In recent years, residency by investment programs, also known as golden visa programs, have gained drastic popularity around the globe. Whenever immigration programs are discussed, the idea of residency pops up in the mind. Becoming a resident of a country doesn’t contain a hard and fast formula, but it is a bit of a technical process that requires expertise. Individuals who want to secure their future often go for residency through investment programs. It further leads you to PR (permanent residency). Permanent residency grants you all the perks that are the same as natives, like free education, healthcare, visa-free travel, and many more. As its name suggests, you need to invest in order to get residency. To get permanent resident status, you must invest in real estate, government bonds, business investments, or contributions to the relevant government authority.
Before applying for residency through investment programs, note that multiple factors, such as requirements, eligibility criteria, benefits, and other factors, contribute to the procedure. To know more about these factors and the countries offering golden visas, let’s stick to this article.
How Does Residency by Investment Work
The process of acquiring residency typically involves some technical factors. Individuals need to follow a proper channel to get residency. There are some government-approved investment options. Along with the investment process, you must also prove your investment funds. Once you invest in any of those options, you submit your application and go through some legal background checks. These background checks include character certificates, due diligence, and other safety risks. Then comes the application execution, after which you wait for the final approval. Before opting for any country, thoroughly research the cost of living, adaptation speed, crime rates, and standard of life. Along with it, cross-check all the legal documents required to avoid any future inconvenience.
Investment Options for Residency
Every country has different requirements when it comes to investment criteria. The government gives a list of investment options. Investment amounts and other funds vary from various countries. To acquire residency, you can invest in real estate, startups, businesses, donations, government bonds, and entrepreneurship.
Countries Offering Residency by Investment
Andorra
Argentina
Belize’s
Cambodia
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Italy
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Montenegro
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Portugal
Singapore
Spain
Swiss
Thailand
UAE
UK
USA
Benefits of Permanent Residency by Investment
Following are some of the key benefits that you will enjoy after acquiring permanent residency through an investment program. There are numerous benefits that every country offers, but there are some that you only get after acquiring a specific region’s residency through investment. All these perks attract investors and their families from all across the world.
Access to Social Programs
Every country provides multiple quality social programs. The biggest perk that investors get to enjoy after acquiring residency is that they get access to all the things that a native enjoys. All the European countries offering residency emphasize free access to healthcare and education systems.
Visa Free Travel Access
Residency by investment allows you to work, study, and travel in the country you get residency in. EU residents typically have greater access to the world. On average, you get travel access to 182+ countries without a visa, which enhances your global mobility, and you get the opportunity to enjoy diverse cultural environments closely.
Residency Rights
Residency by investment programs allow you to enjoy all the rights as a native. There is no such restriction that you face due to your residency visa. You can not only live there but build your career as well. Building a job and living a stable and secure life is all that permanent residency provides you with.
Business Opportunities
European countries are famous for offering business opportunities to investors from all around the world. Permanent residency allows you to pursue the career you always dreamed of. With low cost, you can start your business to develop a better future and business opportunities.
Best Countries Offering Permanent Residency
European countries are famous for offering residency through investment programs that further lead to permanent residency. Investors seek countries where they can generate great ROIs, and European countries not only provide high ROIs but also an opportunity to become permanent residents.
Portugal
Obtaining residency is no longer a hassle. Portugal’s golden visa is so famous that investors from every corner of the world want to opt for it. People invest in Portugal, and in return, Portuguese residency is granted to them. You can invest in Portuguese artistic productions, capital ventures, cultural heritage, and research activities to get a residency. Processing time for Portugal’s visa is 10 to 12 months, and then you can travel to 182+ countries, including the Schengen Area, without a visa.
Greece
Greece’s residency by investment program is designed for EEA, non-EU, and Swiss nationals. This program allows you to get residency by investing EUR 250,000 to 500,000 in real estate. It provides you with visa-free travel around the world, which means you can live, study, and work there indefinitely. Plus, it provides you with a 5-year residency visa, which is easily renewable. The main perk of this program is that you don’t have to reside in Greece to get a residency.
Malta
Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) is famous for providing high-quality education and excellent healthcare. Among all the European countries, it has the most affordable investment amount, which you have to donate to government-approved funds. Its processing time is 6 to 8 months. It provides you with visa-free access to 172+ countries, including the Schengen Area. MPRP is an attractive option for people who want to provide their families with a high-standard living style.
Hungary
The Hungary residency program is for investors seeking affordable investment options with a luxurious lifestyle. Hungary is often called “The heart of Europe,” and this is why it attracts people from across the world. It has only one investment option, which is real estate, which means there are no other donations or investment options. In only 90 days, you get your visa, which is the fastest.
Spain
Spain is famous for its rich history and suitable weather conditions. Spain offers you real estate investment options, which are both commercial and residential. In EUR 500,000, you get the residency, and including your family doesn’t increase your threshold, which is a plus point. Like Hungary, you get Spain’s visa within 90 days and get visa-free travel access to the world, which means you have the freedom to work outside Spain without any hurdles or restrictions.
Conclusion
Many people don’t consider residency by investment programs due to the complications and other technicalities of these programs. However, the thing to ponder here is these are complicated but possible. When you go through all the programs with their step-by-step procedures, it is easy to apply for permanent residency. Getting help from an expert is advisable in this regard, as it helps you speed up the process. Experts will not only guide you but also suggest which program is suitable for your requirements. By obtaining permanent residency, you can build your career with multiple opportunities and secure your family’s future.
