In the modern world, dual citizenship or Residency is not just a luxury or status, but a strategic tool for foreign investors seeking freedom of movement, asset protection, and global planning. The CBI (Citizenship by Investment) and RBI (Residency by Investment) programs open up new horizons for you: freedom of travel, asset protection, tax planning, and access to new markets. Such programs are designed to promote economic growth through investments from foreign nationals in exchange for residency or citizenship.
Our legal team provides comprehensive support for obtaining a second passport or residence in dozens of jurisdictions: from the Caribbean and Vanuatu to Portugal, the UAE, and Malta. We will help you choose the optimal program, considering your goals, whether it’s visa-free travel, business relocation, children’s education, or capital protection. Experienced specialists will provide full legal support: from choosing a jurisdiction to obtaining documents quickly, confidentially, and with a guarantee of results.
What are citizenship and residence permit programs by investment?
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is an official government program that allows foreigners to obtain full citizenship and a national passport by making significant financial contributions to the country’s economy. Usually, this is a non-repayable contribution to a government fund, the purchase of real estate, direct investments in securities, or a business.
The most famous and popular citizenship by investment countries include:
- Vanuatu is the only active citizenship by investment program in the Asia-Pacific region and issues a passport in 1-2 months.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada are Caribbean countries with transparent, proven citizenship by investment programs.
- Türkiye – offers a passport for real estate investment from $400,000.
Economic citizenship programs provide visa-free access to dozens of countries, including the Schengen area and the UK, as well as the ability to pass on citizenship to children and a spouse.
Residency by Investment (RBI) is the process of obtaining permanent residency in exchange for investment. Unlike CBI programs, the RBI doesn’t help individuals in acquiring citizenship of a particular country, but it gives them the right to legally reside, work, or conduct business in a particular jurisdiction.
A residence permit by investment can be temporary or permanent, and also provides a further path to citizenship through naturalization. RBI programs allow you to obtain permanent residency when investing in the country’s economy. This foreign investment could be in the form of buying real estate, investing in government bonds or funds, opening a business, or creating jobs.
Examples of residence by investment countries include:
- Portugal (the famous “golden visa”) is one of the most popular options in the EU;
- Greece, Spain, Italy – provide residence permits with the prospect of permanent residence and citizenship;
- UAE – residence through investment in real estate or business;
- USA – EB-5 program, which allows you to get a green card for investing in the American economy.
RBI differs from a standard residence permit in that it does not require employment, marriage with a citizen, or study at a local university, but provides more rights and provides for simplified naturalization in the future.
If you are considering investing in citizenship or a residence permit, please contact our legal team. We will select the optimal program, ensure transparency of the process, and support you at all stages: from applying to receiving a passport.
Citizenship by Investment comparison against Residence by Investment Programs
Citizenship by investment programs provide full legal status as a citizen. This means that the person receives a passport, the right to protection by the state, the ability to vote, and pass on citizenship by inheritance. RBI resident status gives you a permanent residence permit in the country you invest in, but does not make a person a citizen. A resident may enjoy several benefits, but does not have the full range of rights of a citizen (for example, participation in elections or diplomatic protection).
One of the main reasons for obtaining a second passport is visa-free access to other countries. For example, Vanuatu citizenship provides the right to visa-free travel access into more than 100 countries, including the UK, Schengen countries, Hong Kong, and Singapore. A residence permit, on the contrary, does not automatically provide the right to visa-free visits to other countries.
In addition, these immigrant investor programs also differ in investment requirements. CBI often requires a non-refundable contribution to a government fund or the purchase of real estate for a certain amount. For example, citizenship of Saint Kitts and Nevis can be obtained for a minimum investment fee of $125,000.
RBI offers a wider choice: buying real estate, investing in bonds, starting a business, or contributing to a foreign investment fund. The minimum investment threshold can start from €250,000 (Greece) and reach €500,000 and above (Spain, Portugal). It is important to consider that residence by investment programs often require maintaining investments over several years.
