What is a Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is about Residency by Investment (RBI). Governments of countries offer these visas to attract international investors of high net worth, by guaranteeing them access to a better livelihood abroad and opportunity to live, work, study, and travel visa-free. An investor receives a Golden Visa passport, and so do all family members – an amazing benefit giving enormous freedom to travel.
What benefits can you enjoy with your Golden Visa?
The advantages of earning a Golden Visa will vary upon the select country of residency & citizenship by investment. In European countries, the benefits offered to investors are visa-free travel to Schengen countries, over 27 countries. Moreover, applicants can enjoy access to the public healthcare system and are eligible to live, work and study. Citizenship is applicable after 5 to 10 years of residency in a European country of investment. Golden Visa programs in the Caribbean offer visa-free travel to over 150 countries (can vary on the Caribbean country of investment), tax benefits, and no interview or language test required.
Healthcare
Higher quality of life
Employment
Travel Freedom in Leisure or Business
Education
Family Inclusion
What Countries Offer Golden Visas?
Residency by investment initiatives is available in European Union countries, the Caribbean, North America, and the Middle East. Investment Visa provides Golden Visa advisory in Europe and the Caribbean Islands, unlocking opportunities through investment for our clients & their families, with the intention to further extend their livelihood, security and wellbeing.
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Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: € 250,000Type: 1 to 3 MonthsThe Greece RBI Program offers a Residency Permit, finalized within just 60 days, visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, and family inclusion. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: ≧€ 280,000Type: 6 to 8 MonthsThe Portugal RBI program offers visa-free travel in the Schengen area. Family inclusion is eligible, along with freedom to study, work and live in the country. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: € 250,000Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe Hungary RBI program offers a Residency permit in as soon as 90 days, visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone, and family inclusion. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: EUR €500,000Type: 3 to 6 monthsThe Spain RBI program offers applicants visa-free travel in the Schengen Area along with access to public healthcare and education, plus eligibility for family inclusion. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: EUR €500,000Type: 3 to 6 monthsThe Spain RBI program offers applicants visa-free travel in the Schengen Area along with access to public healthcare and education, plus eligibility for family inclusion. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: EUR €250,000Type: 3 to 6 MonthsObtain Italy residence permit for 2 years. After 10 years applicant and family can apply for Italian citizenship and enjoy visa-free travel in 190 countries. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: USD $800,000Type: 12 to 24 MonthsThe US EB-5 program offers applicants visa-free travel in the USA territory and in the Schengen Area. Family inclusion is allowed in the EB-5 program for your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. -
Type: Citizenship by InvestmentInvestment: USD $400,000+Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe Türkiye CBI program offers visa-free travel to 125 countries, including the ability to live, work, and study while residing in the country with no minimum stay requirement. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: QAR 728,000Type: 2 to 6 MonthsThe Qatar Golden Visa Program offers the ability to live, work, and study while residing in the country with no minimum stay requirement, and access to a world-class healthcare and educational system. -
Type: Residency by InvestmentInvestment: AED 750,000Type: 2 to 6 MonthsThe UAE program offers visa-free travel to more than 125 countries, including the ability to live, work, and study while residing in the country with no minimum stay requirement. -
Type: Golden VisaInvestment: USD $400.000+Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe St. Kitts & Nevis CBI program offers four options on your pathway to citizenship, one being with real estate at a minimum of USD 400,000. -
Type: Citizenship by InvestmentInvestment: USD $200,000Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe Antigua & Barbuda CBI Program allows family inclusion on second citizenship and visa-free travel to over 160 countries, including the UK, HK, and the EU. -
Type: Citizenship by InvestmentInvestment: ≧€ 220,000Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe Grenada CBI Program offers you family inclusion, visa-free travel to the UK, the Schengen Area and China. Applicants are also eligible for a 10-year US tourist visa. -
Type: Citizenship by InvestmentInvestment: $200,000Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe St. Lucia CBI Program offers applicants the Freedom of travel to 140+ countries, no physical residency requirement, and eligible for citizenship family inclusion. -
Type: Citizenship by InvestmentInvestment: USD $200,000Type: 3 to 6 MonthsThe Dominica CBI Program offers applicants residence in Dominica, ability to hold a 10-year visa to the USA, plus the freedom to travel visa-free to 145 countries. -
Type: Citizenship by InvestmentInvestment: USD $138,000Type: 1 to 3 MonthsThe Vanuatu CBI Program allows family inclusion on second citizenship, proving to be the perfect tropical paradise country to escape the hectic bustling of everyday life.
Europe
North America
Middle East
Caribbean
South Pacific
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Do Golden Visas lead to Citizenship?
The Golden Visa program grants high-net-worth individuals a residency permit and only a few countries offer the possibility of citizenship after five to ten years of residency status. This naturalization rule is applicable in Malta and Greece. After a set period of residency (5-10 yrs.), it is common for the applicant(s) to conduct a language test requirement.
Golden Visa Requirements
The requirements on acquiring a Golden Visa will vary upon select countries application regulations; usually the most common criteria for investors to uphold on the application process will be the following:
Must provide proof of clean criminal record;
Cannot be a citizen of the country where you are applying to the process;
Uphold requirement of Golden Visa investment & period in set country;
Uphold to the minimum requirement of stay in set country;
What are the investment options in a Golden Visa?
Golden Visa investment options vary from country to country, from investment funds, government bonds, startups, business, arts & culture, and national funds. However, the real estate option through Golden Visa is the most popular choice among investors. Real estate has always been considered a solid investment and a savvy way to generate income from long- or short-term property renting, particularly in an international real estate market.
