A Golden Visa, also known as residency by investment, is a program that allows foreigners to live, work, and study in another country in exchange for a substantial financial investment.
Golden Visas can lead to permanent residency and, in some cases, citizenship in the host country, reducing dependence on a single jurisdiction and expanding your long-term options.
In 2026, more than a dozen countries offer Golden Visa programs across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Investment thresholds, residency requirements, and citizenship pathways vary significantly between them.
Minimum investments range from around €50,000 for the Latvia Golden Visa to over $10 million for the Singapore Global Investor Program (GIP).
However, in 2026, investors often compare factors beyond the investment amount. Family inclusion, stay requirements, processing times, and future citizenship opportunities all play an important role when evaluating Golden Visa options.
This guide explains how Golden Visas work, their main benefits and requirements, and the countries that offer them in 2026. It helps you compare Golden Visa programs and identify the options that best align with your goals.
Golden Visa: Key Takeaways
What is a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that grants foreigners the right to live, work, and study in a country in exchange for an investment such as purchasing real estate, making a government contribution, or creating jobs.
Requirements vary by country, but most Golden Visa programs allow applicants to include family members, such as spouses and dependent children, in the same application.
Often referred to as “Golden Passports”, Golden Visas are different from citizenship-by-investment programs, which grant full citizenship directly. However, in countries such as Portugal and Italy, a Golden Visa can lead to permanent residency and citizenship after a defined period.
Most Golden Visa programs have low or no minimum stay requirements, allowing investors to keep living and working in their home country while maintaining residence status abroad.
What are the benefits of Golden Visas?
1. Residence rights and increased global mobility
A Golden Visa provides greater freedom of movement for investors and their families. It grants the legal right to live in another country while, in some cases, also allowing visa-free travel to additional regions.
For example, most European Golden Visas allow visa-free travel across the 29 countries of the Schengen Area.
Living abroad can also provide access to healthcare, education, and public services.
2. Pathway to a second citizenship
Several Golden Visa programs, including those in Portugal, Greece, Italy, Malta, and New Zealand, can lead to permanent residency and even a second citizenship after a defined period. In some cases, citizenship can also be passed on to future generations, creating a long-term family legacy.
3. Family inclusion
Golden Visa programs allow applicants to include close family members in the same application. Depending on the country, this can include spouses, dependent children, and parents, giving families access to the same residence rights as you.
4. Low or no minimum stay requirements
Many Golden Visas do not require investors to relocate full-time. This allows applicants to maintain their residence permit while continuing to live, work, or operate a business elsewhere.
5. Greater optionality and security
For many foreign investors, a Golden Visa is not about relocating immediately — it is about having a Plan B. Residence rights in another country provide greater flexibility if personal, political, or economic circumstances change, allowing Golden Visa holders and their families to plan for the long term.
Golden Visa Requirements 2026
The Golden Visa eligibility criteria vary by country, but these are some of the most common requirements across the programs:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a clear criminal record
- Provide proof of the legal source of funds
How much does a Golden Visa cost in 2026?
The total cost of a Golden Visa depends on the chosen investment route, legal fees, and application costs, which vary by country and family size.
Minimum investment thresholds for Golden Visas also differ. In 2026, they range from around €50,000 for the Latvian Golden Visa to more than $10 million for the Singapore Global Investor Program (GIP).
Golden Visa Investment Options
Golden Visa investment options differ from country to country. These are some of the investment types available in 2026.
Real estate purchases
Buying property is one of the best-known Golden Visa investments. Investors can purchase residential property, commercial spaces, or approved development projects. In countries such as Greece, real estate remains central to the program, while Portugal removed this route from its Golden Visa in 2023.
For many investors, real estate serves two purposes at once: providing foreign residency while acquiring a physical asset abroad that can be used as a second home or rented out.
Business investment
Some countries grant residency to applicants who invest in local companies, launch businesses, or create jobs. This route is attractive to entrepreneurs and investors who want direct exposure to another market rather than purchasing property.
