Investment Immigration
Global access and wealth diversification, structured around your family.
Explore the serviceResidency by Investment or Citizenship by Investment
Investment immigration divides into two fundamentally different outcomes. One grants you the right to live somewhere. The other makes you a national of it. Everything else, cost, timeline, family inclusion, follows from that choice.
These terms are used interchangeably. They are not the same.
Residency
The legal right to live in a country for a specified period, subject to the conditions of the visa or permit. It may be temporary or renewable, and does not automatically confer permanent status or citizenship.
Permanent Residency
Long-term status allowing you to live, work and study indefinitely without being a citizen. Permanent residents enjoy many of the rights of citizens, though voting and certain public offices may remain restricted.
Citizenship
The highest status a country grants, providing full constitutional rights. It typically includes a passport, the right to vote, unrestricted work, and the ability to pass citizenship to future generations.
Golden Visa
A government-approved residency programme granting residence rights in exchange for a qualifying investment. In many jurisdictions it provides a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship once requirements are met.
Residence by Investment
Residence by Investment, commonly known as a Golden Visa, secures the right to live, work and study in a leading jurisdiction through a qualifying investment. Most programmes carry a defined route to permanent residency and, in time, citizenship.
- Right to live, work and study in the host country
- Enhanced global mobility and international access
- Access to world-class healthcare and education
- Wealth diversification and long-term planning opportunities
- Inclusion of eligible family members
- Flexible residency requirements in many jurisdictions
- Pathway to permanent residency and, where applicable, citizenship
- Greater security, stability and lifestyle flexibility
Portugal
Portugal Golden Visa
Henley 2026: #5, 184 countries visa-free
From€200,000donation route
Timeline5 years to PR or citizenship
OutcomeEU residency, then citizenship
A five-year residency in an EU member state, with a clear path to a top-tier passport.
Investment options
- Investment fund: €500,000, CMVM-regulated venture capital or private equity, no real estate, five-year term, refundable
- Donation: €200,000 to €250,000 to cultural or heritage projects, non-refundable, low complexity
Who is eligible
- Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals
- Aged 18 or over
- Clean criminal record
- Lawful source of funds
Family inclusion
- Spouse or legal partner
- Minor children under 18
- Dependent adult children who are full-time students or medically disabled
- Dependent parents of applicant or spouse
Seven days in year one, then fourteen days every two years. Investment held five years. A2 Portuguese required for citizenship.
Key benefits
- Minimal physical stay required
- Eligible for permanent residency or citizenship after five years
- Visa-free Schengen travel from the Golden Visa stage
- No relocation required, with flexible investment routes
- Subsidised public healthcare and education
Bulgaria
Bulgaria Golden Visa
Henley 2026: #15, 172 countries visa-free
From€511,000government bonds
TimelineDirect PR, citizenship after 5 years
OutcomeEU permanent residency
Direct permanent residency with no temporary phase, one of the most efficient routes in Europe.
Investment options
- Government bonds: from BGN 1,000,000, approximately €511,000
- Accelerated citizenship route: BGN 2,000,000, approximately €1,022,000
Who is eligible
- Aged 18 or over
- Non-EU citizen
- Valid passport and no criminal record
- Qualifying investment plus applicable fees
Family inclusion
- Spouse or legal partner
- Minor children and dependent adult children in full-time study
- Dependent parents of applicant or spouse
- Parents-in-law, subject to conditions
Direct permanent residency with no temporary phase, and no minimum stay requirement.
Key benefits
- Immediate permanent residency
- Visa-free Schengen travel, 90 days in any 180
- Full EU citizenship rights and 170+ countries after citizenship
- Fast, straightforward application
- Residency for the whole family with quality healthcare access
Hungary
Hungary Guest Investor Visa
Henley 2026: #5, 184 countries visa-free
From€250,000approved real estate fund
Timeline10-year renewable permit
OutcomeEU residency
A renewable ten-year residence permit with full Schengen freedom of movement.
Investment options
- Approved real estate fund: from €250,000
- Residential real estate: from €500,000
- Public interest donation: from €1,000,000
Who is eligible
- Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens
- Aged 18 or over with a clean criminal record
- No immigration violations
- Mandatory health insurance
Family inclusion
- Spouse or legal partner
- Minor children under 18
- Dependent children over 18 in some cases, where financially dependent, studying or medically disabled
Renewable ten-year residence permit with no minimum stay requirement.
