How To Get A Legal Second Passport

verfasst von off-shore-trader, 07.03.2004, 17:24

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How To Get A Legal Second Passport The Facts - What's Currently Available and How Much You Can Expect to Pay!

Editor's Note: Much has changed since 9/11/2001 and the remaining legit passport programs are few and far between so the information below may prove to be invaluable.

Would you like to be free to cross frontiers without any stamp in your current passport?

Would you like to avoid electronic logging of your existing passport? Do you want to avoid having to apply for a visa for a particular destination'? If your passport were confiscated by the courts or other authorities, would you still like the freedom to leave your country and travel without interference? Do you feel at risk in certain countries, because your name singles you out as being of a different race or religion? If the answer to any of these questions is"yes", then you should think about a second passport, and if necessary a new identity. This does not mean a forged or illegally acquired passport. Most governments in the so-called"free world" are copying the former communist states they criticized and increasingly trying to keep check of their citizens movements, using international, computer-based systems. After 9-11-2001 this invasive snooping has been taken to a much higher privacy invading (and
dangerous,) level.

But the good news for Sovereign individuals is that there are countries eager to give you a second passport to legally avoid the above.

Some Western governments have even removed the right of their citizens to apply for a new passport if they are involved in a legal dispute with the authorities. The legal proceedings might be simply to do with taxes, child support or any other 'offense' as defined by the authorities. We all know that in such cases the accused is required to prove his or her innocence. To insure against this possibility, if you haven't already done so, you should investigate the opportunities to obtain a second nationality now.

If you are not a citizen of a member state of the European Union, freedom of movement within the EU may not be an option open to you, as there are now much tougher controls on non-EU nationals seeking residence, The medium-term answer to this problem could be obtaining citizenship of a country which is likely to he admitted as a member of the Union. This could also be a way of regularizing your position if you are living illegally in a member country.

On the other hand, if you have been living legally in a country of the EU for several years, you should think about becoming a naturalized citizen of that country, particularly if married to a national. The possible drawback is that the common European passport and cooperation between member governments may mean there is not the same element of secrecy as with passports from Latin America or the Caribbean.

"Citizenship acquisition programmes" are long established procedures, normally taking two or three months, and carried out by reputable immigration consultants who know how to bypass normal residence requirements of up to five years, or even longer. If your need to travel using a different nationality is really urgent and you have the money, your application can be processed usually within eight weeks. The application is completely private and confidential. No-one will be informed, apart from officials in the country you are applying to. Should your application be refused, the agent will normally destroy your file, which services you require, you will be given a firm quote, with no hidden extras. If you are offered a very low fee, check that you are being offered a genuine, valid passport, and that other documents such as driving licenses are in order, preferably by talking to an honest provider. Even though you will have to pay the full amount in advance, a reputable agent will if possible place the money in a bank account (probably a decent one of good standing), and the agent will only release the money if authorized to do so jointly by you and the agent. This means your money is not at risk. Never pay an advance"consultancy fees" unless part of an agreed package, and paid into a protected account, e.g. an escrow account held by a reputable firm, e.g. Privacy World.

However, there are schemes where you have to give up control of the investment required by the government you are applying to. Details are given in the country-by-country section that follows.

With persistence and stamina, and if you have a good knowledge of the language of the country you are applying to, you may be able to successfully deal with the process alone, but see my comments about Spanish bureaucracy in the section on Argentina.

An interesting item with the Venezuelan program is a previously little known and flexible opportunity. For those that do not read nor speak Spanish, this fact can be placed in their passports by the issuing authority. For example if one or both of your parents where Venezuelan's and you were born in the USA (or other country,) and you have never been to Venezuela, you probably wouldn't read or speak Spanish. You could request that this be placed in your Venezuelan passport and it would. This goes to explain why one doesn't read nor speak the host language of the country's passport you are traveling on.

Another flexible example would be if you were born in Venezuela but your parents took you as a child to live in Canada, the US or Europe or China, you never learned to speak or read Spanish. This too could be placed in your passport and would supply the answers to any uncomfortable questions by immigration if stopped and asked.

In many cases you do not even need to visit the country to make the application. The passport can be supplied by air courier service to your country of residence, often complete with exit stamps. An alternative collection point would be Switzerland, as the Swiss authorities do not stamp visa-free passports on exit or entry, and it is likely to be an easy country to enter using your present passport.

