The A-Z of Investment Migration 2024

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Investment migration is our specialist subject. If you are a newbie to the field, you may not understand the terminology. In this article, we provide an A-Z to help you better navigate the world of investment migration.

Acquisition of Citizenship

You can acquire citizenship in a number of ways. The day you are born, you obtain the nationality of your place of birth. You can also claim citizenship through investment or your family tree, as we shall discover later in this A-Z.

Bonds

Bonds are an investment option for a new citizenship or second residency. St Lucia offers the opportunity to invest $300,000 in government bonds in exchange for citizenship, with the full amount returnable after five years. The Spain Golden Visa allows you to claim residency by investing €2 million in government bonds, in Spanish public debt securities.

Citizenship by Investment

Our flagship product is Citizenship by Investment. We can help you invest in a second passport in eight countries worldwide. From Antigua and Barbuda to Vanuatu, we have you covered.

Dual Citizenship

It’s possible to hold more than one nationality. You can own more than one passport. Countries that allow dual citizenship range from Albania who have permitted this since 1992 and Zambia who approved the practice in 2016.

Eligible Property

Real estate is one of the popular routes to residency and citizenship. But certain Residency-and-Citizenship-by-Investment (RCBI) programmes stipulate specific requirements. Qualifying properties may be restricted to government-approved developments or limited areas.

Family Tree

You can acquire citizenship from the location of the hospital or home you are born at, but also through your ancestry. We can help you find the treasure trove buried within your family tree. Our partner Latitude’s Citizenship-by-Descent programmes allow you to establish a base in the perennially popular Ireland and Italy.

Golden Visa

Golden Visas are Residency-by-Investment programmes offered by various countries, granting foreign investors and their families the right to live in the host country. You must make a significant financial contribution, such as real estate investment or capital transfer, to qualify for the visa. Although this is the unofficial title for many RBI programmes, it is the official name of both Greece Residency by Investment and UAE Residency by Investment.

Habitual Residence

The term habitual residence, in the context of investment migration, refers to where you ordinarily live. It’s your primary place of residence. Use habitual residence to access attractive tax incentives, business opportunities, and lifestyle benefits.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Thanks to ILR, you as a foreign national can live and work in the UK without any time restrictions. It grants you long-term residency rights. Indefinite Leave to Remain frees access to public services and their benefits.

Jus Sanguinis

The concept of Jus Sanguinis grants citizenship based on the nationality of one or both parents. It’s Citizenship by Descent at its most immediate and dates back to Roman times. Jus Solis, aka birthright citizenship, grants citizenship on the basis of where you were born. 

KSA

We are a global organization with a team made up of a multitude of nationalities. You can consult our list of worldwide offices. This includes an office in the heart of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in central Riyadh.

Latitude Group

Introducing Latitude Group, the parent company of Latitude Residency & Citizenship and RIF Trust. Latitude has its headquarters in London and RIF Trust has its HQ in Dubai. Together, we operate out of Africa, North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Malta

Malta is the only European country to offer RCBI programmes. Residency Malta Agency runs the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Community Malta Agency looks after Malta Exceptional Investment Naturalization.

Naturalization

Naturalization is the process through which you become a citizen of another country. You will need to meet residency requirements and demonstrate language proficiency. Authorities may also test your knowledge of the country’s culture, history, and laws.

Oath

An oath is a solemn promise and commitment you make during a citizenship ceremony. You pledge loyalty to the country and its laws. By taking an oath, you affirm your willingness to be an active and responsible citizen.

Permanent Residence

Permanent Residence is a legal status that allows you to live indefinitely in a country. You’ll enjoy most of the rights and benefits citizens have, such as access to public services. Yet, as a Permanent Resident, you do not hold citizenship and will not be able to vote in elections. 

Quebec

Quebec holds significant importance in the history of investment migration. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program offered Canadian residency via passive investment. This pioneering programme, launched in 1986, shaped the RCBI landscape.

Residency by Investment

Residency by Investment guarantees you residency rights by making a specific investment. Instead of a traditional immigration route, it’s a faster and more accessible way to live in a new country. Buy property or start a business to enjoy the benefits of a chosen destination.

Schengen

The Schengen Zone comprises 27 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. European residency means you move freely within these countries. There is no need to make passport checks at each border.

Third Country National

You are a Third Country National (TCN) if you are not a citizen of any EU state or of any country in the European Economic Area (EEA). As a TCN, you are subject to distinct visa and immigration regulations. Your status and rights depend on the specific visa or residency permits granted by individual EU member states.

Usual Residence

Usual residence is another term for habitual residence. It is important in relation to tax. Usual residence helps immigration authorities identify your primary connection to a specific country.

Visa

A visa is a document issued by a foreign country that permits you to enter and stay in that country based on your investment activities. RCBI programmes offer specific residency and citizenship visas via qualifying investments. These visas allow you to legally reside in their chosen investment location.

Work Permit

A work permit is a temporary authorization granted to you as a foreign national. It allows you to work in a specific country for a limited period. You do not get residency or citizenship rights as it is  tied to your employment.

X

Our social media accounts are a great way to keep up with the latest developments in investment migration. We are on all the major channels. These include the SM formerly known as Twitter.

Yemen

RCBI programmes may exclude applications from certain countries, including Yemen. This can be due to geopolitical reasons, security concerns, and limited diplomatic relations. Countries may have specific sanctions preventing Yemeni citizens from joining their RCBI initiatives.  

Zambia

The sands of investment migration are forever shifting. RCBI programmes come and go and we are always on the lookout for new initiatives. That means you could one day see us promoting the likes of Zambia Citizenship by Investment.

For All Your Investment Migration Needs

We hope you have enjoyed this walk through the world of investment migration. But perhaps you have more questions that you would like us to answer. Don’t delay and contact us today!