What is an immigrant investor program?
An immigrant investor program allows foreign nationals to gain residency or citizenship by making an approved investment in a country’s economy. These investments may include real estate acquisitions, business development, government bonds, or capital transfers to national funds. In return, investors and their families obtain the legal right to live, work, and study in the host country, often with a pathway to permanent residency or full citizenship.
Immigrant investor programs, also known as investor visa programs or investment immigration routes, offer advantages for both the destination countries and the countries of origin. Destination countries attract foreign direct investment (FDI), entrepreneurial talent, and innovation, while home countries benefit through diaspora networks, remittances, and the transfer of knowledge and skills.
According to the Global Intelligence Unit’s “ The Transformation of Citizenship” report, immigrants contribute significantly to their countries of origin through remittances, exceeding $800 billion globally in 2023 alone, as extrapolated from World Bank’s migration and development data.
How do immigrant investor programs work?
Most immigrant investor programs operate on a structured process designed to ensure transparency and compliance with international due diligence standards. While specific requirements differ by country, the general framework includes several key stages:
- Eligibility assessment: Applicants must meet minimum age, financial, and background criteria. This typically involves proof of a clean criminal record and lawful source of funds.
- Investment selection: Investors choose a qualifying investment type, such as real estate, a business venture, government bonds, or a contribution to an approved national fund.
- Application submission: A formal application to be filed along with necessary documentation verifying identity, financial standing, and investment intent.
- Due diligence and approval: Governments conduct extensive background and financial checks to ensure all funds are legitimate. Once approved, the investor is issued a residence permit or citizenship certificate, depending on the program.
- Investment maintenance: Most programs require the investment to be held for a specific period (usually three to five years) to maintain status or qualify for renewal or citizenship.
What are the eligibility requirements for immigrant investor programs?
Specific criteria will vary from country to country, but for the most part immigrant investor programs share a common set of eligibility requirements designed to ensure transparency, compliance, and the legitimacy of investment funds.
Investor visa applicants must generally meet the following standards:
- Clean criminal record: Investors and their dependents must provide police clearance certificates confirming they have no criminal convictions or pending legal proceedings.
- Proof of lawful funds: Applicants must demonstrate that all capital used for the investment was legally obtained, typically through audited financial statements, sale deeds, or tax returns.
- Valid passport and identity documents: All main applicants and dependents must hold valid travel documents and provide certified copies for due diligence checks.
- Minimum investment threshold: Ranges are roughly US $200,000 to $250,000 for CBI donations and €250,000 to €800,000 / US $800,000 to $1,050,000 for prominent RBI options (Portugal, Greece, U.S. EB-5), depending on the route and country chosen.
- Good health: Some countries require medicals or proof of health insurance.
- Commitment to maintain the investment: The qualifying asset, be it real estate, business capital, or a fund contribution, must generally be held for a defined period (often five to seven years).
What investment options are there in investor visa programs?
Investment immigration programs typically accept several types of qualifying investments. While the way an investment layout is structured and the minimum thresholds will differ by country, the following options are among the most common:
- Real estate acquisition: Purchasing residential or commercial property remains a cornerstone of many Residency by Investment schemes, such as those in Greece and the UAE. Some programs, however, require property purchase only in designated areas or above a specific value.
- Government fund contribution: A non-refundable donation to a national development, sovereign, or economic diversification fund. This is commonly found in Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs like St. Kitts and Nevis or Dominica.
- Business establishment or job creation: Launching or investing in a new enterprise that contributes to economic growth or employment, often seen in the United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program or Canada’s Start-Up Visa.
- Capital transfer or investment fund participation: Transferring a fixed sum into an approved investment or venture capital fund, a model favored by the Portugal Golden Visa and Malta’s residency options.
- Government bonds or securities: Purchasing treasury bonds or financial instruments backed by the host country, providing both a secure investment and a route to residency or citizenship.
Top 8 Immigrant Investor Programs for Citizenship
1. Dominica
- Minimum investment: $200,000
- Time to citizenship: 6 to 9 months
- Residency requirement: None
Dominica’s citizenship by investment remains one of the world’s best-value options for investors and businesspeople. Applicants can obtain second citizenship within six to nine months by making a $200,000 contribution to the Dominica Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or investing in approved real estate projects of the same minimum value.
Dominica offers a tranquil lifestyle, world-class beaches, and growing real-estate potential for those seeking peaceful Caribbean living.
