Post: #26

something from EU
USA
Australia
fourth is just extra, not really needed but maybe Chinese, to be able to work there easily?

Post: #27

For enough $ you can have some different passports.

I learned from a intl trust officer about this site for the aforementioned comcept-
Ptshamrock.com

Honestly most multi passport holders are economically and perhaps culturally driven.

Anyways I'd go with
Swiss (where all the high rollers put their $ and run to wtshtf)
Dominica (or St, Kitts you can get these from 75k up last time I checked- if you were a millionaire you'd be dumb not to have one of these- there non politically contentious and offer mobility more infamous states don't have with intl crowds)
Russia (bad ass FSU bitches- nuff said.)
EU or US (its a toss up- whoever has less political despotism that makes the rest of the World hate them so EU first)

Post: #28

China, Russia, Japan, and a few others strictly prohibit dual or multiple citizenship, so they're out of the question.

All you really need is 3: Canada, Hong Kong, plus a EU one that also serves as a tax haven.

Canada gets you into the majority of the countries world-wide (170) Visa free, and quite similar to the U.S. in terms of ease of travel, but you don't get taxed on world-wide income. You also enter the U.S. quite easily, as well as visas and long-term residence in the U.S., should you choose so. Canadians are also not typically targets of terrorists, and the government will bail its citizens out in times of trouble (Lebanon conflict 2006).

Hong Kong gets you visa-free access to China, without having have one of the worst passports in the world (China). It also gets you visa-free access to two very important countries that are restricted to U.S. and Canadian passport holders: Russia (yes, HK gets visa-free access to Russia) and Brazil.

I REPEAT: HONG KONG PASSPORTS GETS VISA FREE ACCESS TO RUSSIA

EU: studying, living, working, and setting up businesses in any of the EU member states, and a tax haven the two previous two nations are influenced by their more power neighbor.

Post: #29

Hong Kong also gets visa-free access to Kazakhstan and some African nations Canada doesn't

Post: #30

(06-12-2014 01:01 PM)simba Wrote:  China, Russia, Japan, and a few others strictly prohibit dual or multiple citizenship, so they're out of the question.

All you really need is 3: Canada, Hong Kong, plus a EU one that also serves as a tax haven.

Canada gets you into the majority of the countries world-wide (170) Visa free, and quite similar to the U.S. in terms of ease of travel, but you don't get taxed on world-wide income. You also enter the U.S. quite easily, as well as visas and long-term residence in the U.S., should you choose so. Canadians are also not typically targets of terrorists, and the government will bail its citizens out in times of trouble (Lebanon conflict 2006).

Hong Kong gets you visa-free access to China, without having have one of the worst passports in the world (China). It also gets you visa-free access to two very important countries that are restricted to U.S. and Canadian passport holders: Russia (yes, HK gets visa-free access to Russia) and Brazil.

I REPEAT: HONG KONG PASSPORTS GETS VISA FREE ACCESS TO RUSSIA

EU: studying, living, working, and setting up businesses in any of the EU member states, and a tax haven the two previous two nations are influenced by their more power neighbor.

There are no restrictions which prevent Russian citizens from obtaining or holding other citizenships.

Also, Hong Kong passports provide only 2 weeks of visa-free access to Russia per visit, making them practically useless for that purpose.

In general, the reason for obtaining a second citizenship is not for visa-free travel - it's for residency. That's why Malta's citizenship scheme, which offers EU residency rights, costs more than five times as much as that of St. Kitts & Nevis, which only provides visa-free travel.

Post: #31

After USA I want to say that if I wanted a fast passport I would get Israeli.
Yeah sucks if terrorists want to kill you, but that is what your other passport is for if you go to the middleeast.
But Israeli passports can go to Brazil and Russia without a visa. They can stay in Germany and even work for 6 months.

Any Jewish person can get 1 after 1 yr on Israel. They will give you money to live there and free health care if you aren't working.

Sucks for young people because of military but for older not bad.

ps-soon they will be able to go to Belarus visa free.