Bank deposits
Certain Golden Visas allow applicants to qualify by depositing funds into a local bank. This route does not require managing property or operating a company, and the capital remains deposited with the financial institution until the holding period ends.
Government bonds
This route requires investors to lend money to the state in exchange for fixed interest payments over time. Government bonds are ideal for those seeking state-backed investments rather than direct exposure to property or private companies.
Arts and cultural contributions
Some countries offer residency to foreign nationals who invest in cultural, artistic, or heritage projects.
Portugal is one of the best-known examples. Through the Portugal Cultural Golden Visa, investors can support museums, exhibitions, theatre productions, archaeological projects, and the restoration of historical landmarks.
One investor who chose this route was Gustavo Fonseca, a Colombian physician and researcher based in the United States. Assisted by Global Citizen Solutions, he contributed to Porto’s Serralves Foundation, helping fund a project that gives children greater access to museums and cultural activities.
Global Citizen Solutions helped Gustavo Fonseca make a cultural donation to the Serralves Foundation in Porto so that he and his family can relocate to Portugal through the Golden Visa.
“We felt that the cultural donation was more along the lines of what we wanted to do, in a more altruistic way. It just felt better, so to speak,” he explains.
From documentation to submission and time-sensitive updates, GCS coordinated every step, ensuring a smooth and transparent Golden Visa process.
21 Countries With Golden Visa Programs in 2026
Greece Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Permanent residency: After 5 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 7 years
- Stay requirement: None
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4 months
The Greece Golden Visa ranks first in the Global RCBI Report 2025 by the Global Intelligence Unit (GIU) as the world’s best residency-by-investment program.
It is one of the few European Golden Visa programs that still offers a real estate investment route.
In 2026, qualifying investments for the Greek Golden Visa are:
- €250,000: Commercial property converted into residential use or the restoration of a protected heritage building
- €250,000: Investment in an eligible Greek startup
- €400,000: Residential real estate in most regions of Greece
- €800,000: Residential real estate in high-demand areas, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete
Investors can include family members in the same application and benefit from visa-free travel across the EU and the Schengen Area’s 29 countries.
The Greek authorities significantly reduced the application backlog, bringing processing times down from nine to 12 months to four to six months in 2026.
The Greek Golden Visa can lead to permanent residency after five years and Greek citizenship after seven years, making it an attractive option for investors seeking long-term access to Europe.
Portugal Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Permanent residency: After 5 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 10 years (seven for EU and CPLP nationals)
- Stay requirement: Approximately 7 days per year
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 18 to 24 months
Launched in 2012, the Portugal Golden Visa is one of Europe’s most established Golden Visas.
Unlike Greece, Hungary, and Latvia, real estate no longer qualifies for Portugal’s Golden Visa. In 2026, the qualifying investment options are:
- €250,000 donation to the arts or to the restoration of Portuguese cultural heritage
- €500,000 investment into approved funds
- €500,000 transfer to scientific research
- Company formation with five full-time jobs
- The creation of 10 full-time jobs
One highlight of the Golden Visa Portugal is its low physical presence requirement of just seven days per year on average, allowing investors to maintain Portuguese residency without having to relocate full-time.
Applicants can also include eligible family members and travel visa-free throughout the EU and the Schengen Area.
Permanent residency is available after five years, and Portuguese citizenship after 10 years (7 for EU and CPLP nationals) under Portugal’s 2026 nationality law.
Malta Permanent Residence Program
- Minimum investment: €53,000 (rental route) or €414,000 (purchase route)
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 10 to 15 years
- Stay requirement: None
- Family inclusion: Yes, up to five generations
- Processing time: Up to 12 months
The Malta Residency by Investment Program (MPRP) is one of the few Golden Visas that grant permanent residency from the start.
To apply for Malta’s Golden Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold assets of at least €500,000 (including €150,000 in financial assets) or €650,000 (including €75,000 in financial assets)
- Invest in property through purchase (€375,000) or rent (€14,000 per year)
- Make a government contribution of €37,000 plus a €2,000 donation.
