Immigrant investor programs, also known as investor visa programs, are government initiatives that allow foreign individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a country by making a substantial financial investment. Participants typically contribute to the host country’s economy through investments in businesses, property, or other approved ventures.
The main types of immigration investor programs are Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and Residency by Investment (RBI). CBI programs offer direct citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment, often in real estate or government funds. Countries like St. Kitts and Nevis and Malta are some of the best examples. In contrast, RBI programs provide residency in exchange for economic investment, and countries like Spain, Portugal, and Greece have some of the best Golden Visa options.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about immigrant investor programs. We will list the best immigration by investment countries, their requirements, processing time, and the benefits of opting for an immigrant investor scheme.
What is an immigrant investor program?
Commonly referred to as citizenship by investment or residency by investment, this program is a visa framework introduced by governments to attract foreign capital by offering residence visas or citizenship in return. These investment visas are implemented to stimulate the economy through foreign direct investment and job creation.
The investments usually involve real estate, business ventures, or government bonds. In return, investors and their families gain the right to live, work, and sometimes even acquire citizenship in the host country, depending on the program’s terms.
The Best Citizenship by Investment Programs
As highlighted, one of the leading immigration investor programs is the citizenship by investment scheme, which allows foreign investors to obtain citizenship in a country by making a significant financial investment.
These are some of the best CBI programs for enhancing the overall quality of life for you and your family.
Dominica
- Minimum investment: $200,000
- Time to citizenship: Three months
- Residency requirement: None
Dominica’s citizenship by investment scheme is internationally acclaimed for offering the most value to foreign investors and business people. With investments starting from $200,000, investors can gain citizenship by investing in this slice of paradise within three months.
With excellent real estate options, world-class beaches, delicious cuisine, and proximity to the US, living in Dominica is perfect for people looking to retire in the Caribbean and live in peace.
A Dominica passport gives you visa-free travel and visa-on-arrival access to over 140 destinations, including Australia, Europe’s Schengen Area, and Hong Kong.
Malta
- Minimum investment: €690,000
- Time to citizenship: 12 to 36 months
- Residency requirement: None
The Malta Citizenship by Investment program, also known as the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services program, is another popular investor visa scheme that attracts dozens of investors yearly. As a safe and stable EU country, Malta’s passport is extremely powerful, ranking amongst the world’s top passports regarding travel freedom.
Thanks to Malta’s investor visa scheme, qualifying investors can get passports in under a year in exchange for a capital contribution in real estate, a direct none non-refundable investment, and a philanthropic donation. The EU passport that immigrant investors can acquire allows borderless travel within Europe’s Schengen Area.
St. Lucia
- Minimum investment: $240,000
- Time to citizenship: 10 to 12 months
- Residency requirement: None
St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program offers a quick path to citizenship through foreign investment. The immigrant investor program requires a donation of $240,000 to the National Economic Fund (NEF). Investment can also be achieved by purchasing pre-approved real estate with a minimum investment of $300,000 or establishing a new commercial enterprise.
St Lucia’s CBI stands out because it comes with the benefit of accessing over 140 countries, including the Schengen Zone, the UK, and Hong Kong. No residency requirement is needed to maintain your citizenship, and no tax is charged in wealth, inheritance, and capital gains for citizens.
Take a look at our Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment
Antigua and Barbuda
- Minimum investment: $230,000
- Time to citizenship: Four to five months
- Residency requirement: Five days
Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program grants citizenship to investors in exchange for a $230,000 donation to the National Development Fund. Other investment options include approved real estate projects worth $300,000 (held for at least five years) and donating to the University of the West Indies Fund. Passports are typically issued within four to five months; family members are also eligible.
While Antigua and Barbuda has the only Caribbean immigration investor program with residency requirements, it also comes with the benefits of accessing over 150 countries, including the UK, Schengen Zone, and Hong Kong, and no taxes are charged on capital gains, inheritance, or global income taxes.
St. Kitts and Nevis
- Minimum investment: $250,000
- Time to citizenship: 12 months
- Residency requirement: None
St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment is one of the most flexible immigration investment programs. Acquiring a St. Kitts and Nevis passport starts with a minimum contribution of $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) and an option to invest in property, which differs depending on whether you are single or have a family. The amount increases with the addition of each dependent.
