The Comoros citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) scheme, which offered a passport for a $45,000 investment and could be obtained quickly, is no longer accepting new applicants.
A change of government a few years ago prompted an audit of the program. Authorities identified a limited number of “bad apples” who had issued passports outside the official protocol. In response, the new administration suspended the CBI scheme—a move that mirrors similar actions taken by other small states when irregularities are discovered.
Current status
- Existing economic citizens retain their certificate of naturalization (or certificate of citizenship) and can continue to use their Comorian passports.
- Passports already issued remain valid for travel; the author confirmed recent use of a Comorian passport to enter Singapore.
- No new applications for economic citizenship are being processed, and the program is effectively closed.
Implications for prospective investors
- Those considering the Comoros CBI program must look elsewhere, as the pathway is unavailable.
- Existing investors should keep their naturalization documents safe, as they serve as the primary proof of citizenship.
- Renewal of passports follows the standard procedure and is not affected by the program’s suspension.
Key take‑aways
- The suspension was triggered by concerns over irregular issuance, not by a broader policy shift against economic citizenship.
- The citizenship status of those who obtained it before the shutdown remains intact.
- Future changes to the program, if any, would depend on further government reviews and could involve stricter oversight.
