Leading Citizenship by Investment Programs
At Fortune Group Global, our Citizenship by Investment programs offer a unique opportunity to acquire an alternative citizenship, granting them the freedom to travel to numerous destinations and the right to settle in another country. Globally, more than 100 countries have implemented some form of investment migration legislation.
France 🇫🇷
Visa-Free Access: Schengen countries
Passport Ranking: 6th globally
Benefits: 4-year residence permit, no investment required for some categories, family included
Minimum Investment: €30,000 (for business creation) or no investment (for innovative startups)
Processing Time: 4-6 months
Overview: The French Tech Visa under the Passeport Talent program offers a streamlined path to residency for startup founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and talent in sports and culture. With two main options—business creation requiring a €30,000 investment or a startup route with no investment requirement—this program provides flexibility and ease. The 4-year residence permit allows free movement within the Schengen zone, with the potential for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years. Families can be included in the application, making it an attractive option for those seeking to live and do business in Europe.
Turkey 🇹🇷
- Visa-Free Access: 110+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 53rd globally
- Benefits: Dual citizenship allowed, profitable real estate investment opportunities.
- Minimum Investment: $400,000
- Processing Time: 3-6 months
- Overview: Turkey’s citizenship by investment program offers a variety of investment options including real estate, bank deposits, or direct business investments. It’s particularly attractive due to its lower investment threshold and the ability to hold dual nationality. The program not only opens up a moderate range of visa-free travel but also the potential for investment returns in the burgeoning Turkish property market.
Portugal 🇵🇹
- Visa-Free Access: 185+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 6th globally
- Benefits: EU residency rights, low physical presence requirement, family reunification.
- Minimum Investment: €500,000
- Processing Time: 6 months
- Overview: Portugal’s Golden Visa program is renowned for offering a straightforward pathway to EU residency, which can lead to citizenship after five years without the need to relocate permanently. The investment typically involves purchasing real estate, and the passport offers extensive visa-free travel, making it one of the most powerful in the world.
Malta 🇲🇹
- Visa-Free Access: 184 countries
- Passport Ranking: 7th globally
- Benefits: Full EU citizenship, inclusion of family members in the application.
- Minimum Investment: €600,000 to €750,000
- Processing Time: 12-36 months
- Overview: Malta’s citizenship program is a comprehensive offering that requires a non-refundable contribution to the national development fund and investments in real estate. It grants full EU citizenship with the ability to live, work, and study anywhere within the EU. The program also features extensive due diligence processes to maintain its prestige and integrity.
UK 🇬🇧
- Visa-Free Access: 185+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 7th globally
- Benefits: Access to business and education opportunities in a leading global economy.
- Minimum Investment: £2,000,000
- Processing Time: 6 months for residency; citizenship after 5 years of residency
- Overview: The UK Tier 1 Investor Visa targets high-net-worth individuals willing to make a substantial financial investment in the UK. This program offers potential permanent residency and eventual citizenship, granting access to one of the world’s most influential financial centers and top educational institutions.
USA 🇺🇸
- Visa-Free Access: 185+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 7th globally
- Benefits: Permanent residency and access to the U.S. market.
- Minimum Investment: $800,000
- Processing Time: 24-36 months
- Overview: The U.S. EB-5 visa program provides a route to gaining a green card through investment in U.S. businesses that create jobs. It’s a popular choice for those looking to gain a foothold in the U.S. market, offering permanent residency that can lead to citizenship. The program requires substantial investment but provides significant benefits in terms of business opportunities and family inclusion.
UAE Golden Visa 🇦🇪
- Visa-Free Access: The UAE Emirates ID allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 25+ countries.
- Benefits:
- The visa provides the right to live, work, and study in any of the seven emirates of the UAE.
- Applicants can include their spouse and unmarried children of any age without additional investment.
- Strategic geographic positioning as a gateway to Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
- A safe and secure environment with a high standard of services and quality of life.
- No personal income, capital, net worth, or withholding tax (except for banking and oil sectors) and many double-tax treaties.
