Options for South Africa Nationals
South African nationals face a dual-citizenship permission requirement and a meaningful exit tax process when formally ceasing tax residency, making advance planning critical for those relocating abroad. The relatively limited passport strength makes second citizenship highly attractive, and many South Africans are eligible for European citizenship by descent.
Your Passport
Passport Rank
#52
Visa-Free
107
destinations
restricted
residence based
Key Considerations for South Africa Nationals
- 01South Africa permits dual citizenship but requires citizens to apply for permission from the Department of Home Affairs before acquiring foreign nationality; failure to do so results in automatic loss of South African citizenship.
- 02Exchange control regulations administered by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) historically restricted the movement of capital abroad, though the formal financial emigration process was replaced by a tax residency cessation procedure in 2021.
- 03Individuals ceasing South African tax residency must obtain a tax clearance certificate from SARS and may be subject to an exit charge on certain assets, including retirement annuities.
- 04SARS has significantly increased compliance efforts targeting South African expats who may still have tax filing obligations under the expanded residency rules.
- 05The South African passport provides moderate visa-free access to 106 destinations, making a second passport particularly valuable for frequent international travelers.
- 06South Africans with European heritage may have pathways to EU citizenship by descent, which is commonly pursued alongside financial emigration.
Tax Obligations
South Africa operates a residence-based tax system. Individuals who are ordinarily resident in South Africa, or who meet the physical presence test (91 days in the current year AND 91 days in each of the preceding 5 years AND 915 days in aggregate over those 5 years), are taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents pay South African tax only on South African-source income. When an individual ceases to be a South African tax resident, they are deemed to have disposed of all worldwide assets (other than South African immovable property, South African permanent establishment assets, and South African-source income rights) at market value on the day before ceasing residency, triggering capital gains tax on the unrealised gain at the applicable inclusion rate. This is known as the exit charge or deemed disposal. Since March 2020, South African tax residents working abroad for more than 183 days in any 12-month period (of which at least 60 are consecutive) are taxed in South Africa on their foreign employment income above R1.25 million per year, removing the prior blanket exemption for foreign employment income. South Africa participates in the CRS and has bilateral FATCA agreements.
Renouncing This Nationality
- Available
- Yes
- Exit Tax
- Yes
- Fee
- $50
- Processing
- ~6 months
South African citizenship can be renounced at the Department of Home Affairs. A critical procedural requirement applies: under Section 6 of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, a South African citizen who voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country while being of or over 18 years of age automatically loses South African citizenship at the moment of acquiring the foreign citizenship, unless prior written permission was obtained from the Minister of Home Affairs. Failure to obtain prior permission results in automatic loss, not voluntary renunciation. South Africans considering dual citizenship must apply for ministerial permission BEFORE acquiring the foreign passport. The exit charge (deemed disposal) is a tax event on ceasing residency, distinct from renunciation.
Military Service Obligation
- Applies
- No (voluntary)
- Alternative Service
- Not available
Banking Restrictions
Financial-compliance issues this nationality commonly faces globally.
SOUTH AFRICA PARTICIPATES IN THE OECD COMMON REPORTING STANDARD (CRS). SOUTH AFRICAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REPORT NON-RESIDENT ACCOUNT HOLDERS TO SARS FOR EXCHANGE WITH PARTNER JURISDICTIONS. SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALS LIVING ABROAD WILL HAVE THEIR LOCAL ACCOUNTS REPORTED TO THEIR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE UNDER CRS.
Affects: crs
SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE CONTROLS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK (SARB). ANNUAL OFFSHORE INVESTMENT ALLOWANCE IS LIMITED TO R10 MILLION PER ADULT PER YEAR (STANDARD DISCRETIONARY + INVESTMENT ALLOWANCES), WITH TAX CLEARANCE REQUIRED ABOVE CERTAIN THRESHOLDS. MOVING ASSETS OFFSHORE IS SUBJECT TO SARB REPORTING AND APPROVAL PROCESSES.
Affects: sa-exchange-controls
Best Second-Passport Options
Ranked by practical fit — not endorsements. Verify eligibility and current rules before acting.
