COUNTRIES THAT OFFER GOLDEN VISA
Portugal Golden Visa: After five years as a Portuguese Golden Visa holder, the investor and their family can apply for permanent residence or citizenship. They are allowed but not required to live in Portugal: as long as they spend at least seven days a year in the country, their residence permit remains valid.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme: The status under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme is granted for life. The investor must fulfil several investment conditions: buy or rent real estate, pay government fees and make a charitable donation. They must also confirm that they have a capital of €500,000.
Greece Golden Visa: The Greece Golden Visa Program requires the minimum amount of investment among the residence permit programs in the European Union. Moreover, the property can be rented out. After receiving permanent residence in five years, the investor can sell the property and get the permanent residence permit.
Cyprus Golden Visa: Cyprus Golden Visa holders may not pay taxes on global income, and the country has low income and property tax rates. The corporate tax rate is only 12.5%. After 5 years of living on the island in a soft Mediterranean climate next to the sea, a permanent resident can obtain Cyprus citizenship.
Spain Golden Visa: As a Spanish Golden Visa holder, the investor and their family do not need to take language and cultural exams to obtain this type of residence permit for 5 years. Also, they are not required to spend time in Spain, and the law allows investment property to be rented.
Italy Golden Visa: The Italian residence permit is issued for two years. It can then be extended for three years provided that the investment is maintained. Investors are not required to live in Italy if they do not want to obtain citizenship. Investors get citizenship by naturalisation under general conditions after 10 years of living in the country.
Switzerland: Swiss residence permit holders are obliged to spend 183+ days a year in the country and they are allowed to apply for citizenship after ten years of residence. Residence permits can be issued to foreigners that have concluded a tax agreement with one of the cantons. According to this agreement, an HNWI pays an annual lump-sum tax, which is calculated individually according to their worldwide expenses and the canton’s requirements.
Germany: Provides residence permits to foreigners who wish to setup their business in the country or want to live there as financially independent persons. For setting up one’s business, one should provide a business plan and sufficient funds to open a company, and in the second case, proof of funds to support the family is required. After three to five years of living in Germany, you may apply for permanent residency, and the minimum required period to apply for citizenship is six years.
Ireland Golden Visa: This visa can be obtained for an investment amount of €400,000 – invested towards charitable donation; €1 million towards business or an investment fund and €2 million towards purchasing shares in a real estate investment fund. Each option, except donation, allows one to return the funds after three years. The first residence permit is valid for two years, the second — for three years, and all the subsequent ones are for five years. To apply for citizenship, one must stay in Ireland for at least five years.
The UAE Golden Visa: This Program grants 10-year residence to investors and their families. It gives opportunities to optimise taxation and keep country residents’ benefits without the obligation to live in the UAE. It can be obtained by the investment of AED 2 million in real estate, a business or a deposit, and the visa is valid for ten years. There are no restrictions on the time of stay in other countries.
Canada Golden Visa (Quebec Immigrant Investor Program): This Program offers residency to people worldwide if they contribute CAD 1 to 2 million. Investors, their spouses or partner along with minor children may get Canadian permanent residence.
The USA Golden Visa (EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program): This Program offers residency for investors and their families if they invest $800,000 into a company, creating at least ten permanent full-time jobs for qualified US workers. Investors’ spouses and children under 21 may also be included in the application. Investors get a Green Card and may apply for US citizenship after five years of residence.
Andorra Golden Visa: This visa can be obtained by investing €400,000 in real estate, securities, business or a bank deposit. Residence permit holders can visit France and Spain without visas and get visas to the Schengen Area, the USA, Canada and other countries under a fast-track procedure.
