Comments on: Questions: all about second passports

By: Mruse

Mruse — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:18:27 +0000

I recently acquired Italian citizenship through family ties. So, now a dual US/Italian citizen. Have been doing some lite research on Italy and a possible move. Would love any input/ideas from others in a similar position or with more knowledge on the subject. Thanks!

By: Gregory2481

Gregory2481 — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:57:33 +0000

Well, the trilateral commission is completely wrong as the recent economic downturn just proved. The one world economy, one world Government and one world religion was thought up centuries ago. This is the closest they have come to trying it, lets just say it did not go well and probably should not even be thought of again. Whether or not the EU breaks up is a different theory altogether, personally, I like sovereign nations and the uniquness of those nations.

By: Enzo_ferraridude

Enzo_ferraridude — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:49:36 +0000

Japan allows foreigners to bec ome citizens after a ten year stay and after three to five years if married to a Japanese person.To naturalise after ten years you would need to show proficiency in Japanese.

By: Sudarshan

Sudarshan — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:47:07 +0000

My Question: I am an aspiring car designer and would work in this field for the rest of my life.I would like to know which country's citizenship would give me access to the best automobile labour market especially for car design.The country should have a large R&D/Design and prototyping field with many independant and small car makers or holding its passport should give me access to work in another country with the same features! which country's passport do you suggest?

By: Sudarshan

Sudarshan — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:42:45 +0000

Hi there!

Informative and far sighted articles you write! I would like to add my two cents by saying that if one were to get an south american passport the best propect would be Chile because it is already an oecd member and would become formidable!

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:47:10 +0000

The Swiss passport is one of the best in the world. As far as I know, no other passport is better.
Banking: most Swiss banks will not accept you as a client if you are a US citizen or US permanent resident. It's just too much hassle for them.
You pay taxes in Switzerland if you live there. The tax rate depends on which canton you live in.
Swiss real estate is extremely expensive.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:39:49 +0000

Yes, you can still invest with most US brokerages. Check with the brokerage you are interested in using. I know E-Trade and TD-Ameritrade accept foreign accounts. You will have to file a tax return (1040NR) for some of the income from the account e.g. dividends from US corporations because some US-source income will still be taxable in the US.

By: Beau

Beau — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:24:28 +0000

Hi Jeff. I just wanted to congratulate you on your Dutch passport. Congratulations! I don't think that the EU will break apart any time soon. I think that The Trilateral Commission, established in 1973, wants 3 economic regions, then a single global currency and economy. I think that the EU is here to stay for some time. Jeff, these are just my opinions, and opinions are like elbows, everyone has two, and I don't know your background, but if I was in your shoes, I might consider taking out loans for dental or medical school, and learning another language or two, and then leaving the USA and moving to Europe. At any rate, congratulations again and best of luck.

From Wikipedia:
"The Netherlands has the 16th largest economy in the world, and ranks 7th in GDP (nominal) per capita. Between 1998 and 2000 annual economic growth (GDP) averaged nearly 4%, well above the European average. Growth slowed considerably from 2001 to 2005 with the global economic slowdown, but accelerated to 4.1% in the third quarter of 2007."

From Simon:
"The real irony is that breaking apart the eurozone is a popular idea in Europe, so you can be sure that the dissolution is inevitable.

If the relatively healthier economies in Europe actually did break away– Germany, Luxembourg, Slovakia (yes I’m serious), Netherlands, Austria, Belgium– the resulting economic union would certainly be among the healthiest, most balanced in the western world.

In other words, today’s euro would become worthless, but the future euro would be quite valuable and respected by investors. The major issue is whether the new currency would be large enough to challenge the dollar’s dominance. We won’t know the answer until they piece the deal together."

http://www.sovereignman.com/expat/questions-a-m...

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:06:37 +0000

I hit the ancestral jackpot and just obtained my Dutch passport (now a dual citizen with US). One of the many benefits is that I can now live/work anywhere within the EU (currently 27 countries). My question is… what happens to the value of my Dutch passport when the EU breaks apart? Will I be relegated to living/working only in the Netherlands?

By: Guestperson

Guestperson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:37:04 +0000

Yes. Even if you naturalize in anoter country you are not deemed to have intentionally renounced us citizenship by doing so.

By: Newbee

Newbee — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:25:59 +0000

Can one keep their US citizenship and have dual citizenship in another country without having any ancestry roots in the non US country?

By: Tahoenancy

Tahoenancy — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:08:13 +0000

Hi Simon, thanks for your information. My husband is researching his Italian roots, but needs help to find birth certificates in Italy. Can you recommend someone who specializes in this jurisdiction? Thanks so much.

By: Seth

Seth — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:38:40 +0000

Hello Simon

Great many insights and cannot thank you enough. Anticipation is killing me as I am waiting for your thoughts in planting a flag in Belgium.

By: Snowbell

Snowbell — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:08:15 +0000

I am an American citizen living in Germany. My tax situation recently changed so I am now thinking about other passport options. My parents were German. Germany is certainly not a tax haven, but it is where my entire extended family lives so I feel at home here. Due to looming double taxation I am now considering getting a German passport and renouncing my American citizenship. However, I am concerned about investment possibilities should I decide to do so. I am familiar with the American system but not very well with the German/European system. Would I still be able to invest with American brokerages?

