest to obtain citizenship and how to do it quickly?”.

Each country has its own list of ways to legalize the stay of a foreigner, but it is worth noting the general methods that help to obtain a national passport of another state. Some of the more common methods include:

Origin, which means that the foreigner or his parents, other close relatives were born in the territory of the country of interest.
Get married or marry a native.
Practice certain religious beliefs.
Pass a lengthy naturalization process that involves living for five to ten years in the territory of the chosen state.
Have special merit.
Become an investor in the economy of a country that is interesting for a person to acquire a second citizenship. This method has already received a terminological definition in the scientific literature as economic immigration. Separately, there is business immigration.

It is worth dwelling on this point in more detail, since countries differ in investing finance in the country's economy in exchange for acquiring citizenship. Popular among Russians who seek to invest abroad in various financial projects and sectors of the economy are the countries of North America, in particular Canada.

In Canada, you can purchase a national passport for as little as $240,000. It should be borne in mind that investments in Canada, if it was not possible to obtain citizenship, are not returned back due to the fact that investments of this nature are recognized as gratuitous. It also does not provide for the payment of dividends.

Other investment options include:

The country of Saint Christopher and Nevis (or Saint Chris and Nevis) at the government level has developed a program to attract investors through the granting of citizenship. To move one person, the amount of investments is only 250 thousand dollars, together with three family members it will already be 300 thousand, a foreigner and 5 family members - 350 thousand, for an applicant for citizenship and 6 family members this amount increases to 450 thousand dollars.
Bulgaria has a two-stage procedure for granting citizenship by investment. First you need to buy securities with a total value of 515 thousand euros. This amount will allow you to obtain a residence permit, after which it is worth investing a similar amount again in order to qualify for full citizenship in a year.
Belize, a state in the Caribbean, is recognized as a fairly “cheap” option. By paying only 50 thousand dollars to a special fund for economic development, you can get a national passport.
Malta has a fairly attractive investment climate for foreigners, including Russians. But getting citizenship here is not easy if you don’t have the necessary amount of money. Here investments are divided into donations and investments. Donations provide for the introduction of an amount of 500 thousand euros: 350 thousand are used to purchase real estate, 150 thousand are invested in government bonds. Investment requires a larger amount - about 650 thousand euros.
Cyprus is an expensive option for where it is easiest to obtain citizenship. The Russians have to spend three to five million euros. The amount of invested funds depends directly on the method of investment.

In these countries, as in others, before the procedure for granting citizenship, all foreigners must, according to the accelerated or standard scheme, obtain a residence permit, then acquire the status of a permanent residence permit. And only then there is a chance to get a full-fledged citizenship.

Acquisition of a residence permit: rating of the best options

Foreigners, deciding to move to another country, begin to explore various ways to do it legally and quickly. An important aspect is the country in which it is easiest to obtain citizenship by going through the procedure for obtaining a residence permit and permanent residence. These documents can be obtained after a certain time in the country of residence, having gone through certain stages, having endured several procedural points. There is a list of countries where obtaining a residence permit is easier than in other states:

Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Latvia.
Spain.
Panama.
Portugal.
Canada.
Australia and New Zealand.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

The island state of Saint Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean Sea) is distinguished by a simple and quick procedure for legalizing foreigners. The government has developed a special program on how to get a residence permit, and then citizenship. The main way is to buy real estate, and when it becomes the property of a foreigner, then he gets the opportunity to freely travel around Europe, the Schengen agreement, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland.

Other advantages include the fact that having a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport allows you to enter foreign universities without issuing a visa, to work outside, for example, England without permission. For Russians, there is a great opportunity to get a passport in Moscow, but for this you need to provide evidence that there is real estate in this state. Citizenship at the same time as the owner of housing in St. Kitts and Nevis is received by spouses, minor children and parents, if they have documents on disability.

