Skip to content Residence by investment (RBI) is a process in which individuals can acquire residency in a foreign country by making a significant investment in that country’s economy. This involves making a financial contribution such as purchasing real estate, investing in businesses, or making a donation to a government fund. In exchange, the investor gains access to live and work in their chosen country and, in some countries, can lead to citizenship after a pre-determined period.
North America
Canada offers a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs and business people, with a rich cultural heritage, and a reputation for inclusivity which make it a hub for innovation, creativity, and success. The Canada Start-Up Visa Programme is aimed at providing permanent residency to active investors and entrepreneurs who seek to establish a presence in Canada and contribute to its thriving economy.
Minimum Investment
250,000 USD
Time to Residency
12-16 month
The right to live, work and study in Canada.
Europe
Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean that has a year-round warm climate and is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine and textured history, with many traditions dating back millennia.
The Cyprus Residence by Investment Programme was launched in 2013, and is an excellent option for investors looking for a strategic location in the heart of Europe, as well as access to over 160 countries visa free or visa-on-arrival.
Minimum Investment
300,000 EUR
Time to Residency
2-3 months
The right to live, work and study in the Cyprus
Europe
Greece, a nation distinguished by its picturesque landscapes, pristine waters, and significant historical landmarks. The Greece Golden Visa Programme, recognised as one of the most cost-effective residence by investment programmes in Europe, expedites visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area for successful applicants and their families within two to three months of submission.
Minimum Investment
250,000 EUR
Time to Residency
2-3 months
The right to live, own business and study in Greece and travel Visa-free within the Schengen area.
Europe
Located in the heart of Europe, Hungary is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Known for its stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and spirited cities, Hungary offers a high quality of life and a strategic position within the European Union. The Hungary Residency by Investment Programme, launched in 2024, provides an attractive option for investors looking for long-term security and the opportunity to reside in one of Europe’s most dynamic economies. Investors and their families can enjoy access to global business hubs such as London, Frankfurt, and Paris, while benefiting from Hungary’s strong economic performance and excellent healthcare and education systems.
Minimum Investment
250,000 EUR
Time to Residency
4 months
The right to live, own business and study in Hungary and travel Visa-free within the Schengen area.
Europe
Latvia is a nation well known for its history, architectural marvels such as the Riga Castle and St. Peter’s Church, and the scenic beauty of the Daugava River. Latvia has been a member state of the European Union since 2004 and part of the Schengen Area since 2007. The Golden Visa programme, which came into effect in 2010, aims to attract non-European foreign investors to Latvia. This programme offers the best priced access point to residence in the European Union.
Minimum Investment
60,000 EUR
Time to Residency
6 months
The right to live, own a business and travel Visa-free within the Schengen area.
Europe
Malta, a beautiful island nation in the Mediterranean, is known for its high quality of life, safety, and friendly community. As a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, it provides easy travel across Europe and a stable, well-connected environment. With the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), individuals and families can gain permanent residency in one of Europe’s most sought-after locations, without needing to meet language or physical stay requirements.
Minimum Investment
110,000 EUR
Time to Residency
6 months
The right to live, work and study in Malta and travel Visa-free within the Schengen area.
Southwestern Europe
As the oldest nation-state in Europe, Portugal boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historic architecture dating back to the 1500s, and a cuisine that reflects its close relationship with the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal’s Residence by Investment Programme offers a unique opportunity for foreign investors seeking a foothold in the thriving European market.
Minimum Investment
200,000 EUR
Time to Residency
12-16 months
The right to live, work and study in Portugal and travel Visa-free within the Schengen area.
Europe
Switzerland is globally renowned for its exceptional quality of life, owing to its remarkable political and economic stability, pristine environment, efficient public services, and advantageous tax rates. It presents an outstanding option for those seeking both residential and business opportunities. The Swiss Residence Programme offers a gateway to 26 cantons of the country for foreign nationals.
Minimum Investment
CHF 250,000 / Year
Time to Residency
3-6 months
The right to live, own business and study in Switzerland and travel Visa-free within the Schengen area.
South East Asia
Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country located in Southeast Asia. It is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. The Thailand Privilege Card program, overseen by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), offers an exclusive membership for foreign nationals seeking extended stays in Thailand.
Minimum Investment
24,800 USD
Time to Residency
4-6 months
The right to live, own business and study in Thailand
Others
The UAE, a vibrant and strategically located country in the Arabian Gulf, has rapidly transformed into a global powerhouse, attracting investors and entrepreneurs from around the world. The UAE’s Residence by Investment Programme offers business and real estate investors the opportunity to become a part of its success story in a matter of weeks.
Minimum Investment
USD 10,000
Time to Residency
1-4 weeks
The right to live, work and study in the UAE and travel Visa-free to Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Maldives, Seychelles, Nepal and Serbia
Europe
The United Kingdom, renowned for its thriving financial hub in London, unparalleled educational institutions, and rich international culture, offers two unique routes for ambitious entrepreneurs and innovators seeking UK residency: the Isle of Man Innovator Programme and the Skilled Worker Business Visa Programme.
