Spain launched its golden visa programme in 2013. An investment of €500,000 in real estate will gain family residency. The Spanish investor visa can be renewed every two years. After five years it is possible to gain permanent residency and after ten years citizenship. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility, cost and benefits. Introduced in 2012 this pioneering investment visa effectively launched the concept of Golden Visas taking it mainstream and laying the foundations for other countries such as Spain and Greece to follow. Since then, the Portugal program has been actively promoted internationally attracting over €6.0 billion of inward investment into the economy. As the leading consultancy for the Portuguese Golden Visa we are proud to have advised and assisted more than one thousand investors and applicants from over 150 countries worldwide for the programme since its introduction.

Launched in July 2013 the Greek Golden Visa programme grants a five-year residency visa in return for an investment in real estate. There is no minimum stay requirement and children up to the age of 21 are included in the family application. The visa is granted for five years and renewed every five years if the property investment is retained. It is not necessary to live in the country in order to retain and renew the investor visa. However, citizenship can only be granted after seven years of residency.

The EB-5 visa gives permanent U.S. residency to those investing into government-approved projects across the United States of America. The USA EB5 investment visa can be beneficial as it grants access to the U.S. education system, the right to live, retire, work and study in the USA, the ability to receive investment back upon the completion of the project and residency for the investor, any children (under 21) and their spouse. The main applicant must reside in the USA for 6 months per year.

Certain countries such as China, India and Vietnam now face lengthy retrogression delays through EB5. An effective alternative to the EB5 is the E2 visa. Investment must be “substantial” but in practice is far less than the EB5. The E2 can only be obtained by citizens of countries holding an E2 treaty with the USA. This includes options such as Grenada and Turkey. Investment for citizenship in these countries entitles the holder to apply for an E2 visa, providing they reside in the treaty country first, for a minimum of three years. The route to residency can be faster and cheaper than EB5 in some cases, although a key difference with the E2 is that it is a non-immigrant visa meaning unlike the EB5 it cannot lead to a Green Card.

Canada has a history of residency by investment programs at both the federal and provincial levels. The Quebec Investor Program, which has been suspended as of 2021 and is not currently accepting new applications, was a popular program that allowed high net worth individuals to obtain permanent residency in the province of Quebec in exchange for a minimum investment of CAD 1.2 million for a period of 5 years. Other provinces, such as British Columbia and Ontario, have their own Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that allow foreign nationals to obtain Canadian permanent residency by investing in businesses or creating jobs in those provinces. Currently the most attractive program available with the lowest investment criteria is the Canadian SUV.

Citizenship through investment is possible in Canada but applicants will need a period of residency first before being eligible to apply. There is no direct Canadian Citizenship by Investment program.

From $350k + costs

Business Investment

Full Family Permanent Residency

Live, work, study

Citizenship from 5 years

The Canadian Start-Up Visa Programme (SUV) targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that can create jobs for Canadians and compete on a global level. Eligible applicants must invest typically from CAD $350,000 into a Canadian “authorized designated organization”. Accredited investors must also demonstrate their net worth with an income of at least $200,000 or proof of $1,000,000 of financial assets.

The SUV programme offers a fast and cost-effective immigration route into Canada that provides Permanent Residency (PR). Unlike other business immigration paths, the PR status is not tied to the success of the business.

Investors can include their spouse and children 21 years of age and younger. Successful applicants can live anywhere in Canada other than the province of Quebec. This programme takes as little as 12 – 18 months.

Following a successful application, investors and their families will be issued Permanent Residency status from day one. Investors must reside in Canada for 730 days (two years) within five years to uphold the PR status. If investors live in Canada for three out of the five years (1,095 days) it is then possible to apply for Canadian Citizenship. Citizenship applicants must demonstrate adequate knowledge of English and/or French and have no criminal record.

***Important Update: The Montenegro Citizenship by Investment programme officially closed in December 2022.***

The Montenegro citizenship by investment programme was launched in 2019. Applicants are able to apply by investing in one of several government approved real estate development projects. The investment element ranges from €250,000 in the northern and central region to €450,000 in the coastal region. An additional government donation of €200,000 is required, plus application and due diligence fees.