Options for South Korea Nationals
South Korea holds one of the world's most powerful passports with visa-free access to 193 destinations, and the country has a highly developed economy with world-class healthcare and infrastructure. However, its restrictive dual citizenship rules and mandatory military service obligations for males make renunciation or naturalization abroad a carefully considered decision. Korean nationals are taxed on worldwide income when resident, and the country's high-income tax rates (up to 45%) combined with comprehensive social security contributions create significant tax planning considerations for those relocating.
Your Passport
Passport Rank
#2
Visa-Free
193
destinations
restricted
residence based
Key Considerations for South Korea Nationals
- 01Male dual nationals must complete mandatory military service (18–21 months) before they can renounce Korean citizenship; failure to do so results in legal consequences
- 02Dual citizenship is only permitted for those born with it who formally choose to retain it before age 22; naturalized citizens must renounce prior nationality
- 03South Korea taxes worldwide income for residents, with progressive rates up to 45% plus local surtax
- 04Complex inheritance and gift tax regime with rates up to 50%; family-held business succession rules are strict
- 05National Pension Service contributions are mandatory for employed residents; treaty provisions vary by country
- 06South Korea has an extensive tax treaty network but exit tax rules apply to high-net-worth individuals departing with significant assets
Program Restrictions
general: Requires renunciation of prior citizenship for most applicants; exceptions only for those born with dual nationality
general: Male dual nationals born after 1 January 1951 must fulfill or be exempted from military service before any renunciation of Korean citizenship is permitted
Tax Obligations
South Korea operates a residence-based tax system under the Income Tax Act. Individuals with a domicile in Korea or who have maintained a Korean residence for one year or more are Korean tax residents subject to worldwide income taxation at progressive rates from 6% to 45% (plus 10% local income tax surcharge). Non-residents are taxed only on Korean-source income. South Korea has Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules under the Law for Coordination of International Tax Affairs (LCITA): Korean residents who own 10% or more of a foreign company whose effective tax rate is below 15% may be attributed undistributed passive income of that company. South Korea imposes an exit tax on individuals who depart with qualifying shareholdings: those who have been Korean tax residents for 5 or more years and hold a 25% or more stake in a domestic company, or any listed shares valued at KRW 1 billion or more, are subject to a deemed disposal tax on unrealised gains at the time of departure. South Korea generally requires single citizenship: persons naturalising as Koreans must relinquish foreign nationality within 1 year, and Korean nationals who voluntarily acquire foreign nationality generally lose Korean citizenship. However, there are select categories permitting dual citizenship, including women who married foreign nationals before August 1998, individuals recognised for special merit to Korea (특별공로자), and overseas Koreans meeting specific criteria under the Act on the Legal Status of Overseas Koreans. The broader population must elect one nationality by age 22.
Renouncing This Nationality
- Available
- Yes
- Exit Tax
- Yes
- Fee
- None
- Processing
- ~3 months
Korean citizenship can be renounced at a Korean consulate abroad or at the Ministry of Justice's Immigration Office in Korea by submitting a Renunciation of Nationality declaration. There is no fee. Under the Nationality Act, Korean men must complete their mandatory military service obligation before renouncing citizenship; since 2005, males who attempted to renounce to avoid military service face strict scrutiny and prohibitions. The exit tax applies to Korean residents departing with KRW 1 billion or more in listed securities (any stake) or a 25%+ stake in a domestic company — unrealised gains are crystallised at departure. Korean nationals subject to the National Defense Obligation must obtain military exemption or discharge clearance before the renunciation is processed.
Military Service Obligation
- Applies
- Yes
- Age Range
- 18–28 (male)
- Duration
- 21 months
- Alternative Service
- Available
Banking Restrictions
Financial-compliance issues this nationality commonly faces globally.
SOUTH KOREA PARTICIPATES IN THE OECD COMMON REPORTING STANDARD (CRS) AND HAS A FATCA INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES. KOREAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REPORT NON-RESIDENT ACCOUNT HOLDERS TO THE NATIONAL TAX SERVICE (NTS) FOR EXCHANGE WITH PARTNER JURISDICTIONS. THERE ARE NO WIDESPREAD ACCOUNT REFUSALS FOR KOREAN PASSPORT HOLDERS AT INTERNATIONAL BANKS.
Affects: crs, fatca-iga
EXIT TAX APPLIES TO KOREAN TAX RESIDENTS WHO DEPART WITH QUALIFYING SHAREHOLDINGS VALUED AT KRW 1 BILLION OR MORE IN LISTED SECURITIES, OR A 25%+ STAKE IN A DOMESTIC COMPANY. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL TAX COST FOR KOREAN HNW ENTREPRENEURS AND INVESTORS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH NON-KOREAN TAX RESIDENCY.
Affects: exit-tax-kr
Best Second-Passport Options
Ranked by practical fit — not endorsements. Verify eligibility and current rules before acting.
- $250,000–$290,000
St Kitts & Nevis CBI provides visa-free access to the Schengen zone, UK, and 150+ other destinations. The Korean passport already covers most of these, so the primary driver for Korean HNW individuals is capital mobility, offshore banking, and privacy — not travel. Must be pursued after resolution of military service obligations for male applicants.
- #2grenada$235,000–$270,000
Grenada CBI provides access to the US E-2 Treaty Investor visa, a mechanism not available to Korean nationals via their own passport (Korea has an E-2 treaty but Grenada passport may offer different structuring flexibility). Appeals to Korean entrepreneurs with US business interests.
- $5,000–$800,000
US citizenship or permanent residency via EB-5 investor or EB skilled-worker routes is pursued by Korean nationals seeking long-term US settlement. The US passport provides global banking access and removes Korean dual-citizenship restrictions for those who naturalise and formally lose Korean nationality.
Visa-Free Gain from Upgrading
Additional visa-free destinations gained by acquiring each citizenship on top of the current one.
| Second Citizenship | + Destinations |
|---|---|
| saint kitts and nevis | +5 |
| grenada | +0 |
| united states | +0 |
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
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