The highly anticipated Moldova citizenship by investment program (MCBI) was officially launched at Global Residence and Citizenship Conference 2018 organized by Henley and Partners.
Dr. Christian H. Kälin, Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, says of the Moldova program: “The launch of this prestigious new European program is a milestone for all of us in the investment migration community, because it speaks to the growing relevance and value of our industry. The MCBI program offers investors a foothold in Europe and access to one of the fastest growing commercial hubs in the region, while also giving Moldova the chance to attract much-needed foreign direct investment and a set of highly qualified and carefully vetted new citizens.”
Speaking at the launch, His Excellency Chiril Gaburici, the Minister of Economy and Infrastructure for the Government of Moldova, provided insight into the program’s origins: “The MCBI program has been specifically developed with the Moldovan people in mind. Our country has come a very long way over the past few years, and many of our most important industries are today thriving and growing. Now, in order to take the next step forward in our economic development, and also support the social wellbeing of all Moldovans, we need to welcome innovative new ways of generating capital. The MCBI program is part of this future-focused approach.”
The officially website of Moldova citizenship by investment program was launched by Government: http://cbi.gov.md/. CBI Agents can register for MCBI program here
Launched in the second half of 2018, the MCBI program was developed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova in partnership with its service provider Henley & Partners and the Moldovan Investment Company. Government of the Republic of Moldova wants to ensure the sustainable development of the country through MCBI program.
- Visa-free access to 121 destinations around the world, including Russia, Turkey, and the countries in Europe’s Schengen Area
- Citizenship in a country that has a continental climate, a world-class wine industry, and picturesque, varied terrain, including forests and rocky hills
- A reasonable contribution amount and a highly efficient application process
- Full citizenship, with passport rights, for the applicant and included family members
- Easy inclusion of dependent children up to 29 years of age and parents (of either the main applicant or the spouse) from 55 years of age in the application
- Citizenship transferable to future generations
- Citizenship in a member state of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the World Trade Organization, and many more
- Citizenship in a state that has entered into an association agreement with the EU and is aiming to become a candidate country for EU membership
The Moldova Citizenship-by-Investment (MCBI) program is the latest European citizenship-by-investment opportunity. It provides access to 121 destinations, including the countries in Europe’s Schengen Area as well as Turkey and Russia. The Republic of Moldova has a stable economy and a passport that offers diverse travel freedom. The country has established itself as a global leader in tech innovation.
The Moldovan passport is in fact one of the highest historical climbers on the Henley Passport Index, having ascended an impressive 20 places since 2008. The Moldova Government is working hard to continue this upward trend and has already signed several visa-waiver agreements with foreign countries this year, further boosting the Moldovan passport.
The MCBI program requires applicants to make a defined economic contribution to the country through the Public Sustainable Development Fund of Moldova (Public Investment Fund). In exchange, and subject to a stringent vetting and due diligence process, including thorough background checks, applicants and their families are granted citizenship.
To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and make the primary qualifying contribution:
A minimum non-refundable contribution to the Public Investment Fund:
- EUR 100,000 for a single applicant
- EUR 115,000 for a couple
- EUR 145,000 for a family of four
- EUR 155,000 for family of five or more
Post-approval government service provider fees of EUR 35,000 per application.
In addition, applicants are required to pay government fees of
- EUR 5,000 for the main applicant,
- EUR 2,500 for a spouse,
- EUR 1,000 for a child aged 0 to 15 years,
- EUR 2,500 for a dependent child aged 16 to 29 years, and
- EUR 5,000 for a dependent parent — of the main applicant or of the spouse — who is 55 years of age or older.
Due diligence fees are EUR 6,000 for the main applicant and EUR 5,000 for a spouse, dependent children older than 16 years, and/or dependent parents. Biometric passport fees amount to EUR 300 per individual.
Due diligence
It is imperative that main applicants and their dependents have a completely clear background, with no criminal record.
The MCBI program regulations further stipulate that a person who has been denied a visa to a country or territory with which Moldova has visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel arrangements and who has not subsequently obtained a visa to that jurisdiction shall not be accepted to the MCBI program.
Moldova has implemented a four-tier due diligence system, which is considered the most thorough in the world.
The four-tier due diligence process consists of:
Tier 1:Public database searches (including sanctions databases)
Tier 2:Public searches
Tier 3:Background verification checks, conducted by contracted third-party specialist agencies
Tier 4:Government checks conducted by the Centrul Național Anticorupție (National Anti-Corruption Centre), the Biroul Migrație și Azil (Bureau for Migration and Asylum), and the Security and Intelligence Service, among others.
Read more here: http://cbi.gov.md/