- $5,000–$20,000
A significant proportion of South Africans have a UK-born grandparent, qualifying them for British citizenship via the UK Ancestry visa (5-year work visa → ILR → British citizenship). The British passport provides top-5 global visa-free access and full EU/Schengen entry, a major upgrade over the South African document.
- #2portugal$2,000–$20,000
Many South Africans have Portuguese ancestry (particularly those with Mozambican-Portuguese heritage). Portuguese citizenship by descent, or through the D7/NHR residency route (5 years), grants full EU rights and Schengen access at comparatively low cost.
- #3grenada$235,000–$270,000
Grenada CBI provides visa-free access to the UK and access to the US E-2 Investor visa — both destinations where South African passport holders face significant visa friction. Processing is 3–6 months.
- #4ireland$500–$5,000
South Africans of Irish descent (particularly those of settler-era British-Irish heritage) may qualify for Irish citizenship by Foreign Birth Registration, gaining full EU rights and a top-6 passport.
Common Descent Pathways
- united kingdomup to 2 generations back
- irelandup to 2 generations back
- portugalup to 2 generations back
- netherlandsup to 2 generations back
Visa-Free Gain from Upgrading
Additional visa-free destinations gained by acquiring each citizenship on top of the current one.
| Second Citizenship | + Destinations |
|---|---|
| united kingdom | +97 |
| ireland | +95 |
| grenada | +65 |
Related Guides
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Citizenship by descent: who actually qualifies
A plain-English map of which countries offer jus sanguinis, how many generations back they accept, which require court proceedings, and where recent reforms (UK, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain) opened or closed doors.
Visa Programs Available to You
115 programsPortugal D7 Passive Income Visa
Portugal PRT
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$820/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal PRT
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$3,280/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)
Portugal PRT
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Spain ESP
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,800/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain ESP
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,800/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Italy Elective Residence Visa
Italy ITA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,750/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Greece Golden Visa
Greece GRC
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
7y
Verified 2026-04-20
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Malta MLT
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
Thailand THA
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$3,330/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Thailand THA
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Malaysia DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass
Malaysia MYS
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$2,000/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)
Malaysia MYS
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$9,100/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
UAE Golden Visa
United Arab Emirates ARE
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
UAE Virtual Working Programme (Remote Work Visa)
United Arab Emirates ARE
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$5,000/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Dubai Freelance Visa (TECOM / Free Zone Permit)
United Arab Emirates ARE
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Georgia Remotely from Georgia Programme
Georgia GEO
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$2,000/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Estonia Digital Nomad Visa
Estonia EST
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$4,500/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Costa Rica Rentista Visa
Costa Rica CRI
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,500/mo
Citizenship
7y
Verified 2026-04-20
Mexico Temporary Resident Visa
Mexico MEX
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$1,620/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Panama Friendly Nations Visa
Panama PAN
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
UK Skilled Worker Visa
United Kingdom GBR
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$2,750/mo
Citizenship
6y
Verified 2026-04-20
UK Global Talent Visa
United Kingdom GBR
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
6y
Verified 2026-04-20
UK Innovator Founder Visa
United Kingdom GBR
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
6y
Verified 2026-04-20
Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler)
Germany DEU
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
Germany EU Blue Card
Germany DEU
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$4,170/mo
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
Germany Job Seeker Visa
Germany DEU
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
France Talent Passport (Passeport Talent)
France FRA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
France FRA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$1,640/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)
Netherlands NLD
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant)
Netherlands NLD
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$4,000/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit
Ireland IRL
