Lebanese citizens have been busy lately searching for ways to get a foreign passport since the Lebanese one is hard to get and is subject to visa restrictions.

Al-Rai newspaper stated that in view of the crises in Lebanon, requests for programs known as residency in exchange for investment have multiplied, and as a result, companies interested in facilitating such programs have flourished.

There are two program categories: the first is real estate investment in exchange for long-term residency in Europe, and the second is donating a specific amount to a Caribbean government in exchange for Caribbean citizenship.

Submissions and costs vary from program to program. In Europe, citizenship is not an option. Rather, what is granted is a long-term or permanent residence that facilitates movement, studies, work, and investment.

Residency can be obtained in return for investing between $250,000 and $500,000 to purchase real estate or housing units in government-approved projects. Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, and even Spain and Italy are among the countries that offer residency to investors.

Some countries have programs that allow investors to apply for citizenship after five years, according to certain conditions. The Caribbean countries, which are British Commonwealth countries, offer their citizenship in exchange for a donation of $100,000 to the Country’s government.

It is worth noting that the Caribbean passport allows its holder to enter 148 countries without a visa, including European countries in addition to Russia, China, and South American countries.