Another important criterion is the timing of receipt of documents. Citizenship by investment can be obtained within 1-6 months in Vanuatu, Antigua, Dominica, and other jurisdictions. The procedure includes due diligence, paperwork, and passport issuance.
A residence permit through investment is issued faster in technical terms (some countries issue residency status in 1–2 months), but naturalization to citizenship can take from 5 to 10 years, depending on the legislation.
It is also worth considering the issue of taxation. Obtaining citizenship by investment does not always entail an automatic change in tax residence. For example, Vanuatu and the Caribbean do not tax non-resident income or capital gains and do not require tax reporting unless the person resides in the country.
Residency by investment, on the other hand, may result in reporting and paying taxes in the new jurisdiction, especially if you spend more than 183 days a year there. For example, in Portugal, a resident automatically becomes a taxpayer if they live in the country for more than six months.
Popular programs and current trends
Citizenship by investment and residency programs continue to be relevant tools for mobility, personal security, and tax planning. In the context of increasing international control and requirements for transparency, market participants are increasingly turning to professional legal support to choose a reliable jurisdiction that suits their goals.
The most popular Citizenship by Investment programs:
1. Dominica
Dominica offers one of the most affordable citizenship by investment programs. The minimum investment contribution is $100,000 to the Economic Development Fund. This citizenship program does not require residency in the country and allows family members to be included in the application. The period for obtaining a passport is 3 months.
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Dominican authorities have stepped up verification of the origin of funds and the background of candidates, which has become part of a global trend of tightening due diligence.
2. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis is considered one of the oldest citizenship by investment programs. This program features two investment options: a non-refundable deposit of $250,000 or more, or $400,000 for an approved property.
Residence in the country is not required, and a passport is issued in approximately 4–5 months. In 2023, their citizenship by investment programs underwent changes: accelerated control of applicants was introduced, and the list of verifications of sources of income was expanded.
3. Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda offers participation options from $100,000 to the National Development Fund or from $200,000 to real estate. The minimum stay requirement is only 5 days over 5 years. The program is suitable for family applications and allows the inclusion of spouses, children, and parents.
4. Vanuatu
Vanuatu offers one of the fastest citizenship programs. The deposit starts from 130,000 US dollars. The program does not require personal attendance, accommodation, or language tests. You can get your passport in just 30–60 days. At the same time, applicants undergo standard security checks and also provide proof of the legality of their income.
Popular residency programs by investment:
1. Portugal (Golden Visa)
The Golden Visa programs were recently passed investment migration legislation passed in 2024: now a residence permit can be obtained by investing from 500,000 euros in funds or from 250,000 euros in projects supporting culture and art. Investments in residential property ownership are no longer permitted. At the same time, the program maintains loyal living conditions, only 7 days a year, and the possibility of naturalization after 5 years.
2. Greece
Greece offers one of the most affordable residence by investment programs. That allows you to get a residence permit through real estate investment worth 250,000 euros. In popular regions, the minimum threshold has been increased to 500,000 euros. A residence permit is granted without the need to reside in the country and allows free movement within the Schengen area.
3. Malta
Malta offers both citizenship and residency by investment programs. The residency program requires a contribution of 150,000 euros and confirmation of a legal source of income. The investment threshold for obtaining citizenship is from 690,000 euros in combination of a real estate investment and a donation. The procedure for obtaining a passport takes at least 12 months and involves constant supervision of the applicant throughout the entire process.
4. Spain
Spain provides residency for investments of over 500,000 euros in real estate. This real estate investment gives you a residence permit without mandatory residence. However, acquiring citizenship in Spain requires you to reside in the country continuously for at least 10 years.
Current trends include increased applicant verification measures, AML compliance, growing interest in return investments, and the emergence of hybrid schemes (for example, with elements of sustainability or climate neutrality, as in the case of Vanuatu CIIP). The European Union has also stepped up pressure on jurisdictions offering passports for investment, particularly in the Caribbean. The UAE, Panama, and Uruguay are becoming popular for business relocation and tax planning.