A key bonus of the program is that you can include a dependent spouse and children in the application. With a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, you can also enjoy visa-free access and options for e-visas to more than 150 countries.
Grenada
- Minimum investment: $235,000
- Time to citizenship: Nine months
- Residency requirement: None
Grenada’s citizenship by investment program is internationally recognized as one of the best family investment programs. Investment requirements start with a $235,000 contribution to the country’s National Transformation Fund (NTF). There is also the option of a joint or sole property purchase.
The country provides excellent approved real estate projects for investment and a world-class lifestyle in a Caribbean paradise. Furthermore, Grenada is the only Caribbean country offering investors the chance to settle in the USA through the US E-2 Visa Program.
Turkey
- Minimum investment: $400,000
- Time to citizenship: 12 months
- Residency requirement: None
Turkey’s CBI is a compelling program for several reasons, one of the main ones being its program’s affordability.
Turkey’s investment requirements are relatively low compared to many other CBI programs. This, coupled with the low cost of living, makes it ideal for expats looking for more accessible CBI options.
Investments in real estate start at $400,000, and unlike Caribbean citizenship through investment programs, real estate purchases are not restricted to specific locations or government-approved real estate projects.
Vanuatu
- Minimum investment: $130,000
- Time to citizenship: 60 days
- Residency requirement: None
Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment program is one of the most cost-effective CBI programs globally, making it an attractive option for investors seeking second citizenship at a reasonable investment level. The program has a straightforward application process and one of the shortest processing times of only 60 days. Additionally, you only need to contribute $130,000 to the government fund.
Due to the simplicity of the application process and qualifying investment, the country offers the fastest CBI program available. It also gives foreign investors access to over 95 countries, including the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. There is also no need to live in or visit Vanuatu to obtain or maintain citizenship, and the country is loved for its low taxation.
The Best Residency by Investment Programs
There are a few similarities between CBI and RBI, such as the fact that both programs require an investment in exchange for residency or citizenship. However, the residency by investment route provides a pathway to citizenship after meeting specific residency requirements, and a minimum stay is required to maintain residency.
While the outcome might differ from CBI, there are still many benefits. These are some of the best RBI schemes
Spain
- Minimum investment: €500,000
- Time to citizenship: 10 years
- Residency requirement: Ten days a year for two years
The Spain immigrant investment scheme — also known as the Spain Golden Visa — is one of the most popular European residence-by-investment programs granting immigrant entrepreneurs and their families Spanish residency in exchange for a real estate purchase of €500,000.
Spain is one of the best EU countries to consider if you’re looking for residency since it boasts a high quality of life, affordable living costs, and a low crime rate. The Spain investment migration program can lead to permanent residence after five years, provided the program’s eligibility requirements are met.
Potential citizenship is available in Spain after acquiring a permanent residence permit and living there for ten years. Citizens of former Spanish colonies can apply for citizenship by naturalization after two years.
Portugal
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Time to citizenship: Five years
- Residency requirement: Seven days a year for five years
Considered one of the planet’s best investor visa programs, Portugal Golden Visa has been a lifesaver to expats worldwide for the last ten years. This immigration investment visa provides countless benefits for foreigners, from lucrative investment opportunities to business ventures in the European Union.
Non-EU/EEA nationals can qualify for the Golden Visa program with an investment of €250,000 and investment either in scientific research, company’s share capital, or donating to cultural and heritage projects and contributing to investment funds
Greece
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Time to citizenship: Seven years
- Residency requirement: None
The Greece Golden Visa has been highly sought-after for obtaining long-term residency in an EU country. The nation provides the lowest minimum investment for real estate purchases, with investments starting from €250,000.
Under Greece’s Non-Dom tax regime, immigrant investors can make substantial tax savings by paying an annual tax fee instead of traditional income taxes. Visa holders can also include family members such as their spouse, children, and dependent parents, and they are required to have no residency to maintain the residency permit. Investors and their families also get visa-free travel within the 26 Schengen countries for up to 90 days every six months.
