A Lebanese citizen, by ancestry, but holding American nationality, enjoys the protection of the federal government during difficult times and may impose sanctions on governments that detain him. This is one of many reasons driving Lebanese people to seek a second citizenship that can assist them in times of crisis. With the escalating economic crisis and the challenges of obtaining a Lebanese passport, along with difficulties in securing visas to enter European countries, America, and others, acquiring another passport has become the dream and goal of every Lebanese.
Lebanon's citizens still remember how American ships arrived during the July 2006 war and docked off the coast of Dbayeh to evacuate American and European citizens, along with any Lebanese holding Western nationality, while pure Lebanese who were not fortunate enough to acquire a second citizenship remained steadfast under Israeli shelling. The concept of immigration is not new to Lebanese citizens, nor is the adaptation to a new identity; however, what is new today is the pursuit of obtaining another "global passport" while remaining in Lebanon or wherever they may be abroad.
### The Weak Lebanese Passport
According to the 2023 Guide Index, Lebanon's passport ranks 98th globally. This ranking is based on the level of global mobility that this passport allows its holders. Lebanese passport holders can travel visa-free to 41 countries worldwide, including destinations where visa-free travel is permitted, along with countries where they can obtain a visa on arrival or travel using an electronic travel authorization. However, they are required to obtain prior visas before traveling to 158 countries. These circumstances have made the search for a stronger passport than the Lebanese one a pressing concern among Lebanese citizens, especially as options have become easier for them to acquire citizenship or permanent residency in many European or distant countries.
Television screens and roadways are filled with advertisements from companies offering second passports for prices ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. We approached one of these companies to learn about the process of obtaining this passport, the benefits it provides, and to ascertain the level of interest among Lebanese in pursuing this venture.
The director of a company stressed that they do not encourage immigration nor open doors for it to Lebanese citizens, but rather provide them with the opportunity to obtain a second passport that eases their matters while they are at home without having to emigrate and leave their country or residence. Lebanese citizens in Lebanon or in Gulf countries or Africa are flocking to this option. Even those with children holding other nationalities seek to obtain this passport and provide it to their children. It serves as a gateway to 140 countries, including European Schengen Zone countries and the United Kingdom, without the hassle of acquiring a visa, which is often a struggle for Lebanese passport holders.
### New Caribbean Nationals
The idea is divided into two parts: obtaining residency in a European country or acquiring citizenship from one of the Caribbean countries. Let’s begin with the second option, as it is the more unusual one. There are Commonwealth countries located in the Caribbean between America and Venezuela that have introduced the concept of acquiring citizenship in exchange for monetary sums. These are "legitimate" countries registered with the United Nations, and their passports rank between 26th and 34th globally, thus placing them higher than the Lebanese passport in rankings. "Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada" are some of these nations. It is sufficient for a passport applicant to submit their file and make a payment as a donation to a government fund or invest in real estate in the country. After reviewing their application and ensuring the individual does not pose a risk to the state, they will be granted the dream passport after six months, freeing them from the burden of waiting for visas or facing rejections.
Obtaining citizenship in one of these countries not only grants them the passport but also provides the opportunity to open a bank account there and benefit from services like healthcare, among others. Importantly, these nations do not impose income or property taxes like the U.S. citizenship and the famous FATCA law that requires American-Lebanese citizens to pay taxes even on their Lebanese properties. Moreover, these countries do not impose mandatory conscription on their citizens.
The payment starts at $100,000 or slightly more per individual as a donation to the government fund in one of these countries, and the head of the family can apply on behalf of all family members. Notably, once an individual obtains citizenship, their children born afterwards are automatically entitled to it. Thus, we may soon witness Lebanese Saint Lucians or Grenadians, who may also seek refuge from their governments if they find themselves in trouble in Lebanon.
Additionally, payment can be made through another route, such as real estate investment in the desired country. However, this option requires a larger investment and has more complexities, hence most applicants lean towards the first option of making a donation to the government. Karkaji confirms that financially capable Lebanese are increasingly opting for this procedure, especially those residing in Gulf countries that never grant citizenship to residents, or in African nations, thereby facilitating their movement between Eastern and Western countries without leaving their residence or having to reside temporarily in these countries or make frequent visits to obtain residency before citizenship...
### Chasing Citizenship
This recalls the struggles Lebanese mothers faced in traveling to ensure the birth of their children in America or Canada to guarantee their citizenship. One relative tricked the airline by hiding her pregnancy in her ninth month to board the plane to Canada. Upon arrival, she stayed for a month with a family minimally related to her and paid extensively to the hospital for the birth, returning to Lebanon triumphantly after securing her child’s future and university education with the possibility of evacuation in times of danger.
I also recalled a neighbor's son who went to France to complete his university specialization and did not wish to return to Lebanon until after eight years, just to obtain French citizenship, leaving his parents alone. I thought of my brother, who traveled to the U.S. every six months to accumulate enough days for a Green Card, which would eventually lead to U.S. citizenship, and how he grew weary of this repeated travel. I remembered several young Lebanese who had to marry foreign women, both young and elderly, not out of love but to acquire their fiancée’s nationality.
All these individuals should now be able to avoid these hardships and obtain a second citizenship while at home. But will Antigua and Barbuda rush to rescue their Lebanese citizens from prisons and fly them under the cover of darkness to safety?
### Golden Residency
In the second phase of fleeing from enforced confinement in hell, Lebanese people seek to obtain permanent residencies in nearby European countries to avoid the need for a visa every time or for residency renewal, while also freeing them from the sponsorship system in some Arab countries. The UAE was the pioneer in offering golden residency extending ten years to VIP Lebanese artists and creatives. However, the less illustrious are still in search of European residency through real estate investment.
Countries like Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, and even Spain and Italy offer residency on their territories to investors under certain conditions, which differ from country to country. For example, in Cyprus, one can invest $300,000 to obtain residency on the island; previously, those who lived there long enough could obtain Cypriot citizenship but that option has ceased. Despite Lebanese interest in Cypriot residency due to the island's proximity to Lebanon and the many conveniences it offers, residency there does not permit travel within the Schengen area. In Greece, a Lebanese can currently invest in property for $250,000 to obtain residency, although this amount is set to double soon. While obtaining Greek citizenship is difficult, gaining residency allows for visa-free travel in Schengen countries. In Portugal, the minimum investment for real estate should be $280,000, allowing living in Portugal, traveling in Europe, and even applying for Portuguese citizenship after five years, provided one learns the Portuguese language and visits the country at least once a year. Montenegro has currently halted its residency scheme, and the conditions in Spain and Italy are more challenging, requiring higher investments, leading to their unpopularity among Lebanese applicants.
The application process for residency is not complicated. The investor must open a bank account and submit their file for verification before making the real estate investment. It is notable that in Lebanon, there are no taxes imposed on an individual or their properties but rather on the property owned in the respective country. However, it is crucial to deal with a trusted company, as the potential for fraud in this field is high.
In conclusion, might this elegant migration offer a solution for Lebanese citizens to become global citizens? It appears to be the only path available for oppressed peoples, including Palestinians, Syrians, and Iraqis, who are increasingly seeking passports from Caribbean countries and European residencies to escape countries that no longer resemble their former homes...
