Achieving global mobility and securing your future often involves navigating the complex landscape of international citizenship. Acquiring a second citizenship or dual nationality is becoming a strategic asset, offering expanded opportunities away from one’s home country, with 50,000 people obtaining CBI each year, according to research by LSE.
Whether you are pursuing a Green Card in the United States, or seeking an alternative through a foreign country’s investment program, the process is fraught with intricate citizenship laws. This makes securing a top-tier lawyer critical to ensure your citizenship application or immigration case succeeds.
This article explores the fundamentals of this life-changing decision, the compelling benefits, essential considerations for choosing your legal counsel, and profiles the top immigration law attorney firms.
The Best Lawyers for Second Citizenship Through Investment
- JH Marlin
- Global Citizen Lawyers
- Henley & Partners
- Coates Global
- Harvey Law Group
- Sable International
- Astons
- Immigrant Invest
- JTH Lawyers
- Citizen X
What is Second Citizenship?
Second citizenship (also sometimes granted as dual citizenship or dual nationality) is the legal status where an individual is simultaneously recognized as a citizen of two nations. This means you hold rights and obligations under the laws of both countries without having to renounce citizenship from your home country. It can be acquired through investment, descent, marriage to a foreign national, or a naturalization process.
What are the Benefits of Second Citizenship?
- Increased Global Mobility and Foreign Travel: A second passport significantly reduces visa requirements for international travel. For example, obtaining citizenship in a European Union country offers the freedom to live and work across the Schengen area, far surpassing the access granted by many single passports.
- Enhanced Security and Stability: It serves as a vital ‘Plan B’ for you and your family, providing reliable solutions in times of political or economic instability in your original nation. This allows for immediate relocation to a more secure foreign country.
- Expanded Business and Financial Opportunities: Dual citizenship allows you to diversify assets and access new markets with greater ease. Citizens can often benefit from favorable banking and investment policies, or optimize tax obligations in different jurisdictions.
- Access to Top-Tier Education and Healthcare: As naturalized citizens of a second country, you may gain access to their social services. This includes lower tuition fees at prestigious universities and enrollment in high-quality, state-subsidized healthcare systems.
- The Right to Live and Vote in Two Countries: Holding a dual citizenship grants you full civil and voting rights in your second country. Unlike a temporary immigrant visa, you enjoy unrestricted rights to reside, work, and own property permanently.
Find the perfect second citizenship country for you!
The Top 10 Best Lawyers for Second Citizenship Through Investment
Firm | Year Founded | CBI Countries Covered (Approx.) | Core Services (CBI Focus) | Accepts Crypto? | Key Differentiating Factor |
1. JH Marlin | 2017 | 11 (+9 RBI) | CBI, RBI, Cryptocurrency, Offshore Consulting | Yes | Nearly 100% success rate; dedicated to evolving sector; accepts crypto for payment. |
2. Global Citizen Lawyers | 2003 | 11 (+12 RBI) | CBI, RBI, Immigration Law for High-Net-Worth | Not Stated | Two decades of experience; highly reputable with impressive success rates. |
3. Henley & Partners | 1997 | 13 (+32 RBI) | RBI, CBI, Government Advisory (Global Leader) | Not Stated | Largest firm globally; advises over 20 governments. |
4. Coates Global | 2018 | 7 (+7 RBI) | CBI/RBI Advisory (Golden Visa), Due Diligence, Private Client | Not Stated | London-based; specializes exclusively in CBI/RBI, including EU Golden Visas. |
5. Harvey Law Group (HLG) | 1992 | 8 (+25 RBI) | CBI/RBI, Immigration Law, Corporate & Tax Advisory | Not Stated | Long-standing multinational law firm; strong in corporate services and wealth planning. |
6. Sable International | 1995 | 2 (+5 RBI) | CBI/Immigration, Cross-border Financial, Tax, Forex, Wealth | Not Stated | Broad cross-border services (financial, tax, wealth, immigration) from 10 offices. |
7. Astons | 1989 | 10 (+11 RBI) | CBI/RBI, Global Immigration, Luxury Property & Real Estate | Not Stated | Full-service support including property acquisition and investment advisory. |
8. Immigrant Invest | 2006 | 11 (+28 RBI) | Licensed Agent for CBI/RBI, Due Diligence, Compliance | Not Stated | High 99% application success rate; strong internal compliance focus. |
9. JTH Lawyers | 2013 | 2 (+2 RBI) | Immigration Law for Investors (US EB-5, Canada Start-Up) | Not Stated | Focus on investor-based immigration (e.g., US & Canada programs) alongside CBI. |
10. Citizen X | 2021 | N/A | Digital CBI/Mobility Advisory & Application Management | Yes | Not a law firm; offers a modern, tech-focused, digital platform with flat-fee pricing. |
CBI = Citizenship by Investment | RBI = Residency by Investment
1. JH Marlin
JH Marlin Law is the premier Citizenship by Investment (CBI) law firm for securing your second passport and creating a comprehensive ‘Plan B’. With a nearly 100% success rate for thousands of high-net-worth clients from over 45 countries, their expertise is unmatched.
They are dedicated to the constantly evolving CBI sector, actively staying ahead of all new programs and regulations, including unique opportunities in countries most other firms miss, like São Tomé and Príncipe. This ensures you receive the most current, effective advice for a secure, confidential, and well-priced path to global citizenship. They even accept cryptocurrency for their services.
Global Citizen Lawyers (GCL) stands as a highly reputable choice for securing second citizenship, backed by two decades of experience since its founding in 2003. The firm is dedicated to serving high-net-worth investors and families, offering specialized expertise in the complex CBI (Citizenship by Investment) industry.
