Residence by investment, simplified.
Residence-by-investment programmes allow individuals and their families to acquire legal residence in a foreign jurisdiction in exchange for a qualifying investment — typically real estate, a government bond, a business contribution, or a fund subscription.
Unlike citizenship, residence does not require giving up your existing nationality. It provides the right to live, travel, and in many cases work and access healthcare in the host country, and is often the first step toward eventual citizenship after a qualifying period of residence.
Programmes we cover
Our current advisory practice spans the principal residence-by-investment programmes globally:
- European Union: Greece Golden Visa, Portugal D-Visa pathway, Spain non-lucrative routes, Malta Permanent Residence, Cyprus Permanent Residency, Hungary Golden Visa, Latvia Residence, Italy Investor Visa.
- Gulf: United Arab Emirates Golden Visa, Qatar Permanent Residency, Bahrain Golden Residence.
- Asia-Pacific: Singapore Global Investor Programme, Hong Kong CIES, Thailand Privilege.
- Caribbean: Cayman Islands Residence by Investment, The Bahamas Residency.
- Other: Switzerland Lump-Sum Taxation Residency, Monaco Residence, Andorra Residence.
How an engagement works
A typical engagement runs from first consultation to residence-permit issuance over six to twelve months and involves four phases:
- Discovery — understanding your goals, family situation, mobility needs, and budget.
- Strategy — shortlisting the two or three programmes best suited to your profile, with a side-by-side comparison of cost, timeline, and obligations.
- Application — full file preparation with licensed local counsel, including AML/KYC, source-of-funds, and qualifying-investment documentation.
- Approval — government liaison through to permit issuance, plus year-one onboarding and renewal calendar.
Who this is for
Residence-by-investment is most useful for individuals or families seeking improved global mobility, optionality in case of political or economic shifts in their home jurisdiction, access to a different tax regime, or a path to eventual citizenship. We do not work on residency applications below the qualifying-investment threshold of the programme we are advising on.
Frequently Asked
Common questions
What is residence by investment?
Residence by investment lets eligible applicants acquire legal residence in a foreign country in exchange for a qualifying investment — typically real estate, a government bond, a business contribution or a fund subscription. It does not require giving up your existing nationality.
What is the typical minimum investment?
Thresholds vary by jurisdiction: from $200,000 (Caribbean) and €250,000 (Greece) to €500,000+ for Cyprus, Malta and the UAE Golden Visa. Most engagements with TopNation Global involve qualifying investments of CAD 250,000 or higher.
How long does the process take?
Typical residence-by-investment engagements run six to twelve months from first consultation to permit issuance. The exact timeline depends on programme processing times, due-diligence complexity and qualifying-investment availability.
Can I include my family in the application?
Most programmes allow inclusion of a spouse, dependent children and (in some programmes) dependent parents. Each programme has its own family-coverage rules — Caribbean programmes are typically the most generous.
Do I need to physically move there?
Physical-presence requirements vary widely. Greece, the UAE and several Caribbean programmes have minimal or no annual visit requirements. Cyprus requires a visit every two years. Malta requires evidence of genuine ties. Always confirm before applying.
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TopNation Global assists international clients in obtaining residence and citizenship under the world’s most respected investment programs. Contact us to arrange your initial private consultation.
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