Second Passports - How, Where and Why

Due to the Panama Instant Passport Program that Panama offers we get frequent inquiries about second passports. There are a lot of good reasons to obtain one and not really much of a downside if you pick the right country. Click here for more information on the Panama Instant Passport Program.

Click here for other citizenship and passport programs, go here.

Lack of Dependence on One Country – If you start thinking like a citizen of the world you soon start to realize you may not always wish to be identified with a certain country. This could be because the public image of that country is tarnished, or you may just want to be identified with another country for some other reasons that are your own business.

Reduced Risk of Terrorist Victimization – Citizens of some countries get singled out frequently by terrorists in hostage type situations. Traveling as a citizen of another nation can have great advantages if this ever happens to you. We use countries that are considered to be neutral so you do not get singled out for more aggressive treatment as a hostage by terrorists. This is a feature you may never use the passport for. If you carry the second passport for 15 years and need to use it like this one time, then you really needed it all along!

Banking Freedom – Banks in some countries frown on opening accounts for passport holders of some countries and in many cases refuse to open such accounts. A second or third passport can overcome these barriers and has the effect of the banks treating you as if you were from the country your second or third passport is from. We have programs where you can obtain a government citizenship photo identity card, a driver license and a passport. Then you open a bank account in the country where the passport is from and get a bank reference letter.

Next the law firm gives you a reference letter. Now you can open a bank account anywhere in the world as a citizen of a Central American Country that does not tax offshore income. Name changes sealed in judge’s chambers are also possible so there is no trail from the old name to the new name. It is you, your picture, your signature, your fingerprints but in a way not you as well. Second passports, identity cards, driver licenses, bank references, and lawyer references can all be done in 10-14 days but you must be in the country during this brief period of time. Inquire for more information.

Country Selection – First and foremost make sure you are not opening yourself up for taxation from the new country, which you are getting a passport from. The countries we use do not tax offshore-derived income. One could go from the frying pan to the fire as they say so be careful. The selected country should be in no tax treaties. Second make sure the new country believes in civil liberties and privacy. Look for published bank secrecy laws and corporate secrecy laws and the country must allow anonymous bearer share corporations. You do not want to place yourself under the rule of a totalitarian government or dictator. Look for substantial banks. If you are under 45 and/or have children also getting passports make absolutely certain there are no military conscription laws that will place a military obligation on you or your children. Make sure you are not going to run afoul of any religious laws, rules or practices dominant in the country that could affect your rights and status. Understand completely how much time if any must be spent in the country to keep your status active. If an investment is required make absolutely certain you understand fully the nature of the investment. Panama passes all these tests and we have other countries that also pass these tests. Please inquire.

Second Passport Scams – The Internet is full of second passport offers. Rest assured some of these are not real. Make sure the person you are dealing with is a lawyer. Make sure there is a phone number that you can call to speak with this lawyer or law firm. The phone should be a local phone, not some toll free number. You do not want to be dealing with a law firm only by email. Forget dealing with a non-lawyer. You have no attorney client privilege and have no idea who this person is or how he or she will deal with you. Any authentic program will have the various government documents issued to you directly right in the various government offices. You should need to go to the country issuing you the documents for photographing, fingerprinting and signing. Any program that says you do not have to go to the country and they will courier the passport to you is not going to be giving you authentic documents. There are places in the third world countries that sell what appears to be real passport blanks. These are not authentic; they only look that way to the untrained person. They will fail the tests of authenticity. Think of it as counterfeiting money. There are a lot of little things in a passport that is not publicized that will foil a counterfeiter, just like in currency. With currency the government makes these this information available to the general public since everyone takes money and should know what to look for to protect themselves. The average person has no need to know how to detect a false passport. The false passports are also not in the computer databases. This can lead to major trouble for you in strange countries. When they call the issuing country and are told there is no record of you then you become a person of interest and that is not fun. Also one should have a full set of documents – national identity card with photo, driver license and passport. Now you know than the average person does so be careful.

Economic Citizenship Programs – A few countries offer economic citizenship programs. These programs involve the applicant investing money in a government-approved project. Rest assured the government approved project is not going to be a moneymaker or at least not for decades. Expect the prices to be inflated greatly if it involves purchasing a residence. The investment is often not recoverable so it is more of a donation. Sometimes the investment needs to remain in place for a long time like 10 years. If the program involves buying a house for a certain dollar value (usually $250,000) usually the house cannot be sold or borrowed against and has to be titled in a person’s name, no corporations or trusts allowed. Make sure you understand the investment required and for how long.

Third World Countries – There are legitimate programs from third world countries, usually located in Africa where passports can be obtained cheap and easy. So now you have such a passport what do you do with it? It is only good for Visa free travel to other African countries that you would probably never go to. Travel Visas will be near impossible to obtain for any country you are likely to visit. Banks and Stock Brokers will not be interested in opening accounts for you with such a passport and you probably will never get a bank account opened. Think how many people in this third world country know what an offshore bank is, let alone have enough funds to operate an offshore bank account or stock brokerage. These passports are basically good for nothing unless you want to bank in some third world country that has a grocery store sized bank operating in some non-exchangeable currency. As a last thought if you attempt to travel on such a passport or even obtain a visa and you do not look and profile like a person from this country, expect to instantly become a person of interest to numerous law enforcement agencies. They know as well as you do that this country peddles passports and are now going to wonder who you are and what you are up to. They are well paid and well trained and it is their job to investigate this type of situation. Save your money.

Diplomatic Passports and Consular General Postings –When you see this offered on the Internet it is often a scam. However it can be obtained in an authentic fashion and this is a service we offer. Remember with us you are dealing with a law firm. The passports carry full diplomatic immunity. If you are posted as a Consul General your home which is also the consulate has full diplomatic immunity and cannot be entered by any government official without your explicit consent. Your auto would display Consul Corps plates and thus also have diplomatic immunity making it free from searches, being detained, etc. You get to use the diplomatic lounges at the airports and the diplomatic boarding channels freeing you from searches, interrogations, etc. You also have the right to carry a diplomatic pouch that cannot be searched. You can open bank accounts readily with a diplomatic passport. You have freedom from lawsuits, subpoenas, search warrants, taxation from funds associated with your diplomatic work and other benefits. Click here to learn more about Diplomatic Passports and Consul General postings including reading the international laws concerning these matters.