Relocation & golden-visa routes

Argentina

Latin America

Argentina does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme in the traditional sense. Foreign nationals can apply for permanent or temporary residency through standard immigration channels under Law 25.871. There is no minimum investment threshold tied to a direct residency grant, though investors who establish businesses or make significant economic contributions may apply for investor residency categories administered by the Directorate of Migrations. The process is administrative rather than an explicit investment-migration scheme.

Argentina permits foreign nationals to establish residency through standard legal immigration categories including rentier, investor, and employee visas...

Slovakia

Europe

Slovakia does not operate a formal golden visa or passive residency-by-investment programme. Purchasing Slovak property or making a purely passive financial investment does not automatically confer residence rights. However, non-EU citizens who establish an active Slovak company (s.r.o.) or register as self-employed may apply for a business-purpose temporary residence permit. A separate pathway exists under Section 43 of Slovak residence law, whereby third-country nationals who make a qualifying investment in the Slovak economy and obtain a written recommendation from the Ministry of Finance may be considered for permanent residency; informal guidance suggests investment levels in the range of 200,000 EUR are typically required for such a recommendation, though no fixed statutory minimum exists. After five continuous years of temporary residence, foreign nationals become eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Slovakia is an EU and Schengen member state using the euro. EU and EEA citizens enjoy freedom of movement and the right to reside and work without a visa....

Philippines

Southeast Asia

The Philippines offers two primary investment-linked residency pathways. The Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV), administered by the Board of Investments, grants indefinite stay and multiple-entry privileges to non-Filipino nationals who invest a minimum of USD 75,000 in eligible vehicles such as publicly listed Philippine Stock Exchange shares or approved business enterprises. The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority, is available to foreign nationals generally aged 35 and above and requires a time deposit in a Philippine bank, ranging from approximately USD 20,000 for applicants aged 50 or older with a qualifying pension to USD 50,000 for younger or non-pensioned applicants. A newer program, the FAB Investor Visa (FIV), launched in 2024, also requires a minimum investment of USD 75,000 and includes the investor's spouse and children under 21 at no additional investment cost. None of these programs lead directly to citizenship.

The Philippines is a relatively accessible destination for foreign residents. English is widely spoken and is an official language, lowering the linguistic...

Lithuania

Europe

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Lithuania offers a business investment-based temporary residence permit for non-EU nationals under Article 45 of its Law on the Legal Status of Aliens. The...

Egypt

Africa / Middle East

Egypt operates an investment-based residency program under the Investment Law (Law No. 72 of 2017), as amended in May 2023. Foreign investors can obtain a one-year renewable residency permit by purchasing real estate worth at least USD 50,000 or depositing at least USD 50,000 in a state bank. A real estate or bank deposit investment of USD 100,000 grants a three-year residency permit, and a real estate investment of USD 200,000 grants a five-year residency permit. All permits are renewable for the duration of the investment. This residency does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. A separate Golden License program, administered by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), provides streamlined project approvals for qualifying business investments but is distinct from the residency permit scheme.

Foreign nationals can obtain temporary residency through qualifying real estate purchases or bank deposits starting at USD 50,000. Egypt does not offer a...

Latvia

Europe

Latvia operated a residency-by-investment programme for non-EU nationals for many years. In 2023, Latvia closed the real estate investment pathway for temporary residency. As of 2024, third-country nationals may still qualify for a Latvian residence permit through investment in company share capital of at least EUR 50,000 (for companies with annual tax contributions of at least EUR 40,000) or through subordinated capital investment in a credit institution of at least EUR 280,000. Approved applicants receive a temporary Latvian residence permit valid for up to five years, renewable, which confers the right to reside in Latvia and travel within the Schengen Area. The programme does not grant citizenship directly.

Latvia is an EU member state; EU citizens have the right to reside and work in Latvia without restrictions. Non-EU nationals may apply for residence permits...

Serbia

Europe

Serbia does not operate a formally branded golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals may obtain a temporary residence permit (Investor Visa, locally known as Viza za investitore) by making a qualifying investment in a registered Serbian company, with a commonly cited minimum threshold of approximately EUR 50,000, though no single government-mandated minimum is enshrined in law for all pathways. Real estate purchase and company formation are also used as bases for temporary residence applications. Temporary residence is initially granted for up to three years and is renewable; a path to permanent residence after three years of continuous temporary residence, and to citizenship after a further period, exists under standard naturalisation rules. Serbia does not have a formal citizenship-by-investment programme.

