Top 17 Immigrant Investor Programs 2025

Immigrant investor programs, also known as investor visa programs, are government initiatives that allow individuals to obtain residency or citizenship by making a substantial financial investment. These investments can be in businesses, real estate or other approved ventures that promote economic growth.

This guide will explain everything you need to know about immigrant investor programs. We list the best immigration by investment countries, their minimum investment requirements, time to residency or citizenship, and the benefits of these programs:

• What Is an Immigrant Investor Program?
• Best Citizenship by Investment Programs
• Best Residency by Investment Programs
• Benefits of Immigrant Investor Programs

What Is an Immigrant Investor Program?

An investor visa program allows foreigners to gain residency or citizenship by making an approved investment in a country’s economy. Investments include real estate, business funding, government bonds and more. In return, investors and their families gain the right to live and work in the host country.

Immigrant investor programs offer benefits for both the destination countries and countries of origin. Destination countries attract talent, investment, and innovation, while countries of origin benefit from  diaspora networks, remittances, and transfer of knowledge and skills.

According to the Global Intelligence Unit’s “The Transformation of Citizenship” report, immigrants contribute significantly to their countries of origin through remittances, exceeding $800 billion globally in 2023 alone.

Host countries gain from foreign direct investment (FDI) with projections suggesting citizenship by investment programs could raise around $100 billion by the end of 2025.

8 Benefits of Investor Visa Programs for Immigration

Obtaining citizenship through immigrant investor programs has several benefits.

We suggest using the Global Passport Index to gain more detailed insight into various countries’ passport, quality of life, and more. This, alongside the benefits mentioned, can help you decide on a country that’s best for you and your family’s needs.

1. Residency or Citizenship: Obtain residency or citizenship in a new country, allowing for greater mobility and security.

2. Visa-Free Travel: Gain visa-free access to numerous countries, which increases global mobility.

3. Tax Advantages: Some countries offer favorable tax regimes, including low or no income tax or capital gains for investor visa program applicants.

4. Family Inclusion: Many programs allow the inclusion of close family, such as spouses and children.

5. Investment Flexibility: Investors often have various investment options, such as real estate, a commercial enterprise, or government bonds.

6. Economic Opportunities: These programs provide access to new markets, business opportunities, and economic resources.

7. Quality of Life: Enjoy a higher standard of living with better healthcare, education, and infrastructure with an investor visa program.

8. High-Quality Education: Provide your children with the opportunity to attend prestigious educational institutions.

Best Immigration by Investment Programs for Citizenship

Dominica

• Minimum investment: $200,000
• Time to citizenship:  Six – nine months
• Residency requirement: None

Dominica’s citizenship by investment program is internationally acclaimed for offering the most value to foreign investors and business people. You can gain second citizenship in six to nine months by making a $200,000 contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund.

With excellent real estate options, world-class beaches, delicious cuisine, and proximity to the US, living in Dominica is perfect for people looking to retire in the Caribbean and live in peace.

A Dominica passport gives you visa-free travel and visa-on-arrival access to over 140 destinations, including Australia, Europe’s Schengen Area, and Hong Kong.

Malta

• Minimum investment: €690,000
• Time to citizenship:  12 to 36 months
• Residency requirement: None

The Malta Citizenship by Investment program is a popular investor visa program that attracts dozens of investors yearly. As a safe and stable EU country, Malta’s passport is extremely powerful, ranking amongst the world’s top passports regarding travel freedom.

Qualifying investors can get a Maltese passport in a year by making a €690,000 contribution through real estate, a non-refundable investment, or a philanthropic donation. This EU passport grants borderless travel within the Schengen Area.

St. Lucia

• Minimum investment: $240,000
• Time to citizenship:  10 to 12 months
• Residency requirement: None

St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program offers a quick path to citizenship through foreign investment. The immigrant investor program requires a donation of $240,000 to the National Economic Fund (NEF). Investment can also be in the form of purchasing real estate with a minimum investment of $300,000 or establishing a new commercial enterprise.

St Lucia’s CBI stands out because it comes with the benefit of accessing over 140 countries, including the Schengen Zone, the UK, and Hong Kong. There’s no residency requirement to maintain your citizenship, and no tax is charged in wealth, inheritance, and capital gains for citizens.

Antigua and Barbuda

• Minimum investment: $230,000
• Time to citizenship: Four to five months
• Residency requirement: Five days

Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program grants citizenship to investors in exchange for a $230,000 donation to the National Development Fund. Other investment options include approved real estate projects worth $300,000 (if held for at least five years) and donating to the University of the West Indies Fund. Passports are typically issued within four to five months.

