Residency by Investment is a program offered by various countries that allow individuals or families to physically relocate with the right to live, work, study, as well as access to healthcare in those countries by making significant financial contributions. This could mean buying property, starting a business, or investing in government projects. Countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, France and many more – offer such programs.
These programs allow individuals to have multiple residencies, global expansion of business, and may provide pathways to citizenship.
Europe
| Country | Minimum Investment | Processing Time | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cyprus |
EUR 300,000 | 4 Months | The Cyprus Permanent Residence Program offers eligible individuals and their families the opportunity to reside indefinitely in Cyprus. There is a pathway to apply for Cyprus (EU) citizenship after an aggregate total of 5 years of continuous residence in Cyprus within an 8-year period |
 France Talent Passport |
EUR 300,000 | 2 Months | This program allows the investor and qualifying family members to obtain a 4-year renewable residency cards in less than 3 months. The France Investor program may lead to permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years and subject to language requirements. |
| France Talent Passport - Business Creation |
EUR 300,000 | 2 Months | Successful applicants of this program will have a renewable residence permit valid up to 4 years and the right to live and work in France. The is a pathway to obtaining Permanent Resident or Citizenship after 5 years of residence in France. |
 Greece |
EUR 250,000 | 6 Months | This program allows for visa-free access to the Schengen Area and the right to reside indefinitely in Greece. The GIRP is valid for 5 years and can be renewed. Applicants can also apply for Greek citizenship after 7 years subject to meeting actual residency and language requirements |
 Portugal Golden Visa |
EUR 250,000 | Not Provided | The Portugal Golden Visa program offers non-EU investors the opportunity to reside, work, and study in Portugal by investing a minimum of EUR 250,000. Through this program, applicants can qualify for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years. |
| Portugal Start Up Visa |
EUR 175,000 | Not Provided | The Portugal Start-up Visa Program is designed for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who will spur economic growth and entails the consequent commitment from a designated organization. |
 Malta |
EUR 150,000 | 6-8 Months | This program allows access to Schengen Area right to reside indefinitely in Malta. Thre is also a potential path to citizenship under Maltese Citizenship Act Chapter 188 subject to conditions. |
 Monaco |
EUR 500,000 | 9-12 Months | Sucessul applicants will be granted a renewable residency permit and have the possibility to apply for permanent residency after 9 years. There is also visa-free access to the Schengen Area. |
 Spain |
EUR 500,000 | 1-3 Months | The Spain Golden Visa program is a residency-by-investment scheme that grants non-EU investors the ability to live, work, and study in Spain. Successful applicants can apply for Spanish citizenship after 10 years (or 2 years for former colonies). |
 United Kingdom Innovator Visa |
GBP 50,000 | Not Provided | The UK Innovator Visa is designed for experienced businesspeople with a viable innovative business idea who wish to establish their business in the UK. Applicants may apply for permanent residency after 3 years and an additional 1 year to apply for citizenship. |
| United Kingdom Expansion Worker Visa |
N/A | Not Provided | The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows foreigners to migrate to the UK to set up a branch or subsidiary of their overseas business. Successful applicants can later switch to another visa and apply for UK permanent residency after living in the UK for 5 years. |
Americas
| Country | Minimum Investment | Processing Time | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Canada Start-up Visa |
CAD 190,000 | 8-12 Weeks for Work Permit & 37 Months for PR | The Canadian Start-up Visa Program is for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who will spur economic growth. This program grants permanent residency in Canada and Canadian citizenship after 3 years. |
 Panama |
EUR 300,000 | 1 Month | Permanent residence is granted to successful applicants, which grants the ability to live, work and study in Panama and gain access to health and welfare systems provided by the Panamanian government. There is an opportunity to apply for citizenship after 5 years. |
 United States E-2 Visa |
USD 300,000 | 12-16 Months | Successful applicants will obtain a Green Card (unconditional permanent residence status) in USA for the investor and family members. There is a pathway to U.S. citizenship after 5 years of residence in the USA. |
| United States EB-2 Visa |
USD 300,000 | 12-16 Months | The EB-2 Visa program grants an unconditional Green Card (permanent residency status) for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who will spur economic growth. There is a pathway to U.S. citizenship after 5 years of residency in the USA. |
