Getting permanent residency through investment programs is becoming famous day by day. There are approximately 10 states that introduce the investment program include some of the developed ones such as Austria, Malta, Portugal, and Turkey too. The list also includes a country that has the oldest run investment immigration program since 1984. On top of it, some also allow the success without having to live in person there. With the help of such programs, these countries offer permanent residency and citizenship. How much investment do these countries require and how to apply for investment permanent residency programs is as follows:
1- Dominica
Dominica introduced its investment program for the residency in 1993. Successful investors can get citizenship for themselves and their family members. There are two ways provided to the investor to attain permanent residency.
Investment eligibility
The investor can invest a minimum of $100,000 in this program.
Processing
It may be different in each case but in general, the time required for the processing is 3 months.
Extra advantages
This state offers some extra advantages to investors, which are:
- Visa-free access to above 150 states,
- Schengen Area of Europe, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are also on the list of these 150 states.
2- Turkey
The investment program for the residency of Turkey gives access to an investor to:
- The labor market of Europe and Asia,
- The permanent residency in a state that is trying to negotiate associate membership in the European Union.
Investment requirements
The investor must purchase a property in the state worth a minimum of $250,000 including the charges. The actual investment cost was at least $1 million, but in 2018 it was decreased to its current price.
Time required for processing
After the submission of the application, the processing time is a minimum of six months and a maximum of nine months.
Advantages
This state offers some extra advantages to investors, which are:
- Access to approximately 111 states without a visa. Moreover, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore are also on that list,
- Verified investors will be qualified for a five-year renewable E-2 Investor Visa in the united states.
3- Austria
Well, the EU’s developed country Austria is the only Western European state that offers citizens to acquire an EU passport and citizenship by investment without having to live in the state initially.
Investment Range
The investor will have to invest a minimum of Euro 3 million.
Processing
After the submission of the application, the time required for the processing is from 2 years to 3 years.
Side Benefits
This state gives access to 189 states without a visa. Canada, Hong Kong, the EU states, and the Schengen area of Europe are on this list.
4- Montenegro
Montenegro, located on the Balkan Peninsula in south-eastern Europe, is noted for its breathtaking natural beauty. Despite its location in Europe, Montenegro is not a member of the European Union. The details of its investment program are mentioned below:
Investment range
The minimum investment amount is Euro 350,000. This state gives two options to the investor to take part in its investing program:
- Real estate investment of Euro 250,000,
- Invest Euro 100,000 in the state as a donation.
Timeframe for processing
It took 3 months for the processing after the submission of the application.
Advantages
This state gives free traveling in the countries, including Montenegro, the Schengen area of Europe, Russia, and Turkey.
5- Antigua and Barbuda
The most famous country for the investment option so far for a long time. The details about its investment program for the residency are given below:
Investment range
This state offers the 3 ways for an investor to invest in its program:
- Make a $100,000 donation to the Antigua National Development Fund,
- Invest $1.5 million in the start-up of a company. The investment will be $ 5 million in case two or more investors are involved,
- Invest $400,000 in a real estate project that has been approved by the state. This amount can be reduced to $200,000 for connected investors.
Time required for processing
The processing time of this state is from 3 months to 4 months.
Perks
The state allows their residents free travel to the countries including, Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Hong Kong, the EU states, and the Schengen area of Europe.
6- Malta
Malta, located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. This is known for its beautiful weather, friendly people, low crime rate, and better quality of life.
Investment range
Euro 738,000 or Euro 888,000 in certain circumstances. This depends on the period of resident status which is 2 or 3 years respectively.
Processing timings
Before applying for citizenship, applicants and all eligible dependents must have lived in Malta for a minimum of 3 years. This duration can be of 2 years in rare situations.
Advantages
This state grants its residents access to 186 states without a visa.
7- St Lucia
St Lucia’s investment program for the residency was established in 2016.
Investment requirements
The investment details for the investors are:
- The investor will have to invest $300,000 within the period of five years.
