The Gambia Citizenship by Investment: Guide For Foreign Investors

Life in The Gambia

The Gambia is a small country in West Africa with a growing economy and attractive investment opportunities. With a population of just over 2.6 million people, it is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and friendly people. The country’s official language is English, making it popular with expats from other countries.

The Gambia’s developing economy is largely based on agriculture, tourism, and remittances. The country’s strategic location on the West African coast makes it a gateway to the rest of the continent, with easy visa-free access to regional markets and a growing middle class.

Moving to The Gambia can offer a unique and exciting lifestyle that includes warm weather, diverse culture, and a relaxed pace of life. The cost of living is relatively low compared to other countries, making it an attractive option for retirees or those seeking a more affordable place to live. The country also offers a range of investment opportunities, particularly in tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy, which can provide financial benefits to those looking to invest in the country.

Overall, The Gambia offers investors and expats a welcoming and hospitable environment, with a growing economy and attractive investment opportunities that make it a great place to live, work, and do business for investors.

Does The Gambia offer citizenship by investment?

The Gambia does not offer any citizenship by investment programs, unlike some Caribbean nations with popular CBI programs. Citizenship by investment basically involves creating jobs, companies, or investing into a country’s real estate, investment bank, or specified market in return for a pathway to residency or citizenship. These schemes are enacted by governments to attract more foreign investors.

This means that individuals cannot obtain citizenship of The Gambia solely by making an investment in the country or by purchasing real estate. However, there are other pathways to citizenship, such as through marriage or naturalization, which we’ll outline below.

It’s important for investors to note that some countries offer citizenship by investment (CBI) programs, which allow individuals to obtain citizenship or residency in foreign countries by making a significant investment in the country. These programs typically involve investing in real estate, government bonds, or other qualifying investments.

Despite not having a CBI program, The Gambia remains an attractive destination for those seeking to invest in Africa. The country has a stable government, a growing economy, many markets and a diverse range of investment opportunities, particularly in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and energy.

Alternative Routes to Citizenship

While The Gambia may not offer a citizenship-by-investment program, there are alternative routes to obtaining citizenship. Here are some of the options available:

Citizenship by birth

If you were a person born in The Gambia, you may be eligible for citizenship if one of your parents is a national of Gambian origin. This applies even if one of your parents is a foreign national. However, it’s important to note that you will need to meet certain conditions to receive citizenship, such as proving your identity and providing evidence of your parentage through birth certificates or a parent’s passport.

Citizenship by descent

If one or both of your parents is a Gambian citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. You will need to provide proof of your parent’s citizenship, as well as a passport and other required documents.

Marriage to a Gambian citizen

If you are married to a Gambian citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship after seven years of residency. The requirements for this pathway can vary depending on your individual circumstances.

Naturalization

Naturalization is another pathway to obtaining citizenship. Requirements include being a person of good character and behavior, having the ability to support yourself and your family financially, and having the intention to live in The Gambia permanently. Additionally, you must have lived in The Gambia for at least 15 years. You may be required to demonstrate knowledge of Gambian history, culture, and laws.

Note that if you are naturalized, you cannot hold dual citizenship or two passports in The Gambia. You must renounce citizenship of your home country to acquire citizenship.

International Law and Citizenship

Under international law, countries have the right to determine their own citizenship laws and programs. The United Nations does not dictate how countries should handle citizenship, leaving it up to individual nations to decide. In the case of The Gambia, the government has chosen not to implement a citizenship-by-investment program, focusing instead on other pathways to citizenship.

Gambian Citizenship Act and Requirements

The Gambian Citizenship Act outlines the requirements for persons obtaining citizenship through various routes, such as birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization. Some of these requirements include proving your identity and providing evidence of your parentage through birth certificates or a parent’s passport.

For naturalization, requirements include being a person of good character and behavior, having the ability to support yourself and your family financially, and having the intention to live in The Gambia permanently. Additionally, you must have lived in The Gambia for at least 15 years. You may be required to demonstrate knowledge of Gambian history, culture, and laws.

Note that if you are naturalized, you cannot hold dual citizenship or two passports in The Gambia. You must renounce citizenship of your home country to acquire citizenship in The Gambia.

Exploring Citizenship Options in Another Country

If you are interested in obtaining a second passport or second citizenship through investment, you may want to consider other countries with established CBI programs.

Investing in a foreign country: The Caribbean

The five Caribbean nations, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia, offer attractive citizenship by investment programs, with some granting easy visa-free access to the European Union.

