Offices
+36 70 421 32 63

Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How a single investor from Belarus obtained Greek Residence Permit via Vanuatu passport

An investor from Belarus, filing as a single applicant, sought Greek Residence Permit as a personal backup option and EU access. Golden Visa cannot be obtained with a Belarusian passport - new application intake is suspended. He did not pursue family-based grounds through ancestry; he needed a straightforward solution for himself alone. The Vanuatu passport proved suitable. Here is how the process unfolded for a single applicant.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time9 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How a single investor from Belarus obtained Greek Residence Permit via Vanuatu passport
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor from Belarus, filing as single applicant
Objective
Personal Greek Residence Permit, EU access
Barrier
Golden Visa applications suspended for Belarusian passport holders
Solution
Vanuatu passport through investment
Advantage
Fast, remote, without unnecessary grounds
Next
Greek Golden Visa as Vanuatu citizen
Outcome
Personal Greek Residence Permit obtained

Client story

Client's story

Where they started

The client - an investor from Belarus - approached the matter pragmatically: he needed a personal secondary status, Greek Residence Permit, as a backup option and convenient EU access. He was not filing with family, so the case was simple in composition but faced the same barrier: new Golden Visa applications are not accepted for Belarusian passport holders.

Why the standard route did not work

The ancestry-based route was not suitable for him - he had neither the desire to deal with archives nor an obvious qualifying ground. For a single applicant needing speed and simplicity, the Vanuatu passport is optimal: investment-based citizenship, processed within weeks, remotely, and for one person it is simpler and less expensive than for a large family.

What BRIDGES had to solve

We confirmed the logic to the client: Greece's restriction is based on citizenship, therefore with a non-sanctioned country's passport he files without concerns. Vanuatu resolved the matter quickly and for a single applicant.

Why a standard answer would not do

Upon obtaining the Vanuatu passport, the client applied for Greek Golden Visa as its citizen: investment in real estate at the required threshold and standard procedure. As a result, the Belarusian obtained personal Greek Residence Permit - through a lawful route unavailable under his own passport.

With a Belarusian passport the road to Greece was closed. Darya suggested a Vanuatu passport first, and then I received Greek residence. One person in touch the whole time.

Erik · Investor from BelarusThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What was at risk

What was at risk

There was no crisis - there was a route closed by passport restriction. Cannot apply with a Belarusian passport, and without a second passport the issue cannot be resolved. The risk was pursuing complex grounds when for a single applicant the simplest solution is a fast investment passport. The key was selecting the appropriate tool for one applicant - Vanuatu - and applying for Greek Golden Visa.

That Golden Visa applications will not be accepted with a Belarusian passport;

  1. 01That a second non-sanctioned country passport is required;
  2. 02That for a single applicant an investment passport is simpler and less expensive than for a family;
  3. 03That Vanuatu is processed quickly and remotely;
  4. 04That application with a non-sanctioned country passport follows standard procedure.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We identified the barrier and its nature. Single applicant cannot apply with Belarusian passport—a second passport is required.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    Vanuatu was selected for one person. For a single applicant without ancestry basis, investment-based Vanuatu passport is the simplest and fastest route.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We processed the Vanuatu passport. Completed through the program remotely within weeks.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We made the investment in Greece. Completed real estate investment at the program threshold.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We applied for Golden Visa. Applied for Greek residence permit as a Vanuatu citizen.

Takeaway. Conclusion: for a single applicant without ancestry basis, investment-based Vanuatu passport is fastest; followed by standard Golden Visa application.

How We Solved the Task

How We Solved the Task

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    We identified the barrier and its nature

    Single applicant cannot apply with Belarusian passport—a second passport is required.

  2. 02

    Vanuatu was selected for one person

    For a single applicant without ancestry basis, investment-based Vanuatu passport is the simplest and fastest route.

  3. 03

    We processed the Vanuatu passport

    Completed through the program remotely within weeks.

  4. 04

    We made the investment in Greece

    Completed real estate investment at the program threshold.

  5. 05

    We applied for Golden Visa

    Applied for Greek residence permit as a Vanuatu citizen.

