Fastest and Easiest Countries for Second Citizenship in 2026

Foreigners seek to obtain a second citizenship for various reasons: greater mobility, financial advantages, and personal security. Vanuatu, Sao Tome and Principe, and Nauru are among the top three countries offering the fastest citizenship. For example, it takes as little as 2 months to obtain citizenship in Sao Tome and Principe. This article explores the easiest and quickest options for obtaining second citizenship in 2026.

The key benefits of obtaining second citizenship quickly include greater travel freedom, better prospects for your family, and new business opportunities.

• Greater travel freedom: visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to dozens or even hundreds of countries. For example, residents of Antigua and Barbuda can travel freely to more than 150 countries without visa restrictions, including the Schengen Area countries and the UK.
• Better prospects for families: improved healthcare, education, and lifestyle abroad. The application can include spouses, dependent children, and parents.
• New business opportunities: access to global markets and more favorable tax systems.

Factors that make obtaining second citizenship fast and easy include the availability of direct investment options, quick processing times, minimal residency requirements, and a clear legal framework.

1. Direct investment options: citizenship programs that require investment in real estate or government funds offer faster processing.
2. Fast processing time: investment-based programs can issue a second passport within months.
3. Minimal residency requirements: some countries grant citizenship without needing long-term residence.
4. No language or cultural tests: absence of language and integration requirements simplifies and speeds up the process.
5. Clear legal framework: structured legal procedures reduce uncertainty and delays.

Traditional naturalisation is slower. Standard routes often demand years of residence, language fluency, and cultural adaptation.

The top states that offer the fastest and easiest paths to second citizenship include Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu, Nauru, Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Sao Tome and Principe

• Timeframe — from 2 months
• Minimum investment — $90,000

Launched in August 2025, São Tomé & Príncipe’s citizenship program quickly became the most budget-friendly route to a second passport. The process is straightforward, with no residency obligations, language exams, or in-person interviews required during approval.

Benefits of São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment:

• Family eligibility — applications may include a spouse, children up to 30 years old, and parents aged 55+
• No travel needed — the entire application can be completed remotely
• Visa-free access to 60+ destinations, including Singapore and several Asian and African hubs
• Affordable long-term solution — the lowest-priced citizenship option in 2025
• Simple tax environment — no tax on foreign income for non-residents

Program highlights:

• Direct citizenship without residency or physical presence
• Government-approved investment route ensures program legitimacy
• Citizenship is permanent and can be inherited by future generations

Dominica

• Timeframe — from 4 months
• Minimum investment — $200,000

Dominica offers one of the most accessible and reliable citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean. Launched over 30 years ago, it allows investors to obtain second citizenship either through a government donation or a real estate investment.

Benefits of Dominica Citizenship by Investment:

• Citizenship for the whole family — spouse, children, parents, grandparents. A key advantage is the ability to include children over 18 in the application
• Fully remote process — no visit to Dominica required
• Visa-free travel to 140+ countries, including the EU and Hong Kong
• Eligibility for a 10-year U.S. tourist visa — citizens of Dominica can stay in the US for up to 180 days per year
• Attractive tax system — no global income, inheritance, or capital gains tax.

Program highlights:

• The lowest minimum investment in the Caribbean region
• When purchasing real estate, the investor can choose from properties approved by a government-appointed committee. The list includes eco-villa developments and 5-star hotels
• Real estate investments can be recovered after 3–5 years, while generating passive income in the meantime.

Antigua and Barbuda

• Timeframe — from 8 months
• Minimum investment — $230,000

Antigua and Barbuda offers one of the most affordable citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean for large families. The program provides multiple pathways to citizenship: you can make a donation to the National Development Fund, purchase real estate, invest in the university fund, or contribute to a local business.

Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment:

• Citizenship for the whole family — spouse, children up to 30 years old (if financially dependent), parents, grandparents over 55, siblings, and more
• Participants in the program are not required to reside in the country, making it ideal for international investors: only 5 days must be spent in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years after obtaining the passport
• Visa-free travel to 150+ countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore
• Attractive tax regime — no tax on income, wealth, inheritance, or global earnings.

Program highlights:

• Returnable real estate investments after 5 years with rental income potential
• Minimum non-refundable contribution of $230,000 to the National Development Fund is available for for a family of up to 4
• Real estate investment option from $300,000 in government-approved properties, including tourism infrastructure; rental income possible (2–5% per year)
• University Fund contribution from $260,000, which includes a scholarship for one family member to the University of the West Indies
• Business investment starting from $1.5M, with options for joint investments.

Grenada

• Timeframe — from 6 months
• Minimum investment — $235,000

Ideal for global investors and families, the citizenship-by-investment program of Grenada allows applicants to gain second citizenship without relocating to the country. Investors can choose between a donation to the National Transformation Fund or purchasing real estate in approved developments.

