[tzaman]

Imagine this becoming a thing. Where anyone could eventually become Estonia's resident with all the rights (and of course responsibilities) equal to the people actually living there. Once other nations would follow, then the borders would truly start to disappear because it wouldn't really matter where you are located. No more us and them, just people of the earth.

I know it's way too optimistic and this solution probably introduces just as many problems as it solves, but still, one is allowed to dream, right?

[Bartweiss]

The cynical read on the same statement is "therefore other countries will stop respecting Estonian citizenship to maintain selectivity".

Shipping's been done under flags of convenience for years, but I suspect a lot of people will be deeply unwilling to walk that road for residence.

[sf_rob]

>"therefore other countries will stop respecting Estonian citizenship to maintain selectivity".

This has already happened in St Kitts[1][2]. They sold citezenship with very few non-financial requirements and now other nations have started screening travellers from there more aggressively, requiring visas, etc.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis_passport [2]http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/03/02/468953007/episo...

[wmeredith]

It reminds of the franchised countries ("Burbclaves") in Neil Stephenson's Snow Crash.

[qaq]

Well tax laws apply to you based on your tax residence and your citizenship so this has very limited benefits if you are already living in a western country. Plus due to all the anti money laundering rules you will have tough time opening a bank account remotely.

[tzaman]

Agreed, but I think these are all solvable issues, someone just has to make the first attempt at solving them.

[nordify]

Actually, Estonia just passed a law which will allow remote bank account opening for all e-residents.

[qaq]

Passing a law and being able to implement it are 2 different things. If US decides to put pressure on banks they will comply.