Latvia

Another country where Russian citizens can quickly get a residence permit and citizenship is Latvia. The cost of real estate here is much lower than in other European countries and averages from 70-140 thousand euros. The most expensive real estate is located in Riga, Jurmala and neighboring cities, and then the price of houses or apartments gradually falls, and several times.

Buying a property in Latvia allows you to immediately obtain a residence permit, which is issued to the property owner and his family members. The validity of the document is five years, with the possibility of extending for an unlimited period of time. Ten years after living in Latvia, it becomes possible to apply for citizenship. But even a Latvian residence permit allows you to travel around the EU countries, work, study.

Spain

Spain is also included in the list of countries where it is quite easy to obtain a residence permit by buying a property worth at least 500 thousand euros. This allows you to immediately obtain a residence permit document, which will be valid for five years, then the turn comes to apply for permanent residence, and ten years later foreigners can receive a Spanish national passport.

But, if Latvia does not require a permanent stay on its territory, then the Spanish government should insist on this aspect. You need to live in the country for at least six months in a row to maintain your status and become a Spanish taxpayer.

Panama

We are also ready to actively accept Russians in Panama by providing them with a residence permit. Only the amount of investment is quite high and can "bite", amounting to 300 thousand dollars. Residence permit allows you to travel to the countries of Latin America, the Schengen zone, the Caribbean. The requirements regarding residence in the country are also strict. Foreigners must spend 5 years in Panama without a break, which will allow a national passport.

Portugal

Portugal is also on the list of countries where the government actively promotes obtaining a national passport. Having bought a house here worth at least 500 thousand euros, you can immediately apply for a residence permit.

You need to live in the country every six months (continuously), but there are excellent opportunities to obtain citizenship in six years, and before that, travel around Europe, do business.

Canada

Canada is recognized as an “inexpensive” option for acquiring a residence permit, and then citizenship, by foreigners. Buying or renting a house worth $240,000 or more on a long-term lease, you can get Canadian citizenship in three years. Only for this you will have to live in the country all the time, waiting for a passport.

Australia and New Zealand

Not far behind Canada, and the countries of distant Oceania - Australia and New Zealand. In these countries, there are several ways to quickly obtain a residence permit and citizenship. In addition to buying real estate, there are special programs to attract business investment, professional staff, students to study at local universities.

The Australian government is constantly facilitating that foreigners participating in one of these programs can quickly obtain citizenship. Business immigration and professional labor migration are popular here.

In New Zealand, university studies and employment are recognized as the most likely option to obtain a national passport. Having entered a university, a bachelor's or master's degree, and having studied for four to five years, you can then quickly find a well-paid job, which will allow you to obtain New Zealand citizenship.

Where can residents of Russia go

Russians have the opportunity to obtain citizenship of another country, while retaining Russian citizenship. The presence of two passports allows you to work in a particular country, receive loans, study, take an active part in political, socio-economic and public life, apply for visas to third countries of the world. But such a chance, i.e. dual citizenship is not available in all countries.

The governments of many states refuse such programs, protecting their own security and national interests. Among the countries accessible to Russians that still practice the issuance of citizenship in the presence of Russian, it is worth noting Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Canada, Panama, Dominica, Macau, Saint-Kist and Nevis.

In addition to these states and those where a residence permit is quickly issued based on the purchase of real estate, it is worth considering other options in order to take a comprehensive approach to solving the problem of which country's citizenship is easiest for a Russian to obtain. Attractive and comfortable countries for moving are such as:

The Czech Republic is distinguished by an understandable and uncomplicated language, close Slavic mentality, and the ability to quickly find a job. Studying at a local university, Czech origin, work or business can contribute to the move.
You can move to the USA and eventually acquire citizenship based on a long period of naturalization, get a green card by winning the lottery, through marriage and birthright.
Greece willingly provides a residence permit through the purchase of real estate in the amount of 250 thousand euros.
Turkey also welcomes the acquisition of real estate by foreigners, issuing a document for a residence permit after 6 months. It must be renewed every two years in order to then apply for Turkish citizenship. The problem is that the passport of a Turkish citizen does not allow you to travel to the EU or other countries without barriers. Visas will still have to be opened.
In Costa Rica, you only need to buy real estate worth 155,000 euros. Full civil rights can be obtained after 10 years, at the same time becoming the owner of a Spanish residence permit.
Norway, unlike other Scandinavian countries, is loyal to foreigners. The passport of this state can be obtained in two ways - through a branch, i.e. birthright, or on the basis of a submitted application after passing the naturalization process. Usually Russians use the second option, because not everyone has Norwegian roots. It is important to remember that dual citizenship is not allowed in this country, so you will have to renounce Russian citizenship.
Egypt, despite the complexity of the procedure for acquiring citizenship, is quite an attractive country for Russian citizens to move to. You can buy a passport after ten years by buying real estate, or after two years by marrying an Egyptian citizen/citizen. The fastest way to become the owner of an Egyptian national passport is to prove the presence of Egyptian roots and origin. Citizenship can also be issued for special, exceptional services to the country.
Serbia is a country close to Russia in many respects, and therefore it is easier to obtain citizenship here than anywhere else in the Balkans. There are many options - from birthright to investment and marriage. The easiest way to obtain Serbian citizenship is to start your own business, creating several jobs for local residents.

Other ways to acquire citizenship

Through investments, which means injecting funds into the economy of the selected country. The amounts can be completely different, as well as the sectoral focus of investment. In particular, it is worth investing about 3 million euros in the economy of Cyprus; in Bulgaria - 500 thousand euros (+ creation of up to ten jobs in regions where there are certain difficulties with economic development); Austria is asking for 6 to 10 million euros to be invested to achieve significant economic growth and job creation. Estonia (64 thousand euros), Greece and Ireland (about 300 thousand euros), Hungary (at least 250 thousand euros) are recognized as more affordable.
It is very easy to obtain citizenship in the Dominican Republic. You need to collect a package of documents and apply for a residence permit. This can be done by any foreigner who is able to obtain a residence permit in this country for one year.
By birth/blood and by law of return. The leaders in this direction are Germany, Israel, Poland and Hungary.
Through training in higher educational institutions or through legal employment. For example, UK, Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, USA.

Countries where citizenship is difficult to obtain

The leaders may be Denmark and Sweden, where the migration policy is very tough. Regarding Sweden, there are no programs for immigration through professional employment in this country, unless the qualification is very rare and in demand in this state. You can acquire citizenship on the basis of long-term naturalization, family reunification, and seeking asylum. The same requirements exist in Denmark.
In both countries, you need to stay on the territory of the states for several years without a break, fulfill all the requirements, learn the language, pass exams, and pass other obstacles. If the citizenship application procedure has a positive result, then you will have to renounce the citizenship of another country.

In Austria, you can get a residence permit quickly on the basis of business immigration, legal employment and education at universities. But this is not yet a guarantee that a person will receive a national Austrian passport. The average period for acquiring citizenship is about 10 years or more. After this time, a foreigner receives the right to live indefinitely in the country, and only after thirty years there is a chance to become an Austrian citizen.
If you invest about 2 million euros in the economy, then the waiting period for a passport is reduced to 6 years. Citizenship of another country will have to be abandoned, two passports are allowed if a foreigner has created a large number of jobs, established the production and export of products from Austria abroad.
The Maltese government is also in no hurry to issue citizenship, despite the rapid issuance of a residence permit. Usually a passport is issued 18 years after receiving a temporary residence permit. If a marriage is concluded with a citizen / citizen of the country, then citizenship can be obtained after 5 years.

Thus, the easiest way to obtain citizenship of another country is by purchasing real estate. But for this you need to have, on average, from 250-500 thousand euros. Other options - study and work - are also worth considering, but then you have to go through the naturalization process and wait a few years to get a residence permit or permanent residence.