Samoa passports are among the top 40 in the world

The Independent State of Samoa

The Independent State of Samoa is an island in Oceania located between New Zealand and Hawaii. It spans an area of 2,842 square kilometers and consists of two main islands and several smaller ones.

Samoa is home to various natural attractions, including expansive beaches, stunning natural scenery, volcanic mountains, and beautiful green plains.

The island of Samoa is considered a favorite tourist destination by many foreigners for these reasons. Some even view it as an ideal place to live. Did you know that it is possible to acquire Samoan citizenship and a Samoan passport through its Citizenship by Investment program?

If you're interested in obtaining a Samoan passport, this article is tailored for you to understand what's required to make the appropriate investment to gain citizenship. Read on to learn more.

Citizenship by Investment

Have you ever heard of a system that allows you to purchase another nationality and acquire a foreign passport? There is indeed a program that offers foreign investors the opportunity to gain different nationalities.

Each nationality or passport provides various benefits, such as visa-free travel or access to new investment markets.

Several countries implement this program, most notably Caribbean nations, including:

• Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
• Dominica citizenship.

Each of these countries has its unique regulations and requirements for the program. Some require specific investments, such as real estate investments, while others only allow citizenship acquisition through donations.

Each country has its minimum investment threshold for obtaining citizenship.

Before selecting a country to purchase its citizenship, you should review its passport ranking. For example, the Samoan passport, which we will discuss in this article, is ranked among the top 40 passports worldwide.

The strength of a passport is measured based on the number of countries its holder can visit visa-free or with a visa on arrival.

Each nationality comes with its own advantages, and the benefits of obtaining a specific citizenship are assessed based on those advantages. Below, we will explore the benefits of acquiring a Samoan passport.

What are the Benefits of Acquiring a Samoan Passport?

The Citizenship by Investment Program in Samoa was introduced in 2017. It allows individuals and their immediate family members to obtain citizenship in exchange for a specific investment amount in Samoa.

Investors seeking a Samoan passport must have a minimum net worth of $1 million and make an investment of at least $1.5 million. This investment can be in real estate, critical areas of Samoa’s economy, or a government fund.

In addition to citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, and permanent residence, investors can now obtain Samoan citizenship and a passport through investment.

Samoa is located roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, with a GDP of $1.2 billion and a population of 200,000. It is important not to confuse Samoa with American Samoa.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labor manages and regulates the Citizenship by Investment Program in Samoa. Previously, there were only four ways to acquire Samoan citizenship:

1. Citizenship by birth.
2. Citizenship by descent.
3. Citizenship through marriage.
4. Citizenship by permanent residence.

With the launch of this program, it has become possible to acquire Samoan citizenship and a passport through investment. Immediate family members can also gain citizenship once the investment process is complete.

Advantages of a Samoan Passport

One of the significant benefits of Samoa’s Citizenship by Investment Program is the ability to fully withdraw the investment, leaving only 15% after obtaining permanent residency. Other advantages of the program include:

• The Samoan passport is highly desirable as it allows visa-free travel to Canada, the Schengen Area in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
• The ability to acquire a second passport without renouncing the original passport.
• Samoa is a peaceful and ideal island for those who wish to live in a serene and beautiful place with their families.
• The Samoan passport allows visa-free travel to 129 countries, including Canada, Europe, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
• Ranked among the top 40 passports globally, as per the 2018 rankings.
• The Citizenship by Investment Program in Samoa offers lifetime citizenship to family members and children.
• The minimum residency requirement to retain the Samoan passport is 15 days per year within the country.
• The Samoan passport can provide visa-free access to jurisdictions not accessible with the first passport.
• Tax benefits for high-net-worth individuals.
• Samoan citizenship through investment is a valuable alternative investment for the future.
• Dual citizenship is permitted, allowing holders to retain their original passport.

How to Obtain a Samoan Passport Through Investment

Investors must demonstrate a minimum net worth of $1 million and invest at least $1.5 million. The investment can be made in:

• Real estate.
• Key economic sectors in Samoa.
• A government fund.

There are several specific requirements for obtaining Samoan citizenship through investment. What are they?

What Are the Requirements to Obtain a Samoan Passport Through Investment?