- An investment of at least USD 3.5 million in an authorized company project (as defined by the legislation), as well as the development of at least three permanent employees,
- Instead, a combined investment of USD 6 million (with each applicant donating at least USD 1 million), as well as the development of at least six long-term jobs,
- A non-refundable contribution of $100,000 to the St Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) (for a single applicant). The applicant can invest in the following groups:
| Group | Investment range |
| Main applicant | $100,000 |
| Main applicant+ Spouse | $140,000 |
| Main applicant+ Spouse + 2 family members | $150,000 |
| Main applicant+ Spouse + 2 family members + extra family member | $15,000 and $25,000 for each extra members |
- Residents who have already been authorized may add family members within five years after obtaining approvals. The investment details about it are:
| Family members | Investment range |
| Spouse | $35,000 |
| Family members of any age | $25,000 |
| Family members aging 16 years or above | $5000 extra charges |
Please note!
There will be an extra fee of $ 1000 by the government for each of the extra family members.
Processing
After the submission of the application, the required processing time is from 3 months to 4 months.
Benefits
This state offers some extra advantages to investors, which are:
- Dual citizenship for most of the countries,
- The requirement of the residence or visitation is not mandatory,
- Access to approximately 146 states without a visa. Moreover, Hong Kong, Schengen area of Europe, Uk, Japan, and Singapore are also on that list,
- Applicants can include a partner, children as young as 31, siblings under the age of 18, and parents aged 56 and above. Moreover, He/She can add descendants once they are given citizenship.
8- St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis established their investment program for the residency in 1984. We can say this is the oldest program in history. The age requirement of the program for the investor is 18 years and above.
Investment requirements
There are two ways offered to investors for the investment.
- For a single candidate or a family of up to four people, a non-refundable investment of $150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund. This is valid until December 31, 2021. Furthermore, each sibling gets an additional $20,000, and each additional dependant gets an additional $10,000.
- Buying real estate from an authorized real estate development with a minimum value of $200,000. This must be resalable after 7 years. Alternatively, $400,000, which must be resalable after 5 years.
Processing duration
After the submission of the application, the required processing time is from 3 months to 6 months.
Benefits
The applicant can add the following family members after getting citizenship:
- Spouse,
- Children under the age of 31,
- Grandparents of the age 55 years or over it,
- Unmarried sibling under the age of 31.
9- Grenada
The investment program for the residency of Grenada was established in August 2013.
Investment eligibility
It offers two ways for the investor to invest in the program:
- Investment of $150,000 in the form of donation,
- Invest $220,000 in a project, that is a verified government real estate project in Grenada. Furthermore, keep the property for at 5 years.
Processing of the application
The required processing time is from 3 months to 4 months.
Pros
This country offers some extra advantages to investors, which are:
- Access to 153 countries without a visa. Schengen area of Europe, China, UK, Russia, and Singapore are in this list.
- Its residents have access to the E2 treaty investor visa in the United States.
10- Portugal
Portugal’s “Golden Visa” scheme has been much famous over the course of time. Many of the richest from China and Brazil and from around the globe have been showing more and more interest in this.
Established back in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program (ARI) enables non-EU/EEA citizens to obtain a special residence permit in exchange for a 5-year investment in Portugal.
Investment threshold
You have different investment options to become a Portuguese Golden visa holder, as mentioned below:
- Arrange a capital transfer of at least €1 million in a Portuguese bank
- Purchase a property worth at least €500,000
- Purchase company shares at least 1 million Euros
- Invest at least one million Euros in a company
- Arrange ten jobs for Portuguese nationals
- Arrange a capital transfer of at least €350,000 for research activities in science or technology by either public or private scientific research institutions
- Make a capital transfer of at least €2,50,000 to support the arts or reconstruction of national heritage
- Invest €350000 in a property in a Portuguese urban regeneration area Before investing, you should make sure that the project is eligible for investment through the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service – SEF.
Advantages of the Golden Visa
- Residence visa waiver for entering Portugal;
- Living and working in Portugal, on condition that they stay in Portugal for a period of 7 or more days, in the first year, and 14 or more days, in the subsequent years;
- Visa exemption for traveling within the Schengen Area;
- Family reunification
- Applying for permanent residence (pursuant to the Aliens Act – Act number 23/2007 of 4 July with the current wording );
- Applying for Portuguese citizenship, by naturalization, provided all other requirements set out by the Nationality Act are fulfilled (Act number 37/81 of 3 October, as amended).