Post: #32

(06-13-2014 11:51 AM)DaveR Wrote:  

(06-12-2014 01:01 PM)simba Wrote:  China, Russia, Japan, and a few others strictly prohibit dual or multiple citizenship, so they're out of the question.

All you really need is 3: Canada, Hong Kong, plus a EU one that also serves as a tax haven.

Canada gets you into the majority of the countries world-wide (170) Visa free, and quite similar to the U.S. in terms of ease of travel, but you don't get taxed on world-wide income. You also enter the U.S. quite easily, as well as visas and long-term residence in the U.S., should you choose so. Canadians are also not typically targets of terrorists, and the government will bail its citizens out in times of trouble (Lebanon conflict 2006).

Hong Kong gets you visa-free access to China, without having have one of the worst passports in the world (China). It also gets you visa-free access to two very important countries that are restricted to U.S. and Canadian passport holders: Russia (yes, HK gets visa-free access to Russia) and Brazil.

I REPEAT: HONG KONG PASSPORTS GETS VISA FREE ACCESS TO RUSSIA

EU: studying, living, working, and setting up businesses in any of the EU member states, and a tax haven the two previous two nations are influenced by their more power neighbor.

There are no restrictions which prevent Russian citizens from obtaining or holding other citizenships.

Also, Hong Kong passports provide only 2 weeks of visa-free access to Russia per visit, making them practically useless for that purpose.

In general, the reason for obtaining a second citizenship is not for visa-free travel - it's for residency. That's why Malta's citizenship scheme, which offers EU residency rights, costs more than five times as much as that of St. Kitts & Nevis, which only provides visa-free travel.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/artic...01163.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/2...MJ20140520

It's part rhetoric, but it certainly makes residence in Russia a little more complicated, given dual-citizens living in Russia will get increased FSB scrutiny.

Malta's citizenship scheme would be great, as it fills the EU residency/right to work/business/tax haven perfectly. Thanks for pointing it out for everyone.

Post: #33

(06-15-2014 10:27 PM)simba Wrote:  http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/artic...01163.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/2...MJ20140520

It's part rhetoric, but it certainly makes residence in Russia a little more complicated, given dual-citizens living in Russia will get increased FSB scrutiny.

The same requirement (and fine) has existed for about 15 years for passport applicants, so in practice, it makes 0 difference to anyone's life. The law was introduced to deal with the 2 million new citizens in Crimea.

Post: #34

I'm totally happy with my FIN passport. Easy access to all places I want to visit.
Somewhere I read an article that Finnish passport is the most practical one to have.
One of the benefits from being in born in a ultra neutral country.

Post: #35

1) USA
2) Any EU country
3) Bahamas = free movement between the 15 CARICOM member states...kinda like a Caribbean EU
4) Brazil

Post: #36

I think more interesting discussion would be about passports you can realistically get!
I see Russian passport mentioned often - you can totally get it if you so desire! Russia is very corrupt and for a bribe you can get anything done!
I don't see why would anyone want one as the Russian passport is a pain in the ass for traveling and you can live/work in Russia without citizenship.
If you just want something cool to show to girls - get the World Service Authority passport! It looks legit ! Edward Snowden got one. http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_07_10...wden-8627/
If I had a pick I would get Switzerland passport! They have the best welfare system in the world - just in case I decide to be a bum and not work or I can't work. And,it gives visa free travel to anywhere I would want to go.
German - 'cause I like the eagle and it looks cool!

Post: #37

(06-16-2014 09:47 AM)Wayout Wrote:  I think more interesting discussion would be about passports you can realistically get!
I see Russian passport mentioned often - you can totally get it if you so desire! Russia is very corrupt and for a bribe you can get anything done!
I don't see why would anyone want one as the Russian passport is a pain in the ass for traveling and you can live/work in Russia without citizenship.
If you just want something cool to show to girls - get the World Service Authority passport! It looks legit ! Edward Snowden got one. http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_07_10...wden-8627/
If I had a pick I would get Switzerland passport! They have the best welfare system in the world - just in case I decide to be a bum and not work or I can't work. And,it gives visa free travel to anywhere I would want to go.
German - 'cause I like the eagle and it looks cool!

