Central America Citizenship Investment Programmes

Do any of the Central American countries offer citizenship by investment? With several countries in the neighbouring Caribbean offering competing citizenship programmes from just $100,000 we take a look at the seven central America countries to see if anything compares.

Belize

There is no citizenship by investment option in Belize. Residents in Belize can apply for Permanent Residency after 1 year and citizenship after 5 years.You can enter Belize on a visitor visa, renewing this monthly and decide later whether to apply for Permanent Residency.

Costa Rica

There is no citizenship by investment programme in Costa Rica. Interested applicants can gain residency through investment in Costa Rica. The minimum investment, which can be into a business or real estate is $200,000. Applicants then gain Temporary Residecy and can apply for Permanent Residency after 3 years. A further one year and residents can apply for citizenship.

Panama

Residency is possible in Panama through a small bank deposit. However there is no citizenship investment programme. It is possible to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residency.

Guatemala

There is no official citizenship by investment programme in Guatemala. However we are aware of promotions on the web offering a new identity and change of name with a Guatamelan passport. We’d advise anyone to stay clear.

El Salvador

Again there is no official citizenship by investment programme in El Salvador but residents can gain the righ to citizenship of the country after 5 years.

Honduras

Residency is possible in Honduras through investment of $50,000 into a company registered in Honduras. Citizenship is possible after 3 years of residency.

Nicaragua

With a business investment of $30,000 or a monthly income of $600, it is possible to gain residency in Nicaragua. Citizenship can be applied for after five years providing the person has lived in Nicaragua for 6 months each year.