Serbia has a low cost of living relative to Western Europe and imposes no onerous visa or work-permit requirements on many foreign nationals. Foreigners may...

Slovenia

Europe

Slovenia does not offer a formal golden visa or passive investment residency programme. Foreign investors and entrepreneurs may obtain a temporary residence permit by registering and actively operating a Slovenian limited liability company (d.o.o.) with a minimum investment of approximately EUR 50,000 in the company's share capital or tangible assets. The initial permit is typically issued for one to two years and is renewable, provided business conditions continue to be met. After five continuous years of legal residence, applicants may apply for permanent residency, and after ten years for naturalisation. No direct citizenship-by-investment route exists.

Slovenia is an EU and Schengen member state, meaning EU citizens may reside and work freely. Non-EU nationals may obtain a residence permit through...

Brazil

Latin America

Brazil does not operate a formal golden visa or residence-by-investment programme in the classic sense. However, Brazil's immigration law does provide a pathway for investors: foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in a Brazilian company or create jobs in Brazil may apply for a temporary investor visa (VITEM XIV), which can be converted to permanent residency after four years of continuous residence. The minimum investment threshold set by the National Immigration Council has historically been BRL 500,000 (approximately USD 90,000 to USD 100,000 depending on exchange rates) for established regions, with lower thresholds for less-developed areas. This is an administrative investor visa route rather than a dedicated investment-migration programme comparable to formal golden visa schemes.

Brazil allows foreign nationals to reside long-term through investor, work, retirement income, or family reunification visas. The retirement and income visa...

South Korea

East Asia

South Korea does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme in the conventional sense. Foreign nationals may apply for an investor visa (D-8) or a general investor visa (D-9) by establishing or investing in a business that meets minimum capital thresholds set by the Ministry of Justice, typically requiring at least approximately $100,000 USD equivalent invested in a Korean entity. Long-term residency and eventual permanent residency (F-5) are possible after sustained qualifying investment and residency periods, but there is no direct citizenship-by-investment pathway.

South Korea offers a well-developed urban infrastructure, a high-quality public healthcare system, and world-class internet connectivity. Seoul and Busan...

Malaysia

Southeast Asia

Malaysia operates the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, a long-stay residency scheme for foreigners. The programme was substantially revised in 2021 and again in 2023. Under the current 2023 conditions there are three tiers: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. The Platinum tier requires a minimum fixed deposit of MYR 5 million (approximately USD 1.1 million) and proof of offshore monthly income of at least MYR 40,000. The Gold tier requires a MYR 2 million deposit and MYR 20,000 monthly offshore income. The Silver tier requires a MYR 500,000 deposit and MYR 10,000 monthly offshore income. Approved participants receive a multiple-entry social visit pass valid for up to 20 years (Platinum and Gold) or 15 years (Silver), which is renewable. The programme does not grant permanent residency or a pathway to citizenship.

Malaysia is a popular destination for expatriates and retirees in Southeast Asia. The cost of living is moderate relative to comparable regional cities, and...

Indonesia

Southeast Asia

Indonesia does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme in the conventional sense. The government introduced a Second Home Visa in 2022, which allows foreign nationals to reside in Indonesia for five to ten years, renewable, provided they deposit a minimum amount in an Indonesian state bank or demonstrate equivalent assets. This is a long-stay visa, not a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, and does not confer the right to work without a separate permit.

Indonesia does not permit foreigners to own freehold land directly; long-term property use rights (Hak Pakai) are available to foreign residents under...

Peru

Latin America

Peru does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. However, foreign nationals may apply for an investor residency visa through the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (Migraciones) by investing a minimum of 500,000 Peruvian Soles (approximately USD 130,000) in a new or established company in Peru. The investment must be made via international bank transfer in a single disbursement. Residency is granted for one year and is renewable. Immediate family members of the applicant may apply for a family residency visa once the primary applicant obtains the investor visa.