Benefits of Grenada Citizenship by Investment:

• Citizenship for the whole family — includes spouse, financially dependent children, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings
• Remote application process — no physical presence required before or after approval
• Visa-free travel to 140+ countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, China, Singapore, and more
• E-2 Business Visa to the USA — Grenadian citizens are eligible to apply for the U.S. E-2 visa, allowing relocation and business operations in this state
• Favorable tax regime — no tax on worldwide income, wealth, capital gains, or inheritance.

Program highlights:

• Non-refundable contribution from $235,000 in the National Transformation Fund (NTF) for a single applicant or a family of up to four
• Real estate investment from $270,000 in government-approved real estate projects (typically in the tourism sector)
• Returnable investment — real estate can be sold after 5 years with no loss of citizenship.

Vanuatu

• Timeframe — 3+ months
• Minimum investment — $130,000

Vanuatu one of the fastest citizenship by investment programs in the world, with passports issued in as little as 2–4 months. Located in the South Pacific, Vanuatu provides a fully remote application process and no residency requirements. Citizenship can be obtained through a one-time, non-refundable contribution to one of the government-approved development funds.

Benefits of Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment:

• Citizenship for the entire family — including spouse, dependent children and parents
• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 90+ countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel
• Favourable tax regime — no income, wealth, capital gains, or inheritance tax.

Programme highlights:

• Minimum non-refundable contribution of $130,000 to the Development Support Program (DSP)
• Alternative option is $165,000 contribution to the Cocoa Development Fund under the Capital
• Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP)
• Biometric registration required

From November , applicants are required to submit biometrics in person in one of the approved offices in Vanuatu, Hong Kong, Dubai or New Caledonia.

Nauru

• Timeframe — from 3 months
• Minimum investment — $105,000

Nauru offers an exclusive citizenship-by-investment programme launched in late 2024, providing full citizenship in just 3–4 months. The main route is through a non-refundable contribution of $105 000 to Nauru’s national development fund.

Benefits of Nauru Citizenship by Investment:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 80+ countries, including, Hong Kong, and Singapore
• Citizenship for the whole family, including spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and even siblings (if dependent)
• Attractive tax regime — no taxes on worldwide income, inheritance, or capital gains.

Programme highlights:

• $105,000 minimum donation to the Nauru Sustainable Development Fund
• No physical residence or visits to the country required
• Remote application process — no travel or interviews required.

Choosing the right citizenship program depends on your priorities. If your main goal is the lowest entry cost, São Tomé & Príncipe now offers the most affordable option, starting from $90,000 with no residency requirements. For a fast and straightforward process, Vanuatu remains one of the quickest routes to a second passport. If visa-free access matters most, Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda offer broad global mobility, including the Schengen Area and the UK, while Dominica provides one of the most budget-friendly routes for families.

Working with licensed immigration consultants is essential for a secure and successful citizenship process. Only authorised professionals have up-to-date knowledge of legal requirements, program changes, and country-specific nuances. They help you choose the best option, prepare accurate documentation, and guide you through each step — saving time, money, and stress.

The growing interest in second citizenship has unfortunately attracted scammers who promote unrealistic “fast-track” offers, such as instant passports, guaranteed approvals, or ultra-low fees that bypass legal processes. These schemes often lack any official backing and can lead to financial loss or serious legal consequences, including the revocation of citizenship. To stay safe, always work with licensed professionals and verify all information through official government sources.

The general steps to apply for citizenship include an initial consultation with an Astons expert, document preparation, application submission, approval and investment, as well as citizenship and passport issuance.

1. Initial consultation with an Astons expert. During a personal consultation, our immigration specialists will assess your situation and explain the program options.
2. Document preparation. Astons’ consultants will help you collect, review, and organize all necessary documents in line with the program’s strict requirements.
3. Application submission. Once all documents are ready, we’ll conduct a final review and submit your application through an authorized local agent, as required by law.
4. Approval and investment. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a formal notice from the government. At this stage, you will proceed with the required investment — either a donation or a real estate purchase.
5. Citizenship and passport issuance. After the investment is finalised, you’ll take the oath of allegiance and receive a Certificate of Naturalisation.

Citizenship by investment remains one of the most efficient tools for securing global mobility and long-term financial planning. In 2026, São Tomé & Príncipe offers the most affordable and entry point and fastest processing, while Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda provide wider visa-free travel and family-friendly terms. Grenada stands out for access to the U.S. E-2 Investor Visa, and Vanuatu remains among the fastest options with fully remote processing.

Each program differs in investment type, visa-free access, taxation, and family inclusion — the best choice depends on your priorities.