CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT BLOG

Citizenship application processing time in 2019

Note (2026): Malta’s former Citizenship by Investment program has been replaced by the Citizenship by Merit framework.

How long does it take to process an application for a second citizenship?

Answer: Of the various citizenship by investment programs in Europe, some of the contenders for fastest application processing include Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Malta. In the Americas, the fastest options are the programs offered by the Caribbean nations.

For example, the application processing time to receive citizenship of Bulgaria is currently five years under the standard processing rules, but can be significantly shortened to only 18 months if the “fast track option” is chosen.

While 18 months is quite fast, and also the approximate timeframe required for the individual investor program (IIP) of Malta, the currently fastest country is Cyprus. Here, the time to receiving the EU passport can be as short as 90 - 180 days. This speed, however, comes at a price; at a minimum investment of Euro 2.0 million Cyprus is also one of the most expensive citizenship by investment programs available today.

Other EU countries, such as Greece, Portugal, and Spain, require an applicant to remain in permanent resident status for several years (currently seven years in Greece, five years in Portugal, and ten years in Spain), before citizenship may be applied for – without guarantee for approvals after waiting all this time.

In the Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda processes citizenship applications as fast as five to six months, whereas St. Kitts & Nevis requires slightly longer at nine to ten months. The programs offered by Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia can result in citizenship in as little three to four months.

The United States is severely backlogged which means EB-5 applications can take between one to two years to process. Then, after two years in "conditional green card" status, the applicant may obtain a "permanent green card". After five years in permanent green card status, or eight to nine years from EB-5 application start, the investor may file for citizenship.

Because residency and citizenship frameworks can evolve over time please contact us to speak with an advisor or to receive a preliminary quotation. The information provided in this blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice.

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MALTA INFORMATION CENTER

Everything you need to know about Malta citizenship, residency, and real estate.

Malta Citizenship

• A Comprehensive Guide to Malta Citizenship by Merit

• Does Malta allow dual citizenship with the USA?

• Do you get citizenship if you buy real estate in Malta?

• How easy is it to get Malta citizenship?

• How long does it take to get the Malta citizenship?

• What is the cost of obtaining Malta citizenship?

• What is the difference between residency and citizenship of Malta?

• What are the benefits of Malta citizenship?

Malta Residency

• How easy is it to get Malta residency?

• How do you qualify for residency in Malta?

• Can I get residency in Malta if I buy a house?

• Can I get permanent residency in Malta by investment?

• How long does it take to get a Golden Visa in Malta?

Malta Real Estate

• A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Real Estate in Malta

• A Comprehensive Guide to Renting Property in Malta

• A Comprehensive Guide to Relocation to Malta

• Discover the Malta Lifestyle

• Investing in Malta Commercial Real Estate

• Investing in the Malta Residential Real Estate

• What are Malta Special Designated Areas (SDA)?

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