Uglobal Immigration Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1 | Page 28

26 UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE “ The Caribbean CBI programs have real estate offerings starting at $200,000 and, in some cases, that may be more attractive than just making a donation. ” To start, it is important to emphasize the difference between residency and citizenship applications. For applicants who apply for residency, for example, in countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Portugal and Malta, the intent is usually to spend some amount of time in these countries, possibly to have their children educated there. There is a general intent to follow a path which can lead to citizenship, assuming all conditions are met. A CBI program, however, is a direct route to citizenship that gives the privilege of acquiring a new passport. It is the passport — and the benefits of holding it — that are attractive and desirable to many private clients.