Key benefits
- Visa-free Schengen travel, 90 days in any 180
- Visa-free or on-arrival access to 184 countries
- Right to live, work and study in Hungary
- Fast application, residency for the whole family
- Path towards citizenship
Greece
Greece Golden Visa
Visa-free Schengen travel, 90 days in 180
From€250,000qualifying conversion property
TimelineFast-track, no stay requirement
OutcomeEU residency
The lowest barrier to European residency, with zero stay requirement and a tangible asset.
Investment options
- €250,000 minimum in a qualifying conversion property, with no regional restrictions
- Condition: the property must be fully converted from commercial to residential before application
Who is eligible
- Main applicant aged 14 or above
- Valid health insurance
- Clean criminal record
- No language test, business experience or interview
Family inclusion
- Spouse
- Children under 21
- Parents on both sides, so one investment secures three generations
- At 22, children move to study or work visas, or independent residency
Zero stay requirement. Residency is retained regardless of where you live.
Key benefits
- Low entry barrier for European permanent residency
- Family security across three generations
- Low tax structure, 3% purchase tax and minimal annual holding cost
- Strong capital appreciation potential
- EU, Schengen, Eurozone and NATO stability
Cyprus
Cyprus Permanent Residency
The gateway between Europe, the Middle East and Africa
From€300,000new residential real estate
TimelineFast-track, visit once every 2 years
OutcomeEU permanent residency
Lifetime permanent residency on a English-speaking Mediterranean island, for the whole family under one application.
Investment options
- Residential real estate: minimum €300,000 plus VAT where applicable, in one or two new properties from an approved developer
- Property must be newly built, with title transferred per applicable regulations
- The investment must be maintained for as long as permanent residency is retained
Who is eligible
- Non-EU and non-EEA nationals
- Aged 18 or over
- Clean criminal record
- Funds from legal sources, generally transferred from outside Cyprus
- Secure annual income from abroad sufficient to support dependents
Family inclusion
- Spouse
- Children under 18
- Adult dependent children up to 25 who are unmarried full-time students
- Parents of applicant or spouse, through an additional qualifying investment
Fast-track permanent residency, with a visit to Cyprus at least once every two years. No language test, interview or business experience required.
Key benefits
- Lifetime permanent residency with the right to reside indefinitely
- Whole family under one application
- No need to relocate permanently
- High-quality healthcare and education, English widely spoken
- Attractive tax environment for international investors
Citizenship by Investment
Citizenship by Investment confers a second nationality through a legal economic contribution to the host country. Unlike residency, it is permanent, hereditary, and comes with a passport, typically within three to fifteen months and without any requirement to relocate.
- Travel freely to numerous international destinations on a second passport
- Access to world-class universities for dual citizens
- A more stable political and social environment for the family
- Excellent medical care and an improved lifestyle
- Citizenship passed to future generations, preserving generational wealth
Dominica
Dominica Citizenship by Investment
140+ countries visa-free or on arrival
FromUSD 200,000donation
Timeline3 to 6 months
OutcomeFull citizenship
One of the most cost-effective routes to a second citizenship, running successfully since 1993.
Investment options
- Economic Diversification Fund donation: from USD 200,000
- Government-approved real estate: from USD 200,000 to 220,000, resaleable after five years
Who is eligible
- Aged 18 or older
- No criminal record, passing strict due diligence
- Legitimate source of investment funds
- Meets the required investment threshold
Family inclusion
- Spouse
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
- Unmarried siblings, subject to conditions
- Future children can be added after citizenship is granted
Three to six months, among the fastest available. No residency or visit requirement, and applications can be made remotely.
Key benefits
- Access to 140+ countries including the UK, Schengen, Singapore and Hong Kong
- One of the most affordable programmes in the world
- Wealth diversification in a tax-friendly jurisdiction
- Dual citizenship permitted and transferable to future generations
- One application covers the entire family with equal rights
Grenada
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
140+ countries, plus US E-2 access
FromUSD 235,000donation
Timeline9 to 15 months
OutcomeFull citizenship and US E-2 access
The only Caribbean programme carrying eligibility for the US E-2 Investor Visa.
Investment options
- National Transformation Fund donation: from USD 235,000
- Government-approved real estate: from USD 270,000 to 350,000 and above
Who is eligible
- Aged 18 or older
- Good health record
- No criminal record
Family inclusion
- Spouse and unmarried children under 30, biological or adopted
- Dependent parents and grandparents of applicant and spouse
- Unmarried, childless siblings aged 18 and over
Nine to fifteen months to citizenship and passport issuance.
