Due Diligence
Trustworthiness check
The main check when obtaining citizenship or residence and opening an account. It reviews criminal history, sanctions lists, the origin of funds, court cases, PEP links and mentions in the media. Cost ranges from $50 for a basic screening to $20,000+ for a deep citizenship check; the standard check for residence and citizenship is $1,000-5,000 per applicant.
- What it is
- An in-depth background check on the applicant before a passport or residence permit is issued or an account is opened
- Where it applies
- Citizenship and residence by investment, bank accounts, large transactions
- Cost
- From ~$50 for basic screening to $20,000+ for citizenship; a standard residence or citizenship check costs $1,000-5,000 per applicant
- Duration
- 2-8 weeks, longer in complex cases
- Can you prepare
- Yes, and it decides the outcome: the source-of-funds file is assembled in advance
In plain words
Due diligence is an in-depth check on an applicant carried out by a state or a bank before it issues a passport or residence permit or opens an account. Put simply, the country wants to be sure it is taking on a reliable person with no hidden problems.
The check is broad: criminal history and convictions, sanctions lists, the origin of money and wealth, court and tax disputes, political connections (PEP status), and mentions in the media and open databases. In essence, a specialised licensed firm compiles a file on you and stakes its reputation on the conclusion — “clear” or “risk”.
This is the key stage: it is at the check that refusals most often happen. The good news is that you can and should prepare for it in advance — gather documents on the origin of your money, explain contentious points before they are found, and file the application so that the reviewer is left with no questions.
When you will encounter due diligence
What due diligence covers
- Convictions and police records
- PEP status (politically exposed person)
- Political connections and associates
- Source of funds
- Source of wealth
- Large transactions and transfers
- Sanctions and wanted lists
- Media mentions
- Court proceedings and lawsuits
- Corporate history
- Beneficial ownership
- Related companies
How the check works
- 01Preparing documents
- 02Internal check
- 03Filing
- 04State check
- 05Result
What is usually checked
- International databases and watch lists
- Sanctions lists (OFAC, EU, UN)
- Court judgments and lawsuits
- Media and open sources
- Corporate and beneficial ownership registers
What due diligence costs: the full cost
- Basic screening$50-300Sanctions, PEP, adverse media. A quick automated database check — the minimum level.
- Enhanced check$300-1,500Opening a bank account abroad, standard compliance at a bank or payment system.
- Professional due diligence$1,000-5,000Per applicant. Residence and citizenship by investment — the standard level of state checks.
- In-depth investigation$5,000-20,000+Citizenship, public figures, large wealth, complex cases. International agencies (Kroll, Control Risks and others).
Bottom line: from ~$50 for basic screening (for an account, say) to $20,000+ for an in-depth citizenship check. The exact amount depends on the programme, the number of applicants, their citizenships and the depth of the check. The fee is non-refundable — it pays for the check itself, even if the application is refused.
Check timelines
- Timeline
- 2-8 weeks; longer in complex cases and for citizenship
- Who carries it out
- The state or a licensed agent, through a specialised due diligence firm
- What the price depends on
- The programme, number of applicants, citizenships and countries of residence, depth of the check
- Refund
- No: the fee is non-refundable and pays for the check itself, even if refused
Common mistakes
- Hiding a conviction or a lawsuit — the reviewer will find it anyway, and trust in the application collapses
- Not preparing documents on the origin of the money in advance
- Stating one thing on the form while the databases show another — a mismatch reads as a lie
- Filing without a preliminary internal check and learning of the problem from the refusal
- Underestimating PEP status for yourself or close relatives
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We go through due diligence with you: we run an internal check in advance against the same databases the state uses, find the weak points and close them with documents before filing. That way you learn about the risks from us in advance — before filing and before the check fee is paid.
Frequently asked questions
01 /How much does due diligence cost?
It depends on the depth of the check. Basic screening (sanctions, PEP, media): $50-300. An enhanced check for a bank account: $300-1,500. Professional due diligence for residence and citizenship: $1,000-5,000 per applicant. An in-depth investigation for citizenship and complex cases (Kroll, Control Risks and others): $5,000-20,000+. This is a non-refundable fee: it pays for the check itself, regardless of the outcome.
02 /What most often leads to a refusal?
An unclear origin of money, concealed convictions or lawsuits, links to sanctioned persons, and lies on the form. Another common ground is a mismatch between what the applicant wrote and what the reviewer found.
03 /Can you prepare for the check in advance?
Yes, and that is the main thing. We assemble a file on the origin of your funds (source of wealth and source of funds) in advance, check you against open databases and prepare explanations of contentious episodes — so that no questions remain by the time of filing.
04 /How long does due diligence take?
Usually 2-8 weeks. Simple cases close faster, while for citizenship and with a complex capital structure the check may take several months — especially if additional documents are requested.
05 /Who carries out the check?
The check is commissioned by the state or a licensed agent and carried out by a specialised due diligence firm — often an international agency (Kroll, S-RM, Control Risks and others). Several independent firms sometimes work on a single applicant.
06 /What exactly is checked?
Identity and documents, criminal history and court cases, sanctions and wanted lists, PEP status, the origin of wealth and of the funds for the investment, business reputation, business interests and beneficial owners, and mentions in the media and open registers.
07 /Is the money refunded if the application is refused?
No. The due diligence fee is non-refundable: it pays for the work of checking, not for the result. That is why it matters to close the weak points with documents before filing — so as not to pay for the check in vain.
08 /Who in the family must be checked?
As a rule, all applicants included in the application above a certain age (usually 16-18): the principal investor, the spouse, adult children and sometimes parents. The fee is paid separately for each adult applicant.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Want to pass due diligence without the risk of refusal?
We will run the check properly: take you through the same databases the state uses, close the weak points with documents in advance and calmly see it through to approval.