Cyprus
- Minimum investment: €300,000
- Time to citizenship: Seven years
- Residency requirement: None
The Cyprus Golden Visa is one of the few immigration programs offering permanent residency status in the European Union through investment. With a property investment of €300,000 and a three-year bank deposit of €30,000, investors secure permanent residency with the option to obtain citizenship after seven years.
The country offers fantastic healthcare, educational systems, and an excellent quality of life. It is also one of the visas with the fastest processing time of only two months. It recognizes dual citizenship, meaning visa holders can have a Cyprus passport without renouncing their original passport.
United States
- Minimum investment: $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in other areas.
- Time to citizenship: Five years
- Residency requirement: Six months in a year
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, also called the Regional Center Program, grants EB-5 residence visas to foreigners who invest in commercial business associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on business proposals promoting economic growth. The EB-5 requirements are twofold. Firstly, you must make a capital investment in a new commercial enterprise of no less than $1,050,000.
You can invest in areas of high unemployment, also known as Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), to qualify for a reduced investment amount of $800,000. However, your business must be established in a TEA to qualify for the reduced amount. A TEA is typically a deprived or rural area with high unemployment, defined as having an average unemployment rate of at least 150 percent of the national average.
The second requirement for the EB-5 visa is job creation. You must plan to create or save at least ten permanent full-time jobs for qualified US workers. Meeting these requirements can lead immigrant investors to the freedom to leave and enter the USA as lawful permanent residents and the opportunity to become a conditional Green Card holder.
As an alien entrepreneur, you can remove the conditional status on your Green Card after holding it for two years. Green Cards provide a path to US citizenship for successful investors and their family members.
Canada
- Minimum investment: No specific minimum investment, but you must secure support from a designated Canadian organization
- Time to citizenship: Three years
- Residency requirement: Two out of five years
Canadian citizenship by investment
is undoubtedly possible for a foreign national. Widely considered one of the best countries in the world to live in, Canada has much to offer international investors and provides several visa options.
The Canada Start-Up Visa Program allows successful applicants to become lawful permanent residents. The Start-Up Visas in Canada require innovative business ideas that create jobs and are funded and supported by designated organizations.
Canada offers affordable, high-quality education, vibrant and multicultural cities, and a high welfare standard. The Start-Up Visa program is an excellent choice for those wanting to access the North American market. Canadian law allows immigrant investors to apply for citizenship after five years.
Benefits of Immigrant Investor Programs
Obtaining citizenship through immigrant investor programs has several benefits. Better yet, as an investor, you get to choose a country from our Global Passport Index, which provides insight into the strength of the nation’s passport, quality of life, and more. This way, you can choose a program that best benefits you and your family’s needs.
Here are some of the benefits of immigrant investor programs
- Residency or Citizenship: Investors and their families can obtain residency or citizenship in a new country, allowing for greater mobility and security.
- Visa-free travel: Many programs offer visa-free access to numerous countries, which comes with global travel opportunities.
- Tax advantages: Depending on the country, investors may benefit from favorable tax regimes, including low or no income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes.
- Family inclusion: Many programs allow investors to include family members, such as spouses and children, in their applications, which benefits not only the main applicant but the entire family.
- Investment flexibility: Investors often have various investment options, such as real estate, business ventures, or government bonds, allowing them to choose what suits their financial goals.
- Economic opportunities: Immigrant investor programs can provide access to new markets, business opportunities, and resources in the host country.
Immigrant Investor Program Requirements
The specific eligibility requirements and advantages of each immigrant visa can be significantly different from one country to another, but they usually involve the following key elements:
- Applicants must use foreign capital to make a substantial financial investment in the country.
- Each investor program sets a minimum investment threshold that applicants must fulfill to be eligible for residency or citizenship.
- Some investment programs require foreign investors to maintain their investments for a specified minimum period.
- Investor visa programs generally offer one of three types of legal status: citizenship, resident, or permanent resident.
- Other criteria for applicants may include a clean criminal record, good health, sufficient financial resources, and a proven investment or entrepreneurial track record.
- The time it takes for the visa application to be processed and approved can vary depending on the nation and the complexity of the application process.
Entrepreneur programs in some countries require external funding instead of personal finances. Canada’s Start-up visa requires entrepreneurs to present innovative business ideas, create jobs, and secure funding from approved entities in the country.