With their commitment to boarding highly qualified applicants, GCL maintains impressive success rates across systems like the United States, Portugal, and the Caribbean. Their seasoned immigration lawyers are known for providing sound, confidential advice.
Henley & Partners is a globally recognized partner in residence and citizenship planning, having entered the sector over 25 years ago. As the largest integrated advisory firm in the world, they offer clients access to a wide range of residence and citizenship options through a network of 70+ offices.
The firm leverages its experience advising over 20 governments to provide comprehensive, strategic solutions for high-net-worth investors, ensuring a process backed by strict confidentiality and low transaction risk. However, their large size might not appeal to individuals looking for a more personalized approach to their citizenship journey.
Coates Global is a London-based law firm that specializes exclusively in Citizenship and Residency by Investment programs, including Golden Visas. With offices in London, Malta, and Athens, plus global partners in places like Lisbon and Limassol, the firm provides expert legal and confidential advice.
They tailor solutions to match high-net-worth clients’ needs with the most beneficial residency options, covering EU Golden Visas and Caribbean second citizenship programs like Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis.
The firm leverages its experience advising over 20 governments to provide comprehensive, strategic solutions for high-net-worth investors, ensuring a process backed by strict confidentiality and low transaction risk. However, their large size might not appeal to individuals looking for a more personalized approach to their citizenship journey.
Harvey Law Group (HLG) is a leading multinational law firm that specializes in Investment Immigration. Their primary focus is securing Citizenship and Residency by Investment (CBI/RBI), including options like the Portugal Golden Visa and Grenada CBI (with U.S. E-2 Visa access).
HLG also provides essential corporate services, private client advisory (for wealth and tax planning), and due diligence, assisting high-net-worth individuals and corporations in achieving seamless global mobility and international expansion.
How to get a second passport: Step-by-step guide and expert tips
Sable International is an established firm, founded over 25 years ago, offering a wide array of services for the modern “global citizen.” Operating from 10 offices worldwide, their 190+ dedicated staff specialize in Citizenship & Immigration (including Golden Visas), cross-border Tax and Wealth management, Forex, and Offshore Property investment.
While Sable International provides comprehensive solutions for those with varied needs abroad, clients seeking a firm exclusively focused on Citizenship by Investment may find their extensive range of legal and financial services too broad.
7. Astons
Astons is a premier investment immigration and relocation firm, offering bespoke residency and citizenship solutions in the EU, the Caribbean, and globally. They provide full-service support, from immigration applications, property acquisition, and investment advisory, to essential services like tax advisory and comprehensive legal support for both private clients and international partners.
Immigrant Invest specializes in second passports and residency solutions through licensed investment programs in the EU and Caribbean. Their in-house compliance department conducts preliminary due diligence, resulting in a remarkable 99% application success rate.
While their reputation is consistently good, some clients have reported poor communication, which could be a concern if you are seeking a completely seamless process.
9. JTH Lawyers
JTH Lawyers is a specialized immigration law firm providing residency and citizenship-by-investment services for high-net-worth individuals worldwide. With nearly two decades of experience, JTH has assisted thousands of investor families from over 80 countries in achieving permanent residence and second citizenship.
10. Citizen X
CitizenX is included on the list because they’ve changed the approach to citizenship acquisition, despite not being a traditional law firm. This Swiss company offers a modern, tech-focused platform for citizenship by investment (CBI).
They replace old, insecure methods with an intuitive digital experience, prioritizing security with end-to-end encryption and Swiss-based data storage. They provide transparent, flat-fee pricing and 24/7 management for a streamlined journey.
How much does it cost to apply for citizenship through investment?
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Law Firm for Dual Citizenship
Choosing a law firm for dual citizenship requires careful consideration. Look for firms with proven expertise in international law and the specific countries involved. Assess their track record, communication style, and fee structure to ensure a successful and smooth application process. Here’s what to look out for:
Specialized Expertise in Immigration Law and Nationality
Your attorney must have deep experience in immigration & naturalization law, not just general practice. They need to understand the nuances of applying for dual citizenship and the specific legal criteria for obtaining foreign citizenship, especially in citizenship by investment cases or complex family immigration matters.
Proven Track Record with Citizenship Applications
Look for an attorney with a demonstrated history of successful citizenship application submissions, including navigating the entire process up to the biometrics appointment and passport issuance. Their experience with complex scenarios, such as avoiding loss of citizenship in the home country, is paramount.
Transparent Fee Structure and Application Costs
The financial commitment includes government fees, investing costs, application fees, and the lawyer’s fees. A trustworthy immigration attorney offers a clear, fixed-fee agreement, detailing all potential application costs upfront and managing funds responsibly to avoid any hidden or unexpected charges during your immigration case.
Multi-Jurisdictional Knowledge of Laws and Policies
The right counsel must be fluent in the laws and policies of the destination country and how they interact with your home country’s regulations, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest and tax obligations. This prevents complications before you submit a formal application.
Expertise in Ancillary Services (e.g., Document Retrieval)
A comprehensive service goes beyond basic paperwork and offers help with complex tasks like ancestry records retrieval for citizenship by descent or preparing for the biometric services process. They should employ efficient civil law procedures to handle all required documentation accurately.
Are citizenship by investment programs worth it?
Secure a Second Citizenship With JH Marlin
At JH Marlin Law, we are a premier firm specializing in Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, proudly led by Jennifer Harding-Marlin. As licensed CBI experts, we provide comprehensive legal services. We facilitate the acquisition of a second passport in a variety of countries throughout the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond.
We assist high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs in establishing a strategic ‘Plan B’ through investment, offering essential benefits such as enhanced global mobility, tax optimization, and wealth protection for their families. Our commitment to expertise consistently results in a nearly 100% success rate for our clients. Contact us today to find out more!
