Pssst, buddy ... need a passport?

For a several thousand dollars, one Web site promises to lead you through the fees and formalities of gaining alternative citizenship in countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama. And while you're there, you can pick up some information on anonymous phoning, offshore banking licences and tax haven advice.

According to the Web site, The Finor Corporation acts as an agent for individuals who want to find another place to legally call "home". It is a broker for countries that operate investment-based citizenship programs. But besides those mentioned on the Web site, there are other countries that are deliberately unnamed -- including at least one in the Asia Pacific region.

"As per our agreement with the respective countries and their issuing authorities we are not able to disclose the exact name of each country at this time," an introductory page states. "Upon our satisfaction that a potential applicant is genuinely interested we will disclose the name of the country that is in question."

The program fee for the country listed in the Asia Pacific category is US$15,000. Finor did not reply to a request from ZDNet Australia for an interview or to at least name the country. Other information indicated only basic details, for example, that there's no military service component for citizenship of the mystery land.

Other migration and visa agencies have Web-based services, but are somewhat more forthcoming with details. Some, such as Immigration Services Centre, even offer online assessment processing for as little as US$100.

"We have to put a charge on it to weed out people who have no real intention of pursuing application," said ISC spokesman Peter Love. ISC provides immigration services for Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

"We co-ordinate the application with three other agents in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, then if the individual decides to become our clients after the assessment, we can proceed."

Love said he didn't know what countries in the Asia Pacific region would provide investment-based citizenship programs, and that he thought up-front fees such as US$15,000 were "dubious".

"The country itself has to get money which is usually around US$75,000," he said. "There is nothing in it for these countries if they don't get any revenue. I'd say if you put up US$15,000 you might not see it again."

Seeking a new passport? Or a tax haven for your dotcom millions?

For a several thousand dollars, one Web site promises to lead you through the fees and formalities of gaining alternative citizenship in countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama. And while you're there, you can pick up some information on anonymous phoning, offshore banking licences and tax haven advice.

According to the Web site, The Finor Corporation acts as an agent for individuals who want to find another place to legally call "home". It is a broker for countries that operate investment-based citizenship programs. But besides those mentioned on the Web site, there are other countries that are deliberately unnamed -- including at least one in the Asia Pacific region.

"As per our agreement with the respective countries and their issuing authorities we are not able to disclose the exact name of each country at this time," an introductory page states. "Upon our satisfaction that a potential applicant is genuinely interested we will disclose the name of the country that is in question."

The program fee for the country listed in the Asia Pacific category is US$15,000. Finor did not reply to a request from ZDNet Australia for an interview or to at least name the country. Other information indicated only basic details, for example, that there's no military service component for citizenship of the mystery land.

Other migration and visa agencies have Web-based services, but are somewhat more forthcoming with details. Some, such as Immigration Services Centre, even offer online assessment processing for as little as US$100.

"We have to put a charge on it to weed out people who have no real intention of pursuing application," said ISC spokesman Peter Love. ISC provides immigration services for Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

"We co-ordinate the application with three other agents in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, then if the individual decides to become our clients after the assessment, we can proceed."

Love said he didn't know what countries in the Asia Pacific region would provide investment-based citizenship programs, and that he thought up-front fees such as US$15,000 were "dubious".

"The country itself has to get money which is usually around US$75,000," he said. "There is nothing in it for these countries if they don't get any revenue. I'd say if you put up US$15,000 you might not see it again."