Residency by Investment with VisaVoy.
Residency by investment allows you to obtain long-term residence in another country through a qualifying investment. For globally minded investors, it’s one of the most efficient ways to secure mobility, stability and a future-proof lifestyle for you and your family.
Permanent residency is a long-term visa status that lets you live, work, study and access healthcare in a host country without becoming a citizen. You usually cannot vote or run for office, but you enjoy most day-to-day rights residents rely on.
Residency by investment (RBI) is a fast-track way to obtain that permanent residency status by making an approved investment in the host country’s economy. It can often shorten processing times compared to traditional routes and may later lead to citizenship through naturalization.
What is permanent residency?
Permanent residency (PR) is a legal status that allows you to live in a country on a long-term basis without being a citizen. As a permanent resident you can typically:
- Live and work in the host country, often without employer sponsorship.
- Access public or private healthcare and education, subject to local rules.
- Build a long-term presence that may later support citizenship by naturalization.
Traditional PR routes usually rely on factors like local work experience, studies, family connections or language proficiency. In many jurisdictions, residency by investment has become an additional — and often more efficient — pathway to the same status.
What is residency by investment?
Residency by investment enables eligible investors to obtain permanent or long-term residency by making a qualifying investment into the host country’s economy. This may include real estate, government bonds, investment funds or other government-approved vehicles.
In exchange, applicants typically benefit from:
- Accelerated processing compared to standard immigration streams.
- Clear investment thresholds and transparent program rules.
- Defined pathways that can lead, over time, to citizenship where permitted by law.
VisaVoy helps you understand which residency-by-investment structures align with your risk profile, liquidity, tax planning and long-term relocation goals.
PR in a stable, peaceful country can provide a vital safety net in times of political uncertainty or economic volatility at home. For many families, this “plan B” is truly priceless.
Some national passports offer limited visa-free travel, requiring constant visa applications. Residency in strategically chosen jurisdictions can dramatically expand your ability to travel within regions such as the Schengen Area, saving time and unlocking new opportunities.
Residency by investment can open doors to new markets, local banking, company formation and participation in deals that may not be accessible to non-residents.
Some countries combine residency options with attractive personal or corporate tax regimes. Used correctly and compliantly, this can support more efficient global wealth management.
Many RBI frameworks allow you to include your spouse and children. The result: access to improved healthcare, a safer environment and a higher quality of life across generations.
Permanent residency can qualify your family for domestic tuition rates and top-tier schools or universities, laying the foundation for a truly global education.
Why countries offer residency by investment
For governments, well-designed residency-by-investment programs can attract meaningful foreign direct investment. Funds can support infrastructure, innovation, cultural projects, job creation and regional development, while also bringing in globally connected residents who contribute skills and capital.
In some jurisdictions, investments are directed into specific sectors—from real estate and research to heritage restoration and technology—helping align investor interests with national priorities.
Examples of residency by investment destinations
Program rules, timelines and minimum investment amounts change frequently. The summary below is for illustration only and does not constitute current legal or financial advice. VisaVoy provides up-to-date guidance as part of a personalized consultation.
| RBI program (example) | Indicative time to residency | Indicative minimum investment |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇬Bulgaria | Approx. 7 months | From ~€512,000 |
| 🇨🇦Canada (select provincial investor streams) | Varies by province | From ~CA$1,200,000 |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Approx. 3 months | From ~€100,000 |
| 🇬🇷Greece | Approx. 6 months | From ~€250,000 |
| 🇭🇺Hungary | Approx. 2 months | From ~€250,000 |
| 🇲🇹Malta | Approx. 9 months | From ~€407,000 |
| 🇱🇻Latvia | Approx. 3 months | From ~€100,000 |
| 🇵🇹Portugal | Approx. 24 months | From ~€250,000 |
| 🇺🇸United States (EB-5 and similar) | Approx. 12–18 months | From ~US$800,000 |
*Exact eligibility, processing times and minimums depend on current legislation and individual circumstances. VisaVoy provides tailored guidance on viable options at the time of your application.
Common requirements for residency by investment
Each country sets its own criteria, but most residency-by-investment programs expect applicants to:
- Maintain a clean criminal record and clear security background.
- Demonstrate the legal source of investment funds.
- Meet minimum investment thresholds in approved assets or funds.
- Comply with any physical presence, visit or residency obligations, where required.
- Provide accurate documentation for themselves and all accompanying family members.
VisaVoy reviews each requirement with you in detail, helping you prepare complete, well-structured files that meet both legal and program-specific standards.
From residency to citizenship.
In many jurisdictions, permanent residents can apply for citizenship after a qualifying period of lawful
residence, subject to language, integration and other criteria. Our role is to help you design a pathway
that keeps future citizenship in mind from day one.
A brief history of residency by investment
Residency-by-investment and investor immigration frameworks have developed over several decades. Here is a snapshot of how some landmark programs emerged worldwide:
How VisaVoy supports your residency by investment journey
VisaVoy is dedicated to helping individuals and families become true global citizens. We specialize in investor-focused pathways for residence and, where available, future citizenship. Think of us as the link between your long-term vision and the technical reality of immigration rules.
From initial strategy to application submission and post-approval support, we provide a bespoke advisory experience built on clarity, responsiveness and long-term relationships.
What makes VisaVoy different
Integrity is at the center of everything we do. We work alongside you and your professional advisors to simplify complex requirements, manage timelines and anticipate challenges before they arise.
Our network of trusted partners — including legal, tax and financial professionals in key jurisdictions — allows us to deliver cohesive solutions rather than isolated applications. With VisaVoy, you are not just pursuing a permit; you are designing a global lifestyle.
VisaVoy’s program comparison tools
Choosing the right residency-by-investment route means balancing cost, benefits, timelines and long-term options. VisaVoy uses a suite of analytical tools and frameworks to help you compare programs side by side and make confident decisions.
Review key features of multiple residency programs together — from investment types and minimums to language and presence requirements.
Estimate total costs for you and your family, including government fees, professional fees and investment amounts, so there are no surprises.
See how each residency or passport translates into real-world mobility and where you can live, work or travel more freely.
Align your goals — security, lifestyle, business, tax — with the programs that realistically fit your profile and timeline.
Benchmark programs using factors such as mobility, stability, cost efficiency and quality of life to understand overall value.
Explore how different passports and residency combinations can work together to create a resilient multi-country strategy for your family.