| United States EB-2-NIW (Pilots) Visa |
N/A | 8-12 Months | The EB-2 NIW Visa Pilot is a program for experienced foreign airline pilots and their qualifying family members to obtain a green card in the USA. |
| United States EB-2-NIW AME Visa |
N/A | 8-12 Months | The EB-2 NIW AME National Interest Waiver is a program that allows workers within the aircraft maintenance field with exceptional ability to obtain a green card without the need for a job offer or sponsorship. |
| United States EB-2-NIW STEM Visa |
N/A | 8-12 Months | The EB-2 NIW STEM National Interest Waiver is a program that allows workers within the STEM field with exceptional ability to obtain a green card without the need for a job offer or sponsorship. |
| United States EB-5 Visa |
USD 800,000 | Not Provided | This program grants a conditional Green Card for 2 years, after which a petition can be filled to remove those conditions. |
Asia Pacific
| Country | Minimum Investment | Processing Time | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Australia Investor Stream Visa 188B |
AUD 2,500,000 | 20 months | Successful applicants can work, live and study in Australia. There is a pathway to Australian citizenship after 5 years. |
| Australia Significant Investor 188C |
AUD 5,000,000 | 12-24 months | Successful applicants will be granted a provisional visa and have the ability to extend it once for up to 4 years, giving a maximum of 9-year provisional visa. After 5 years it can lead to you getting Australian citizenship if you want to apply at that time. |
 Hong Kong CIES |
HKD 30 Million | Not Provided | Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) in Hong Kong, granting residency through a minimum HKD 30 million investment in approved assets. |
 New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa |
NZ 15 Million | Not Provided | Successful applicants will be granted indefinite residence and there is a possibility to apply for permanent residency after 4 years and citizenship after 5 years. |
 Singapore Permanent Residency |
SGD 10 Million | 6-9 Months | The Singaporean Global Investor Programme is a scheme that enables prosperous investors to procure permanent residency in Singapore. |
| Singapore Start-up Visa |
USD 185,000 | 6 Weeks to 6 Months | The Singapore Start-up Visa Program is designed for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who will spur economic growth and entails consequent commitment from a designated organization. Successful applicants are granted a renewable visa that may lead to permanent residency after 2 years. |
 Thailand |
USD 250,000 | 20 Working Days | Thailand LTR Visa is a program that grants you to stay in Thailand for 10 years. The 10-years visa is divided into two 5-years terms. Applicants will be granted the initial permission to stay in the country for 5 years which can be extended for 5 more years. |
Africa
| Country | Minimum Investment | Processing Time | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mauritius Occupation Permit |
USD 50,000 | 2-6 Months | The Mauritius Occupation Permit (OP) is issued to non-citizens who wish to live and work in Mauritius. The OP allows individuals to engage in gainful employment, establish businesses, or invest in the country. It is granted for 10 years and can be renewed under certain conditions. |
| Mauritius Residence Permit |
USD 375,000 | 2-6 Months | Successful applicants will be granted a residency permit that grants the holder to live, work and retire in Mauritius and have the right to stay as long as they remain the owever of the invested property. There is a pathway to permanent residency and eventually, citizenship. |
 South Africa |
N/A | 8 Months | Grants permanent residence status in South Africa, thereby having all the rights and duties of a South Africa citizen (except the right to vote). There is apathway to South African citizenship after 10 years, or sooner with sufficient motivation |
Contact an office nearest to you
With 30 years of immigration experience, each of Harvey Law Group’s lawyers carefully studies each client’s needs, resources and determines the immigration solution that best aligns with our client’s vision and values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residency by Investment programs offer an alternative path to living and working in a desired country. Unlike Citizenship by Investment, they provide residency rights without granting full citizenship. This option can be ideal for individuals looking to establish a base in a new location for business, education, retirement, or simply for a change of pace.
An immigration law firm employs qualified attorneys who specialize in immigration law, providing full legal representation, ensuring client confidentiality under attorney-client privilege, and adhering to high professional and ethical standards.
Generally, no, you do not have to give up your US passport if you obtain a second citizenship. The United States allows dual citizenship, which means that you can hold citizenship in both the United States and another country. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Whether you should apply for citizenship or residency depends on your individual circumstances and goals.