To qualify for a Samoan passport through investment, an investor must meet the following requirements:

1. Eligible Investment Fields:
   The investor must intend to invest in one of the following qualified fields:
   • Leasing and development of government land.
   • Processing or manufacturing of agricultural products.
   • Processing or manufacturing of fish products.
   • Tourism.
   • Information technology or telecommunications.
   • Generating electricity through biofuel, solar, water, or wind energy.
   • Investing in a government development fund for national development purposes.
2. Proof of Net Worth:
   The investor must demonstrate a total net financial worth of at least $1 million USD.
3. Investment Amount:
   The investor must commit to making a financial investment of no less than $1.5 million USD.

Steps to Apply for a Samoan Passport Through Investment

To obtain a Samoan passport, the investor must follow these steps:

1. Submit the Application:
   Initially, the investor and their family members will receive temporary residence permits.
2. Permanent Residence:
   If the application is approved, the investor and any family members will be granted a permanent residence visa valid for three years. This permit is subject to the following conditions:
   • Withdrawals from the Deposit Account:
     The investor may withdraw funds from their fixed deposit account for purposes aligned with their investment plan. However, they must retain at least 15% of the original investment amount in the account.
   • Investment Monitoring:
     During the three-year permanent residence period, the committee may review and monitor the progress of the qualified investment in accordance with the plan or investment guidelines.
3. Apply for Citizenship:
   If the investor and their family have resided in Samoa for at least 15 days per year during the three-year permanent residence period and have complied with the investment plan, they become eligible to apply for Samoan citizenship within three months before the permanent residence permit expires.
   • The General Secretariat will notify the investor and family members of the specific dates and eligibility period for applying for Samoan citizenship at least six months before the permanent residence permit expires.
   • If the permanent residence permit expires before citizenship is granted, the investor and family members can request a renewal of the permit.

The Citizenship by Investment Committee will only review the application if the following conditions are met:

• Full payment of application and due diligence fees.
• Proof of opening a fixed deposit account and depositing at least 70% (or a minimum specified percentage of 50%) of the investment amount.
• Submission of a due diligence inspection report.

Costs of Obtaining a Samoan Passport Through Investment

The required costs to obtain a Samoan passport through investment include the primary investment of $1.5 million USD in addition to the following fees:

• $120,000 USD for the primary applicant.
• $120,000 USD for the spouse.
• $60,000 USD per child under the age of 17.
• $120,000 USD for each child over the age of 18.
• $1,000 USD application fee.
• Costs to hire an authorized agent for application submission.
• Additional administrative fees that vary but are typically no less than $20,000 USD.

The Cheapest Way to Obtain a Passport Through Investment

Due to the high costs of obtaining Samoan citizenship and passport through investment, some investors seek alternative and less expensive options that are equally beneficial.

Saint Kitts Passport Through Investment

Saint Kitts was one of the first countries to introduce a citizenship-by-investment program, launching it in 1984. The available options for obtaining Saint Kitts citizenship through investment include:

1. Making a Financial Donation:
   Contributing at least $150,000 USD to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) in Saint Kitts.
2. Real Estate Investment:
   • Purchasing property worth at least $200,000 USD, with the condition of retaining ownership for no less than seven years.
   • Alternatively, purchasing property worth at least $400,000 USD, with the condition of retaining ownership for no less than five years.

Obtaining Saint Kitts citizenship through investment is an excellent option as it grants access to approximately 165 visa-free countries.

• The process can be completed in a maximum of six months without the requirement to reside in Saint Kitts during the application process.
• It guarantees lifetime citizenship for you and your family without requiring you to renounce your original citizenship.

Saint Lucia Passport Through Investment

Acquiring Saint Lucia citizenship through investment is one of the fastest and most advantageous options available in citizenship-by-investment programs. The Saint Lucia passport can be obtained in approximately three months.

First, the investment procedures must be completed, which can take the form of:

1. Non-Refundable Donation:
   Contributing $100,000 USD to the National Economic Fund (NEF).
2. Government Bonds:
   Purchasing non-refundable government bonds worth at least $500,000 USD for five years.
3. Business Investment:
   Establishing a business project with a minimum capital of $3.5 million USD and creating at least three permanent jobs.
4. Real Estate Investment:
   Purchasing property worth more than $300,000 USD.

A Saint Lucia passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 150 countries.

Grenada Passport Through Investment

Grenada is a highly popular option for citizenship-by-investment programs, known for its unique benefits. It is the only country that allows its citizens to travel and reside in the United States for up to six months per year and grants the right to establish or purchase a business in the U.S.

A Grenadian passport provides visa-free access to approximately 150 countries, including Schengen states, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and China, allowing holders to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa.

