Citizenship by Investment Glossary: Key Terms You Need to Know

Understanding the language of global mobility, investment immigration, and second citizenship is essential when navigating the world of citizenship by investment (CBI) and residency by investment (RBI).

This comprehensive glossary compiles the most relevant and frequently used terms in the investment migration industry, helping investors, professionals, and aspiring global citizens better understand the programs, legal structures, and processes involved.

Whether you’re researching how to obtain a second passport, evaluating a Golden Visa program, or exploring tax residency options, this glossary is your go-to resource. It covers everything from due diligence and dual citizenship to visa-free travel and economic citizenship — making it easier to make informed decisions and build your path to global freedom.

Use this glossary to clarify immigration terminology, increase your financial literacy in the context of international migration, and strengthen your understanding of how second citizenship works across the world.

1. Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
   Programs that grant citizenship to individuals who make a significant economic investment in a country, such as real estate or government bonds.
2. Residency by Investment (RBI)
   Programs allowing individuals to gain residency in a country through financial investment, often without full citizenship.
3. Dual Citizenship
   The status of being a citizen of two countries, often permitted under certain citizenship-by-investment programs.
4. Passport by Investment
   The process of obtaining a second passport through economic contributions to a country’s economy.
5. Global Mobility
   The ability to travel freely across borders with minimal visa restrictions, often achieved by acquiring a second passport.
6. Visa-Free Travel
   The privilege to enter certain countries without needing a visa, a common benefit of second citizenship.
7. Investment Requirements
   The specific financial commitments (e.g., real estate purchase, business investment, or government donation) needed to qualify for CBI programs.
8. Economic Citizenship
   Citizenship obtained by financially contributing to a country’s economy, synonymous with citizenship by investment.
9. Permanent Residency
   A status allowing an individual to live indefinitely in a country without being a full citizen.
10. Naturalization
    The process of becoming a citizen through residency and meeting legal criteria over time, as opposed to immediate investment-based citizenship.
11. Passport Strength
12. Visa-on-Arrival:
13. Second Passport
14. Due Diligence Process
    The thorough background checks conducted by governments on CBI applicants to ensure security and legal compliance.
15. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
    A Canadian standard for measuring language proficiency, often a criterion in immigration applications.
16. Visa-on-Arrival
    An option allowing travelers to obtain a visa at the port of entry, available to passport holders from specific countries.
17. Tax Residency
    The requirement to pay taxes in a particular country based on residency status, a significant factor for investors.
18. Global Citizen
    A concept referring to individuals with multiple citizenships, providing them with greater mobility and international access.
19. High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI)
    Persons with substantial financial resources, often the primary applicants for CBI programs.
20. Exit Strategy
    Planning to leave one’s home country, typically for tax benefits, security, or global mobility.
21. Golden Visa
    Another term for residency by investment programs, often with easier pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.
22. Donation Option
    A CBI pathway where applicants make a non-refundable donation to a government fund to qualify for citizenship.
23. Real Estate Option
    An investment route where applicants purchase property as part of the requirement to gain citizenship.
24. Dependent Eligibility
    Conditions under which family members, such as spouses and children, can obtain citizenship alongside the primary applicant.
25. Country of Domicile
    The country in which an individual has their permanent home, relevant for tax and residency implications.
26. Expression of Interest (EOI)
    A process where applicants express their interest in an immigration program, often used in selection-based residency systems.
27. Processing Time
    The duration from application submission to receiving citizenship or residency status, a key factor in program selection.
28. Immigration Quota
    The number of applicants or visas a country accepts within a specific period, influencing program availability.
29. Residency Requirements
    Criteria for physically residing in a country, which may or may not be required under CBI or RBI programs.
30. Proof of Funds
    Documentation showing the source of funds for investment, often required in the application process.
31. Family Reunification
    Policies that allow family members to join a primary applicant in a new country through CBI or RBI programs.
32. Risk Profile Assessment
    Evaluations made during due diligence to assess an applicant’s legal and financial background.
33. Legal and Financial Advisors
    Professionals who guide applicants through the complex legal and financial aspects of acquiring second citizenship.
34. Foreign Tax Exemption
    A status allowing some CBI program participants to avoid certain taxes on global income based on residence or citizenship.
35. Wealth Management
    Services aimed at managing the financial assets of high-net-worth individuals, often used alongside global citizenship strategies.

