The landscape of global mobility is rapidly evolving, with cryptocurrency now playing a significant role in obtaining second passports and residency permits. What was once a niche concept has matured into a legitimate pathway for crypto holders seeking greater international access and financial flexibility in 2025. Several distinct approaches have emerged, ranging from direct crypto payments to utilising digital assets as proof of wealth, with investment amounts varying from $130,000 to $1 million and processing times from a swift month to over a year.
El Salvador Leads with Direct Bitcoin Payments
El Salvador stands at the forefront of this movement, having launched the world’s first fully crypto-native citizenship programme: the Freedom Visa Programme. This pioneering initiative allows applicants to make a $1 million donation directly to the government in either Bitcoin or USDT (Tether), completely bypassing traditional fiat currency conversions.
Key aspects of this programme include a rapid approval time of six weeks, with citizenship obtainable within months. It also accommodates family inclusion, covering spouses, children under 18, and dependent parents over 65. With an annual cap of 1,000 participants and visa-free travel to over 130 countries, including Japan, the EU, the UAE, and Singapore, the Freedom Visa is a direct consequence of El Salvador’s broader Bitcoin strategy, which saw the country adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
Caribbean Nations: Crypto via Licenced Agents
Several Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, have opened their doors to cryptocurrency holders through a system involving licenced migration agents. These agents facilitate the process by converting digital assets into traditional currency before submitting applications to the respective governments.
Dominica’s programme requires a $200,000 donation to its Economic Diversification Fund, with processing times ranging from 4 to 9 months. Benefits include no physical presence requirements and family inclusion, along with visa-free travel to over 140 countries. Similarly, Saint Lucia offers options such as a $240,000 donation or a $300,000 real estate investment, with comparable processing times and benefits. While these passports offer extensive visa-free travel, some countries exercise closer scrutiny of Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes.
Vanuatu: The Fastest Route Through Conversion
For those seeking rapid citizenship, Vanuatu presents one of the quickest options, often completing the process within 30-60 days. This Pacific island nation requires donations starting at $130,000 for single applicants and $180,000 for a family of four.
Although the official Vanuatu Citizenship Office does not directly accept cryptocurrency, licenced agents are authorised to accept Bitcoin and stablecoins, converting them to US dollars before government submission. The entire process is remote, with no residency requirements or interviews, and Vanuatu permits dual citizenship. While it offers tax benefits like no income or capital gains tax, its EU travel access is currently suspended.
Portugal: EU Access Through Crypto-Exposed Funds
Portugal’s Golden Visa programme offers a unique pathway to EU residency, particularly for crypto holders, by focusing on regulated investment funds. While direct cryptocurrency payments are not accepted, investors can place a typical investment of 500,000 euros into Portuguese investment funds, some of which offer exposure to blockchain and Bitcoin-related assets.
This programme requires a minimal physical presence (7 days in the first year, 14 days every two years) and can lead to citizenship after five years. It provides full residency rights within the European Union and potential long-term crypto gains tax exemptions for individuals. Approved funds, such as the Golden Crypto Fund, diversify investments to include Bitcoin and exchange-traded funds, allowing crypto holders to leverage their digital wealth for EU access.
St. Kitts & Nevis: Crypto as Proof of Wealth
In a significant policy shift in March 2025, St. Kitts & Nevis began accepting cryptocurrency holdings as proof of wealth for citizenship applications. While the actual investment (starting from a $250,000 donation or $325,000 real estate) must still be made in traditional currency, this move acknowledges Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings as legitimate demonstrations of net worth.
Applicants must provide extensive documentation, including proof of crypto ownership, transaction histories, and valuation reports. This policy update reflects a growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrency as a recognised asset class, even if not directly used for investment payments. All crypto-related applications undergo enhanced due diligence and mandatory interviews.
Regulatory Landscape and Future Outlook
The evolving regulatory environment continues to shape the investment migration market. For instance, Malta’s MEIN citizenship programme faced termination in April 2025 after the European Court of Justice ruled it violated EU law, citing a lack of genuine connection between applicants and Malta. Conversely, new programmes like Kazakhstan’s $300,000 golden visa, launched in May 2025, are emerging, though they typically require crypto conversion to fiat before investment.
All programmes demand rigors background checks and verifiable proof of legitimate fund sources. Clear documentation of crypto transaction histories is crucial to avoid processing delays. The overall trend indicates increasing institutional recognition of digital assets, but regulatory pressures, especially from the EU, continue to influence programme availability and terms. Currently, El Salvador remains the sole country accepting direct cryptocurrency payments for citizenship, while other nations predominantly require conversion to traditional currency or solely accept crypto as proof of wealth.
