Outcomes
Residence and permanent-status routes
Residence routes can be temporary, renewable or permanent. Their legal basis may be investment, skilled work, family unity or conversion after a qualifying period — and none is citizenship by itself.
Each record separates the first permit, permanent residence and later naturalization so the status, presence rules and family consequences remain clear.
Portugal Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Two-year renewable residence permit in Portugal (plus Schengen travel) for qualifying investors and family. Not citizenship.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 3 source references · review pending
Portugal Permanent Residence (after 5 years)
Permanent residence in Portugal after 5 years of continuous lawful residence, with broadened absence tolerance.
Research cutoff 2026-09-19 · 2 source references · review pending
Greece Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Five-year renewable Greek residence permit (multiple-entry, Schengen access) for qualifying investors and eligible family.
Research cutoff 2026-09-19 · 3 source references · review pending
Spain Investor Residence Permit (legacy route)
Legacy investor-residence route closed to new applications from 3 April 2025; existing-holder and transitional questions require current individual verification.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 1 source references · review pending
Cyprus Investor Permanent Residence (Regulation 6(2))
An immigration permit with an unlimited residence right; the residence card is replaced every ten years while the conditions remain satisfied.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 1 source references · review pending
U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Conditional (then permanent) U.S. green card via qualifying investment (US$800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area or US$1,050,000 nationally) and job creation; citizenship is a later, separate step.
Research cutoff 2026-09-19 · 3 source references · review pending
Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP)
Long-term Singapore investor pass (employment / work eligibility) for high-value investors; permanent residency typically after 12 months. Citizenship is a rare, discretionary, later step.
Research cutoff 2026-09-19 · 2 source references · review pending
Argentina Permanent Residence
Permanent residence through an eligible family basis, qualifying residence conversion, refugee rootedness or another current statutory ground.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Brazil Family-Reunion Residence
Residence authorization for eligible relatives, including a parent of a Brazilian child, subject to the current family-reunion rules and evidence.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Mexico Permanent Residence by Family Link
Permanent residence for qualifying relatives, including a parent of a Mexican or a person with Mexican-born children, under current family-link rules.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Canada Express Entry Permanent Residence
Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system after meeting a managed program’s requirements and receiving an invitation to apply.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Investor Visa for Italy
A two-year investor visa and residence permit for qualifying non-EU investors, renewable for three years if the investment or donation is maintained.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Permanent residence in Malta for eligible third-country nationals who satisfy the property, contribution, donation, asset and due-diligence requirements.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
UAE Golden Visa
Renewable five- or ten-year UAE residence for qualifying investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talent, students and other defined categories.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 1 source references · review pending
Panama Qualified Investor Permanent Residence
Permanent residence for an eligible foreign investor who completes and certifies a qualifying Panamanian investment from foreign-source funds.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit
A Hungarian residence permit for up to ten years, renewable once for up to another ten years, after a qualifying fund investment or higher-education donation.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Latvia Temporary Residence Permit for Investors
A Latvian temporary residence permit based on a qualifying real-estate purchase or investment in a Latvian company's share capital.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Resident Visa
A New Zealand resident visa through either the Growth or Balanced investment category, subject to investment, presence and source-of-funds requirements.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 1 source references · review pending
Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
Permission to enter and remain in Hong Kong as a capital investment entrant after satisfying the net-asset, investment and immigration requirements.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 2 source references · review pending
Why the permit ≠ the destination
A residence route is a stepping stone: permit → (optional) permanent residence → (optional) naturalization. The decision to buy into an RBI is really a decision about the full chain and its total cost of years, not the entry price. Cost, presence and naturalization-clock data for each stage is tracked on the program page as distinct rule dimensions.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
What is residence by investment?
It is an immigration route that grants a residence permit after a qualifying investment or economic activity. It does not itself grant citizenship and may be temporary, renewable or conditional.
Is a Golden Visa permanent residence?
Sometimes, but not usually at the first stage. Many Golden Visas begin as renewable temporary residence; a separate application and presence history may be needed for permanent residence.
Does buying property always qualify?
No. Some countries accept qualifying real estate, some restrict locations or property types, and others exclude property entirely. The program page identifies the official qualifying structures.
How much time must I spend in the country?
It depends on the permit and on the outcome you want. Renewal can use one day-count while permanent residence, tax residence and naturalisation each use different tests.
Can my family join an investor residence application?
Many routes allow a spouse and dependent children, but age, dependency, health insurance, accommodation and later work rights differ. Confirm each family member rather than assuming one definition applies globally.
Can I work with an investor residence permit?
Work and business rights vary. Some permits allow employment and self-employment, some only investment activity, and others require a separate authorisation.
Will residence make me a tax resident?
Not always, but it can. Tax residence can depend on days, a permanent home, family and economic ties, treaty rules and local registration. Immigration permission is not a tax opinion.
What happens if I sell the investment?
Selling or withdrawing too early can prevent renewal or trigger loss of status. Verify the required holding period, substitution rules and whether the underlying status survives disposal.
Can an investor permit lead to citizenship?
Potentially, but only through a separate legal path. Physical presence, continuous residence, language, integration, tax compliance and other conditions may make a low-stay investment route unsuitable for naturalisation.
What should I compare besides the investment minimum?
Compare total cost, liquidity, holding period, family coverage, presence, renewal, tax exposure, work rights, permanent-residence eligibility and the evidence needed at every stage.
Research cutoff 2026-09-21; verify before acting.