The required investment for Grenadian citizenship includes:

1. Non-Refundable Contribution to the NTF (Government Fund):
   A minimum contribution of $150,000 USD.
2. Real Estate Investment:
   Purchasing property worth at least $220,000 USD from a government-approved development project, with an additional non-refundable contribution of $50,000 USD.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Obtain a Samoan Passport?

Given that the Samoan passport ranks among the top 40 passports in the world and can be obtained through investment, many people are eager to seize this opportunity. However, the process requires numerous arrangements that cannot be completed personally and necessitate the assistance of specialized agencies. These services often come with significant financial costs.

To address this, we offer our services to help you obtain a Samoan passport at the lowest possible cost. To learn more about our pricing plans, you can download the ZajlApp, where you will find all our services and available pricing plans.

Additionally, you can explore other citizenships available through investment and consult with top legal experts in immigration. Join us now via a WhatsApp chat and get a legal consultation!

FAQ

Can anyone easily obtain a second nationality besides their original one?

Yes, there are programs that allow you to purchase or acquire a second nationality through investment in foreign countries. One of the main advantages of these programs is the fast processing time. Additionally, most countries offering such programs permit dual citizenship, meaning you don’t have to give up your original nationality.

What are the benefits of obtaining a Samoan passport?

One of the significant advantages of the Samoan citizenship by investment program is that the full investment amount can be withdrawn, leaving only 15% after obtaining permanent residency. Other benefits include:

• Highly desirable passport: Allows visa-free travel to Canada, the Schengen Area in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
• Second passport advantage: Obtain a second passport without giving up your original one.
• Ideal living conditions: Samoa is a peaceful and beautiful island, perfect for those who wish to live in a quiet place with their families.
• Extensive visa-free travel: Allows travel to 129 countries without a visa, including Canada, Europe, Russia, the UK, and Ireland.
• Highly ranked passport: Samoa's passport ranks among the top 40 globally as of 2018.
• Family inclusion: The program allows family members and children to acquire citizenship for life.
• Minimal residency requirement: Requires just 15 days of stay per year in Samoa to maintain the passport.
• Expanded travel options: Enables travel to jurisdictions not accessible with the primary passport.
• Tax benefits: Offers tax advantages for high-net-worth individuals.
• Future-proof investment: Citizenship by investment in Samoa serves as a viable alternative investment for the future.
• Dual citizenship: The program allows retaining your original passport alongside Samoan citizenship.

What are the requirements to obtain a Samoan passport through investment?

To qualify for Samoa’s citizenship by investment program, investors must meet the following requirements:

1. Eligible investment sectors:
   • Leasing and development of government land.
   • Processing or manufacturing of agricultural products.
   • Processing or manufacturing of fish products.
   • Tourism.
   • Information technology or communications.
   • Electricity generation using biofuel, solar, water, or wind energy.
   • Investment in a government development fund for national growth.
2. Financial qualifications:
   • Prove a net worth of at least $1 million USD.
   • Commit to a minimum investment of $1.5 million USD.

How do you apply for a Samoan passport?

1. Submit the application:
   • Initially, the investor and their family members are granted temporary residence permits.
2. Permanent residency approval:
   • Upon approval, the investor and their family receive a three-year permanent residence visa. However, this permit is subject to specific conditions:
     • The investor may withdraw funds from their fixed deposit account to support the approved investment plan, but at least 15% of the initial investment must remain in the account.
     • During the three-year residency, the progress of the qualified investment will be monitored by the authorities.

3. Citizenship application:

   • If the investor and their family have resided in Samoa for at least 15 days annually during the three-year residency and adhered to the investment plan, they are eligible to apply for Samoan citizenship three months before the residency permit expires.
   • Authorities will notify investors six months before the residency expires regarding the specific dates and eligibility period for citizenship application.
   • If the residency permit expires before citizenship is granted, the investor and family members may request its renewal.

   Conditions for citizenship application:

   • Full payment of application and due diligence fees.
   • Proof of a fixed deposit account with at least 70% (or a specified minimum of 50%) of the investment amount deposited.
   • Submission of a due diligence inspection report.

What are the costs of obtaining a Samoan passport through investment?

The costs include the primary investment of at least $1.5 million USD, in addition to the following:

• $120,000 USD for the primary applicant.
• $120,000 USD for a spouse.
• $60,000 USD for children under 17 years old.
• $120,000 USD for each dependent child over 18 years old.
• $1,000 USD for application fees.
• Fee for appointing an authorized agent to handle the application.
• Administrative fees: These vary based on specific factors but generally start at around $20,000 USD.