Peru does not trigger tax residency through share or property ownership alone. Physical presence and other ties determine domicile status under Peruvian tax...

Colombia

Latin America

Colombia does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. However, foreign nationals who make qualifying investments in Colombia, such as real property purchases or capital investments meeting minimum thresholds set by Colombian immigration regulations, may apply for a Migrant Visa (type M) under the investment category. This visa is renewable and can eventually lead to permanent residency. The specific minimum investment amount is set by resolution of the Colombian government and has historically been equivalent to approximately 650 times the monthly minimum wage. Prospective applicants should verify current thresholds with Cancilleria Colombia, as requirements are subject to periodic revision.

Colombia is a popular destination for expatriates and digital nomads, particularly in cities such as Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena. The country offers a...

Malta

Europe

Malta operates the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), commonly called the Malta Golden Visa, which grants permanent residency to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment. The programme requires a minimum government contribution of approximately 98,000 EUR (if the applicant purchases property) or 68,000 EUR (if renting), a property purchase of at least 300,000 to 375,000 EUR or a rental of at least 14,000 EUR per year, a donation of at least 2,000 EUR to a registered Maltese NGO, and net assets of at least 500,000 EUR. The Malta Citizenship by Investment programme, which previously offered a fast-track passport, was suspended as of 2025 following EU legal pressure. Permanent residents who maintain continuous residence for five years may separately apply for Maltese citizenship through the standard naturalization process.

Malta is an EU member state using the Euro, with English as an official language alongside Maltese, making it accessible for English-speaking expatriates....

Qatar

Middle East

Qatar operates a residency-by-investment programme, commonly referred to as the Qatar Golden Visa, introduced in September 2020 and expanded since. A temporary residence permit is available for a minimum real estate investment of approximately USD 200,000 (QAR 730,000) in designated freehold zones such as Lusail or The Pearl. A permanent residence permit is available for a minimum real estate investment of approximately USD 1,000,000 (QAR 3,650,000). Permanent residency grants access to public healthcare and schooling but is subject to an annual issuance cap of 100 approvals. In 2024, Qatar also introduced the Mustaqel Visa, a five-year renewable residency aimed at entrepreneurs who commit a minimum of approximately USD 69,000 via a business plan approved by a recognised local incubator, and at highly skilled professionals. No citizenship-by-investment programme exists; none of these routes leads to a Qatari passport.

Qatar has no personal income tax for individuals. Foreigners constitute the large majority of residents, with expatriates making up roughly 88 percent of...

Hungary

Europe

Hungary operates the Guest Investor Programme (GIP), officially known as the Guest Investor Residence Permit, which was relaunched on 1 July 2024. It is available to non-EU and non-EEA nationals whose presence in Hungary is deemed to serve the national economic interest. Two qualifying investment routes exist: a minimum EUR 250,000 investment in units of an approved Hungarian real estate investment fund (where at least 40% of the fund's net asset value must be held in Hungarian residential property), or a non-refundable EUR 1,000,000 donation to a designated Hungarian higher education institution. The residential real estate direct purchase option, originally included in the law, was removed before it took effect in December 2024. A successful investment results in a 10-year renewable residence permit. The investment must be made within 93 calendar days of first entry on the Guest Investor Visa. The programme does not grant citizenship directly; separate eligibility criteria apply for permanent residence and eventual naturalisation. American and Ukrainian nationals are ineligible for the fund investment route.

Hungary is an EU member state, allowing EU and EEA citizens to reside and work freely. Non-EU nationals require a visa or residence permit; the Guest...

Jordan

Middle East

Jordan offers two investment-based immigration pathways. The first is a residency-by-investment program under which foreign investors who purchase real estate valued at a minimum of 200,000 Jordanian dinars (approximately 282,000 USD) from licensed developers receive a five-year renewable residency permit, provided property ownership is maintained throughout the period. The second is a citizenship-by-investment program, substantially restructured by a Cabinet decision on 2 July 2025, which replaced earlier passive treasury-bond and bank-deposit routes with active investment routes. These routes include investment in listed Jordanian securities from approximately 1,000,000 Jordanian dinars (about 1,400,000 USD), establishment of new business projects, creation of Jordanian employment, and sector-specific routes in pharmaceuticals and logistics. The citizenship program is capped at approximately 500 approvals per year, requires no minimum residency period, and provides eligibility for the US E-2 investor visa through a 1997 bilateral treaty. Both programs are administered by the Jordan Investment Commission under the Investment Environment Law No. 21 of 2022.