A Dominican passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to around 140 destinations, including the Schengen Area and Hong Kong. Take note that the UK introduced visa requirements for Dominican citizens in 2023.
2. Malta
- Minimum investment: €600,000 – €750,000
- Time to citizenship: 12 to 36 months
- Residency requirement: 12 or 36 months
The Malta Citizenship by Investment program provides one of the strongest passports in the world, offering visa-free access to over 180 destinations, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and the US under the Visa Waiver Program.
Qualifying investors must first obtain residence status in Malta and maintain it for 12 or 36 months before applying for citizenship. The process requires a non-refundable contribution of €600,000 (36-month route) or €750,000 (12-month route), along with a €10,000 charitable donation and the purchase or rental of property in Malta.
3. St. Lucia
- Minimum investment: $240,000
- Time to citizenship: 10 to 12 months
- Residency requirement: None
St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment (CIP) offers a fast and flexible route to citizenship through several options, including a $240,000 non-refundable donation to the St Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF), a real-estate investment starting from $200,000 to $300,000 or pursuing an approved commercial enterprise.
Successful applicants enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Hong Kong. There are no residency or visitation requirements, and St. Lucia levies no tax on wealth, inheritance, or capital gains.
4. Antigua and Barbuda
- Minimum investment: $230,000
- Time to citizenship: 4 to 5 months
- Residency requirement: 5 days in 5 years
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program grants citizenship to investors making a minimum donation of $230,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF) or through alternative routes such as purchasing approved real estate valued at $300,000 (held for at least five years) or contributing to the University of the West Indies Fund.
It is the only Caribbean immigration investor program with a five-day residency requirement, which must be completed within the first five years of obtaining citizenship.
Successful applicants typically receive their passports within 4 to 5 months, gaining visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to over 150 destinations, including the Schengen Area, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
5. St. Kitts and Nevis
- Minimum investment: $250,000
- Time to citizenship: 4 to 6 months
- Residency requirement: None
St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment, the world’s first of its kind (established 1984), remains a leading choice for investors. This is mainly due to its flexibility and affordability.
The minimum contribution is $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), with additional options for real-estate investment.
Applicants can include a spouse, children, and dependent parents. A St. Kitts and Nevis passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 150 countries.
6. Grenada
- Minimum investment: $235,000
- Time to citizenship: Around 9 months
- Residency requirement: None
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Program is highly sought-after among families. Applicants can contribute $235,000 to the Grenada National Transformation Fund (NTF) or purchase approved real estate (sole or joint ownership).
Grenada also offers a unique advantage: its citizens are eligible to apply for the US E-2 Visa under a bilateral treaty, allowing business investment and residence in the United States. The program provides visa-free access to over 140 destinations, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and China.
7. Turkey
- Minimum investment: $400,000
- Time to citizenship: 6 to 12 months
- Residency requirement: None
Turkey’s Citzenship by Investment provides one of the most affordable routes to citizenship. Applicants can acquire citizenship by investing $400,000 in real estate or through alternative options such as a $500,000 capital deposit in a Turkish bank or government bonds.
The program offers flexibility, relatively fast processing, and no residency requirement before or after approval. Turkish citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 110 destinations, including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and much of Latin America. Take note that Turkey does not currently offer visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, UK, or USA.
8. Vanuatu
- Minimum investment: $130,000
- Time to citizenship: Around 60 days
- Residency requirement: None
Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment offers one of the fastest and most cost-effective citizenship routes, granting passports in as little as two months for a $130,000 donation to the government fund.
However, visa-free access to the European Union and the United Kingdom was revoked in 2024, though citizens still enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 95 destinations, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and many Commonwealth countries.
Vanuatu remains attractive for being one of the countries with low taxes, fast processing times, and straightforward application process.
Top 8 Immigrant Investor Programs for Residency
1. Portugal
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Time to citizenship: 5 years
- Residency requirement: 7 days a year for 5 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 (EU).
Non-EU/EEA nationals can qualify for the Golden Visa program, which also extends residency rights to family members such as a spouse and dependent children. Some investment options include scientific research, buying into a company’s share capital, donating to cultural and heritage projects, and contributing to investment or venture capital funds.
2. Greece
- Minimum investment: €400,000–€800,000 (depending on location)
- Time to citizenship: 7 years
- Residency requirement: None
The Greece Golden Visa program has become one of the most sought-after residency-by-investment options in Europe, offering flexibility and affordability. The nation provides property investment options starting at €400,000, increasing to €800,000 in high-demand areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini.