When it comes to citizenship or residency by investment program, there are also a few other general legibility requirements and investment options to keep in mind before choosing your investor visa. All countries have distinct social and economic needs; therefore, the requirements for each program can vary significantly.
Minimum investment amount: The investment amount also depends on whether the program offers residency or citizenship. The cheapest citizenship by investment program starts at $130,000 before government fees.
Investment options: The investment choices on offer are primarily shaped by the economic requirements of each country. Standard investment options include:
- Real estate investment
- Purchasing government bonds
- Bank deposits
- Capital investment in approved funds
- Establishing enterprises in areas of high unemployment
- Non-refundable contributions to a national development fund
Character requirements: The general requirements concerning character and personal background for most investor programs include:
- Being over 18 years old
- Passing a criminal background check
- Possessing good health and passing a medical exam
- Submit all required identity documents for the visa application process
Taxes and Investor Programs
An immigrant visa can affect taxes in various ways, depending on the country’s tax laws and the specific terms of the program. Here are some common tax considerations for immigrant investors:
Tax residency: A different tax residence entails being subject to different tax rates concerning income, wealth, capital gains, and inheritance. Some countries allow investors to transfer their tax residence without relocating to the country.
Taxation of worldwide income: Tax residents in many places, including immigrant investors, pay tax on worldwide income. They may need to declare and pay taxes on their income from both their home country and their new country of residence. It is recommended that they check for a double taxation agreement.
Tax exemptions or incentives: Some investor programs offer tax incentives or exemptions as part of their investment packages. Special tax frameworks, like the Greece Non-Dom tax regime, provide tax incentives that include tax breaks on certain types of income, capital gains, or other tax benefits to attract investors.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Investment Immigration Programs
What are immigrant investor programs?
Immigrant investor programs are programs that allow individuals to more quickly obtain residence or citizenship of a country in return for making qualifying investments.
What is migration by investment?
Migration by investment is when investors are granted a visa for residency or the right to become a citizen in exchange for investing in a country’s economy.
Is investing in a visa worth it?
Investing in an foreigner visa depends on personal circumstances, financial objectives, and the terms of the program. Factors include becoming a permanent resident or citizen, accessing investment opportunities, or optimizing taxes.
What’s the best investor visa to obtain?
Malta offers an affordable investment option with potential returns and a straightforward process for obtaining a Permanent Residence Visa. Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment program offers Caribbean passports for investors and their immediate family members with a minimum investment of under $200,000.
What is residency through investment?
Residency through investment involves investing in a country in exchange for legal residency. Many countries offer ‘Golden Visas’ or ‘residency by investment’ programs. The prerequisites can be short or long-term investments in various options.
Will I be required to reside in the country where I invest?
Investor visa requirements vary by country, with some programs mandating a minimum stay to keep the visa. Others do not.
Can I eventually apply for citizenship through an Immigrant Investor Program?
Investor programs can offer citizenship through investment, such as Vanuatu’s program that grants citizenship within two months. Investment residence programs in many countries also provide a path to citizenship through naturalization.
Can I apply for an immigrant investor program as a tourist in the country?
Most investment immigrant visas require investors to submit visa applications to the country’s consulate or embassy in their country of residence or citizenship.
What happens if my application for an immigrant investor program is rejected?
If your visa application gets rejected, available consequences and options depend on the immigration policies and program’s terms of the country. Some programs offer an appeal process, while others may refund the initial investment if the application is unsuccessful.
Is there a quota or limit on the number of participants in investor programs?
Most countries have quotas or limits on their investor programs to control the influx of immigrants and manage the program’s impact on the local economy and society.
What types of investments qualify for investor visa programs?
Qualifying investments for investor visa programs typically include:
- Real Estate Purchases
- Government Bonds
- Business Investments
- Job-Creation Projects
- National Development Fund Contributions
What are the best immigrant investor programs for families?
The best immigrant investor programs for families include:
- Portugal Golden Visa
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program (U.S.)
- Greece Golden Visa
- Spain Golden Visa
- St. Kitts and Nevis CBI
- Antigua and Barbuda CBI
- Dominica CBI
- Grenada CBI
- Saint Lucia CBI