Jordan is a politically stable constitutional monarchy and a regional hub for education, healthcare, and business services. Amman offers a relatively...

Cyprus

Europe

Cyprus operates a Permanent Residency by Investment programme, commonly called the Golden Visa. The citizenship-by-investment scheme (the Cyprus Investment Programme) was permanently terminated on 1 November 2020 and no route to immediate citizenship by investment currently exists. Under the current programme, non-EU nationals can obtain permanent residency by making a qualifying investment of at least 300,000 EUR (excluding VAT) in approved asset classes, including residential or commercial real estate, shares of a Cyprus-based company, or units in regulated Cyprus investment funds. Applicants must also demonstrate a secured annual income of at least 50,000 EUR from sources outside Cyprus. Permanent residency is granted with lifetime validity, and applicants must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to maintain status. After eight years of residence, investors may apply for Cypriot citizenship through the standard naturalization process.

Cyprus is an EU member state with a well-established English-language legal and professional environment. The island has a relatively low cost of living...

Bahrain

Middle East

Bahrain operates a Golden Residency Visa programme launched in 2022. As of late 2025, the minimum qualifying real estate investment was reduced from BHD 200,000 to BHD 130,000 (approximately USD 345,000), representing a 35 percent reduction. The programme grants a 10-year renewable residence permit with work rights, unlimited entries, and family reunification for dependants. It does not provide a pathway to citizenship. Eligibility extends beyond property investors to include skilled professionals who have worked in Bahrain for at least five years with a monthly salary above BHD 2,000, qualifying retirees, and individuals making significant contributions to the national economy. There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain the permit.

Bahrain imposes no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no tax on dividends or foreign income, making it an attractive low-tax domicile in the...

Mauritius

Africa

Mauritius operates several investment-linked residency programmes. The Premium Visa allows foreign nationals to reside in Mauritius indefinitely on the condition that they can sustain themselves financially, with no minimum fixed investment threshold for the basic premium residency. The Occupation Permit and the Residence Permit for investors require a minimum investment in a qualifying business activity, with thresholds for retired non-citizens set at a minimum monthly remittance of around USD 1,500. The Property Development Scheme (PDS) and similar property programmes allow foreign buyers who purchase qualifying residential property above a set threshold to obtain a residence permit. The Economic Development Board (EDB) administers these pathways.

Mauritius is a popular destination for expatriates and retirees owing to its political stability, English and French language environment, high human...

Türkiye (Turkey)

Europe / Middle East

Türkiye operates a Citizenship by Investment programme under the Turkish Citizenship Law (Law No. 5901) and its 2018 amendments. Foreigners may apply for Turkish citizenship by making a qualifying investment, including purchasing real estate valued at a minimum of 400,000 USD (held for at least three years), making a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD, depositing at least 500,000 USD in a Turkish bank for a minimum of three years, purchasing government bonds worth at least 500,000 USD, or creating employment for at least 50 Turkish citizens. Successful applicants and their immediate family members receive full Turkish citizenship and a Turkish passport. There is no prior residency requirement for the citizenship-by-investment route.

Foreigners relocating to Türkiye may obtain a short-term residence permit initially, typically valid for one to two years and renewable. A Turquoise Card...

Taiwan

East Asia

Taiwan does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme in the conventional sense. However, Taiwan's Foreign Talent Retention Act (Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals) provides pathways for highly skilled foreign professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to obtain Employment Gold Cards, which combine a work permit, residence permit, and re-entry permit into a single document valid for one to three years. Separately, foreign nationals who invest a qualifying amount in Taiwan, typically NT$15 million (approximately USD 480,000) or more in a business that creates local jobs, may apply for residency through the National Development Council's investment-based residency scheme. These programmes grant temporary residency that can be renewed and, after meeting continuous residence requirements, may lead to permanent residency applications.

Foreign nationals can reside in Taiwan on various visa categories including the Employment Gold Card, investor visas, and dependent visas. Taiwan offers a...