Expanded Glossary Terms:

1. Citizenship Planning
   The strategic approach to selecting, qualifying, and applying for citizenship through investment based on factors like tax benefits, global mobility, and security.
2. Asset Diversification
   Distributing investments across various asset types (e.g., real estate, bonds) to minimize risk, often part of wealth management for investors seeking citizenship.
3. Repatriation of Funds
   The process of returning funds or assets to the investor’s home country, relevant for CBI and tax strategies.
4. Legal Residency
   A term encompassing legal authorization to reside in a country without necessarily holding citizenship, different from temporary or work visas.
5. Tax Optimization
   Strategies employed by high-net-worth individuals to minimize tax liability through investment programs, including CBI.
6. Financial Disclosure
   Mandatory reporting of all sources of funds for transparency in the CBI process to comply with international financial standards.
7. Citizenship Renunciation
   The formal process of relinquishing citizenship, relevant for investors aiming to reduce tax obligations or simplify their citizenship status.
8. Citizenship Restoration
   A process some countries offer to regain citizenship, sometimes applicable to second citizenship strategies.
9. Multi-Jurisdictional Taxation
   Tax obligations in multiple countries due to dual or multiple residencies, a critical factor for globally mobile investors.
10. Personalized Investment Advisory
    Services tailored for individuals seeking CBI, providing guidance on meeting investment requirements across jurisdictions.
11. Investment Compliance
    Adherence to legal standards and regulations in the host country, especially crucial in due diligence assessments.
12. Residency Investment Pathways
    Different options available for gaining residency, such as real estate, business investment, or government bonds.
13. Biometric Requirements
    Physical and digital identification processes often required for background checks and identity verification in CBI.
14. Global Compliance Standards
    International standards (e.g., FATF, OECD) aimed at preventing money laundering and ensuring CBI programs operate transparently.
15. Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
    A legal entity created for investment purposes, often used in CBI-related investments to protect assets.
16. Second Passport Advantages
    Benefits specific to obtaining a second passport, such as access to international healthcare and education.
17. International Tax Planning
    Structuring finances and citizenship status to reduce tax exposure on a global scale.
18. Family Wealth Preservation
    Strategies for safeguarding wealth across generations, often incorporated into CBI for legacy planning.
19. Investor Visa Categories
    The classification of visas based on investment level and type, with specific rights and limitations.
20. Immigration Portfolios
    Customized plans offering options in different countries, tailored to meet personal and financial goals for investors.
21. Pre-Immigration Tax Planning
    Planning tax liabilities before acquiring new residency or citizenship to optimize benefits.
22. Residency Waivers
    Exemptions from residency requirements in certain CBI programs, beneficial for individuals with global business obligations.
23. Expatriate Services
    Support services provided to individuals relocating internationally, including legal, tax, and cultural guidance.
24. Global Due Diligence Networks
    International systems and databases used by countries to conduct thorough background checks on CBI applicants.
25. Immigration Pathway Selection
    Guidance in choosing the most beneficial route for achieving residency or citizenship based on personal objectives.
26. Exit Tax
    A tax some countries levy when a citizen renounces their citizenship, relevant for those seeking tax-friendly CBI programs.
27. Residency Requalification
    The process to requalify for residency after it lapses, common for CBI applicants with changing circumstances.
28. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
    Regulations in CBI programs to prevent money laundering, which may involve financial and legal checks on applicants.
29. Cultural Assimilation Programs
    Initiatives offered by some countries to help new citizens integrate, providing context on language, culture, and laws.
30. Non-Domicile Tax Status
    A tax status that can exempt individuals from certain taxes in their country of residence, often beneficial for HNWIs.

📈 Additional Terms to Consider Adding 

Program-Specific & Policy Concepts:

• Non-Domiciled Resident – Useful for tax planning–oriented investors.
• Citizenship Revocation – Covers risks of losing investment-based citizenship.
• Blacklisted Citizenship Programs – For users researching compliant/legit options.
• OECD CRS (Common Reporting Standard) – Critical for HNWIs managing tax exposure globally.
• Schengen Zone – Highly searched term relating to visa-free travel from EU programs.
• Substantial Presence Test – Relevant for U.S. residency tax implications.
• Pre-Immigration Tax Planning – Strategic guide for investors relocating assets.
• Citizenship Timeline – Often searched alongside processing time, adds semantic variation.

Family & Generational Planning:

• Citizenship for Children – Key query for family applicants.
• Inheritable Citizenship – A long-term benefit people often research.
• Spousal Sponsorship – Related to dependent eligibility.
• Intergenerational Wealth Transfer – Relevant to family office clients.

Still Have Questions About Citizenship or Residency by Investment?

If you’re exploring second citizenship or global residency options and need expert guidance, our team is here to help. At Fast passport Toronto, we specialize in assisting investors and families with selecting the right citizenship by investment programs, understanding legal implications, and optimizing benefits such as global mobility, asset protection, and tax planning.

📞 Contact us today for a personalized consultation and discover the best route to a second passport and secure global lifestyle.