This part of the world is renowned for its
willingness to supply passports of every kind. It is also an area where
myths and mysteries abound.
Whilst each country has its unique requirements for the granting of
citizenship, often involving investment, it is possible to identify
the factors that allow the flourishing trade in “investor”
and “instant” passports.
The discretionary powers and flexible attitudes of most governments
in this area allow for considerable freedom of interpretation of the
regulations. Most South American countries have ambiguous laws on investment
and residence, which could almost have been designed to leave plenty
of scope for official interpretation.
Senior officials within a government may be persuaded to vary or accelerate
procedures, using legally vested powers.
The necessary arrangements can sometimes be made without a visit to
the country concerned.
Points to watch when seeking Latin American citizenship include:
How much will it cost?
Through how many middlemen are you dealing?
What exactly are you buying? Is it a full national passport, or
just an alien travel document?
What additional supporting documents will be received? Normally
you should get at least a Cedula (ID) card, naturalisation papers,
and a driving licence.
Are you financially protected through the appointment of an escrow
agent for the holding of your payment pending delivery of what you
are promised?
I was recently told of one company that was in touch with a number
of possible choices in Latin America. I was planning to include here
mention of its name and address, so that readers might write in direct.
However at the last minute I received news that political, pressure
from the US has thrown some of these schemes into doubt. I am leaving
this section in the Report because the schemes undoubtedly have existed,
and for all I know the doubts will be cleared up before too long, so
it is still useful for readers to know that there may be possibilities
in this area, even if just at the time I write this there is some kind
of hiatus. I suggest that readers interested in exploring any of the
possibilities in this area should write to me as indicated elsewhere
in this edition. By the time I get their letters our continuing monitoring
of the area may have brought up news of further developments.
Before the recent developments, I had been told it was possible to
get naturalisation from certain of these countries in relatively short
time spans, varying between three and six months, through government
programs or official powers.
The company that was offering a service in the area published a list
of processing requirements that included (items 2,3,4, and 7 to be supplied
for each individual family member):
An application form (obtainable from the company).
An affidavit of identity and birth certificate — or an authenticated
copy.
Negative black and white photographs.
Photocopies of the first five pages of the current travel document.
A deposit, to be followed by the balance, on account of the total
cost.
Signed escrow instructions to the chosen escrow agent.
Affidavit of good conduct or police certificate of no criminal convictions.
The company’s cost estimate was upwards of $US25,000 for each head
of family plus upwards of $US15,000 for all dependent family members —
usually a maximum of four, but of course when the schemes are revived
(if they are) we may get some different figures. /next
chapter...
Reminder: This edition of How To Get A Second Passport was published
in 1990. Check the useful
links page for updated information.
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