The Malta Residency by Investment program has no minimum stay requirement and allows visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area.
It also has one of the broadest family inclusion policies in Europe, covering spouses, children, parents, and grandparents under a single application.
Since January 2025, Malta has offered a one-year temporary residence permit, allowing investors to move to Malta while their permanent residence application is being processed.
Cyprus Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €300,000
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 7 years
- Stay requirement: Visit Cyprus at least once every two years
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 2 to 4 months
The Cyprus Golden Visa has one of the shortest processing timelines among EU Golden Visas, granting permanent residence in two to four months in 2026.
To qualify, applicants must invest at least €300,000 in approved assets, such as residential or commercial property or shares in a Cypriot company or investment organization, and demonstrate annual foreign income of at least €50,000.
Spouses and dependent children under 25 can be added to the Cyprus Golden Visa application, allowing families to obtain EU residency together.
The Cyprus Non-Dom Tax Residence is an additional benefit for investors. This regime exempts foreign residents from tax on worldwide dividends, interest, and most capital gains for up to 17 years.
After seven years of residency, applicants may apply for Cypriot citizenship. While Cyprus is not part of the Schengen Zone, residency still provides a long-term base within the European Union.
Italy Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Permanent residency: After 5 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 10 years
- Stay requirement: None
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3 to 4 months
The Italy Golden Visa stands out for its streamlined application process and a timeline of three to six months as of June 2026.
Unlike most Golden Visa programs, investors receive government approval before making their investment, reducing upfront financial risk.
Investment options start at €250,000 through an innovative Italian startup, making it among the lowest entry thresholds for European Golden Visas.
Applicants for the Italy Investor Visa can also include eligible family members and benefit from visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, with no minimum stay requirement.
The Italian Golden Visa Program can lead to permanent residency after five years and Italian citizenship after 10 years.
For investors planning to relocate, Italy’s flat tax regime allows eligible new tax residents to pay a fixed annual tax of €300,000 on foreign income, regardless of how much they earn abroad.
Latvia Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €50,000
- Permanent residency: After 5 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 5 years
- Stay requirement: None
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 2 to 3 months
The Latvia Golden Visa is the world’s most affordable Golden Visa program, with a starting investment of €50,000 in a local company with fewer than 50 employees.
Other investment routes include €100,000 for larger businesses, €250,000 in real estate or government bonds, and €280,000 as a bank deposit.
Latvia’s Golden Visa program is processed in around two to three months, and successful applicants and family members are granted residency with no requirement to live in Latvia full-time. They also gain visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
Permanent residency in Latvia can be obtained after five years, with eligibility for citizenship after an additional five years.
Latvia’s Golden Visa is the ideal option for those seeking a lower-cost entry into the EU. The program not only has a lower minimum investment than other Golden Visas, but Latvia also offers a more affordable cost of living than several European countries.
Hungary Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 8 years
- Stay requirement: None
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3 months
The Hungary Golden Visa grants a 10-year residence permit from the start. It’s renewable for another 10 years, and after eight years of permanent residency, applicants are eligible for Hungarian citizenship.
Officially known as the Hungary Guest Investor Program (GIP), the scheme has two investment routes: a €250,000 investment in a real estate fund or a €1,000,000 donation to a public trust supporting higher education.
Hungary’s Golden Visa processing time is around three months in 2026, and applicants receive pre-approval before completing the investment, reducing the risk of rejection.
Investors can include spouses, children, and dependents in their application, and the program has no minimum stay requirement. Hungary is also a Schengen member, and Golden Visa holders benefit from visa-free travel across the area’s 29 countries.
Serbia Residency by Investment
- Minimum investment: None. Applicants must only purchase residential/commercial property anywhere in the country
- Permanent residency: After 3 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 6 years
- Stay requirement: At least 183 days per year
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 30-60 days
The Serbia Residency by Investment program allows investors to obtain residency by purchasing residential or commercial real estate. One of its biggest drawcards is that it has no minimum investment requirement.
