U.S. nationals who cannot rely on ancestry for a “Plan B” passport are looking at so-called “golden visas” and citizenship-by-investment programs in the Caribbean—and soon in South America—as a political and economic hatch in turbulent times, experts say.
A growing number of Americans have reportedly applied to be naturalized as Canadian, Irish, or Luxembourgish citizens since the end of 2024, taking advantage of ancestry laws that allow for descendants to be recognized by the countries their great-grandparents or great-great grandparents left decades before. The surge in demand has coincided with President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, which have made many concerned about increased economic volatility in the U.S. and an exacerbation of the country’s political division.
While finding the relevant documents to prove the ancestry lineage might be a lengthy and complex process, citizenship-by-descent is generally considered better, cheaper and more secure than its costly alternatives: citizenship-by-investment and “golden visas.”
But for Americans who cannot claim citizenship-by-descent, either because countries have tightened their requirements or they do not have that connection in the first place, these are the only options. And while some programs remain for those who can afford them only, middle-class Americans are also showing interest.
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Immigrant Invest, a Malta-based company specializing in residence and citizenship by investment founded in 2006, told Newsweek that Americans are its largest client group this year, representing 17 percent of all its consultations. And it is no longer just the ultra-wealthy who are looking to pay for a residency-by-investment permit or dual nationality.
Across the company’s client base, salaried professionals and retirees drawing on savings now account for a quarter of calls, up from about 15 percent in 2025, Immigrant Invest said. These are business owners as well as physicians, pilots and IT specialists, the company said.
Why Americans Want A ‘Plan B’
For most Americans seeking a “golden visa” or a second citizenship, obtaining a residency permit or another passport does not reflect a desire or intention to leave the U.S., but to establish “a foothold in Europe and an insurance policy,” Alex Razinkov of Immigrant Invest told Newsweek.
For high-net-worth individuals, it is a great way to protect their assets from economic and political instability, access more business opportunities and, sometimes, pay lower taxes.
“In an era of political volatility and uncertainty, having multiple citizenships or residences serves as a form of geopolitical risk insurance,” Judi Galst, managing director private clients at Henley & Partners, previously told Newsweek.
Roughly 40 percent of Immigrant Invest’s U.S.-based clients cite a “Plan B” or political uncertainty as a reason to look abroad, Razinkov said.
“About one in seven ask about citizenship rather than residence, mostly Caribbean programs—Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis—, with Türkiye and Sao Tome and Principe also on the list. And Argentina may be next: the government announced its terms on October 2, but the rules are not yet published.”
Among those who sought a second citizenship for other reasons than financial ones, many who obtained citizenship-by-descent told Newsweek they did so because of fears of the Trump administration’s hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community and its crackdown on immigrants.
Where Americans Are Looking to Obtain Citizenship-By-Investment
There is a key difference between “golden visas” and citizenship-by-investment programs.
“Golden visas,” also known as residency-by-investment programs, offer temporary or permanent residency in a country in return for a substantial investment. A “golden visa” can ultimately lead to citizenship, but this is not an automatic process.
Citizenship-by-investment programs give individuals the opportunity to obtain a second passport in exchange for a financial contribution, government fund donation, or real estate purchase. Only some countries offer these programs, including Antigua and Barbuda (from $230,000), Dominica (from $200,000), Grenada (from $235,000), Saint Kitts and Nevis (from $250,000) and Saint Lucia (from $240,000) in the Caribbean. Malta terminated its previously existing citizenship-by-investment program following a 2025 ruling by the European Court of Justice and replaced it with a citizenship-by-merit one.
Both “golden visas” and citizenship-by-investment programs offer Americans the escape hatch they are increasingly looking for, though with very different timelines and levels of commitment and investment.
Among the most popular countries to obtain a “golden visa” for U.S. nationals are Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Among these, Malta, Cyprus and Panama are the only countries that grant permanent residence by investment. In all other countries, a “golden visa” allows holders to stay for a period between two and 10 years, which can then be renewed.
Armenia, Thailand, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, the Philippines, Latvia, Sri Lanka, and Cape Verde all offer “golden visas” for under $100,000.
For those looking for a permanent “Plan B” option, the Caribbean and South America offer the most appealing citizenship-by-investment opportunities. U.S. nationals accounted for nearly a third of all applications processed globally by citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the company previously told Newsweek.
Americans also represented the majority of those applying for citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda, equal to 50 percent of 2026 applications so far, up from 26 percent of all 2025 applications.
Argentina just announced in early October the launch of a new program which would offer Argentine citizenship in exchange for a substantial payment or government investment to applicants who do not need to reside in the country.
Newsweek contacted Henley & Partners and Immigrant Invest for comment by email on Monday.
How It Works, By Country
Antigua & Barbuda offers a path to citizenship with a minimum investment of $230,000 to the National Development Fund. Other options are a contribution to the University of the West Indies of a minimum non-refundable amount of $260,000; the purchase of real estate with a minimum value of $300,000 from an approved real estate project; or the direct purchase of an eligible business for a minimum amount of $1.5 million as an individual.
For the last two options, joint purchase options are also available, with a higher threshold for each individuals’ contribution.
In St Kitts & Nevis, applicants need to make a minimum investment of $250,000 in a public benefit project or make a real estate purchase worth at least $325,000.
In Dominica, investment starts from $200,000 for an individual and $250,000 for an individual and up to three qualifying dependents. Alternatively, applicants can make a real estate purchase worth at least $200,000.
In Grenada, applicants can invest a minimum of $235,000 in the National Transformation Fund or make a real estate purchase of at least $270,000.
In Saint Lucia, applicants can apply to the country’s citizenship by investment program through a contribution of at least $240,000 to the National Economic Fund or an investment of a minimum of $250,000 in an approved enterprise or project. Alternatively, they can make a real estate purchase of at least $300,000, or invest the same sum in non-interest-bearing government bonds.
In Argentina, the newly announced program would require the payment of a nonrefundable contribution of $350,000 to the Argentine Treasury, or an $800,000 in a specially created government bond, which investors would have to hold for seven years.
Primary applicants could include family members for an additional fee: $100,000 for a spouse or eligible adult child (aged between 18 and 25), and $25,000 for each child under 18. Applications are not yet open.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Emma Lee-Sang