You can retain your existing citizenship, even if in theory this is forbidden, as no-one will be notified of your new nationality. You will not normally incur any tax liability or other obligations. They want to be satisfied that you have no criminal record, and that you do not intend to use the new identity for illegal purposes. An additional fee of about Euro 7,000 will be required usually.

Most agents will not process even the basic application for the passport if you have a serious criminal record of any sort (except for political offences), particularly if you have served a prison sentence of more than a year. Police checks will be made, so to avoid wasting time it is best to declare all such information at the outset, bearing in mind that minor offences will not necessarily disqualify you. If you cannot provide police clearance, particularly because of the political situation in your country of residence, a sworn affidavit from your lawyer may be acceptable.

However we do know of a few cases where some clients with a 'record' still received citizenship and a passport thanks to a (small) propina
(gratuity.)

Along with the application form which you return to the agent, you will have to supply proof of identity: topics of your current passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate, and several passport-size photos. In some instances this can be 'waived' but once again the propina would have to come into play.

The investment which is often required as the price of citizenship and a second passport may be a genuine one in the case of official government schemes such as those of the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis and Uruguay, in which case it is returnable, usually after five to ten years. But sometimes even if paid to an official, it is in reality a non-returnable payment, additional to any processing fee. If in doubt, ask. If you do not get a straight answer, try another agent. The processing fees may seem high, and in theory you can usually make the application yourself. But what you are paying for is experience of how to cut corners, and often for connections - all important in countries which are not Western style democracies, and even some that are. It may be faster to use an agent even when applying under official government schemes, such as those of Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis or Uruguay. Some agents work on fixed fees, which are not always the lowest. Once they have agreed to process your application, and you have specified if you require a complete new identity, this can often be arranged. Documents recording your new name have to be filed, but there need not be any trace except in the country issuing the passport. Before carrying out this procedure, reputable agents will normally pre-qualify you by requesting"proof of funds." Proof of funds is a recent bank statement clearly showing your name, with the account number whited out (for security reasons,) with an amount on deposit sufficient enough to acquire the citizenship you seek plus some.

Family passports are available from a few countries such as Argentina and Bolivia. Although this reduces the initial cost, even a baby will eventually require a separate passport later in life. Separate applications at a later date for children included on an original family passport will require a similar fee, allowing for rising costs, although there are often reductions for anyone under 18. Children of naturalized citizens are granted their parents' new nationality in many Latin American countries, among them Paraguay and Panama. This right is sometimes even extended to children born outside the country if the parents later choose to live in the country. Be advised that a country may issue a passport with an infant included with the mother's or fathers details, some countries require each individual, regardless of age, to have their own passport, even an infant.

Renewal of passports is often necessary after five years, or even less, but this does not usually mean going through the whole application process again. Often you simply take the passport to a consulate, where it is stamped to extend its validity. Typically, after ten years a new passport will be required and the application process with new forms and photos could take days or even weeks, but it does not normally mean you have to apply for citizenship again.

Some countries are potentially unstable, including Chile. Paraguay and Peru, plus many others in Latin America are good choices due to their flexible residency requirements, but be mindful that any future government anywhere, including the United States could decide not to renew your passport or allow freedom of entry and exit for any number of reasons.

Passports of Spanish speaking countries have the unexpected advantage that it is normal to use two surnames: your father's first, followed by your mother's maiden name. Women do not change their name when they marry. So, in any country where Spanish is spoken, it will be assumed that your last-but-one name is your main surname. The second surname (your mother's) will be given less importance, as children do not take this name. This provides a splendid opportunity to confuse the authorities in other countries, creditors or ex-spouses. Virtually no one will know your mother's maiden name, and you can use either of the surnames or both, quite legally when opening bank accounts, applying for credit cards, buying property, etc. No change of name by deed poll is necessary and it is 100 percent legit.

Another point to check out is visa free travel, bearing in mind where you are likely to want to go without asking for permission. You may even want to enter and leave your native country or country of residence using your second passport. A word of warning: visa regulations are liable to change. Before committing yourself to the often considerable outlay needed to purchase a particular nationality, we recommend you check that your particular travel requirements are covered. (We are always grateful to hear from subscribers about any
changes.) If you need a visa, most Latin American countries will supply one in your country of residence the same day or within 24 hours. Commonwealth countries generally require more time. There now follows a review of the most popular citizenship programmes currently available. Costs have been converted to US dollars for easy comparison, but bear in mind that exchange rates vary, and of course prices can fluctuate. In the country -by-country run-down which follows, if the costs, processing time or validity are not given this is generally because there are no clear guidelines.

