INVESTER VISAS EUROPE

The European continent offers a wide variety of options to investors and entrepreneurs who are interested in a second residence or citizenship. Depending on the country and investment type, investors can expect to receive temporary residence, permanent residence or even citizenship in exchange for their investment. What makes the European countries particularly attractive in the investment migration market is the mobility that European residence and citizenship offer. Because of rules and agreements between European countries, residence in any one of the European countries with investment immigration programs opens the door to visa-free travel throughout most or all of Europe. Furthermore, those who acquire citizenship in a European Union member country, either directly through their investment or through permanent residency as a stepping stone, will be accorded the ability to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

Investment options throughout the continent largely fit into one of three categories: property investment, business investment or investment in government bonds/public debt. Business investments can further be split into passive investments—infusing capital into an existing company that the investor will not run—and active investments, which require the investor-entrepreneur to provide detailed business plans and actively build a business. These particular types of investments t require some degree of past business experience or proof of personal net worth. Individual countries may offer one or multiple options and benefits can vary depending on the type and amount of investment. Portugal, for example, offers residency in exchange for a 500,000 € residential property investment, whereas UK residency requires at least a 2 million £ investment in government bonds, with expedited options for higher investment amounts. Malta, on the other hand, offers citizenship to those who invest through a combination of government bonds, real estate and a non-refundable contribution.

Before selecting an investment location, investors should consider the outcome of their investment (residency or citizenship), the type of investment required, processing times, any long-term commitments demanded by the program and any restrictions on dual nationality. Many European countries do not require investors to establish physical residency in the country, while still conferring to them the rights and benefits of legal residency, but some do. Similarly, many countries do not have language requirements, but some will require language skills as investor’s progress through levels of residency or citizenship. Investors may also want to consider whether the country is a member of the European Union or Schengen Zone, as these memberships offer favourable travel and establishment rights.

Let’s now take a look at some of the countries that have the best Citizenship by Investment programme going on right now.

United Kingdom. …

Malta. …

Cyprus. …

Netherlands. …

St Kitts

What can I receive by participating in EB-5?

Receive Green Card

Repayment of Investment

U.S. Citizenship is granted (optional)

Upon satisfaction of USCIS requirements and the successful completion of the selected EB-5 project, the investor should anticipate his/her permanent green card and ultimately the repayment of their $500,000 EB-5 investment.

After approximately 5 years from the investor’s initial entry to the United States, the investor and eligible family members are then able to apply for U.S. citizenship, if the investor chooses.

A background check to assure that the investor /or family has not broken any U.S. Immigration laws, or had a past criminal record.

 Residency by investment

The most common outcome of investment in a European country with an investment immigration program is residency. This can first come in the form of temporary residency that leads to permanent residency, or can start off with permanent residency immediately. Programs that offer temporary residency typically require investors to prove the maintenance of their investment at certain time intervals to renew their residency, and allow investors to transition to permanent residency after a certain period of time and with the fulfilment of certain conditions. Programs that grant permanent residency straight away still have requirements in regards to investment maintenance, but residence rights will not be limited to a certain number of years. Those who begin as permanent residents can also often progress to citizenship more quickly. Spain, for example, first grants temporary residence through their golden visa and grants permanent residency after five years. At this point, investor residents are free to sell their investment and maintain their residence status.

The following European countries offer residence in exchange for investment:

Bulgaria / Cyprus / Greece / Hungary / Latvia / The Netherlands /Portugal

Spain / United Kingdom

Citizenship by investment

Granting citizenship directly through investment is more rare among European programs. Citizenship by investment programs are typically more costly than residence programs and may require non-refundable contributions to the country. In exchange for higher investment amounts, investors can quickly benefit from the security of citizenship—and since all the countries currently offering citizenship are EU members—the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

The following European countries offer residence in exchange for investment:

Austria / Cyprus / Malta

This open door policy is particularly enticing to foreign investors who are seeking to relocate to one of the EU member states and obtain its citizenship, since in doing so the investor will then have unfettered access to all of the other member states. Since many EU countries offer investor visas that lead to permanent residence and ultimately to citizenship, there are several opportunities available to foreign nationals to relocate to and retire in Europe. Each country’s program has its merits and its downfalls.

Some of the Top five cheapest Citizenship /Residency by Investment Programs in 2017 are:

Today most wealthy people with business backgrounds are aware of the value of second citizenship, especially those high net worth individuals who hail from countries considered second and third world who cannot travel far without a visa. More nations are offering citizenship or residency in return for a financial investment, and while the majority of these programs are expensive, there are still bargains to be had.

Citizenship by Investment

Certain  countries that are offering a Citizenship by Investment program allows an investor the opportunity to obtain that country’s citizenship and passport in return for a specific financial investment to that country, normally in the form of a real estate purchase, a charitable donation or even both.

Residency by Investment

A country offering a Residency by Investment program – often referred to as an Investor Visa – grants the investor the same rights as a citizen of that country in return for a financial investment, often in the form of a refundable government bond purchase. The period of residency usually lasts for five years, after which the investor can take out permanent residency. While a resident, the investor retains their own citizenship and will have to use their original passport if they travel abroad. Many investors embark on a residency program with a view to becoming a permanent resident and then a citizen of that country.

The EU Option

If you are a successful business person from Africa, Asia or the Middle East, chances are you own a passport that is severely limited in the amount of countries it allows you to access without the need of a visa, and of those 60 or so countries you do have visa-free access to, prime destinations like Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia and Australasia are probably not included.

You will no doubt be aware that passports of EU countries are, by comparison, far more powerful than that of your own, granting visa-free access to 160+ countries on average.

If you are lucky you may be eligible by virtue of a parent or grandparent to apply for an EU passport based on bloodline. However, the most straightforward way of obtaining an EU citizenship and passport is by entering into a citizenship by investment or residency by investment program with your preferred European Union country.