10 Ways to Escape Corruption Through RCBI in 2025

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RIF Trust on Basing Yourself in a Less Corrupt Place

Mimoun Assraoui, RIF Trust CEO,  knows that HNWIs are searching for a way out from corruption as well as in to a new country when they explore Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs. “A new residency or second citizenship can serve as an escape route to a safer, cleaner haven,” he points out.

“If you are currently residing in what you perceive to be a corrupt country, chances are that you feel like you’re not being dealt a fair hand.”

Our CEO concludes: “In this article, we will explain what corruption means and share the 10 least corrupt countries you can relocate to thanks to Residency and Citizenship by Investment.”

What Is Corruption?

According to the Chair of Transparency International, François Valérian: “Corruption is an evolving global threat that does far more than undermine development – it is a key cause of declining democracy, instability and human rights violations. The international community and every nation must make tackling corruption a top and long-term priority. This is crucial to pushing back against authoritarianism and securing a peaceful, free and sustainable world.”

Every year Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption no less, release the Corruption Perception Index. The latest ranks “180 countries and territories worldwide by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).”

The global average has remained stable at 43. For the purposes of this article, we have focused on the Residency and Citizenship by Investment Countries with a score of 50 and above as countries or territories with scores under 50 signify major corruption issues in their public sectors. Here, in descending order, is our top 10 least corrupt RCBI nations.

10.) Vanuatu

With a score of 50, Vanuatu is level with Malaysia in 57th position but above the likes of Croatia, Jordan, and Kuwait in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index. It is 2 points stronger than its 2023 ranking. The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program is your $130,000 route to a life more pacific in, appropriately enough, the South Pacific.

9.) Spain

Level with the likes of Czechia, Spain ranks 46/180 in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index with a score of 56/100. That’s 4 points lower than in 2023, although it’s not the only one of our selection to move downwards as we’ll discover later. Be quick and apply before the closing date of Wednesday, April 2, 2025 to secure a new residency through the Spanish Golden Visa.

8.) Grenada

Joining Czechia, Spain, and, indeed, Cyprus in 46th position on Transparency International’s latest index is Grenada. Its score of 56/100 is 3 points higher than the year before. Invest in a new Caribbean citizenship through the Grenada Citizenship by Investment program, available from a minimum of $235,000.

7.) Portugal

Losing 4 points since the 2023 version of the index, Portugal ranks 43/180 with a score of 57/100. That’s the equal of Botswana and Rwanda. The Portuguese Golden Visa is one of the most popular Residency by Investment programs and has the distinction of leading to EU citizenship 5 years of applying to the program rather than obtaining a residence permit as is the norm elsewhere.

6.) St Lucia

Sharing a 38/180 ranking with Latvia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia is St Lucia with a score of 59/100. This is a score change of +4 since 2023’s Corruption Perception Index. This less corrupt Caribbean island is accessible with the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment program, starting from a threshold of $240,000.

5.) Dominica

Another member of the Caribbean Community to feature in our round-up is Dominica, level with Slovenia due to a 36/180 ranking assigned because of a 60/100 score. This is 4 points more than the year before. Your entry point to the Dominica Citizenship by Investment program is a $200,000 donation to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).

4.) United States

The United States of America finds itself in joint 28th position with the Bahamas, thanks to a 65/100 score. That’s a drop of 4 points from Transparency International’s previous Corruption Perception Index. A Green Card and American citizenship after 5 years follows a minimum $800,000 investment in the US EB-5 Investor Visa.

3.) United Arab Emirates

Neither moving up or down in the rankings is the United Arab Emirates, occupying the same 23rd position with the descending Bahamas, courtesy of a 68/100 score. Also declining are Austria and France with the UAE deemed less corrupt than these two celebrated European democracies. Follow the UAE Golden Visa path to Residency by Investment in the likes of Dubai.

2.) United Kingdom

Also static in the rankings is the United Kingdom, fixed in an identical 20th slot along with a falling Japan but now ahead of Belgium, befitting its 71/100 score. Just as in the United States, there’s a 5-year countdown to citizenship from this Residency by Investment program. You will need to invest a minimum £200,000 to qualify for the UK Innovator Founder Visa.

1.) Canada

The leading Residency and Citizenship by Investment nation in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index is Canada. It’s down 1 point from its 2023 score, registering 75/100, but finds itself in front of the likes of Germany and Hong Kong with a 15/180 ranking. Again, you become eligible for citizenship following 5 years of residency through the Canada Start-up Visa.

How to Move Away from Corruption in 2025

Towards the bottom of the 2024 Corruption Perception Index, we discover countries such as Venezuela (10/100 and 178/180), Syria (12/100 and 177/180), and Libya (13/100 and 173/180). Higher up the list, but still perceived as corrupt, are the likes of Lebanon (22/100), Nigeria (26/100 and 140/180), and Mexico (also 26/100 and 140/180). We have seen a very recognizable growth in interest in a new residency or second citizenship from this trio of countries.

There is a growing demand for Residency and Citizenship by Investment in countries such as Pakistan (27/100 and 135/180), Egypt (30/100 and 130/180), and India (38/100 and 96/180), too. The solution to address corruption concerns from HNWIs in these countries and other affected nations is close at hand. In fact, you’re in the right place right now.

What next? We suggest setting up a consultation with an industry leader such as RIF Trust. That way you can communicate your concerns and we can match you with the correct program. So, contact us now, and we’ll show you how you remove you and your family from a corrupt country.