Investors can include eligible family members in their Serbian Golden Visa application and obtain temporary residency within 30 to 60 days of the purchase.
Residency in Serbia can lead to permanent residency after three years and citizenship after a further three years. This makes it one of the more accessible entry points for those seeking European citizenship.
Another attractive advantage is that Serbia is a treaty country with the United States. This means that Serbian citizens can apply for the E-2 Visa and acquire U.S. residency through investment.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa – USA
- Minimum investment: $800,000
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 5 years
- Stay requirement: At least 183 days per year
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3 to 5 years
The EB-5 Visa is the United States’ residency-by-investment program. It grants investors and their families a Green Card in exchange for an investment and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Investment thresholds start at $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and $1,050,000 in other locations.
The main advantage of the EB-5 is that it provides a direct permanent residence in the United States, with a pathway to citizenship after 5 years of holding a Green Card.
A major consideration in 2026 is timing. Investors filing through a Regional Center before 30 September 2026 benefit from grandfathering protections under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, even if the program changes after its current authorization period.
E2 Visa – USA
- Minimum investment: None
- Permanent residency: No
- Pathway to Citizenship: No
- Stay requirement: No minimum stay. Maximum stay of two years per entry
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 2 weeks to 6 months
The E-2 Visa allows citizens of treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in and operating a U.S. business.
Unlike the EB-5 Visa, there is no fixed minimum investment requirement, although successful applicants often invest between $100,000 and $200,000.
One of the program’s main advantages is speed. E-2 applications can be processed in as little as a few months, allowing investors to establish and actively manage a U.S. business without the higher investment thresholds required by other investor visa programs.
The E-2 Visa does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. However, it grants an initial residence permit valid for up to two years, which can then be renewed indefinitely, provided the eligibility requirements are met.
Spouses can also obtain work authorization, while dependent children can study in the United States.
UAE Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: AED 500K
- Permanent residency: No, only long-term, renewable residency
- Pathway to Citizenship: No
- Stay requirement: No
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 1 to 8 weeks
The UAE Golden Visa, also called the Dubai Golden Visa, grants renewable five- or 10-year residency to investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and exceptional talent.
One of the program’s main advantages is the UAE’s tax environment, which does not impose personal income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes.
UAE Golden Visa holders can also sponsor spouses, children, and parents, making it a popular option for families seeking long-term residency in the Middle East.
As of 2025, Golden Visa UAE holders also get consular and emergency support, with 24/7 help, repatriation assistance, and document recovery.
The program does not lead to UAE citizenship, but its long-term renewable status, business-friendly environment, and strategic location between Europe, Asia, and Africa continue to attract investors and internationally mobile families.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP)
- Minimum investment: NZ$5 million
- Permanent residency: After 3 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 5 years
- Stay requirement: Yes, two to three months per year
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 35 days
The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa grants permanent residency through two pathways. Applicants can either invest a minimum of NZ$5 million in the Growth category or NZ$10 million in the Balanced category.
From 1 June 2026, Golden Visa applicants in the Growth category can direct up to 20% of their investment toward philanthropic donations
Investors receive indefinite residency and can include a partner and dependent children up to 24 in their application. They can become eligible for New Zealand citizenship after five years.
Processing time for the New Zealand Golden Visa is relatively quick, taking around 35 working days in 2026.
Costa Rica Active Investor Visa
- Minimum investment: $150,000
- Permanent residency: After 3 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 7 years
- Stay requirement: One visit per year
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4 to 9 months
With a short-stay requirement of only one day per year, Costa Rica’s Investor Visa is designed for those who want residency without relocating full-time.
The Costa Rica Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of $150,000 in assets such as real estate, active businesses, or approved projects in sectors like tourism or forestry. Investments are refundable as the main applicant retains ownership of private assets.
Successful applicants and family members (spouses and children) are granted a two-year temporary residence permit, renewable for another two years. It’s possible to acquire permanent residency after three years and citizenship after seven years of continuous legal residence.
