Client story
Client Background
Where they started
The family came with a firm principle: we relocate to Europe together—children and elderly parents alike. Their goal was a Greece Residence Permit through investment. However, they encountered the same barrier as other Russian clients: a Russian passport cannot obtain a Golden Visa since 2022; new applications are suspended.
Why the standard route did not work
The solution was a second passport from a non-sanctioned country. In cases involving couples and families, we pursued Kyrgyzstan (where USSR birth records provided grounds); here, a different instrument applied—Vanuatu citizenship through investment. Its key strength directly addressed this request: the passport is processed quickly (weeks, not years), remotely, and immediately for the entire family, including elderly parents. This is not a roots-based route but an investment program—legitimate and suitable when a fast unified outcome is needed for a large household.
What BRIDGES had to solve
The primary consideration was family composition. Three generations represent different sponsorship grounds: spouse, children, dependent parents. The documentation had to be compiled so all six received Vanuatu passports; otherwise, someone would be excluded from the subsequent Greece Golden Visa application. We structured a comprehensive family package for the entire household.
Why a standard answer would not do
Once all held Vanuatu passports—from a non-sanctioned country—we executed the standard procedure: real estate investment meeting Greece's thresholds and Golden Visa application as a unified unit. The senior generation was included as dependent parents; the children as family members. Ultimately, the family relocated to EU life as a complete household through a lawful pathway unavailable to Russian passport holders.
We wanted to move to Europe as a family—with our children and my parents. But Russian passport holders cannot access the Greek program; applications are not accepted. BRIDGES offered a fast-track Vanuatu passport—processed within weeks for everyone, including elderly parents. That's what we did: we obtained Vanuatu citizenship for the entire household, then applied for Greece's Golden Visa and obtained Residence Permits for three generations. Most importantly for us, no one was left behind, and everything is lawful.
