According to citizenship and permanent residency consulting firms such as Arton Capital and Latitude Group, demand from Americans for second passports or long-term permanent residency abroad has increased significantly in recent years.
Arton Capital reported a 400% increase in its US client base in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, Latitude Group said applications for second citizenship or permanent residency have increased 1,000% since 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and travel restrictions peaked.
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Favorite Destinations of Americans
While there are no official figures on the number of US citizens seeking second passports, industry estimates suggest that of the roughly 10,000 second passport applications globally over the years, about 4,000 have come from US citizens.
In the past, owning a second passport was mainly reserved for billionaires and businessmen, but now more and more professionals and politically engaged citizens are also looking for a “Plan B” – a backup option if they find life in the United States becoming more difficult.
These programs, also known as “golden visa” or “citizenship by investment” programs, allow individuals to gain long-term residency or citizenship through a financial contribution. The investment can include purchasing real estate, donating to a national development fund, or purchasing government bonds.
Investment requirements vary by program and country, ranging from $10,800 to $1.08 million. Not all programs result in an immediate passport, but most offer long-term residency.
Programmes such as the Portuguese or Greek Golden Visas offer EU residency and freedom of movement within the Schengen area, but do not grant immediate citizenship.
According to Latitude, 50% of US clients choose Portugal's Golden Visa, followed by Malta (25%) and Caribbean countries (15%).
About 80% of them have no immediate plans to relocate and just want a “Plan B”. In particular, many programs also allow for citizenship to be transferred to future children.
Reasons Why Americans Want a Second Passport
Political instability is a major driver. President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration and LGBTQ rights have made many people nervous. Some individuals fear being tracked or persecuted for their political views, especially those who support Palestine or minority groups.
Increased violence and natural disasters are also driving factors. Mass shootings, wildfires in California and deep ideological divisions have made many people feel that living in the United States is more risky.
Financial benefits are another reason. Many people choose to invest in real estate in Caribbean countries like Grenada or Antigua and Barbuda, not only to own the property but also to obtain a second passport in a short period of time. Some people, instead of buying a vacation home in the United States, invest in these programs to secure second citizenship.
Global mobility is increasingly important. Many customers combine programs such as the UAE and European Golden Visas to expand their ability to travel, work and live in more countries.
Taxes are also a key factor. The US taxes its citizens on their worldwide income, even if they live abroad. This has led some high-net-worth individuals to consider renouncing their US citizenship to reduce their tax burden.
Interest in second passports is growing rapidly. Even before the 2024 election, more than half of American millionaires were exploring options abroad, and a growing number were seriously considering giving up their U.S. citizenship.
Ha Trang (according to Arton, Latitude, Aljazeera)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ly-do-nhieu-nguoi-my-nop-don-xin-ho-chieu-thu-hai-post341007.html
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