ARGENTINA [South America]

Investment: The cost of processing the application is $45,000 for an adult and $12,000 for a child under 18.

How to Apply: Argentina is actively seeking 100,000 immigrants a year, particularly from countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It is one of the most"European" of Latin American countries. Time Taken and Validity: As well as citizenship and a passport valid for five years, a package deal can include identity cards and driving licences. The application process takes 60 to 90 working days. The passport can be renewed at any Argentinean embassy or consulate. An Argentinean passport will allow you to travel without a visa to: Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Portugal, the Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the U.K. Argentineans are allowed"automatic" residence rights in Spain - but tell that to my Argentinean friend who had cash available for an apartment and to buy an existing business in Spain! When I phoned the main police station in Spain where I live to check this out, I was told a visa had to be applied for abroad before entering the country. On the other hand the provincial court said that"of course" Argentineans were allowed free entry. A residence permit still has to he applied for. The problem is the police station issues residence permits. Argentineans who successfully work their way through the bureaucratic procedures can apply for Spanish nationality after two years of residence instead of the normal ten. This could he a roundabout way of acquiring citizenship of a country in the European Union. (The residence requirement for Spanish citizenship is cut to one year if you are married to a Spaniard.)

AUSTRALIA [Oceania]

Investment: For Australia, big money is required. You need to invest about US$500,000 - a sharp contrast with the golden era when the Australian government actually paid the fares of immigrants from Britain. Poor unskilled Pommies are no longer required - the Aussies have enough unemployed of their own. What they do want is entrepreneurs with money, but be warned, you are not escaping to a tax haven. If you spend more than six months of any year in Australia, you are taxed on all your income from anywhere in the world. That said, there was a furor in the Australian media about two or three years ago when it was discovered that of the two hundred plus entrepreneurs who had gained citizenship in this manner over the previous three years, only a dozen or so had even registered with the tax authority. How to Apply: You should ask about the investor visa programme at an Australian Consulate/ Embassy in your country of residence. If you have the necessary money or skills - preferably both, and particularly to start certain types of business - you may be allowed in.

Time Taken and Validity: The investment mentioned could buy you an instant residence permit for four years, renewable to eight, but this will not provide a passport. You must wait two years before applying for citizenship and a passport. In theory, all of the last year has to be spent in Australia, without a break. As in Britain, you can retain your original nationality. Apart from New Zealanders, everyone needs a visa to enter the country.

THE BAHAMAS [Caribbean]

Investment: The Bahamas scheme is an option for the super-rich, with an investment of US$500,000 required in securities or a business, either of which must be approved by the government. An additional $250,000 has to be spent on the business premises, and there are also"processing" costs of $150,000 per family. You give up control of your funds to the government, which can change regulations when it wants, so in theory there is some risk.

How to Apply:
Application can be made through an agent.

Time Taken and Validity The application is processed within 180 working days, but despite the large investment, citizenship is not granted, just permanent residency and a passport. This non-citizenship pass-port allows you even less visa- free travel than a full one would, so this option is really for someone looking for somewhere to live. If this is what you want, and you require a tax haven near the USA, it could be for you.

BELIZE [Central America]

Programme stopped due to 9/11/2001.

BOLIVIA [South America]

Investment: The official description of the method for obtaining citizenship without previous residence is"meritorious service". In practice this means contributing $25,000 to a state owned company or a development project. One consultant quoted processing costs of $30,000 per adult plus $10,000 for each child under 18. An international lawyer wanted $20,000 for his own fees, plus any legal costs incurred in Bolivia (not specified).

How to Apply: Applications can be made solely through the lawyer, without any residence requirement. Time Taken and Validity: The application, which includes your family, will be processed at an"accelerated rate" on the grounds of"meritorious service", which probably means 60 to 90 working days. Bolivian passports are issued for a five-year period, and can be renewed at any Bolivian embassy or consulate for a further five years, but they have to be revalidated every two years. A pack-age deal can include identity cards and driving licences, and even legal change of name. A Bolivian passport entitles you to enter the following countries without any visa: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This is an-other possible route to EU citizenship, following a two-year residence in Spain. For the US and Canada, BI and B2 visas are available if you have proof that you fulfill financial requirements.

