Montserrat Economic Residency by Investment

Montserrat is a Caribbean Island and British Overseas Territory (BOT) south west of Antigua, with only a population of  5,100 and a GDP of $16m.

Montserrat offers residence permit for economic investment with a path to British overseas territory citizenship (BOTC) – according to the Immigration Act of 2011 for bank deposits, real estate and securities investment.

• Bank Deposit of ECD 400,000 ($150,000) – Montserrat requires the applicant to deposit as a term deposit in any commercial bank operating in the jurisdictions. Through this route, economic residence may be gained in a very short time.
• Property investment of at least ECD 400,000 ($150,000) – Another useful route is via the purchase of real estate with a value of at least $150,000 which is situated in Montserrat.
• Government Securities (Bonds) – An additional option in Montserrat is via investment in government securities to the value of at least ECD 400,000 ($150,000).

A permit of economic residence is subject to revocation for failure to fulfill a condition of its grant

Under the scheme, A belonger status or permanent residency is  possible after five years of living in the island.

The issuance of British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) /Montserrat Passports is governed by the British Nationality Act 1981, which came into effect on 1 January 1983.

Citizenship by Investment

Montserrat currently has no citizenship by investment program.

In 2015, The Government of Montserrat explored launching a immediate CIP scheme to raise $62.5m, to issue about 275 passports from Dubai and chinese investors. The scheme was denied by UK. Montserrat Development Corporation estimated that 75 passports were required for the hotel and Villas projects and 200 for the Town Centre.  Dubai investors prepared to pay $2.5 million per passport, while chinese prepared to pay $250,000 per passport.

The scheme was denied by UK, citing if CIP approved for one territory, all the overseas territories will explore the option.

Further UK’s  £2 million investor visa scheme, does not offer immediate citizenship, it only offers a path to UK citizenship after five years of living.

Montserrat Passport

Montserrat passport is a BOTC passport.

A British Overseas Territories citizen holds British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.

British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs) enjoy visa-free entry to a number of countries and territories including US/Canada/Europe. However, in some cases, foreign authorities only grant them a visa-free entry if they present a passport with an endorsement stating their right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Visa requirements for other classes of British nationals such as British citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas citizens, British Protected Persons or British Subjects are different.

Please see visa free countries here