What Are Your Investor Migration Options in 2024?

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RIF Trust’s Summary of Investment Migration Choices in 2024

Our CEO Mimoun A. Assraoui has expert knowledge of the various investor migration options. He offers an introduction to them: “Basically, you have one of two choices. The first is Residency by Investment (RBI).”

“Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is the second investor migration route available,” concludes Assraoui. “In this article, we’ll explore where you can invest in a new residency or second citizenship.”

Residency by Investment Countries

1.) Canada

The Canadian Start-Up Visa Program requires an investment of at least C$275,000. You and your family can qualify for Permanent Residence (PR). This requires you to live in Canada for a minimum 730 days (2 years) within the first 5 years of your PR.

Residing in Canada for 3 out of those 5 years (1,095 days) makes you eligible for Canadian citizenship. Our Canada Passport Ranking collates the number of visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa countries you can travel to. You can visit 117 countries without a visa, 37 via VOA, and 21 by eVisa.

2.) Greece

The Greek Golden Visa is one of the most popular European Residencies by Investment. Saturday, 31 August 2024 is your cut-off point to acquire Greek residency at €250,000 instead of the increased €400,000 on Sunday, 1 September 2024. Other regions in Greece will experience hikes from €500,000 to €800,000.

Greek residents can access the Schengen zone with no visa required. By residing in Greece for a minimum 7 years, you become eligible to claim Greek nationality and passport. Our Greece Passport Ranking shows that this travel document guarantees visa-free entry to 120 countries, 31 through VOA, and 27 by eVisa.

3.) Malta

Another European investor migration possibility is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). Invest at least €150,000 and enjoy the same freedom of mobility around the Schengen area as is available with the Greek Golden Visa. But this is a strictly residency-only programme.

There’s a turnaround time of 6 to 8 months. One of the advantages of Malta is that English is one of 2 official languages. This means there is no language test to take as part of the residency process.

4.) Portugal

You can also obtain European Residency by Investment in Portugal. With the Portuguese Golden Visa, you need to spend 7 days a year in the country. With the real-estate route disappearing in 2023, the new preferred minimum threshold is investing €500,000 in a Portuguese venture capital fund.

After 5 years, you can become a Portuguese national and apply for a passport. In Portugal, you do need to pass a language exam. Our Portugal Passport Ranking demonstrates the power of a travel document that guarantees visa-free access to 120 countries, 31 via VOA, and 27 through eVisa.

5.) Spain

The Spanish Golden Visa is another European Residency by Investment. This is one golden visa that is at risk of extinction, with the Spanish Government announcing its imminent closure.  Get it while you can, courtesy of investing at least €500,000 in Spanish property.

Reside in Spain for 10 years (2 if you’re from Latin America or the Philippines) and you’ll qualify for a Spanish passport. We consider this passport the world’s 2nd most powerful one. Our Spain Passport Ranking outlines visa-free travel to 126 countries, 30 with a visa on arrival, and 24 through eVisa.

6.) United Arab Emirates

The UAE Golden Visa is your gateway to the luxurious Middle East. There is no minimum UAE residency requirement. In common with Malta’s MPRP, this is not a path to citizenship but does offer visa-free access to 18 countries.

Investors steer clear of volatility. They want to establish a base on firmer ground. So the fact the UAE tops our round-up of safest countries to get a new residency or second citizenship makes it all the more appealing as an investor migration choice.

7.) United Kingdom

Invest in a UK Innovator Founder Visa and you’ll receive British residency. You need at least £200,000 in available capital to be eligible. After 5 years as a UK Permanent Resident, a British passport becomes available.

Our United Kingdom Passport Ranking combines visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa countries. This results in a score of 177. Breaking that down, you’ll get visa-free entry to 118 destinations, 37 via VOA, and 22 with eVisa.

8.) United States

The US EB-5 Investor Visa is your ticket to land one of the most coveted residency permits, a Green Card. You must invest a minimum $800,000 to be eligible. Following 27 months of residency, you’ll get a provisional Green Card.

3-6 months later, you’ll receive a conditional Green Card. You can become a US national with 5 years of lawful permanent residency. Our United States Passport Ranking puts the American passport in 8th position in the world’s leading passports.

Citizenship by Investment Countries

1.) Antigua and Barbuda

Just like with RBI, the first of our list of CBI programmes is Caribbean, offered by Antigua and Barbuda. You need to invest at least $230,000. Applications generally take 6-12 months.

The beauty of Citizenship by Investment is that you don’t have to wait to naturalize as a national. Our Passport Index rates the Antigua and Barbuda passport 21st strongest in the world. It grants you access to 158 visa-free countries.

2.) Dominica

Another Caribbean investor migration programme is available in Dominica. The minimum investment theshold is $200,000. Again, processing usually takes 6-12 months.

With CBI, you’re immediately a national and eligible for a passport. Our Passport Index ranks the Dominica passport the world’s 24th most powerful. There’s visa-free entry to 154 destinations guaranteed.

3.) Grenada

The Eastern Caribbean’s Grenada also offers Citizenship by Investment. $235,000 is the lowest-priced investment option. This route to citizenship takes between half a year and a year.

As a Grenada national, you’re entitled to a passport. Our Passport Index places the Grenada passport in 22nd position. You’ll be able to visit 155 countries without a visa.

4.) Malta

If you want more than Maltese residency, look into Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) rather than MPRP. The minimum path to Maltese citizenship requires a €600,000 investment. Application processing times ranges from 16-18 months.

Maltese citizenship leads to a Maltese passport. Our Passport Index has the Malta passport in 7th place. You can travel to 175 visa-free destinations.

5.) St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis is one of 5 Eastern Caribbean nations running Citizenship by Investment programmes. You have to invest at least $250,000 to qualify. After 6-12 months, you’ll become a St Kitts and Nevis citizen.

As a national of St Kitts and Nevis, you’re eligible to apply for a passport. Our Passport Index places the St Kitts and Nevis passport as the 18th most powerful passport in the world. You’ll be able to enter 161 visa-free countries.

6.) St Lucia

The last of the Eastern Caribbean countries offering Citizenship by Investment is St Lucia. The minimum investment required is $240,000. Again, you can claim St Lucia nationality following 6-12 months of processing time.

Citizens of St Lucia can acquire a passport. Our Passport Index rates the St Lucia passport as the world’s 23rd strongest passport. 154 visa-free destinations will become accessible to you.

7.) Türkiye

Our Citizenship by Investment round-up continues with Türkiye. Here, you need to invest at least $400,000. Applications take between 4 and 6 months.

Turkish nationals can obtain a passport. Our Passport Index rates the Turkish passport as the world’s 38th most powerful passport. You’ll be able to visit 133 visa-free countries.

8.) Vanuatu

The final investor migration country is Vanuatu. This carries a $130,000 minimum investment. Processing is among the quickest among Residency and Citizenship by Investment programmes, from 2-3 months.

Although new Vanuatu citizens can apply for a passport, it’s not among the world’s strongest. Our Passport Index ranks the Vanuatu passport as the world’s 45th best. 114 visa-free destinations become available to you.

Taking the First Step to Investor Migration in 2024

You might be as yet undecided about which Residency or Citizenship by Investment programme is right for you. To help you choose the most suitable one, we recommend you get in touch with a specialist like RIF Trust. So, contact us now and we’ll show you how to enhance your global mobility and set up a Plan B.