While Antigua and Barbuda is the only Caribbean immigration investor program with a five-day residency requirement. It also comes with the benefit of access to over 150 countries and no taxes are charged on capital gains, inheritance, or global income.

St. Kitts and Nevis

• Minimum investment: $250,000
• Time to citizenship:  12 months
• Residency requirement: None

St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment is one of the most flexible immigration investment programs. It starts with a minimum contribution of $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) and the option to invest in property, which differs depending on whether you are single or have a family.

A key bonus of the program is that you can include a dependent spouse and children in the application. With a St. Kitts and Nevis passport, you can also enjoy visa-free access and options for e-visas to more than 150 countries.

Grenada

• Minimum investment: $235,000
• Time to citizenship: Nine months
• Residency requirement: None

Grenada’s citizenship by investment program is internationally recognized as one of the best family investment programs. Investment requirements start with a $235,000 contribution to the country’s National Transformation Fund (NTF). There is also the option of a joint or sole property purchase.

The country provides excellent approved real estate projects for investment and a quality lifestyle in a Caribbean paradise. Furthermore, Grenada is the only Caribbean country offering investors the chance to settle in the USA through the US E-2 Visa Program.

Turkey

• Minimum investment: $400,000
• Time to citizenship:  12 months
• Residency requirement: None

Turkey’s CBI is a compelling program for several reasons, one of the main ones being affordability.

Turkey’s low cost of living and low investment entry makes it a great choice for expats looking for more affordable options. Real estate investments start at $400,000, and unlike Caribbean programs, property purchases are not restricted by location or project.

Vanuatu

• Minimum investment: $130,000
• Time to citizenship:  60 days
• Residency requirement: None

Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment is one of the most affordable, with a contribution of just $130,000 to the government fund. The application process is simple, and citizenship is granted in just 60 days.

This fast and cost-effective program provides visa-free access to over 95 countries, including the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. No residency or visits are required, and Vanuatu is known for its low taxes.

Best Immigration Through Investment for Residency

Portugal

• Minimum investment: €250,000
• Time to citizenship:  Five years
• Residency requirement: Seven days a year for five years

Considered one of the planet’s best investor visa programs, Portugal Golden Visa has been a lifesaver to expats worldwide for the last ten years. This immigration investment visa provides countless benefits for foreigners, from lucrative investment opportunities to business ventures in the European Union (EU).

Non-EU/EEA nationals can qualify for the Golden Visa program with an investment of €250,000. Some investment options include scientific research, buying into a company’s share capital, donating to cultural and heritage projects and contributing to investment funds.

Greece

• Minimum investment: €250,000
• Time to citizenship:  Seven years
• Residency requirement: None

The Greece Golden Visa has been highly sought-after for obtaining long-term residency in an EU country. The nation provides the lowest investment amount for real estate purchases, with investments starting from €250,000.

Greece’s non-dom tax regime allows investors to pay a fixed annual tax instead of traditional income taxes. The visa includes family members like a spouse, children, and dependent parents, and there is no residency requirement to keep the residence permit. It also offers visa-free travel in 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days every six months.

Cyprus

• Minimum investment: €300,000
• Time to citizenship: Seven years
• Residency requirement: None

The Cyprus Golden Visa is one of the few immigration programs offering permanent residency status in the European Union through investment. With a property investment of €300,000 and a three-year bank deposit of €30,000, investors can become lawful permanent residents with the option to obtain citizenship after seven years.

The country offers great healthcare, educational systems, and an excellent quality of life. It is also one of the visas with the fastest processing time of only two months. It recognizes dual citizenship, meaning visa holders can have a Cyprus passport without renouncing their original passport.

United States

• Minimum investment: $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in other areas.
• Time to citizenship:  Five years
• Residency requirement: Six months in a year

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa offers residency to foreigners who invest in USCIS-approved regional centers promoting economic growth. The standard investment is $1,050,000, but investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) with high unemployment reduces it to $800,000. A Targeted Employment Area is a rural or economically distressed area with an unemployment rate of 150% above the national average.

Another requirement for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa is job creation. To qualify, you must create or save at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Meeting these conditions allows you, as an alien entrepreneur, to enter and live in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident and receive a conditional Green Card. After two years, you can remove the conditional status. A Green Card also offers a path to U.S. citizenship for you and your family.