Greece’s non-dom tax regime allows investors to pay a fixed annual tax instead of traditional income taxes. The visa includes family members like a spouse, children, and dependent parents, and there is no residency requirement to keep the residence permit. It also offers visa-free travel across 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days every six months.
3. Cyprus
- Minimum investment: €300,000
- Time to citizenship: 7 years (through naturalization)
- 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 3-year fixed bank deposit of €30,000, investors can become lawful permanent residents with the option to apply for citizenship by naturalization after seven years of continuous residence.
The country offers great healthcare, educational systems, and an excellent quality of life. It is also one of the visas with the fastest processing times, around 2 months for permanent residency applications.
4. United States
- Minimum investment: $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in other areas
- Time to citizenship: 5 years (after permanent residence)
- Residency requirement: Continuous residence with at least 30 months of physical presence in 5 years
The EB-5 Investor Visa allows foreign nationals to obtain U.S. residency by investing in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers. Most applicants choose to invest through USCIS-designated regional centers, which manage projects and help ensure compliance with federal requirements.
To qualify, investors must make a minimum investment of $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), defined as a rural region or area with high unemployment, or $1,050,000 in other, non-TEA locations. These thresholds were set under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 and remain current as of 2025.
Approved applicants, along with their spouse and unmarried children under 21, receive a conditional Green Card, which can later be upgraded to lawful permanent resident status after fulfilling job creation and investment requirements. Naturalization requires 30 months of physical presence in the U.S. within the five years preceding the citizenship application.
5. Canada
- Minimum investment: No specific lower limit investment, but you must secure support from a designated Canadian organization
- Time to citizenship: 5 years (after permanent residence)
- Residency requirement: 1,095 days (3 years) physical presence in 5 years
Canadian citizenship by investment is not available as a direct program, but foreign nationals can pursue residency through investment via the Canada Start-Up Visa Program. 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 such as venture capital funds, angel investors, or business incubators.
Canada offers quality education, multicultural cities, and a high standard of living. The Start-Up Visa provides access to the North American market, and investors may apply for citizenship after at least five years of legal residency, provided they meet physical presence requirements of 1,095 days within a 5-year period.
6. Serbia
- Minimum investment: No fixed minimum (property purchase required)
- Time to citizenship: 5 to 6 years (through naturalization)
- Residency requirement: Maintain residence (generally 183 days/year)
The Serbian Residency by Investment allows foreigners to obtain residency by purchasing real estate in the country, such as an apartment, house, or commercial property. There are no official minimum property price or location restrictions.
To qualify for citizenship, investors must hold temporary residence for five years, after which they can apply for permanent residency and later citizenship by naturalization. Serbian residence permits do not grant EU-wide travel rights, but Serbia offers easy access to European markets and low cost of living.
7. Latvia
- Minimum investment: €250,000 (real estate) or €50,000–€100,000 (business investment)
- Time to citizenship: 5 years (through permanent residence and naturalization)
- Residency requirement: Maintain investment and renew residence permit.
The Latvia Golden Visa program is for people from outside the EU who want to live in Europe. It is a good option for investors, business owners, and wealthy individuals who want residency along with benefits like easy travel across European countries in the Schengen Zone.
The Latvia program is appealing because it requires an investment of €50,000 to €100,000 in a commercial enterprise (depending on company size and number of employees) or €250,000 in real estate, plus a 5% state fee. Residency cannot be inherited, but dependents can be added if they qualify. If the applicant eventually gains citizenship, that citizenship can be passed down to children and future generations.
8. Hungary
- Minimum investment: €250,000
- Time to citizenship: 5 years (through permanent residence)
- Residency requirement: None
The Hungarian Golden Visa, also called the Guest Investor Program (GIP) allows non-EU and non-EEA citizens to gain long-term residency in Hungary through investment and gives investors and their families access to the EU and Schengen Area. The program offers various investment options and a renewable 10-year residence permit with no minimum stay requirement, making it highly flexible.
To add to its appeal, the country offers low living cost compared to other European countries. Applicants receive pre-approval before making the investment, which minimizes risk. A qualifying investment of €250,000 in a state-approved real estate investment fund is required, and the residence permit is typically issued within 21 days after the appointment.
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.
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