We received a lot of inquiries from Russian nationals about the possibility to apply for citizenship by investment programs. We want to clarify this important question and find below the answers you seek.
Question: Can Russians apply for CBI?
Currently two countries MAY accept Russian nationals for citizenship on case by case basis.
- Turkey – $400,000 (real estate)
- Vanuatu – $130,000 (donation)
As of 2024, Russian and Belarus nationals are barred from applying for ALL citizenship by investment programs due to international sanctions. If the concerned person is dual national with Russia, the country of birth is taken into consideration makes them ineligible to apply. International Banks also restrict transferring funds from Russian nationals through compliance checks.
A bit about sanctions.
Sanctions include targeted restrictive measures (individual sanctions), economic sanctions and visa measures. Sanctions on individuals consist of travel bans and asset freezes. Sanctions on companies consist of asset freezes. It is also prohibited to make any funds or assets directly or indirectly available. With Russia’s banking system facing extensive sanctions many Russian citizens have been resorting to alternative ways of transferring their savings outside of Russia since the invasion.
- The EU has imposed massive and unprecedented sanctions against Russia in response to the war of aggression against Ukraine.
- United States, in coordination with the G7 and other international partners, is strengthening the unprecedented global sanctions and other restrictive economic measures to further degrade the Russian Federation’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine.
- The UK sanctions also came fully into force on 31 December 2020.