Canada

• Minimum investment: No specific lower limit investment, but you must secure support from a designated Canadian organization
• Time to citizenship:  Three years
• Residency requirement: Two out of five years

Canadian citizenship by investment is undoubtedly possible for a foreign national. Widely considered one of the best countries in the world to live in, Canada has much to offer international investors and provides several visa options.

The Canada Start-Up Visa Program allows successful applicants to become lawful permanent residents. The Start-Up Visas in Canada require innovative business ideas that create jobs and are funded and supported by designated organizations. Canada offers quality education, multicultural cities, and a high standard of living. The Start-Up Visa provides access to the North American market, and investors can apply for citizenship after five years.

Serbia

• Minimum investment: There is no specific lower limit amount. 
• Time to citizenship: three years
• Residency requirement: 183 days per year

The Serbian Residency by Investment lets people get residency in Serbia by buying real estate. It’s aimed at foreigners who want to live and work in Serbia. To qualify, a foreigner must first buy property in the country, such as an apartment, house, or commercial building.

Serbia’s immigrant investor program stands out because there are no property price or location limits. It also allows investors to travel in the European Union, which benefits business owners interested in working with nearby countries. However, foreigners from countries without a reciprocity agreement must create a legal entity to purchase property.

Latvia

• Minimum investment: €250,000
• Time to citizenship: five years
• Residency requirement: Once a year

The Latvia Golden Visa program is for people from outside the EU who want to live in Europe. It is a good option for investors, business owners, and wealthy individuals who want residency along with benefits like easy travel across European countries in the Schengen Zone.

The Latvia program is appealing because it requires an investment of only €50,000 in a commercial enterprise or €250,000 in real estate. Residency cannot be inherited, but dependents can be added if they qualify. If the applicant eventually gains citizenship, that citizenship can be passed down to children and future generations.

Hungary

• Minimum investment: €250,000
• Time to citizenship: five years
• Residency requirement: No minimum stay requirements

The Hungarian Golden Visa, also called the Guest Investor Program (GIP), was relaunched on July 1, 2024. It allows non-EU and non-EEA citizens to gain long-term residency in Hungary through investment and gives investors and their families access to the EU and Schengen Area. The program offers various investment options and a renewable 10-year residency permit with no minimum stay requirement, making it highly flexible.

To add to its appeal, the country offers a pretty low cost of living compared to other European countries. Applicants receive pre-approval before making the investment, which minimizes risk. A qualifying investment of only €250,000 in a state-approved real estate investment fund is required, and the residency permit is usually issued within 21 days after the appointment.

Spain

• Minimum investment: €500,000
• Time to citizenship:  10 years
• Residency requirement: Ten days a year for two years

The Spain immigrant investment scheme — also known as the Spain Golden Visa — is one of the most popular European residence-by-investment programs granting immigrant entrepreneurs and their families Spanish residency in exchange for a real estate purchase of €500,000.

Spain is one of the best EU countries to consider if you’re looking for residency since it has a high quality of life, affordable living costs, and a low crime rate. However, please note that the Spain Golden Visa is set to end on 3 April 2025.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.

Frequently Asked Questions about Investment Immigration Programs

What is an immigrant investor program?

Immigrant investor programs allow individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a country by making a significant financial investment in real estate, a commercial enterprise, or government bonds. These programs are designed to help with attracting foreign capital and promoting economic growth, offering investors benefits like easier travel and tax advantages.

What is migration by investment?

Migration by investment is when investors are granted a visa for residency or the right to become a citizen in exchange for investing in a country’s economic growth.

What is the difference between citizenship by investment and residency by investment?

Citizenship by investment means you obtain full citizenship in a country in exchange for an investment. This is for life and is inherited by your future generations.
Residency by investment is usually a more temporary route, granting you a residence permit when investing in a country’s economic growth.

What are the benefits of immigration through investment?

Some benefits include enhanced global mobility (i.e. visa-free travel to more countries), business opportunities, social benefits in the form of access to healthcare and education (which applies to both the applicant and their immediate family) and tax-related benefits.

What are the risks of immigration by investment?

The greatest risks of immigration by investment are usually for the host country in the form of financial crimes like money laundering.
You, the applicant, need to also be aware that your visa can be revoked at any point if your investment no longer meets the requirements.

How long does it take to get residency or citizenship through an investor visa program?

This is dependent on the country so it can take as little as a few months and as long as several years to get either residency or citizenship.

What's the best investor visa to obtain?

Malta offers an affordable investment option with potential returns and a straightforward process for obtaining a Permanent Residence Visa.

Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment program offers Caribbean passports for investors and their immediate family members with an investment of as little as $200,000.

