If you are considering a second passport, the process can be both time-consuming and expensive, except if you are eligible for Canadian citizenship.

Caribbean nations typically require a minimum investment of $200,000 for citizenship. Portugal’s Golden Visa program starts at €250,000. Italy and Ireland have recently made their ancestry routes more restrictive, limiting eligibility based on ancestry depth.

On the other hand, Canada offers a unique opportunity with a passport that ranks seventh globally. You may already qualify for Canadian citizenship, and the process is significantly more affordable compared to other countries.

As of December 15, 2025, changes to Canadian citizenship laws have eliminated the generational limit on citizenship by descent. If you can trace an unbroken line to a Canadian ancestor, regardless of how many generations back, you may already be a Canadian citizen. There are no language tests, residency requirements, or minimum investments since you are not applying for citizenship but for a certificate confirming your citizenship.

This pathway is one of the most accessible routes to a second passport globally. Let’s compare it to other options:

Route	Minimum cost (USD)	Who qualifies	Timeline to citizenship	What you get
Canada (citizenship by descent)	Application fee + supporting documents	Anyone with an unbroken line to a Canadian ancestor (no generational limit)	~12 months (already a citizen; awaiting certificate)	Full citizenship, passport ranked 7th globally
Caribbean CBI (5 nations)	$200,000–$250,000	Anyone who can invest	3 – 18 months	Full citizenship, Caribbean passport
Portugal Golden Visa	$290,548–$581,097	Anyone who can invest	5+ years to citizenship eligibility	Residency permit; Schengen travel; citizenship requires separate application