Key benefits
- US E-2 Investor Visa eligibility, to live and do business in the United States
- Access to 140+ countries including Schengen, the UK, China and Singapore
- No tax on worldwide income, capital gains or inheritance
- Dual citizenship with no need to renounce existing nationality
- Stable legal system and investor-friendly environment
Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
150+ countries visa-free or on arrival
FromUSD 230,000donation
Timeline3 to 5 months
OutcomeFull citizenship
Among the Caribbean's most respected programmes, with a dedicated route for larger families.
Investment options
- National Development Fund donation: from USD 230,000
- Government-approved real estate: from USD 300,000
- UWI Fund for families of six or more: from USD 260,000, including a one-year university scholarship
Who is eligible
- Main applicant aged 18 or older
- Legitimate source of funds
- No criminal record
Family inclusion
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents and grandparents
- Siblings in certain circumstances
Three to five months, with a minimal stay requirement of five days within the first five years.
Key benefits
- Travel to 150+ countries including the UK, Schengen, Singapore and Hong Kong
- Dual citizenship allowed, retaining existing nationality
- No wealth tax, inheritance tax or global income tax
- Citizenship is permanent and hereditary
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment
140+ countries visa-free or on arrival
FromUSD 240,000donation
Timeline3 to 5 months
OutcomeFull citizenship
The most flexible investment structures in the Caribbean, including a refundable bond route.
Investment options
- National Economic Fund donation: from USD 240,000
- Government-approved real estate: from USD 300,000
- Government bonds: from USD 300,000, with principal returned after five years
Who is eligible
- Main applicant aged 18 or older
- Legitimate source of funds
- No criminal record
Family inclusion
- Spouse
- Dependent children, generally under 30
- Parents aged 55 and over supported by the main applicant
- Siblings under 18 in some cases
- Future children can be added after citizenship
Three to five months. No residency requirement, and dual citizenship is allowed.
Key benefits
- Access to 140+ countries including the UK, Schengen, Hong Kong and Singapore
- Single application for the entire family with equal rights
- One of the most flexible investment structures in the Caribbean
- No tax on worldwide income for non-residents
- Stable political environment and Commonwealth legal system
Canada Provincial Nominee Programme
Canada's Provincial Nominee entrepreneur streams offer experienced business owners a route to Canadian permanent residency through business investment and economic contribution, rather than a passive purchase.
Eight provincial streams
Requirements vary by province across
Key benefits
- Pathway to Canadian permanent residency, with a potential route to citizenship
- Family inclusion under a single application
- Dependents receive an open work permit and children a study permit
- Access to free healthcare and schooling
- Multiple provincial options tailored to different investor profiles
InvestmentVaries by province TimelineVaries by stream OutcomeCanadian permanent residency
Every programme, side by side.
| Programme | Route | Entry investment | Timeline | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal Golden Visa | RBI | €200,000 donation route | 5 years to PR or citizenship | EU residency, then citizenship |
| Bulgaria Golden Visa | RBI | €511,000 government bonds | Direct PR, citizenship after 5 years | EU permanent residency |
| Hungary Guest Investor Visa | RBI | €250,000 approved real estate fund | 10-year renewable permit | EU residency |
| Greece Golden Visa | RBI | €250,000 qualifying conversion property | Fast-track, no stay requirement | EU residency |
| Cyprus Permanent Residency | RBI | €300,000 new residential real estate | Fast-track, visit once every 2 years | EU permanent residency |
| Dominica Citizenship by Investment | CBI | USD 200,000 donation | 3 to 6 months | Full citizenship |
| Grenada Citizenship by Investment | CBI | USD 235,000 donation | 9 to 15 months | Full citizenship and US E-2 access |
| Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment | CBI | USD 230,000 donation | 3 to 5 months | Full citizenship |
| Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment | CBI | USD 240,000 donation | 3 to 5 months | Full citizenship |
| Canada Provincial Nominee Programme | PNP | Varies by province | Varies by stream | Canadian permanent residency |
Begin with what matters to you,
not with a destination.
Every family's objectives are different. The right solution depends on your ambitions, financial goals and long-term vision, so we start by establishing the priority.
Lifestyle
A higher quality of life, a safe environment, or access to world-class healthcare and education.
Business Expansion
Greater access to international markets, investment opportunities and global business networks.
Global Mobility
Visa-free travel and international freedom for you and your family.
Tax Planning
Diversifying tax residency or optimising your global wealth structure.
Legacy Planning
Long-term security and opportunity for future generations.
Investment Objectives
A preference for real estate, investment funds, business ownership or government contributions.
Investment thresholds, processing times and programme rules are set by the respective governments and are subject to change without notice. Approval is never guaranteed and remains at the sole discretion of the relevant government authority. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. ASCEND Africa works alongside licensed and government-approved partners on every application.
