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.
I needed my own Greek Residence Permit - as a backup option and for EU entry. With a Belarusian passport - not possible, applications are not accepted. I did not want to deal with ancestry research. BRIDGES suggested the Vanuatu passport - for one person it is fast and simple. I obtained Vanuatu citizenship, applied for Golden Visa as its citizen, and obtained the Residence Permit. Clean, without complications, and the matter is closed.