BRAZIL [South America]

Investment: Processing costs are $200,000 per family for an approved condominium.

How to Apply:
You do not have to go to Brazil, but the time taken to process your application is much shorter if you do.

Time Taken and Validity: If you apply while you are actually in Brazil, your application could be processed in just two weeks, and you also receive an identity card. Otherwise, allow 60 to 90 working days. The passport is valid for ten years and is renewable, and a driving licence can be supplied. No visa is required for travel to: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Fin-land, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom (and colonies), Uruguay and Venezuela.

ECUADOR [South America] Investment: The initial deposit is just $1,000, but you must agree to invest a further $29,000 in any industry within 90 days of being allowed to enter Ecuador as an immigrant. This investment qualifies you for citizenship on the grounds of"meritorious service".

How to Apply: You must live in Ecuador while the application is being processed. You also need to supply a police certificate of good conduct, usually easily obtainable in your current country of residence, but not in Britain, which refuses to provide the necessary paperwork. Alternatively Privacy World has a reliable source who knows how to cut to the chase and get you your goodies in about ten weeks time.

Time Taken and Validity: It usually takes two or three months to process the application. Once you have your passport, you do not need to live permanently in Ecuador.

GUATEMALA [Central America]

Investment:
No investment yet required.

How to Apply: If you can convince someone in authority that you have"rendered the country important services or contributed to its development" you are home and dry.

Time Taken and Validity: The normal three-year residence requirement can be waived by the authorities.

HUNGARY [Eastern Europe]

Investment: Up to now, Hungary has not gone far enough along the capitalist road to sell its citizenship.

How to Apply: According to a 1957 law, still in force, anyone married to and living with a Hungarian (male or female) may apply for citizenship. Preference is given to the stateless, or people who give up their foreign nationality.

Time Taken and Validity: Citizenship can be granted instantly if the marriage condition is fulfilled. This could be a back door entrance to the European Union for non-EU nationals, if Hungary is admitted to the Union.

IRELAND [Europe]

Investment: This programme was closed several years ago. It cost you a cool USD one million to get in on the door, but like so many others, this door of opportunity is closed forever.


JAMAICA [Caribbean] Investment: An investment of $50,000 dollars is needed in a government approved development project, and you also have to buy a ten-year bond which costs $30,000. This is a genuine investment, which gives you a return of 3 percent. The money can he placed in a special hank account and only released when citizenship is granted. Other fees will total about $20,000. This programme is aimed in particular at the wealthy Asians who do not want to stay in their native country due to political reasons, but are not entitled to other passports. However, anyone fulfilling the conditions may apply. How to Apply: There is no requirement for residence in Jamaica, but you must have lived in a Commonwealth country for five of the past seven years.

Time Taken and Validity:
The time taken to process the application is not stated.

MAURITIUS [Indian Ocean] Investment: You need to have at least $16,000 invested in Mauritius to qualify for a reduction in the normal residence requirements for citizens of non- Commonwealth countries.

How to Apply: If you are a Commonwealth citizen and speak English you must have lived in Mauritius for 12 months. Otherwise two years' residence is needed in addition to the investment requirement.

Time Taken and Validity: Immediate citizenship is given in special cases.

NEW ZEALAND [Oceania]
Not available, only through legal residency

PANAMA [Central America]

Investment: In theory Panama offers citizenship to"immigrants who establish them-selves in the country and devote them-selves to the work of agriculture, stock raising, the breeding of birds, and other similar industries". In practice you normally have to pay agents and brokers of citizenship who have government connections. One broker quoted $40,000 per family.

How to Apply:
Application is made through one of these brokers.

Time Taken and Validity: The law provides for instant citizen-ship, but processing time is likely to he 60 to 90 working days. You receive a five-year passport, renewable at any Panamanian embassy or consulate, plus a driving licence and a certificate of naturalization. No visa is required for Panamanian passport holders who wish to travel to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

PARAGUAY [South America]

Investment: The supposed reason for offering citizenship is that you"possess immovable or other property" or"practice a science, art or industry". The truth is that you probably have to pay an agent or citizenship broker with government connections.