Thailand

Southeast Asia

Thailand does not operate a traditional golden visa programme granting permanent residency or citizenship by investment. However, the government introduced the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa in 2022, a renewable 10-year visa available to certain categories including wealthy global citizens who meet asset and investment requirements. One qualifying pathway requires holding at least 500,000 USD in assets and investing at least 500,000 USD in Thai property, government bonds, or Thai investment funds. The LTR visa permits holders to work in Thailand under a specific digital work permit and provides certain tax privileges, but it does not confer permanent residency status or a path to citizenship.

Thailand is a popular destination for expatriates and digital nomads. The LTR visa introduced in 2022 provides a long-term legal stay option for qualifying...

Greece

Europe

Greece operates a Golden Visa programme that grants a five-year renewable residence permit to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying real estate or other investment in Greece. The minimum real estate investment threshold was increased in 2023 to EUR 500,000 in high-demand areas including Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, and remains EUR 250,000 in other areas. The permit allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area and may be renewed indefinitely provided the investment is maintained. It does not automatically confer the right to work in Greece, but holders may apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after seven years of legal residence.

Greece offers a non-domicile tax regime for foreign-source income, a flat tax option for high-net-worth individuals relocating to Greece (a lump-sum annual...

Portugal

Europe

Portugal operates the Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI), commonly known as the Golden Visa, a residency-by-investment programme for non-EU nationals that was launched in 2012. As of 2025, real estate investment is no longer an eligible route. Current qualifying routes include a capital transfer of at least 500,000 EUR into approved investment funds, investing 500,000 EUR in research conducted by public or private scientific research institutions, or capitalising a Portuguese company with at least 500,000 EUR combined with the creation of five permanent jobs. After five years of holding a valid ARI permit, investors may apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship, subject to meeting residency and language requirements. As of May 2025, a significant backlog of approximately 50,000 pending applications existed in the processing pipeline.

Portugal is a popular destination for foreign nationals, digital nomads, and retirees. The country offers a Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, though...

United Arab Emirates

Middle East

The UAE Golden Visa programme, launched in 2019 and significantly expanded under Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022, grants long-term residency to investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and outstanding talent without requiring a local sponsor. The investor pathway offers a 10-year renewable residency visa to those who invest a minimum of AED 2,000,000 (approximately USD 545,000) in qualifying UAE real estate, an accredited investment fund, or a licensed UAE company. A shorter 2-year residency option is available for real estate investments from AED 750,000. The Golden Visa does not grant citizenship or a second passport; it confers renewable long-term residency only. More than 300,000 Golden Visas had been issued across the UAE by 2024.

The UAE is a popular relocation destination for expatriates and high-net-worth individuals due to the absence of personal income tax, a stable USD-pegged...

Saudi Arabia

Middle East

Saudi Arabia operates a Premium Residency programme, officially known as the Saudi Premium Residency (SPR), which grants long-term residency to qualifying foreign investors and professionals. The programme offers two tracks: a one-time permanent residency option and an annual renewable residency. Eligible applicants include investors, entrepreneurs, and individuals with specialist skills. The permanent track requires a non-refundable government fee. Holders gain the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia without a local sponsor, own residential real estate in most areas, and operate commercial activities.

Saudi Arabia has opened significantly to foreign residents and workers under Vision 2030. Expatriates make up a large share of the workforce and population....

Oman

Middle East

Oman offers a residence-by-investment programme allowing expatriates to obtain long-term residency through property investment in government-approved Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs). A minimum property purchase of OMR 500,000 (approximately USD 1,300,000) qualifies the investor and immediate family members for a renewable residence permit. Oman also introduced a broader investor residency visa in 2021 under Royal Decree, providing residency to investors who meet defined capital deployment thresholds in Omani businesses or real estate. These permits are renewable and do not automatically lead to citizenship.

Oman has a relatively straightforward expatriate employment visa regime for skilled workers. The country introduced a freelance work permit in recent years...

Bangladesh

South Asia

Bangladesh does not operate a formal residency-by-investment or citizenship-by-investment programme open to foreign nationals. Foreign investors may obtain long-term multiple-entry visas under certain business investment thresholds administered by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), but these are business visas rather than a structured investment-migration programme granting permanent residency or citizenship.