Because Costa Rica taxes only locally sourced income, any foreign income remains outside the tax system, a significant advantage for investors earning income abroad.
Luxembourg Residency by Investment
- Minimum investment: €500,000
- Permanent residency: After 5 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 5 years
- Stay requirement: 183 days per 12-month period
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 6 months
The Luxembourg Investor Visa was introduced in 2017 and requires a minimum investment of €500,000 into an existing Luxembourg company. Other qualifying investment options include:
- A minimum of €500,000 into a new Luxembourg company, with the creation of at least five jobs in the following three years
- A minimum of €3 million into an existing or new investment or management structure, with a registered office in Luxembourg
- A minimum of €20 million by deposit into a financial institution established in Luxembourg, which must be maintained for at least five years
The residence permit is granted for up to three years and can be renewed. Applicants can include spouses and dependent children under the same application. After five years of continuous residence, investors can apply for Luxembourgish citizenship.
Luxembourg Investor Visa Update: In September 2025, the Luxembourg government proposed repealing the Investor Visa program, but the legislation is still progressing through Parliament, meaning the program remains in effect until the new law is formally adopted.
Singapore Global Investor Program (GIP)
- Minimum investment: S$10 million
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: 2 years
- Stay requirement: No
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 9 to 12 months
Singapore’s Global Investor Program grants immediate permanent residency to high-net-worth individuals who invest significant capital in the country’s economy.
Investors can choose from the following routes:
- S$10 million in a new or existing business
- S$25 million in a GIP-approved fund,
- Establish a single-family office with at least S$200 million in assets under management, with a portion deployed locally.
There’s no minimum stay requirement. After two years, foreigners can apply for citizenship and acquire a Singaporean passport, which is the 10th strongest in the world according to the Global Passport Report 2026 developed by our Global Intelligence Unit (GIU). However, Singapore requires applicants to renounce their previous citizenship upon naturalization.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa (QIV)
- Minimum investment: $300,000
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 5 years
- Stay requirement: Once every two years
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 30 to 90 days
The Panama Qualified Investor Visa (QIV) has one of the fastest routes for permanent residency in Central America.
The program grants permanent residency from the start, with processing in as little as 30 days. Applicants can qualify by investing $300,000 in real estate (increasing to $500,000 after 15 October 2026), $500,000 in Panamanian securities, or $750,000 through a fixed-term bank deposit.
Investors can include spouses, children, and parents in the same application, and only need to visit Panama at least once every two years.
After five years of continuous residence, they can apply for Panamanian citizenship.
Brazil Investment Visa (VIPER)
- Minimum investment: R$150,000
- Permanent residency: After 4 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 4 years
- Stay requirement: 14 days in Brazil every two years
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3 to 8 months
Brazil’s Investment Visa (VIPER) is one of the most affordable Golden Visas in 2026.
Golden Visa applicants can choose from two main routes:
- A real estate purchase, which starts at R$1,000,000 in urban centers or R$700,000 in the North and Northeast.
- A business investment starting at R$500,000, with a reduced threshold of R$150,000 for approved startups in technology, AI, and green energy.
Investors and family members can apply for permanent residency after 4 years and for citizenship after an additional 4 years.
With a Brazilian passport, they can access an entire continent through the Mercosur Residence Agreement. The block comprises nine countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Citizens of any participating country can obtain residency in all other participating countries.
Mauritius Residence by Investment
- Minimum investment: $1 million
- Permanent residency: No
- Pathway to Citizenship: No
- Stay requirement: No
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 5 days
Mauritius launched its new Golden Visa program in 2026, with a fast application review process of five working days.
The country has set a quota of 100 visas a year, and the minimum investment amount is $1 million in high-value industries such as financial technology, global treasury, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
Mauritius Residence by Investment applicants and their dependents (spouse and children) will be granted a renewable two-year visa in exchange for investing.
Visa holders will also have a dedicated concierge service to assist with the transition, including relocating their businesses to Mauritius.