In the face of these changes, it is critical to have the support of a professional legal team. Experienced specialists will help not only choose a reliable jurisdiction, but also correctly structure investments, pass all checks and obtain the desired status without delays or reputational risks.
How to choose between CBI and RBI?
The main question is, why do you need an alternative citizenship or residency status?
If your goal is global mobility and visa-free travel to different jurisdictions, then the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is the best solution. Citizenship by investment programs are ideal for individuals who don’t plan to move, but are looking for an “alternate airfield”.
If you are planning a physical relocation, want to live, work, or do business in another country, it is worth considering the residency by investment route. They provide the right to residence, access to education, medicine, and possible tax advantages.
It is also worth focusing on your budget and waiting time. Citizenship programs require a one-time non-refundable fee in the form of a donation to the national economic fund. However, you receive citizenship within 1–6 months. Residency by investment options, on the other hand, may require more significant investments, but in returnable assets like real estate, funds, and businesses. The time frame for obtaining a residence permit is similar, but the path to citizenship is long: from 5 to 10 years, depending on the jurisdiction. If it is important for you to quickly obtain status and not freeze your capital for years, the citizenship by investment (CBI) program is more profitable.
Citizenship by investment programs are receiving more attention from regulators and international organizations. In 2023-2025, the EU increased pressure for obtaining a European citizenship from Caribbean countries, and the UK removed some passports from the visa waiver list. RBI programs are considered more “legitimate” and pose fewer reputational risks. Before choosing, it is important to consider geopolitics, international agreements, and the possibility of future cancellations/suspension of programs.
Another important aspect when choosing is tax planning. CBI does not always involve changes in tax status. The RBI most often suggests a change in tax residence. In a number of EU countries, this leads to the need to file tax returns and pay taxes on income and property. If your goal is tax optimization, it is worth discussing the potential consequences with a lawyer in advance.
CBI programs are more likely to offer citizenship from countries with low population densities, limited infrastructure, but an attractive passport. You are unlikely to live in these countries. RBI programs in the EU provide the opportunity to use a developed system of education, healthcare, and transport, which is important when actually moving.
How do we help obtain citizenship or a residence permit through investment?
Our team of lawyers has been specializing in international investment programs for a long time. We understand which countries offer citizenship by investment, permanent or temporary residence permits, equipping our lawyers with the skills to give you full legal protection and strategic support at all stages of obtaining CBI and RBI.
Investment programs operate in various jurisdictions, each of which has its own legal features, compliance requirements, and risks. Self-submission without legal support may lead to refusal, delay of the procedure, or even blocking of funds. Our specialists know how to avoid such situations and ensure the legal purity of each application, effective communication with migration authorities, confidentiality, and security of the client.
1. Selection of the optimal program for your goals
We analyze your situation: goals, citizenship, budget, tax burden, and countries of interest. After this, we select the most profitable jurisdictions, taking into account legal, financial, and migration parameters.
2. Full support for submitting an application
We work directly with migration agencies and government agencies: from collecting documents to final submission. All steps are strictly verified and comply with legal requirements.
3. Support during compliance checks (due diligence)
Regardless of the country, every applicant undergoes a security check. We conduct an internal audit in advance, find possible risks, and adjust documentation to minimize the likelihood of failure.
4. Asset structuring and tax planning
If you are investing significant amounts, it is important to understand the tax implications. We offer tax and corporate structuring services, including trusts, funds, holdings, and investment portfolio structuring, depending on the jurisdiction.
Contact our team now for an initial consultation. Our specialists will select the optimal investment program for you, prepare all the necessary documents, and guide you through the entire procedure until the very end. Entrust all bureaucratic procedures to professionals, save yourself from risks and unnecessary difficulties.