Foreign nationals relocating to Bangladesh typically require a work permit or investor visa issued through BIDA. Long-term stays are facilitated via...

Bulgaria

Europe

Bulgaria terminated its investor residency-by-investment programme in 2022, following pressure from the European Commission and the European Parliament to abolish preferential residency schemes linked to investment. Prior to abolition, the programme offered permanent residency in exchange for qualifying investments. No active golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme exists as of 2024.

EU and EEA citizens have the right to live and work in Bulgaria without restriction. Non-EU nationals may obtain residency through employment, business...

Burkina Faso

Africa

Burkina Faso does not operate a formal residency-by-investment or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals seeking residence permits must follow standard immigration procedures administered by the Direction Generale de la Police Nationale, which generally require proof of a lawful purpose such as employment, business registration, or family ties.

Burkina Faso currently faces a severe security situation, with significant parts of the country affected by armed conflict and jihadist insurgency. As of...

China

East Asia

Mainland China does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme open to foreign nationals in the conventional sense. China introduced a permanent residence permit system for foreigners in 2004, which can be granted based on employment, family, or contribution to China, but there is no published minimum investment threshold or structured investment-migration pathway equivalent to programmes in other countries.

Foreign nationals may obtain a Chinese residence permit or permanent residence (the so-called Chinese green card) through employment, family reunification,...

Czech Republic

Europe

The Czech Republic does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals may obtain long-term residence permits for business purposes or as self-employed persons under standard Czech immigration law, but there is no dedicated investment-migration scheme offering residency or citizenship in exchange for a defined minimum capital investment.

EU and EEA citizens may reside and work in the Czech Republic freely. Non-EU nationals typically apply for a long-term visa or long-term residence permit,...

Estonia

Europe

Estonia does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme. Non-EU nationals may obtain temporary residence permits based on employment, study, family reunification, or business activity, but there is no investment threshold that automatically grants residency rights. Estonia's e-Residency programme grants a digital identity and access to Estonian business registration services but does not confer the right to reside in Estonia.

EU and EEA citizens may reside and work in Estonia freely under EU free movement rules. Non-EU nationals typically require a temporary residence permit tied...

Ghana

Africa

Ghana does not operate a golden visa, residency-by-investment, or citizenship-by-investment programme as of November 2026. Ghana's Parliament passed the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill in 2026, which for the first time introduces the concept of citizenship by investment into the country's legislative framework. However, the bill does not establish a programme, set investment thresholds, or open applications. It directs the Ministry of the Interior to develop future legislation. Until such legislation is enacted, no investment route to Ghanaian residency or citizenship based on capital investment exists. Ghana does offer a Right of Abode for people of African descent in the diaspora, administered by the Ghana Immigration Service, but this is based on heritage rather than financial investment.

Ghana is generally open to foreign nationals and has a relatively straightforward immigration framework for skilled workers and business operators....

Guinea-Bissau

Africa

Guinea-Bissau does not operate a formally established residency-by-investment or citizenship-by-investment programme as of 2024. No investment-migration scheme offering residency or a passport in exchange for a qualifying financial contribution has been officially enacted.

Guinea-Bissau is classified as a Least Developed Country by the United Nations. Infrastructure, healthcare, and public services are limited. Portuguese is...

Iceland

Europe

Iceland does not offer any golden visa, residency by investment, or citizenship by investment programme. Purchasing property or investing in a company does not provide a direct pathway to Icelandic residence or citizenship. Traditional residence permits and naturalization are the only available routes.

Iceland is a member of the EEA and the Schengen Area, meaning EEA and Swiss nationals may live and work in Iceland freely. Non-EEA nationals must obtain a...

India

South Asia

India does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals may obtain long-stay visas such as the Business Visa or Employment Visa, and the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card grants lifelong multiple-entry rights to persons of Indian origin and their spouses, but the OCI scheme is not an investment-migration programme open to general foreign investors.

Foreign nationals relocating to India typically require an Employment Visa sponsored by an Indian employer or a Business Visa. The Overseas Citizen of India...