Investing in these countries typically involves purchasing real estate or making a donation to a government fund, with a designated holding period, usually around five years. These programs exist in order to attract more foreign investors in exchange for Caribbean passports that can offer benefits such as visa free travel.

These programs often have other requirements, such as background checks and application fees, but can provide an additional option for those looking to expand their global mobility and investment opportunities. With an investment, you can obtain Caribbean passports to your chosen Caribbean nation and reap monetary benefits like rental return.

If you’re interested in citizenship by investment in the Caribbean, reach out to us today. We can help guide you through the process for your chosen Caribbean nation. We have years of experience helping our clients obtain citizenship by investment.

The Gambia Permanent Residency

Foreign nationals and employees who plan to reside in The Gambia are required to apply for a residence permit. The Gambian government issues several categories of residence permits, which include:

• Type A: This permit is intended for retired foreign citizens and individuals of independent means.
• Type B: Skilled workers, investors, and citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are eligible to apply for this type of residence permit.
• Type C: This permit is for international students studying in The Gambia.
• Type D: Dependents of Gambian citizens or residents are eligible for this type of residence permit.
• Type E: This permit is intended for persons working in the humanitarian field.
• Type F: Small traders and self-employed individuals are eligible for this type of residence permit.
• Type G: This permit is intended for persons seeking medical treatment in The Gambia.

To obtain a long-term residence permit (Type A, B, or F visas), applicants must have lived in The Gambia for a certain period of time, which can vary depending on the type of permit.

Upon entry into The Gambia, foreign nationals are usually granted a temporary residence permit for a period of up to 90 days. To extend their stay beyond the initial 90 days, they must apply for a residence permit and pay the required fees. The fees for residence permits vary depending on nationality, the permit type and the stay duration.

For more information, check out our blog post, The Gambia Permanent Residency Permit.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, The Gambia currently does not offer a full form of Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which means that individuals cannot obtain citizenship in The Gambia solely through investment.

However, there are alternative routes to receive citizenship, Gambian nationality, or long-term residency in The Gambia, such as through birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization, as well as obtaining a residence permit.

For those interested in exploring other options for citizenship by investment, the five Caribbean nations mentioned above offer established programs that may suit your needs.

How Global Citizen Solutions Can Help

Expats and foreign investors can encounter many difficulties when applying for Gambian citizenship by investment, which is why it is worthwhile to have an expert on hand to provide personalized Gambia citizenship assistance throughout the application process.

Our specialists can help you with the following:

• Minimize the visits you have to make to the designated country
• Have someone who works solely on your behalf
• Reduce the hassle associated with putting your application together
• Acquire insider knowledge from someone with years of experience in the market

Let’s get you moving forward in your quest to obtain Gambian citizenship by investment. Get in touch with us to book a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Gambia Citizenship by Investment

How do I become a citizen of Gambia?

To become a citizen of The Gambia, there are several pathways available, which include:

• Birth: If you were born in The Gambia, you may be eligible for citizenship.
• Descent: If one or both of your parents are Gambian citizens, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent.
• Marriage: If you are married to a Gambian citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship after seven years of residency.
• Naturalization: If you have lived in The Gambia for at least 15 years prior to applying for citizenship, you may be eligible for naturalization.

Is it possible to acquire Gambia nationality through investment, and what does the investment basically involve?

No, it is not possible to acquire nationality in The Gambia through investment. The Gambia does not have a citizenship-by-investment program. To obtain citizenship, individuals must meet other criteria, such as naturalization through long-term residence or descent. Nationality in The Gambia cannot be acquired by simply making investments in projects or businesses owned by the National Trust’s (NTL) owners.

Since obtaining a second passport through investment is not possible in The Gambia, what are some alternative ways to acquire Gambia nationality?

There are other ways to acquire Gambia nationality, including naturalization and descent. For naturalization, individuals need to reside in the country for a specific period, usually around 15 years, and meet other requirements such as knowledge of the local language.

Descent refers to individuals who have at least one parent who is a citizen of The Gambia, which makes them eligible for citizenship. It is important to note that acquiring citizenship through investment is not available in The Gambia.

What are alternative paths to CBI, and how do Caribbean countries compare to The Gambia?

Since The Gambia doesn’t offer CBI, individuals can consider naturalization or descent for citizenship, or explore alternative CBI programs. In the Caribbean, investment basically involves creating jobs, investing in real estate or a new investment bank, or matters relating to improving the economy.

Caribbean countries like St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and Dominica offer CBI through investment in real estate or donations, usually providing a faster path to a second passport compared to The Gambia’s naturalization process.