Top 15 Residence and Citizenship Planning Choices for UAE Residents

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RIF Trust’s Round-Up of the Top Residency and Citizenship by Investments for UAE Residents in 2024

Mimoun A. Assraoui is our CEO and understands the importance of residence and citizenship planning to UAE residents. RIF Trust, with its headquarters in Dubai, has scoured the world to offer only the best in Residency and Citizenship by Investment programmes. He explains: “We accept applications for 8 Residency by Investment programmes (7 if you exclude the UAE Golden Visa).”

“In addition, we offer advice, explaining the benefits and requirements of 8 Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes,” adds Assraoui. “In this article, we’ll profile these 15 programmes that secure a new residency or second citizenship.”

Residency by Investment Programmes

1.) Canada

Invest a minimum C$275,000 to join the Canadian Start-Up Visa Program. This makes your family and yourself eligible for Permanent Residence (PR). To meet the qualifying conditions you must reside in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) of the initial 5 years of your PR.

Live in Canada for 3 out of those 5 years (1,095 days) and you become a Canadian national. Our Canada Passport Ranking tallies the number of visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa destinations you can visit. You can travel to 118 countries without a visa, 35 via VOA, and 24 via eVisa.

2.) Greece

Our first European Residency by Investment programme is the Greek Golden Visa. This remains a low-priced option if you buy commercial or industrial real estate that’s been converted into residential property for no less than €250,000. A similar route is to purchase refurbished or restored real estate for the same minimum amount.

As a Greek resident, you benefit from being able to travel freely across the 29 countries that make up the Schengen area. Although the residency (and language) requirements are more stringent than other European golden visas, you can become a Greek citizen after living in the country for at least 7 years. RIF Trust’s Greece Passport Ranking highlights that this travel document secures visa-free entry to 122 destinations, 31 by VOA, and 28 with an eVisa.

3.) Malta

Europe, in the form of the EU’s Malta, offers the world’s only residence and citizenship planning option. First, there’s the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). A minimum €100,000 investment gives you Schengen area visiting rights.

Expect a processing time of between 6 and 8 months. Malta appeals as English is one of 2 official languages, along with Maltese. This makes it an attractive holiday base if you don’t want to move to this Mediterranean archipelago on a full-time basis.

4.) Portugal

Another European golden visa is available in Portugal. The Portuguese Golden Visa requires you to spend at least 7 days a year on Portuguese soil. The lowest level of permitted investment is €168,000.

5 years after applying, you can naturalize as a Portuguese citizen. You’re going to have to demonstrate a competent mastering of the Portuguese language. Our Portugal Passport Ranking reveals that you can enjoy visa-free entry to 124 countries, 30 courtesy of VOA, and 27 via eVisa with this strong travel document.

5.) Spain

Portugal’s neighbour offers the Spanish Golden Visa as an alternative European Residency by Investment for UAE residents. Where Portugal eliminated the real estate option, the Spanish government has expressed its intention of eradicating the whole programme.  If you fear missing out, make a minimum €500,000 Spanish property investment.

Live in Spain for at least 10 years (2 if you’re from LATM or the Philippines) and you’ll land a Spanish passport. We rate this the world’s joint best passport (level with the UAE’s). RIF Trust’s Spain Passport Ranking shares how you can benefit from visa-free arrival to 126 destinations, 31 through a visa on arrival, and 26 using an eVisa.

6.) United Kingdom

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is the preferred UAE resident route to British residency. You’ll require £200,000 in liquid capital to qualify. Following 5 years as a UK Permanent Resident, you can then apply for a British passport.

Our United Kingdom Passport Ranking collates visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa numbers. This adds up to a figure of 178. That’s visa-free arrival in 118 countries, 35 via VOA, and 25 by eVisa.

7.) United States

We’ll complete the Residency by Investment section of our residence and citizenship planning overview with the US EB-5 Investor Visa. There can be fewer more iconic resident permits than the green card. To receive the provisional version, you’ll need to complete 27 months of residency in the US.