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residency
- Minimum investment: $1 million
- Permanent residency: Immediately
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 10 years
- Stay requirement: 90 days per year
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 6 to 18 months
The Bahamas Economic Residency (EPR) allows foreigners to obtain a permanent residence permit and live in The Bahamas indefinitely. Unlike the European Golden Visas, it does not grant the right to work, and an authorization is required for employment or business activities.
Investors can choose from two routes, both worth BSD/USD $1 million:
- A residential real estate purchase, which must be owned and maintained for at least ten years.
- A purchase of Zero-Coupon Bonds issued by the Bahamian government, with a minimum ten-year ownership period.
Processing takes between 8 and 12 months. For investors on a tighter timeline, The Bahamas offers an Accelerated Review Option for real estate purchases of at least $1.5 million.
Family reunion is possible, and permanent residents can apply for Bahamian citizenship after 10 years.
One of the program’s main advantages is The Bahamas’ tax system, which does not impose personal income, capital gains, inheritance, or wealth taxes on tax residents.
Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
- Minimum investment: HKD 30 million
- Permanent residency: After 10 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: No
- Stay requirement: No
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 6 to 9 months
A financial gateway to mainland China, Hong Kong launched, in 2024, a residency program through capital deployment. It requires a minimum investment of HKD 30 million in permissible assets, along with proof of net assets of HKD 10 million or more.
Officially named the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the program grants an initial 24-month stay, renewable if the applicant meets the requirements. While there is no minimum stay requirement to hold the visa, those seeking permanent residency must have seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong.
Investors can also include spouses and dependent family members under the same application.
Another benefit of the Hong Kong CIES is it gives access to a highly competitive tax system. Salaries are capped at 15% of income, with a progressive system that results in even lower effective rates for many residents.
Montenegro Residency by Investment
- Minimum investment: €150,000
- Permanent residency: After 5 years
- Pathway to Citizenship: After 10 years
- Stay requirement: No
- Family inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 1 to 3 months
Positioned on the Adriatic coast, Montenegro rewards investors with a coastal lifestyle and one of the lowest tax rates in Europe.
Investors can move to Montenegro through its residency-by-investment program. There are two main pathways: through real estate acquisition starting at €150,000 or by establishing a local company.
The Montenegro residence permit is issued for one year and renewed annually. After five years of continuous residence, applicants can apply for permanent residency. Family reunification, including spouses, dependent family members, and same-sex partners, is also allowed.
Montenegro is a candidate for EU accession, with a target timeline toward the end of 2028.
How to apply for a Golden Visa?
Step 01. Speak to advisors
Speaking to advisors helps you choose the Golden Visa program that best suits your goals and long-term plans.
At Global Citizen Solutions, our consultants help investors compare programs based on factors such as citizenship timelines, tax systems, processing times, family inclusion, and stay requirements. Professional guidance can also avoid delays caused by incomplete or incorrect documentation.
Step 02. Select an investment route
Once you choose a country, select a qualifying investment pathway. This can include real estate acquisition, investment funds, company shares, government bonds, bank deposits, or cultural donations.
Step 03. Gather the documentation
Golden Visa applications require supporting documents such as passports, proof of address, criminal record certificates, health insurance, and evidence showing the legal source of investment funds. Depending on the country, documents may also need to be translated, apostilled, or legalized.
Step 04. Submit the application
Once the documentation and investment route are finalized, the application is submitted to the relevant immigration or government authority.
Step 05. Receive the residence permit
Once the Golden Visa application process is finalized, applicants receive a residence permit. Depending on the country, the permit may be temporary or permanent from the start.
Step 06. Renew residency status
Many Golden Visa programs require permit renewals every few years. Conditions can include maintaining the investment, meeting minimum stay requirements, and updating documentation.
Step 07. Apply for permanent residency or citizenship
Some Golden Visa programs offer a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship after a defined period. Citizenship applications can include additional requirements such as language exams, physical residence periods, or integration tests.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
