How Is the US Passport Ranking in 2024?

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When we started opening offices in the United States, we were met with bemusement. Why would Americans, living in the greatest nation on earth, seek a new residency or second citizenship somewhere else? Let’s look at how the US passport ranking in 2024 might encourage investors to look elsewhere for a migration solution.

US Passport Ranking in 2024

Currently, our Passport Index rates the United States passport the 8th strongest travel document in the world. It allows you to travel to 174 visa-free destinations. Now, that’s a respectable number but also one that is identical to the visa-free countries available for citizens of Liechtenstein (population: 39,822).

You might be happy in the US or still want to get your green card. It could be somewhere you have made or plan to make a new life. But, in these unpredictable times, it’s always worthwhile having a plan B and here are some extra Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment options for you to consider below.

Second Passports to Invest In As An Alternative to the American Passport From 7th to 5th

If you already have a US passport, we are not suggesting you renounce your American citizenship but recommend you invest in a second passport. For those who don’t have a US passport, we would advise you to consider other investment migration programmes as well as the US EB-5 Investor Visa. But remember that, just like stocks and shares, passport rankings can go down as well as up.

In 7th place, our Passport Index recognizes both the Canadian passport and the Maltese passport, granting you visa-free access to 175 countries.

The minimum investment you need to make for the Canada Start-Up Visa is C$275,000 and this Residency by Investment can lead to you being able to apply for a Canadian passport by spending 3 years out of your first 5 years of residency in Canada.

Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN), meanwhile, costs a minimum €600,000 and you become a citizen within 16-18 months of applying.

The United Kingdom passport takes 5th place in our Passport Index. You can visit 177 destinations without a visa. The minimum investment required for a UK Innovator Founder Visa is £200,000 and you can become eligible for a British passport following five years of residence in the UK.

Second Passports to Invest In As An Alternative to the American Passport From 4th to 2nd

Moving on up to 4th position in our Passport Index and we find the Greek passport, guaranteeing visa-free arrival to 178 countries. The Greek Golden Visa costs at least €250,000 (rising to €400,000 if you apply after the end of September 2024). You can qualify for a Greek passport after residing there for 7 years. 

Our 3rd passport rank includes Portugal. You can land a Portuguese passport with visa-free access to 179 destinations. A Portuguese Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €200,000 and you can become a Portuguese citizen after 5 years of residency.

In 2nd position comes the Spanish passport. This enables you to enhance your global mobility to take in 180 visa-free countries. Become eligible for a Spanish passport via a Spanish Golden Visa, available from €500,000 and requiring 10 years of residency (2 if you come from LATAM or the Philippines) to become a citizen.

How to Apply for an Investment Migration Programme In Response to the US Passport Ranking

You might not know if Citizenship by Investment or Residency by Investment is the most suitable programme for you. Even if you decide on one, you’re going to need to talk to an investment migration expert like RIF Trust to establish the best country. So, don’t delay and contact us today.