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$3,500/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
Ireland IRL
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Turkey Short-Term Residence Permit
Turkey TUR
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Turkey Work Permit
Turkey TUR
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa
United States USA
Processing
30mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
United States USA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
United States USA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
Canada CAN
Processing
7mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
3y
Verified 2026-04-20
Canada Start-Up Visa
Canada CAN
Processing
14mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
3y
Verified 2026-04-20
Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Canada CAN
Processing
15mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
3y
Verified 2026-04-20
Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Australia AUS
Processing
9mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
4y
Verified 2026-04-20
Australia Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
Australia AUS
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
4y
Verified 2026-04-20
Australia Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188)
Australia AUS
Processing
18mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
9y
Verified 2026-04-20
New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
New Zealand NZL
Processing
9mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
New Zealand Investor 2 Visa
New Zealand NZL
Processing
9mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Brazil Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)
Brazil BRA
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$1,500/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (Nómada Digital)
Colombia COL
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$900/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Argentina Rentista Residency Visa
Argentina ARG
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
2y
Verified 2026-04-20
Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa
Japan JPN
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Japan Business Manager Visa
Japan JPN
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Japan Digital Nomad Visa
Japan JPN
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$5,670/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Singapore EntrePass
Singapore SGP
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
Singapore Employment Pass
Singapore SGP
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$3,700/mo
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
Singapore ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass)
Singapore SGP
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$22,000/mo
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
South Korea D-8 Investor Visa
South Korea KOR
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation Visa)
South Korea KOR
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$7,080/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
India Business Visa
India IND
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
India Employment Visa
India IND
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$2,080/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa
South Africa ZAF
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
South Africa Retired Persons Visa
South Africa ZAF
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
$2,000/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Hungary Guest Investor Programme
Hungary HUN
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
Poland Temporary Residence Permit
Poland POL
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Lithuania Startup Visa
Lithuania LTU
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Thailand Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement) Visa
Thailand THA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$1,800/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Panama Pensionado Visa
Panama PAN
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$1,000/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement)
Mexico MEX
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$2,800/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D)
Greece GRC
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,200/mo
Citizenship
7y
Verified 2026-04-20
Costa Rica Pensionado Visa
Costa Rica CRI
Processing
5mo
Min. Income
$1,000/mo
Citizenship
7y
Verified 2026-04-20
Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa
Thailand THA
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Italy Digital Nomad Visa
Italy ITA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$2,500/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Italy Investor Visa (Visto per Investitori)
Italy ITA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Indonesia Golden Visa
Indonesia IDN
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
Australia AUS
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Canada IEC Working Holiday
Canada CAN
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa
Japan JPN
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)
Malaysia MYS
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Colombia Pensionado / Retirement Visa (M-10)
Colombia COL
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$900/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-20
Brazil Retirement / Passive Income Visa (VIPER)
Brazil BRA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,000/mo
Citizenship
4y
Verified 2026-04-20
Georgia Small Business / Individual Entrepreneur Visa