Which countries offer the fastest citizenship by investment?

Vanuatu has one of the fastest processing times of all available programs, completed in just one or two months.

What documents are required for an investor visa program application?

These will vary but usually you need:

• Investor visa application form
• Proof of funds in the form of bank statements
• Investment documentation that confirms the investment is legitimate
• Criminal background check
• Health insurance documentation for the destination country
• Business plan that outlines your investment strategy

Remember to check with your target country about their unique requirements.

What is residency through investment?

Residency through investment involves investing in a country in exchange for legal residency. Many countries offer ‘Golden Visas’ or ‘residency by investment’ programs. The prerequisites can be short or long-term investments in various options.

Does an investor visa program require physical residency?

Investor visa requirements vary by country, with some programs mandating a minimum stay to keep the visa. Others do not.

Can I get citizenship through an immigrant investor program?

Yes, many Immigrant Investor Programs offer a pathway to citizenship after meeting specific requirements, such as maintaining the investment for a set period, meeting residency obligations, and demonstrating ties to the country. The timeline and criteria vary depending on the country.

Can I apply for an immigrant investor program as a tourist in the country?

In most cases, you can apply for an immigrant investor program while visiting the country as a tourist. However, the application process typically requires specific documentation and may need to be initiated through authorized agents or legal representatives. Always check the program’s rules before starting your application.

Can I apply for an investor visa program remotely?

Yes, in most countries you can apply for an investor visa electronically.
Bear in mind, you might have to travel to have biometric data captured, depending on the target country’s requirements.

What happens if my application for an immigrant investor program is denied or rejected?

If your visa application gets rejected, available consequences and options depend on the immigration policies and program’s terms of the country. Some programs offer an appeal process, while others may refund the initial investment if the application is unsuccessful.

Can I apply to an investor visa program if I have a criminal record?

Having a criminal record can complicate the application process or even outright prevent you from getting an investor visa.
This is, of course, country-dependent but all countries require a criminal record check.

Is there a quota or limit on the number of participants in investor programs?

Most countries have quotas or limits on their investor programs to control the influx of immigrants and manage the program’s impact on the local economic growth and society.

What types of investments qualify for investor visa programs?

Qualifying investments for investor visa programs typically include:

1. Real Estate Purchases
2. Government Bonds
3. Business Investments
4. Job-Creation Projects
5. National Development Fund Contributions

Can I use cryptocurrency for an immigrant investor program?

Yes, you can obtain citizenship through investing in cryptocurrencies. As long as the coins have been sold, the money has been transferred to a bank account, and the legality of the money in the account can be proven.

Can I invest in real estate for an investor visa?

Yes, you can invest in real estate for an investor visa.

Can I invest in a business to qualify for an investor visa?

Yes, this is often one of the most common ways to qualify for immigration investment.

Do investor visa programs require job creation?

In most cases, yes, it does require a level of job creation. Countries like the United States have a set number of full-time jobs that must be created to qualify for an investor visa.

What is the minimum investment required for an investor visa?

The minimum amount required will differ from country to country. Malta investment starts as low as $200,000 and can reach close over a million in other countries.
Some investor visa requirements are a bit more vague such as, for example Austria where the government simply asks for a “substantial contribution to the economy”.

What is the cheapest investor visa program?

Vanuatu often comes out on top as the cheapest, starting at $130,000. However, keep in mind that you must have a certain amount available in your bank account on top of this.

What are the tax implications of immigration by investment?

Some countries offer tax incentives and temporary tax incentives for investors and deductions based on the amount you invest.
There are also often treaties in place to prevent double taxation. So, if you earn an income in country A but you’re a fiscal resident in country B, a treaty prevents you from paying tax in both places.

What are the best immigrant investor programs for families?

The best immigrant investor programs for families include:

1. Portugal Golden Visa
2. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program (U.S.)
3. Greece Golden Visa
4. Spain Golden Visa
5. St. Kitts and Nevis CBI
6. Antigua and Barbuda CBI
7. Dominica CBI
8. Grenada CBI
9. Saint Lucia CBI

How does the U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa program work?

The US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa allows foreign nationals (non-US citizens) to become lawful permanent residents by investing a considerable amount of money in a commercial enterprise in the US. This investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs.
A minimum investment amount of $800,000 is required in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is either a rural area or area with high unemployment. If you’re investing outside of a Targeted Employment Area, the minimum amount is $1,050,000.

Can I get an investor visa in the European Union?

Yes, some European Union (EU) member states do offer investor visas, also known as golden visas.