17 Countries with Immigrant Investor Programs in 2025

Immigrant investor programs, also known as investor visa programs, are government initiatives that allow foreign individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a country by making a substantial financial investment. Participants contribute to the host country’s economy through investments in businesses, property, or other approved ventures.

The main types of immigration investor programs are Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and Residency by Investment (RBI). CBI programs offer direct citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment, often in real estate or government funds. Countries like St. Kitts and Nevis and Malta are some of the best examples. In contrast, RBI programs provide residency in exchange for economic investment, and countries like Spain, Portugal, and Greece have some of the best Golden Visa options. 

This guide will explain everything you need to know about immigrant investor programs. We will list the best immigration by investment countries, their requirements, processing time, and the benefits of opting for an immigrant investor scheme. This is more of what we will cover:

• What is an immigrant investor program?
• The Best Citizenship by Investment Programs
• The Best Residency by Investment Programs
• Benefits of Immigrant Investor Programs
• Immigrant Investor Program Requirements
• Taxes and Investor Programs

What is an immigrant investor program?

An immigrant investor program allows foreigners to gain residency or citizenship by making an approved investment in a country. Investments often include real estate, business funding, or government bonds. In return, investors and their families gain the right to live, work, and sometimes even acquire citizenship in the host country, depending on the program’s terms. These programs are also called citizenship by investment or residency by investment schemes.

Benefits of Immigrant Investor Programs

Obtaining citizenship through immigrant investor programs has several benefits. Better yet, as an investor, you can choose a country from Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, which provides insight into the strength of the nation’s passport, quality of life, and more. This way, you can choose a program that best benefits you and your family’s needs.

The Best Citizenship by Investment Programs

As highlighted, one of the leading immigration investor programs is the citizenship by investment scheme, which allows foreign investors to obtain citizenship in a country by making a significant financial investment.

These are some of the best CBI programs:

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, also known as the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services program, is another popular investor visa scheme 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.

Thanks to Malta’s investor visa program, qualifying investors can get passports in a year by making a €690,000 contribution through real estate, a non-refundable investment, and 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 achieved by purchasing pre-approved 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. No residency requirement is needed 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 (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; family members are also eligible.

While Antigua and Barbuda is the only Caribbean immigration investor program with a five-day residency requirement, it also comes with the benefits of accessing over 150 countries, including the UK, Schengen Zone, and Hong Kong, and no taxes are charged on capital gains, inheritance, or global income taxes.

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. Acquiring a St. Kitts and Nevis passport starts with a minimum contribution of $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) and an option to invest in property, which differs depending on whether you are single or have a family. The amount increases with the addition of each dependent.

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 its program’s affordability.

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.

The Best Residency by Investment Programs

There are a few similarities between CBI and RBI, such as the fact that both programs require an investment in exchange for residency or citizenship. However, the residency by investment route provides a pathway to citizenship after meeting specific residency requirements, and a minimum stay is required to maintain residency.

While the outcome might differ from CBI, there are still many benefits. These are some of the best RBI schemes

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.

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.

Non-EU/EEA nationals can qualify for the Golden Visa program with an investment of €250,000 and investment either in scientific research, company’s share capital, or 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 minimum investment 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 secure permanent residency 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 Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) with high unemployment reduces it to $800,000. TEAs are rural or economically distressed areas with unemployment rates 150% above the national average.

Another requirement for the EB-5 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 minimum 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 minimum investment. 
• 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.

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 a minimum investment of only €50,000 in a business 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. 

Immigrant Investor Program Requirements

The specific eligibility requirements and advantages of each immigrant visa can be significantly different from one country to another, but they usually involve the following key elements:

1. Applicants must use foreign capital to make a substantial financial investment in the country.
2. Each investor program sets a minimum investment threshold that applicants must fulfill to be eligible for residency or citizenship.
3. Some investment programs require foreign investors to maintain their investments for a specified minimum period.
4. Investor visa programs generally offer one of three types of legal status: citizenship, resident, or permanent resident.
5. Other criteria for applicants may include a clean criminal record, good health, sufficient financial resources, and a proven investment or entrepreneurial track record.
6. The time it takes for the visa application to be processed and approved can vary depending on the nation and the complexity of the application process.

Investment options

The investment choices on offer are primarily shaped by the economic requirements of each country. Standard investment options include:

• Real estate investment
• Purchasing government bonds
• Bank deposits
• Capital investment in approved funds
• Establishing enterprises in areas of high unemployment
• Non-refundable contributions to a national development fund

Character requirements

The general requirements concerning character and personal background for most investor programs include:

• Being over 18 years old
• Passing a criminal background check
• Possessing good health and passing a medical exam
• Submit all required identity documents for the visa application process

Taxes and Investor Programs

An immigrant visa can affect taxes in various ways, depending on the country’s tax laws and the specific terms of the program. Here are some common tax considerations for immigrant investors:

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 are immigrant investor programs?

Immigrant investor programs allow individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a country by making a significant financial investment in real estate, business, or government bonds. These programs are designed to attract foreign capital and boost 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 economy.

Is investing in a visa worth it?

Investing in a visa can be worth it for those looking for residency or citizenship in a desirable country, offering benefits like enhanced mobility, business opportunities, and tax advantages. However, it requires a significant financial commitment, and the decision depends on individual goals and financial capabilities.

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 a minimum investment of under $200,000.

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.

Will I be required to reside in the country where I invest?

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

Can I eventually apply for 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.

What happens if my application for an immigrant investor program is 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.

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 economy 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

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