Georgia GEO
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-20
Estonia Startup Visa
Estonia EST
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-20
Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
Philippines PHL
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
Philippines PHL
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-20
France Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Salarié Qualifié)
France FRA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$4,400/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-26
France Talent Passport — Innovative Startup Founder (Création d'Entreprise)
France FRA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-26
France Talent Passport — Researcher (Chercheur)
France FRA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
2y
Verified 2026-04-26
UK Ancestry Visa
United Kingdom GBR
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
6y
Verified 2026-04-26
Israel Aliyah (Law of Return)
Israel ISR
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
0y
Verified 2026-04-26
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
Croatia HRV
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$3,140/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-26
Romania Digital Nomad Visa
Romania ROU
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$4,030/mo
Citizenship
8y
Verified 2026-04-26
Mauritius Premium Travel Visa
Mauritius MUS
Processing
1mo
Min. Income
$1,500/mo
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-26
Mauritius Permanent Residency (Property Purchase)
Mauritius MUS
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-04-26
Indonesia Second Home Visa (B211B)
Indonesia IDN
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-04-26
Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (Iqama Mumayazah)
Saudi Arabia SAU
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-04-26
US H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
United States USA
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
11y
Verified 2026-05-05
US L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
United States USA
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
US F-1 Student Visa
United States USA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-05-05
US J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
United States USA
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-05-05
Switzerland B Residence Permit (Employment)
Switzerland CHE
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
Switzerland Self-Employment Permit
Switzerland CHE
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
Austria Red-White-Red Card
Austria AUT
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
Czech Employment Card
Czech Republic CZE
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
Czech Long-Term Residence — Investment / Business
Czech Republic CZE
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
Czech Digital Nomad Visa
Czech Republic CZE
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$2,300/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-05
Belgium Single Permit
Belgium BEL
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-05
Belgium Self-Employed Professional Card
Belgium BEL
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-05
Luxembourg Salaried Worker Permit
Luxembourg LUX
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-05
Italy Self-Employment Visa
Italy ITA
Processing
9mo
Min. Income
$9,500/mo
Citizenship
10y
Verified 2026-05-09
Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Germany DEU
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-09
Portugal HQA Visa (Highly Qualified Activity)
Portugal PRT
Processing
5mo
Min. Income
$26,000/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-09
Greece Skilled Worker Visa (Type D)
Greece GRC
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
$30,000/mo
Citizenship
7y
Verified 2026-05-09
Sweden EU Blue Card
Sweden SWE
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
$5,800/mo
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-13
Sweden Self-Employment Permit
Sweden SWE
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-13
Sweden Job Seeker Visa
Sweden SWE
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-05-13
NZ Active Investor Plus Visa
New Zealand NZL
Processing
9mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Verified 2026-05-13
Thailand O-X Long-Stay Visa
Thailand THA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Verified 2026-05-13
Ancestry / Descent Options
Based on common ancestry patterns for South Africa nationals.
Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)
Italy
Est. Cost
$2,000– $15,000
Processing
6–48mo
Verified 2026-04-20
Irish Citizenship by Descent / Foreign Births Registration
Ireland
Est. Cost
$500– $3,000
Processing
12–36mo
Verified 2026-04-20
UK Ancestry Visa / British National (Overseas) — BN(O)
United Kingdom
Est. Cost
$1,500– $8,000
Processing
3–60mo
Verified 2026-04-20
German Citizenship by Descent (§ 4 StAG / Restoration under Art. 116 GG)
Germany
Est. Cost
$500– $8,000
Processing
6–24mo
Verified 2026-04-20
Banking That Accepts Your Passport
20 optionsWise (formerly TransferWise)
multi currency account
40 currencies
Free
Revolut
digital bank
36 currencies
Free
N26
digital bank
1 currencies
Free
Chase UK
digital bank
1 currencies
Free
HSBC Expat
traditional bank
19 currencies
$35/mo
Interactive Brokers
brokerage
23 currencies
Free
Charles Schwab International
brokerage
1 currencies
Free
Standard Chartered
traditional bank
12 currencies
$10/mo
DBS Bank Singapore
traditional bank
13 currencies
$7/mo
Emirates NBD
traditional bank
6 currencies
