Citizenship by Investment
The citizenship by investment industry is booming. With the global RCBI market projected to hit nearly $100 billion in 2025, finding the right advisor has never been more crucial.
But here's the problem: not all CBI advisors are created equal.
Some promise the world but deliver headaches. Others lack the government relationships needed to navigate complex regulations. And many simply don't have the track record to back up their claims.
That's why we've analyzed the top citizenship by investment advisors to help you make an informed decision. After reviewing dozens of firms based on their expertise, success rates, and client satisfaction, we've identified the five best CBI advisors operating in 2025.
Before diving into our rankings, let's establish what separates exceptional CBI advisors from the rest.
The best firms operate on multiple dimensions. They don't just focus on "passport power" rankings-they evaluate programs across procedure complexity, mobility benefits, tax optimization, quality of life factors, and investment environment stability.
Government relationships matter enormously. Authorized agents with direct partnerships can resolve issues faster and provide more reliable timelines. They also have insider knowledge of regulatory changes before they become public.
Transparency is non-negotiable. Top-tier advisors provide clear fee breakdowns, realistic processing timelines, and honest pre-screening assessments. They'll tell you if your application faces challenges rather than taking your money and hoping for the best.
Success rates tell the story. While 100% approval claims should raise red flags, legitimate firms can demonstrate strong track records with verifiable case volumes and client testimonials.
Leading our rankings is Global Residence Index, a Dublin-based investment migration consultancy that has transformed the industry with their client-centric approach.
Founded by Mark Damsgaard, GRI merged with Vancis Capital in 2024 to create a powerhouse combination of expertise and global reach. This merger enhanced their due diligence capabilities and expanded their government relationships across multiple jurisdictions.
What sets them apart: GRI's pre-screening methodology aligns perfectly with the post-2024 compliance landscape. While Caribbean countries standardized their requirements and EU programs tightened scrutiny, GRI adapted their processes to maintain their impressive approval track record.
Their five-dimensional evaluation framework covers procedure, mobility, tax implications, quality of life, and investment environment-exactly what sophisticated investors need in today's complex regulatory environment.
The firm's government relationships span both Caribbean CBI programs and European residence schemes. This is crucial given Malta's continued dominance in citizenship rankings and Greece's rise to the top of residence program indices.
Recent achievements: Over 500 clients served with a claimed 100% approval rate across nine years of operation. Their pre-screening process has proven particularly valuable as rejection rates have increased industry-wide due to enhanced due diligence requirements.
Henley & Partners remains the industry's most recognizable name, largely due to their influential annual rankings and global marketing presence.
Led by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, the firm reported serving clients from 94 nationalities in 2024, with particularly strong growth among U.S. and U.K. applicants. American nationals now represent 23% of their processed applications, while British applications increased 57% year-over-year.
Strengths: Their Global Citizenship Program Index and Global Residence Program Index shape industry discourse and investor perceptions. Malta's first-place ranking and Greece's residence program leadership in their 2025 indices reinforce European program prestige.
Considerations: While their brand recognition is unmatched, program-specific approval rates and fee transparency details aren't publicly available. Authorized agent status varies by jurisdiction and requires verification.
This research-led firm has carved out a strong position through their Intelligence Unit, which publishes comprehensive RCBI reports covering all 37 active programs across 36 countries.
Their 2025 Global RCBI Report uses an 18-indicator methodology that evaluates programs across five key dimensions-the same approach that sophisticated investors now demand.
Key advantage: Methodological transparency and comprehensive comparative frameworks help investors make informed decisions. Their research outputs have become benchmark references across the industry.
Limitation: While their research credentials are solid, specific approval rates and government authorization details aren't fully disclosed publicly.
This Singapore-headquartered platform launched in 2024 as a growth-stage player focusing on the convergence between wealth planning and investment migration.
Their positioning around high-net-worth megatrends-intergenerational wealth transfer, technology disruption, and geopolitical uncertainty-aligns well with current market drivers.
Innovation focus: Cross-border solutions that integrate RCBI with broader wealth strategies, appealing to clients seeking comprehensive planning approaches.
New entrant caveat: Limited public track record in processing volumes and authorization statuses requires additional due diligence for major decisions.
Rounding out our top five is Knightsbridge, which provides valuable regional perspective from the Middle East market.
Their 2025 outlook commentary highlights emerging trends, including governments exploring innovative CBI models tied to renewable energy and technology investments.
Regional expertise: Strong Middle East client base and understanding of investor motivations in that market, which has become increasingly important as geopolitical tensions drive demand.
Verification needed: Public data on approval rates and authorization statuses requires independent confirmation for comprehensive evaluation.
Geographic coverage varies significantly among our top five. Henley & Partners and Global Residence Index offer the broadest global reach, while others focus on specific regions or emerging market segments.
Processing expertise shows clear differentiation. EU programs require different skills than Caribbean programs, especially post-2024 reforms. Malta citizenship applications demand different preparation than Greece residence permits.
Fee transparency remains inconsistent across the industry. The best firms separate government fees from advisory fees and provide clear engagement terms upfront.
Research capabilities have become increasingly important. Firms producing credible comparative analysis and regulatory updates provide more value than those relying solely on marketing materials.
Several warning signs should trigger immediate caution when evaluating CBI advisors.
Guaranteed approval claims are unrealistic. Enhanced due diligence and standardized Caribbean requirements have increased rejection rates industry-wide. Legitimate advisors acknowledge this reality.
Lack of fee transparency suggests potential problems. Professional firms provide detailed engagement letters with clear scope and cost breakdowns.
Promises of unrealistic timelines often indicate inexperience with current regulatory requirements. EU programs particularly have become more stringent and time-consuming.
Refusal to conduct pre-screening indicates poor risk management. Reputable advisors want to identify potential issues before filing applications.
Technology integration will reshape service delivery over the next few years. Digital KYC/AML screening, secure document management, and analytics-driven program matching will become standard capabilities.
Compliance requirements will continue tightening. Caribbean standardization and ongoing EU scrutiny mean longer processing times and more documentation requirements. Advisors competing on compliance capability rather than speed will thrive.
Service segmentation will accelerate. Fast backup passports serve different needs than EU family relocation strategies or Middle East business expansion plans. Successful advisors will develop specialized expertise for distinct client segments.
Government relationships will become even more valuable as programs evolve. Direct partnerships with regulatory agencies will provide competitive advantages in navigating changing requirements.
Selecting the right CBI advisor depends on your specific circumstances, target programs, and timeline requirements.
For comprehensive global coverage with proven government relationships, Global Residence Index and Henley & Partners lead the field. Both offer extensive program knowledge and established track records.
Research-focused firms like Global Citizen Solutions provide valuable analytical frameworks for investors wanting detailed comparative analysis before making decisions.
Regional specialists may offer advantages for specific markets or client profiles, though their scope might be more limited.
Whatever your choice, prioritize advisors with transparent fee structures, realistic timeline projections, and willingness to conduct honest pre-screening assessments. The investment is too significant to compromise on advisory quality.
The citizenship by investment landscape continues evolving rapidly. Regulatory changes, geopolitical shifts, and economic pressures will reshape programs and requirements. Choose an advisor with the expertise and relationships to navigate these changes successfully.
Your second citizenship or residency represents more than a financial transaction-it's an investment in your family's future security and global mobility. Make sure your advisor understands and shares that perspective.