Privacy World offers an excellent passport by residency program in two years time with minimal time in Paraguay. Cost, just Euro 15,000

How to Apply:
You apply through the agent or broker.

Time Taken and Validity: Provided you fulfill the requirements, there is a shortened residence requirement.

POLAND [Eastern Europe]

Investment: Not surprisingly, there are at present no investment schemes to coax you into buying Polish nationality.

How to Apply: Ethnic Poles with parents of Polish nationality should contact a Polish consulate or Embassy, with a view to making a claim for citizenship.

Time Taken and Validity: If you are of Polish extraction and not an EU citizen, this possible option could be of interest, as it seems likely that Poland will be admitted as a men-her of the Union.

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS [Caribbean]

Investment: The special scheme for foreign investors is for the seriously rich, requiring investment of $250,000 in a ten-year government bond or a government approved property development project, although the investment is negotiable if ten or more people apply at the same time. It is a new programme, possibly with teething problems, and the investment is completely under the control of the government. Although the solicitors handling the scheme are reputable, governments can change the rules. Processing costs are $44,000 per adult, plus $ 35,000 for each child under 18.

How to Apply: Application is through the solicitors handling the scheme. An alternative way of obtaining citizenship is to marry a national of St. Kitts and Nevis. This entitles you to citizenship on application, but in such a small country finding the spouse might be difficult, and it is not the easiest of places to travel to because of limited scheduled services.

Time Taken and Validity: For the investment scheme, the processing time is 120 working days. If you fulfill the marriage requirement, citizenship is granted automatically and instantly under section
92(1)(a) of the constitution. One drawback is that though travel without a visa is allowed throughout the British Commonwealth, the number of additional visa-free destinations is limited: Den-mark, Finland, Korea, Norway, Sweden, Thailand and Venezuela.

URUGUAY [South America]

Investment: An individual applicant or the head of a family must buy a ten-year bond costing $70,000, plus an additional $10,000 bond for each family member. These bonds are bought from the government of Uruguay under an official government scheme, and the full amount is returned with interest after ten years. The total cost of processing an application for a passport is $38,000 for an adult and"a few thousand less" for a child under 18. This money could in theory be at risk, as it is not possible to retain control by placing it in a special bank account, but the firms involved are generally reputable.

How to Apply: The main applicant must travel to Uruguay twice to talk to immigration officials.

Time Taken and Validity: The government of Uruguay offers a special passport without citizenship, but allowing you extensive travel, without a visa in many countries. The processing time is 180 working days.

VENEZUELA [South America]

Investment:
The current processing cost is $35,000 per person.

Venezuela offers an excellent program for limited money. Because of the flexible benefits of the program, Privacy World has a special"offer" for our readers, US$10,000 off the normal $35,000 fee if paid in by no later than 31st March 2004. Readers MUST be on our database as of March 7th, 2004 to qualify for this US$10,000 discount.

How to Apply:
Application can be made through Privacy World. All fees are paid 100 percent upfront into Privacy World's account and are held by Privacy World in escrow until your documents are secured and verified by PW.

Time Taken and Validity: A five-year passport is provided, within 90 to 120 working days. This is renewable at any Venezuelan embassy or consulate, plus a driving licence and a certificate of naturalization. No visa is required for Venezuelan pass-port holders who wish to travel to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ire-land, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. If visa-free travel is a priority for you, this is the best option apart from Ian ECU passport, but is much, much cheaper.

Agents: Passport agents can be found advertising their services in the classified sections of many international publications including the I.H.T., The European and The Economist. Usually agents will specialize in the passports of just a few countries. It goes without saying that you should take care to select a reputable agent who won't rip you off. Be warned - this is a field that attracts"sharks"! If you would like a referral for an agent dealing with a particular programme, drop us a line and we will try to help.

If you'd like to learn more about 2nd passports, then get your copy of"How To legally Obtain a Second Passport" by Dr. Charles Freeman.

Only US$10 for USA delivery, US$20 elsewhere worldwide.

Until next issue stay cool and remain low profile!

Privacy World

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gesamter Thread:

• How To Get A Legal Second Passport - off-shore-trader, 07.03.2004, 17:24
  • Re: How To Get - herzlichen Dank!!!!! mfG (o.Text) - Baldur der Ketzer, 07.03.2004, 18:22