Free
Mercury
digital bank
1 currencies
Free
Payoneer
multi currency account
70 currencies
Free
Monzo
digital bank
1 currencies
Free
Starling Bank
digital bank
1 currencies
Free
Nubank
digital bank
1 currencies
Free
Charles Schwab (US Domestic Account)
broker bank
1 currencies
Free
Citi International Personal Bank (Citi IPB)
private bank
12 currencies
Free
Fidelity International (Brokerage + Cash Management)
broker bank
1 currencies
Free
OCBC Bank (Singapore)
retail bank
11 currencies
Free
UOB (United Overseas Bank, Singapore)
retail bank
10 currencies
Free
Company Formation Jurisdictions
23 jurisdictionsUK Private Limited Company (Ltd)
Setup: $50
25% (19% for profits under GBP 50,000; marginal relief between GBP 50,000–250,000)
Banking: moderate
US Delaware LLC
Setup: $200
0% at state level (no Delaware state income tax on out-of-state activity); federal tax depends on election (pass-through by default or C-Corp election)
Banking: moderate
US Wyoming LLC
Setup: $100
0% at state level (no Wyoming state income tax); federal tax depends on entity election
Banking: moderate
Estonia OÜ (Private Limited Company)
Setup: $265
0% on retained earnings; 20% on distributed profits (unique deferred distribution tax model)
Banking: difficult
Dubai DMCC Free Zone Company
Setup: $8,500
9% UAE Corporate Tax (effective June 2023) on taxable profits over AED 375,000; 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons meeting substance requirements
Banking: moderate
Dubai IFZA Free Zone Company
Setup: $5,500
9% UAE Corporate Tax on profits over AED 375,000; 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons on qualifying income
Banking: moderate
Singapore Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)
Setup: $400
17% headline rate; effective rate often 8–10% due to startup tax exemptions (75% exemption on first SGD 100,000 for first 3 years)
Banking: moderate
Hong Kong Private Limited Company
Setup: $500
16.5% standard; 8.25% on first HKD 2 million of assessable profits (two-tiered regime)
Banking: difficult
BVI Business Company (BC)
Setup: $2,000
0% (no corporate income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax)
Banking: difficult
Cayman Islands LLC
Setup: $3,500
0% (no corporate tax, income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax; 20-year tax exemption certificate available)
Banking: difficult
Portugal Lda (Sociedade por Quotas)
Setup: $1,200
21% standard IRC; 17% on first EUR 25,000 for SMEs; municipal surcharge up to 1.5%; RFAI and other incentives available
Banking: moderate
Georgia Individual Entrepreneur (IE) with Virtual Zone
Setup: $50
1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000/year (Small Business Status); 0% on IT/software exports for Virtual Zone Person status; standard rate 15% corporate + 5% dividend withholding
Banking: easy
Ireland Limited Company (Ltd)
Setup: $350
12.5%
Banking: moderate
Netherlands BV
Setup: $1,500
19-25.8%
Banking: moderate
Cyprus Limited Company
Setup: $2,000
12.5%
Banking: moderate
Malta Limited Company
Setup: $2,500
5% effective (via refund system)
Banking: moderate
Seychelles IBC (International Business Company)
Setup: $700
0% (offshore income)
Banking: difficult
Switzerland Aktiengesellschaft (AG)
Setup: $8,000
11.85% to 21.0% effective combined federal + cantonal + communal (cantonal variation extreme — Zug 11.85%, Geneva 14%, Zürich 19.7%)
Banking: high
Luxembourg Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL)
Setup: $4,500
24.94% combined CIT + municipal business tax + solidarity surtax (Luxembourg City). Lower in some communes.
Banking: high
New Zealand Limited Company
Setup: $80
28% flat
Banking: moderate
Australia Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd)
Setup: $380
25% for base rate entities (turnover < AUD 50M); 30% for larger companies
Banking: moderate
Canada Federal Corporation
Setup: $200
15% federal + 8-16% provincial = ~23-31% combined depending on province (Ontario 26.5%, Alberta 23%, Quebec 26.5%)
Banking: moderate
Bulgaria EOOD (Single-Member LLC)
Setup: $700
10% flat (one of EU's lowest)
Banking: moderate
Citizenship by Investment
10 programsMalta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment
Malta
From
$690,000
Processing
14mo
Visa-Free
186
Due Diligence
extensive
Verified 2026-04-20
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
St Kitts and Nevis
From
$250,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
157
Due Diligence
enhanced
Verified 2026-04-20
Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Dominica
From
$100,000
Processing
5mo
Visa-Free
144
Due Diligence
enhanced
Verified 2026-04-20
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Antigua and Barbuda
From
$130,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
151
Due Diligence
enhanced
Verified 2026-04-20
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Grenada
From
$150,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
148
Due Diligence
enhanced
Verified 2026-04-20
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
St Lucia
From
$100,000
Processing
5mo
Visa-Free
146
Due Diligence
enhanced
Verified 2026-04-20
Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Turkey
From
$400,000
Processing
4mo
Visa-Free
110
Due Diligence
standard
Verified 2026-04-20
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (DSP / VDSP)
Vanuatu
From
$130,000
Processing
2mo
Visa-Free
113
Due Diligence
standard
Verified 2026-04-20
Egyptian Citizenship by Investment
Egypt
From
$300,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
53
Due Diligence
standard
Verified 2026-04-20
Jordanian Citizenship by Investment
Jordan
From
$750,000
Processing
9mo
Visa-Free
57
Due Diligence
enhanced
Verified 2026-04-20