After a further 3-6 months, you’re guaranteed a conditional green card. US citizenship is assured following 5 years of lawful permanent residency. RIF Trust’s United States Passport Ranking places the American passport as the world’s 6th most powerful passport.

Citizenship by Investment Programmes

1.) Antigua and Barbuda

The first of the Citizenship by Investments in our residence and citizenship planning summary is Caribbean, provided by Antigua and Barbuda. The lowest investment threshold is $230,000. The application process can be as short as 6 months and as long as 12.

Citizenship by Investment is a direct acquisition of nationality. The RIF Trust Passport Index ranks the Antigua and Barbuda passport as a top 20 travel document. Pack this to gain visa-free entry to 162 destinations made up of genuinely-free visa-free countries, those accessible with a visa on arrival, and those via an eVisa.

2.) Dominica

Dominica also runs a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programme. Here, you need to invest no less than $200,000. In line with Antigua and Barbuda, processing typically takes 6-12 months.

With Citizenship by Investment, you’re a citizen following investment rather than naturalization via residency. RIF Trust Passport Index rates the Dominica passport the world’s 23rd strongest. It ensures “visa-free” arrival to 156 countries.

3.) Grenada

Another Eastern Caribbean island with a Citizenship by Investment programme is Grenada. Here, the minimum available investment option is $235,000. This one-way ticket to becoming Grenadian takes from half a year up to a year.

Grenada citizens are eligible for a passport. Our Passport Index has the Grenada passport in 20th spot. You can travel to 160 destinations without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or with an eVisa.

4.) Malta

An upgrade on Maltese Residency by Investment is Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN). This naturalization of exceptional investors is priced at least €600,000. Wait 16-18 months to become a Maltese national.

The major advantage of holding Maltese citizenship is the chance to get your hands on a Maltese passport. RIF Trust’s Passport Index lists the Malta passport in 8th position. You can visit 176 visa-free countries.

5.) St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis is one of the 5 Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment countries. Invest a minimum $250,000 to apply. Following 6-12 months, you’ll become a St Kitts and Nevis national.

Citizens of St Kitts and Nevis receive a Caribbean passport. Our Passport Index registers the St Kitts and Nevis passport as the world’s 16th leading passport. It secures visa-free arrival to 166 visa-free countries, the most of the Eastern Caribbean islands.

6.) St Lucia

The final Eastern Caribbean nation providing Citizenship by Investment is St Lucia. Here, you’ll need to invest at least $240,000. Once more, estimated processing time is 6-12 months.

As a St Lucia national, you’re entitled to a passport. RIF Trust’s Passport Index considers the St Lucia passport to be the 21st most powerful passport in the world. It means you can enter 159 destinations without a visa, requesting a visa on arrival, or soliciting an eVisa in advance.

7.) Türkiye

We continue our residence and citizenship planning guide with Türkiye. Turkish citizenship costs a minimum $400,000 investment. Processing takes from 4 to 6 months.

Turkish citizens qualify for a passport. Our Passport Index ranks the Turkish passport the world’s 37th best passport. You’ll be able to access 133 visa-free countries.

8.) Vanuatu

UAE residents will find the last residence and citizenship planning option investor in Vanuatu. This requires an investment of no less than $130,000. Applications will be as quick as 2 months and as slow as 3.

The comparative downside of Vanuatu citizenship is that RIF Trust’s Passport Index ranks it the lowest of the ones available through Citizenship and Residency by Investment. We rate the Vanuatu passport as 44th strongest in the world. 117 visa-free destinations are what you gain by holding one.

How to Do Your Residence and Citizenship Planning in 2024

Which Residency or Citizenship by Investment suits you most? To ensure you select the best residence and citizenship planning choice for you and your UAE-based family, we suggest you consult an expert firm with authority such as RIF Trust. So, contact us now and we’ll show you how to progress to an extra residency or additional citizenship.