Kazakhstan

Central Asia

Kazakhstan does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals can obtain long-term residency through investment under a general investment residency permit, but there is no standardised published investment-migration scheme equivalent to formal golden visa programmes in other jurisdictions. High-net-worth individuals typically pursue residency through business registration or employment-based permits.

Kazakhstan permits foreign nationals to register businesses and obtain long-term residence permits linked to business or employment activity. The country...

Kenya

Africa

Kenya does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals may apply for residence permits under existing immigration categories, but there is no dedicated investment-migration pathway that grants residency or citizenship in exchange for a specified capital contribution.

Foreign nationals wishing to live and work in Kenya must apply for the appropriate class of residence permit or special pass through the Department of...

Kuwait

Middle East

Kuwait does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme open to foreign nationals. Residency in Kuwait is generally tied to employment sponsorship or family reunification under the kafala system. There is no citizenship-by-investment pathway.

Foreign nationals in Kuwait reside under the kafala (sponsorship) system, which links legal residency to an employer or Kuwaiti sponsor. Kuwait does not...

Nigeria

Africa

Nigeria does not operate a formally codified golden visa or residency-by-investment programme in the same manner as many other countries. Foreign nationals may obtain residence permits under the Nigeria Immigration Service framework, including the Subject to Regularization (STR) permit and the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), which are employment or business-linked rather than pure investment-threshold instruments. There is no standalone investment-migration programme granting permanent residency or citizenship solely in exchange for a capital contribution.

Expatriates living and working in Nigeria typically obtain a CERPAC, which must be renewed periodically. Lagos and Abuja are the primary business hubs. Cost...

Pakistan

South Asia

Pakistan does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme in the conventional sense. The National Investment Policy 2023 provides pathways for foreign investors to obtain business visas and long-term multiple-entry visas of up to five years linked to verified investment activity, but these are not structured as a published residency-by-investment scheme with fixed minimum thresholds. Overseas Pakistanis holding a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) receive specific rights, but these are identity documents, not investment-migration instruments.

Foreigners relocating to Pakistan typically require a relevant visa category such as a business visa, employment visa, or investor visa issued by the...

Romania

Europe

Romania does not operate a formal golden visa or residency-by-investment programme in the style of some EU peers. Non-EU nationals may obtain a long-stay visa or temporary residence permit through documented investment or business activity under general immigration provisions administered by the General Inspectorate for Immigration, but there is no dedicated investment-migration scheme with a fixed minimum threshold and guaranteed residency outcome. Romania is an EU member state and is required to comply with EU guidance discouraging citizenship-by-investment schemes.

EU citizens may reside and work in Romania without restriction. Non-EU nationals require a long-stay visa and may then apply for temporary residence;...

Senegal

Africa

Senegal does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme as of 2024. Foreign nationals may apply for residency through standard immigration channels, including investor and business residency permits governed by the Senegalese Investment Promotion Agency (APIX). No dedicated investment-migration pathway offering automatic residency or citizenship in exchange for a defined financial threshold has been publicly established.

Foreigners residing in Senegal typically obtain a resident permit (carte de séjour) renewable annually or biennially. APIX facilitates investor registration...

South Africa

Africa

South Africa does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals can apply for various temporary and permanent residence permits under the Immigration Act, including business and financially independent person permits, but these are not structured as investment-migration products with a defined minimum capital threshold.

Foreign nationals seeking to reside in South Africa long-term may apply for a Financially Independent Person permit, requiring demonstrable net worth and a...

Tanzania

Africa

Tanzania does not operate a formal residency-by-investment or citizenship-by-investment programme. Foreign nationals may apply for residence permits under standard immigration categories, including investor permits, through the Tanzania Immigration Services Department, but no dedicated investment-migration pathway granting automatic residency or citizenship in exchange for a defined capital threshold exists.

Foreign nationals wishing to reside in Tanzania typically apply for a Class C Residence Permit (for investors and self-employed persons) or other standard...

Togo

Africa

Togo does not have a formal residency by investment or citizenship by investment programme. Foreign investors seeking residency must follow standard immigration procedures, which include obtaining work permits and residence authorizations through conventional channels.

Togo requires standard work permits and residence authorizations for expatriate workers. After five years of operation, foreign workers may not constitute...