Russian passport opens many countries that Americans can't get to easily...most of CIS. You seem to forget that you will have 4 passports including your American one. Kind of silly to have passports from multiple countries that have same privileges.


And it isn't to hard to get one legally if you know what you are doing!

Personally I would avoid the so called welfare systems. 1st you usually have to live in them earning and paying taxes. The tax rates will kill any desire to get out of bed.

ps Snowden has 1 yr renewable asylum visa NOT a passport as far as I know. It might look like a passport though, my UA residency permit looks like a passport.

Post: #38

US
UK
China
Brazil

Post: #39

Canada
HK
Taiwan
...

Post: #40

American
German
Japanese
Swiss

Post: #41

Well, Finnish, Swedish and UK passports are the most valuable ones to have.
All these three have access to 173 countries.

Take a look on this interesting article and statistics.
http://www.movehub.com/blog/world-passport-power

Post: #42

Saw an infographic that belongs in this thread. Click to see the full-size version.

Post: #43

(06-15-2014 10:47 PM)DaveR Wrote:  

(06-15-2014 10:27 PM)simba Wrote:  http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/artic...01163.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/2...MJ20140520

It's part rhetoric, but it certainly makes residence in Russia a little more complicated, given dual-citizens living in Russia will get increased FSB scrutiny.

The same requirement (and fine) has existed for about 15 years for passport applicants, so in practice, it makes 0 difference to anyone's life. The law was introduced to deal with the 2 million new citizens in Crimea.

Lot of my Russian friends are worried about recent Duma laws coming into play re dual-citizens and taxation. Russia's a total wild card re rules and regulations so I'd be cautious about trying to get Russian residency or a passport. Just get one of those 3-year multi-entry visas if you're going to be going back and forth there a lot.

Re the US while the travel benefits are huge it's a major liability getting taxed on all income abroad forever so Canada or an EU state is preferred I think.

Post: #44

(07-04-2014 03:32 AM)Akula Wrote:  Lot of my Russian friends are worried about recent Duma laws coming into play re dual-citizens and taxation. Russia's a total wild card re rules and regulations so I'd be cautious about trying to get Russian residency or a passport. Just get one of those 3-year multi-entry visas if you're going to be going back and forth there a lot.

As far as taxes are concerned, dual-citizen Russians who live abroad (or are planning to) are worried because they now have to make a choice:
1. remain registered (propisovan) in Russia, enjoy tax-resident rates, but must declare any foreign citizenships
2. de-register, lose tax-resident status, but no need to declare foreign citizenships

Foreigners don't have that choice to begin with - their tax residency status is determined only by the number of days they spend in Russia per year. So I would say it's illogical to avoid citizenship for that reason. It would be akin to avoiding an inheritance because of inheritance tax.

3-year visas are not a good option for anyone who wishes to spend a lot time in Russia long-term. You only need two administrative infractions in a calendar year and your visa/residency will be cancelled automatically. If that happens, your details will be on the immigration blacklist for five years and you'll be unable to enter Russia during that time. Administrative infractions include traffic violations, parking tickets, failure to register a visa, overstays, non-payment of state taxes and fees, etc. A lot of people end up with infractions without knowing due to notices being lost in the Post.

Another thing to keep in mind with the 3-year visa agreement is that it hinges on Russian official passport holders' right to enter the US without restrictions. In the current political climate, those are the people being targeted and that could easily lead to Russia withdrawing from the agreement.

I planned ahead and became a Russian citizen myself. I can't say that there is any particular aspect that is difficult. It's a lot easier if you read the law in advance so you know what to expect. The 5 or so relevant laws are straight-forward reading for anyone with a reasonable level of Russian.

Post: #45

I have Brazil and European Union. I want USA, let's trade :-)

Post: #46

If only...