  6. 06

    We obtained personal residence permit

    Client obtained Greek residence status—which was unavailable with Belarusian passport.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01We identified the barrier and its nature
  2. 02Vanuatu was selected for one person
  3. 03We processed the Vanuatu passport
  4. 04We made the investment in Greece
  5. 05We applied for Golden Visa
  6. 06We obtained personal residence permit

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

For one person, there is no need to overcomplicate. This client had neither desire nor obvious grounds to pursue the ancestry route; he simply needed personal Greek residence permit. Cannot apply with Belarusian passport—a second passport is required. The shortest path for a single applicant is Vanuatu passport: investment citizenship within weeks, remotely. Obtained passport—applied for Golden Visa as Vanuatu citizen—obtained residence permit. No documentation burden, no unnecessary steps. Sometimes the best solution is the simplest one.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What Was Required
How We Accomplished It · Result
Personal residence permit
Second passport for one applicant · Route is open
Without unnecessary steps
Vanuatu through investment · Fast, remote processing
Obtain residence permit
Investment + application · Golden Visa obtained
EU access
Greek residence permit · Alternative option
EU access
Greek residence permit · Alternative option

Initial situation: investor from Belarus wanted personal Greek residence permit, but applications with Belarusian passport are not accepted. What we did: identified the barrier; selected Vanuatu for a single applicant; processed the passport; completed the investment; applied for Golden Visa. What he obtained: personal Greek residence permit as Vanuatu citizen.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: for a single applicant without ancestry basis, investment-based Vanuatu passport is fastest; followed by standard Golden Visa application.
  • Client resolved the matter simply and quickly—because for a single applicant we selected the shortest route.
  • For a single applicant, the route through a second citizenship is often the fastest way to obtain the Golden Visa. We will look at your case.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can one obtain Greek residence permit with Belarusian passport?

Not directly—applications are suspended. A second passport from non-sanctioned country is required; for a single applicant investment-based Vanuatu passport is simplest, followed by Golden Visa application.

02Is this more cost-effective for one person than for a family?

Yes: investment programs are calculated by composition, and for a single applicant, the cost of a second passport is lower than for a large family.

03Is a roots-based qualification required for Vanuatu?

No, Vanuatu citizenship is granted through investment; roots-based qualification is not required. The roots-based pathway (Kyrgyzstan) is a separate option for those who have such qualification.

04How long does a Vanuatu passport take?

Generally, weeks; the program is processed remotely without residence requirement. Exact timelines are confirmed with competent authorities.

05Is this legal?

Yes: citizenship through an official investment program; Golden Visa application follows Greece's regulations for citizens of non-sanctioned countries.

06Which documents were key in this case?

We identified the barrier and its nature. Single applicant cannot apply with Belarusian passport—a second passport is required. Vanuatu was selected for one person. For a single applicant without ancestry basis, investment-based Vanuatu passport is the simplest and fastest route.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

The ancestry-based route was not suitable for him - he had neither the desire to deal with archives nor an obvious qualifying ground. For a single applicant needing speed and simplicity, the Vanuatu passport is optimal: investment-based citizenship, processed within weeks, remotely, and for one person it is simpler and less expensive than for a large family.

08What risk had to be closed before filing?

There was no crisis - there was a route closed by passport restriction. Cannot apply with a Belarusian passport, and without a second passport the issue cannot be resolved. The risk was pursuing complex grounds when for a single applicant the simplest solution is a fast investment passport. The key was selecting the appropriate tool for one applicant - Vanuatu - and applying for Greek Golden Visa. That Golden Visa applications will not be accepted with a Belarusian passport;

09How did BRIDGES check that the chosen solution would hold?

We applied for Golden Visa. Applied for Greek residence permit as a Vanuatu citizen. We obtained personal residence permit. Client obtained Greek residence status—which was unavailable with Belarusian passport.

10What confirmed the result in the end?

Initial situation: investor from Belarus wanted personal Greek residence permit, but applications with Belarusian passport are not accepted. What we did: identified the barrier; selected Vanuatu for a single applicant; processed the passport; completed the investment; applied for Golden Visa. What he obtained: personal Greek residence permit as Vanuatu citizen. What Was Required: How We Accomplished It · Result. Personal residence permit: Second passport for one applicant · Route is open. Without unnecessary steps: Vanuatu through investment · Fast, remote processing. Obtain residence permit: Investment + application · Golden Visa obtained. EU access: Greek residence permit · Alternative option. EU access: Greek residence permit · Alternative option

11Can this route be repeated directly in another situation?

No, the route cannot be copied without checking the initial data. This case reflects a specific situation: An investor from Belarus, filing as a single applicant, sought Greek Residence Permit as a personal backup option and EU access. Golden Visa cannot be obtained with a Belarusian passport - new application intake is suspended. He did not pursue family-based grounds through ancestry; he needed a straightforward solution for himself alone. The Vanuatu passport proved suitable. Here is how the process unfolded for a single applicant. Programme terms and the requirements of banks or authorities can change, so the documents and risks of a new applicant need to be checked first.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

Discuss your situation with Sergey

We will review your situation and propose a solution

Describe your task in a few words. We will study your situation, assess the legal and practical options and propose the next step based on your goals, documents and country.

Confidential · no obligations · answered by the relevant specialist

Or message us on WhatsApp or Telegram

Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.