Moldova Launches Its CBI Program
With a multitude of countries successfully implementing the citizenship by investment (CBI) program, attracting foreign investment into their country and taking major steps towards their economic growth and development, Moldova has now become the latest country to launch such program. The Moldovan government projects that the revenues resulting from the citizenship through investment program will reach approximately US $1.3 billion by 2023.
The Moldovan CBI program requires foreign investors to make a minimum investment of US $100,000 into the Public Investment Fund for Sustainable Development as the only available option. Foreign investors and their families would in return obtain Moldovan citizenship transferable to future generations, enjoy visa-free access to more than 120 countries, and reside in a European country. The Moldovan citizenship through investment program covers dependent children up to 29 years of age and dependent parents (of either the main applicant or the spouse) up to 55 years of age. It is worth mentioning that Moldova does not grant its citizenship to those who have been denied a visa to a country with which Moldova has visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel arrangements and have not subsequently obtained a visa to that country.
To ensure the credibility and sustainability of the program, the Moldovan government has developed a stringent due diligence system through which applicants’ financial reputation and clean criminal record should be verified. This policy has been considered the most vigorous among CBI programs.
Located between Europe and Asia, Moldova enjoys a unique geographic position. The country continuously strives to become a member of the European Union as well as the Schengen Zone. Moldova has been praised for fostering economic growth and reducing poverty and unemployment rates.