Minimum Investment
50,000 GBP
Time to Residency
4-6 months
The right to live, work and study in the UK
North America
The United States has long been a leading economic powerhouse. Dominating the global economy, the country accounts for nearly a quarter of the world’s GDP. The US immigration system provides various pathways for investors, with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme being one of the most efficient routes to obtaining permanent resident status (a green card) within a short period of time.
Minimum Investment
800,000 USD
Time to Residency
24-30 months
The right to live, work and study in the USA
Investing in a second residency can offer various benefits, including better global mobility, access to Education and Healthcare, Retirement Planning, a pathway to citizenship and a Plan B for the family.
Enjoy greater travel freedom with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to key destinations worldwide
Secure access to world-class education and healthcare systems for you and your family
Build a comfortable and secure retirement in a stable and welcoming environment
Broaden your investment portfolio through real estate or business opportunities abroad
Safeguard your family’s future with an alternative residence option in times of uncertainty
Gain the opportunity to transition from residency to full citizenship over time
Documentation is required in order to apply for residence by investment programmes. These can vary slightly from programme to programme, but the most important personal documents needed are indicated here:
A valid copy of your passport is required to verify your identity and nationality as part of the application process.
An official document confirming you have no criminal record and meet the programmes requirements.
Used to establish your identity, parentage, and eligibility for inclusion in the application.
Required to verify marital status and include a spouse in the application (where applicable).
A recent utility bill or bank statement confirming your current residential address.
A standard health assessment ensuring you and your dependents meet the program’s medical requirements.
A series of documents are required in order to apply for a residency. The most important personal documents needed are indicated here below:
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The application process is straightforward, and it takes between 3 to 18 months to gain residency, depending on the country of choice. The application process can be divided into the following stages.
The acquisition of real estate abroad is an important component in residence and citizenship planning. However, it requires careful and professional attention. Individuals and families can enjoy considerable advantages
Investment Amounts: $1,000 – $1,000 USD
The acquisition of real estate abroad is an important component in residence and citizenship planning. However, it requires careful and professional attention. Individuals and families can enjoy considerable advantages
Investment Amounts: $1,000 – $1,000 USD
Real estate is often the cornerstone of residence and citizenship by investment. At Passport Legacy, we combine deep market expertise with hands-on support to help clients identify, acquire, and manage qualifying properties across leading programmes. From due diligence to property management, our end-to-end approach ensures every investment not only meets programme requirements, but delivers lasting value.
As the oldest nation-state in Europe, Portugal boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historic architecture dating back to the 1500s, and a cuisine that reflects its close relationship with the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal’s Residence by Investment Programme offers a unique opportunity for foreign investors seeking a foothold in the thriving European market. The country is famous across the globe for elegant natural landscapes to their exports in Port wine and fertile vineyards.
Greece, a nation distinguished by its picturesque landscapes, pristine waters, and significant historical landmarks. The Greece Golden Visa Programme, recognised as one of the most cost-effective residence by investment programmes in Europe, expedites visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area for successful applicants and their families within two to three months of submission. Greek Golden Visa gives you the right to set up your own business
Cyprus is an island south of Turkey and West of Lebanon that is known for its high-income economy as well as its beautiful Mediterranean climate, with beautiful weather almost all year round. Despite technically being located in West Asia, its cultural makeup and geopolitical climate are more closely tied to Southeast Europe, making it an attractive strategic location for businesses and individuals with interests across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The countries that currently provide residence by investment are:
Residence by investment allows individuals and their families to obtain residency in a foreign country by making a financial investment, typically in real estate, business, or government bonds. It gives the right to live, work, and study, in the new country of residence.
Residency by Investment (RBI) gives investors the right to live, work and study in a foreign country. To obtain residency by investment, investors can apply to one of the residency by investment programmes offered on our website. The process typically involves fulfilling the eligibility criteria, making a qualifying investment, and applying through the country’s immigration authorities.
Benefits for residency by investment include visa-free travel to multiple countries (varies depending upon country to country), the ability to live and work in the country, and access to healthcare and education.
Yes, family members, including spouses and children, are usually included in residency by investment applications.
There are many programmes that could be considered as ‘leading’ depending on the goals of the investor. Some of the most popular programmes include Portugal, Greece, the UAE and the USA
Factors to consider while choosing a residence program include:
Passport Legacy offers a diverse range of Citizenship by Investment programs , including Citizenship By Investment Antigua and Barbuda, Citizenship By Investment Grenada, Citizenship By Investment Malta, Citizenship By Investment Nauru, Citizenship By Investment St. Kittis & Nevis, Citizenship By Investment St. Lucia, Citizenship By Investment Turkey, and Citizenship By Investment Vanuatu providing investors with global mobility, security, and lifestyle benefits.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch with us for a free consultation.
We offer a diverse range of Citizenship by Investment programs – Citizenship By Investment Antigua and Barbuda, Citizenship By Investment Grenada, Citizenship By Investment Malta, Citizenship By Investment Nauru, Citizenship By Investment St. Kittis & Nevis, Citizenship By Investment St. Lucia, Citizenship By Investment Turkey, and Citizenship By Investment Vanuatu.
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