Real Estate
Investment Funds
Government Bonds
Art & Cultural Projects
Business Venture / Startup
National Development Funds
How to Apply for a Golden Visa?
Step-by-step process
Our team of professionals at Investment Visa has prepared a step-by-step guide for our clients on the application process for their desired Golden Visa program. At Investment Visa, our mission will always consider the needs of our investors, with the outlook of building a better financial future for our clients and their families.
Step 1
Investment Selection
The process begins with verifying the right option, the funds and the country for residency by investment. It is also critical to have a law representative in the country to handle the application’s details.
Step 2
Funds for Investment
The applicant has to first open a bank account and then transfer the investment funds. They must come from outside the country and the applicant must also provide proof of origin.
Step 3
Documentation Check
The applicant must decide if the application will extend to their immediate family. To qualify, you will need a clean criminal record and provide confirmation of legal income. Additional documentation may be required.
Step 4
Golden Visa Submission
We have assisted toward a successful outcome. The waiting time for approval varies by country. The status can be verified online through government websites or through a representative in the country holding power of attorney.
Step 5
Residency Permit & Renewals
Some countries may require the applicant(s) to attend a biometrics appointment and a periodic stay in the country. Residency may also need to be renewed, but this will be addressed in the first step.
Step 6
Application towards Citizenship
Residency by Investment programs do not grant Citizenship. However, some countries allow investors to become Citizens if they are interested, but it may require five, seven years or even ten years of residency.
How much does a Golden Visa cost?
There is no fixed cost for Golden Visas, as the amount required for investment depends on the chosen option - job creation, capital investments, an art & culture fund donation and property investment - as well as the selected country. The most popular option is through a Real Estate investment. When endeavoring through this option, it is recommended to have an additional 6% to 8% in the budget to cover any additional taxes and fees.
Calculator
Investment Amount
Minimum amounts vary with each country's program.Property Type
Minimum amounts vary with each country's program.Number of dependants
Include Children, Spouse and Parents (from both the applicant and the spouse).Simulation Scenario
Selected Country: Golden Visa program, considering € 500K investement in Habitational property, including 0 dependants.
Notes: Legal Fees include Tax Representation for 6 years through Portugal Homes After Sales Department and Citizenship application Buying Costs include acquisition taxes (IMT & Stamp Duty) and notary and registration fees Government Fees include Citizenship application fees. The buying costs here presented are for properties with a purchase price of €280,000, €350,000 and €500,000. The buying costs are always based on the purchase price.
Total Costs
Which country has the cheapest Golden Visa?
The most reasonable Golden Visa investment program by far will be the Greece Golden Visa, with a minimum investment of EUR 250,000, offering investors visa-free travel in the European Schengen zone, access to Greece´s healthcare system, tax benefits, and a pathway to EU citizenship after five years of residency. Best of all, Greece is a safe country to live in, offering a high quality of life and affordable cost of living.
Obtaining a mortgage for Golden Visa investments will depend on the select country of residency by investment; for instance, in Portugal and Greece requesting mortgage from financial institutions is eligible for a portion of the Golden Visa. However, applicants cannot utilize the entirety of the mortgage amount on a golden visa investment, only a portion of the amount. For instance, an applicant can use their mortgage towards the reservation value of their investment.
The highly popular Golden Visa program has become obsolete in some European countries, listed below for your convenience when searching for the best locations to settle in for your residency by investment.
Ireland
Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Ireland Golden Visa, was ceased in February of 2023. It originally offered Irish residency in return for a EUR €500,000 donation or a three-year annual investment of EUR €1 million into the country.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom's Investor Visa, or Golden Visa, was fully canceled in February 2022. It required applicants to have at least GBP £2 million in assets to be eligible, though the program had strict regulations, as it did not allow offshore investment companies, management or developments.
Proposed for Cancellation
Spain
The Spanish Visto Dorado has been in discussions to be canceled as of February 2023. However, no official agreement has been reached. Residency by Investment is still possible through the purchase of real estate in the amount of EUR €500,000.
Portugal
The Portugal Golden Visa has also been under discussion regarding discontinuation of the program. In August 2023, the President of Portugal exercised his veto power for the second time. As of right now, it is still possible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa through the Real Estate option, which starts at EUR €280,000.
Golden Visa is an umbrella term that has been coined by multiple governments and media outlets due to the significant investment amount required. Thus, the Citizenship by Investment programs in the Caribbean can be considered to be Golden Visas.
There are five Caribbean countries that offer foreign nationals the possibility of becoming Citizens immediately:
- Dominica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Saint Lucia
- Grenada
- St. Kitts and Nevis
The applicant(s) are not usually required to reside in the property if they have chosen Real Estate as the preferred Golden Visa option, since the investment could have been made in a property development project, such as a hotel or a commercial unit. Residential real estate investments purchased with the aim of obtaining the Golden Visa can become a second home or a property for lease, though this latter option will also depend on the country. Our Investment Visa will inform you of this after the initial analysis.
Usually, Golden Visa programs have the possibility of being extended to the main applicant's immediate family, which includes members such as spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. However, this will vary on the country of choice, as each has its own specifications.
The validity of Golden Visas varies by country, though it usually ranges between one to five years.
For instance, the Golden Visa in European countries such as Portugal, Spain and Italy have a residency validity of 2 years, while highly desirable destinations, such as Greece and Malta have a longer validity of up to 5 years. Applicants must abide by the renewal process time, ensuring they proceed with the renewal within 60 to 90 days before the Visa expires.
- Greece – Validity of 5 years.
- Portugal – Validity of 2 years.
- Spain – Validity of 2 years.
- Malta RBI – Validity of 5 years.
- Italy – Validity of 2 years
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Paul Smith
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