- Favorable conditions for real estate investment with good returns.
- Ranked among the top 30 countries for ease of doing business.
- Member of the UN, Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Arab League.
- Minimum Investment:
- AED 2 million (approximately USD 550,000) for a 10-year visa through real estate investment.
- Properties can be off-plan or purchased with a loan from specific local banks.
- Processing Time: Over 8 weeks for approval and visa issuance.
- Overview:
The UAE’s Golden Visa program offers a unique opportunity to live in one of the world’s safest and most business-friendly countries. It provides access to favorable tax regimes, world-class infrastructure, and a luxury lifestyle. The visa is available through real estate investment, with numerous properties meeting the minimum criteria of AED 2 million (USD 550,000). The strategic geographic position, coupled with a robust economy and zero tax on personal income, makes the UAE an attractive destination for investors looking for long-term stability.
Slovenia 🇸🇮
- Visa-Free Access: 180+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 12th globally
- Benefits: Access to EU and Schengen mobility, high living standards.
- Minimum Investment: €100,000
- Processing Time: N/A (for residency; citizenship typically after 10 years of residence)
- Overview: Slovenia offers residency through investment, primarily in business. It provides a pathway to EU residency, enabling free movement within the Schengen Area and access to its high-quality lifestyle and business environment. The path to citizenship requires a longer-term perspective but offers substantial European benefits.
Hungary 🇭🇺
- Visa-Free Access: Previously offered broad Schengen Area access
- Passport Ranking: 10th globally (based on previous programs)
- Benefits: N/A (Starting by 2025)
- Minimum Investment: N/A
- Processing Time: N/A
- Overview: N/A
Greece 🇬🇷
- Visa-Free Access: 184+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 8th globally
- Benefits: EU residency, strategic geographical location, access to a vast real estate market.
- Minimum Investment: €250,000
- Processing Time: 3 months
- Overview: Greece offers a residency visa through a real estate investment, the lowest entry threshold for Europe. The Greek Golden Visa allows free movement within the Schengen Zone and does not require actual residence in Greece. It provides an attractive route to enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle and a solid investment in the European property market.
Grenada 🇬🇩
- Visa-Free Access: 143+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 33rd globally
- Benefits: Visa-free access to China, eligibility for USA E-2 visa, inclusion of family members.
- Minimum Investment: $250,000
- Processing Time: 3-4 months
- Overview: Grenada’s citizenship by investment program is unique for providing visa-free access to China and the opportunity to apply for the E-2 visa treaty program with the USA, allowing investors to operate a substantial business in the U.S. and reside there. It’s an ideal option for those looking to expand their global travel capabilities and business operations.
Dominica 🇩🇲
- Visa-Free Access: 140+ countries
- Passport Ranking: 37th globally
- Benefits: Cost-effective investment, rapid processing, environmental stewardship.
- Minimum Investment: $200,000
- Processing Time: 3-4 months
- Overview: Known for its cost-effectiveness and fast processing, Dominica’s program offers straightforward pathways to citizenship through donation or real estate investment. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a second passport quickly, offering significant global mobility.
St Lucia 🇱🇨
- Visa-Free Access: 146 countries
- Passport Ranking: 31st globally
- Benefits: Flexible investment options including real estate, government bonds, and more.
- Minimum Investment: $200,000
- Processing Time: 3-4 months
- Overview: St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program is versatile, offering multiple investment options from donations to real estate and government bonds. The program is competitive, providing a second passport with good visa-free travel and an option to include family members.
St Kitts 🇰🇳
- Visa-Free Access: 156 countries
- Passport Ranking: 26th globally
- Benefits: Fast processing, no residency requirement, dual citizenship allowed.
- Minimum Investment: $250,000
- Processing Time: 2-3 months
- Overview: St. Kitts and Nevis offers one of the oldest and most established citizenship by investment programs. Known for its speed and efficiency, the program offers a range of investment options including donation or real estate. The St. Kitts passport is a strong travel document with extensive visa-free access, making it highly desirable for investors seeking flexibility and swift processing.