CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES
See below a selection of countries offering residency and citizenship investment programmes.
Laos
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic may not be an ideal destination for immigrant high-net-worth investors seeking second residence or citizenship. As a landlocked state, it ranks among the poorest in Asia. Limited economic opportunities and regulatory barriers within the nation render it a less appealing option for high-net-worth investors seeking a second citizenship.
LAOS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
Laos does not offer an official citizenship by investment programme. Citizenship is attainable through traditional means such as naturalization, birth, and descent. The country is however considering the launch of an honorary citizenship programme for foreign nationals who invest USD $1 million in the nation and contribute USD $500,000 towards ‘socio-economic’ development.
Foreign investors aspiring to obtain a second passport through investment are advised to instead explore alternative avenues. Criticism surrounds the programme due to Laos’ state ownership of all land, and the honorary citizenship provided does not technically confer full citizenship. In contrast, the Antigua Citizenship by Investment programme offers investors full citizenship rights.
LAOS RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT
Currently, Laos does not offer any residency options through investment. Instead, investors can explore alternative programmes like Canada’s start-up investor programme, which allows entrepreneurial investors to obtain residency through strategic business investments.
LAOS PASSPORT STRENGTH AND RANKING
The Lao passport is regarded as weak due to its limited global access. With entry permitted to only 64 countries, which account for just 11.7% of GDP and 17.2% of worldwide travel, its performance is notably low. As a result, it ranks 142nd on La Vida’s comprehensive Global Passport Ranking, underscoring the restrictions on global mobility and economic opportunities for prospective. Stronger passports exist through several other citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes. For example, Canada’s passport ranks 30th, offering better global travel freedom, making it a preferable citizenship solution for high-net-worth individuals.