I will consult my accountant but would also appreciate advice from this corner.

Thank you kindly!

By: rbs

rbs — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:11:10 +0000

Brazilian citizenship for spouses is available after one year. So I suggest that you find a way to meet Brazilians and marry one…of course you need to be careful and use your good judgment in this regard.

If you are that interested in Brazil, then I advise you to meet and hang out with Brazilians, make friends, use LinkedIn, all that stuff. Learn Portuguese; if you have experience with another Western Romance language, Portuguese will be easy to figure out with work and experience.

By: rbs

rbs — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:42:54 +0000

I would recommend it. In fact, after 20 + years, I had the last straw and made it my policy not to involve myself with American women, and that included long-time residents and naturalized citizens. Shortly thereafter, I met my wife, who was literally fresh off the boat.

She had her experiences in the States and vowed never to return; however, some friends persuaded her to travel there one more time.

By: Vive_lempereur

Vive_lempereur — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:11:14 +0000

Doesn't always work that way. Some countries don't permit outsiders becoming citizens (Japan and Philippines). Residency may the best to hope for.

By: rbs

rbs — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:59:50 +0000

I am an American married to a Brazilian for over 14 years. For me to get a permanent residency visa (visto permanete), my wife and I need to bring the required documents and money to the embassy or consulate and my visa will be issued there. That could happen on the spot, certainly within a week. Because of the length of our marriage (>5 years), this is possible without the long wait for the documents sent for processing in Brasilia.

Brazilian citizenship would become available in these circumstances in a year's time.

I understand that Brazilian communities in the USA is dwindling as people are returning home. This is also true of many other ethnic groups; if they still have or can regain their original citizenship, some of these people are leaving America. Most of them are not wealthy.

On what grounds do you feel that Brazilian passports will become valuable? Brazilians are still visa-free for travel to Schengen countries, but American passports still have perks if one wants to set up business or work in Europe.

I once read that Brazilians can obtain Portuguese citizenship easier than other third-country (non-EU/Schengen) nationals. Can you confirm this?

By: Kpn5000

Kpn5000 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:47:00 +0000

Marry someone from the country from which you wish to acquire citizenship. Just make sure you’re really in love!

By: Who is John Galt?

Who is John Galt? — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:35:57 +0000

Even an 'honorary' posting requires official approval and visas involving the sending and receiving countries. A fair amount of information needs to be provided to the receiving country too (like the reason for the trip). At the end of the day no government wants bogus diplomats going around and causing trouble.

By: Jai

Jai — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:44:20 +0000

There are RFID-blocker passport covers. Travelon makes a plain black leather one. Look for it online, overstock.com and elsewhere, or at Bed Bath & Beyond. There are probably other makers as well in various price ranges starting under $20.

At least it keeps ID theft rings with scanners at bay.

By: Jai

Jai — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:41:07 +0000

Which is the cheapest, fastest way to obtain a second passport? Dominica costs about $100,000. As someone mentions here, Brazil is $150,000. Spain, France, et al, take many years of residency and their cost of living – and taxes! – are high. Any way to obtain citizenship, passport with neither big investment nor long wait?

By: el

el — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:22:32 +0000

Do the new US passport have the REAL ID chip in it? The Real ID chip gives me pause…Also are the body scans now being used in all major airports in the world?
Thank you.

By: Ted

Ted — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:55:18 +0000

Simon, what are your thoughts on Honorary Consulships? My information currently indicates you get a diplomatic passport and therefore visa-free travel. Aside from the privileges you get, you are locked in the host country. Is that a good trade off?

By: Boris V.

Boris V. — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:45:47 +0000

Another negative side of not having American passport (but having green card instead) which Simon didn't mention is that some jobs are only available to American citizens. If you don't ever work for likes of GenDyn or Ratheon you shouldn't worry, though.

By: Christopher Evan Hossli

Christopher Evan Hossli — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:19:40 +0000

Simon, I was born in the the US (still living here) but I have dual citizenship in Switzerland through my father. Where does Switzerland rank across all classes (real estate, banking, taxes, etc), also where does the Swiss passport rank as far as ease of travel. Thanks.

By: Giselle

Giselle — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:18:55 +0000

Thanks for answering those interesting questions! I am very interested in applying for Brazilian residency so I can be on the path to apply for citizenship. But I am still a full time university student, so I have time on my side. I know you have to wait about 2-3 years to apply for citizenship once you have residency. However, when I was researching the guidelines to even be eligible to apply for residency, you either have to have $150,000 to invest, retirees, a Brazilian child or spouse, or a family reunion. So what's your advice, Simon? Or other readers? Should I try and save up $150,000 or maybe I can even try to apply for residency as a TEFL teacher or should I attain a visa first which is good for 5 years, and maybe then apply for residency? Or should I try buying a small house, and is the real estate supposed to be valued at at least $150,000? THANKS! =)