Investment migration

In plain words

Investment migration is a lawful way to obtain citizenship or a residence permit of another country in exchange for an investment in its economy. The state enshrines such programmes in law: it receives capital, and the investor receives status for themselves and, as a rule, for their family.

There are two routes. Citizenship by investment (CBI) gives a passport straight away, with all rights, including passing it on to children. Residence by investment (RBI) and golden visas give the right to live in the country, while citizenship comes later — through years of residence and naturalisation. The forms of investment differ: a non-refundable contribution to a state fund, buying real estate, a deposit, government bonds, an investment in a business.

The key thing to understand at the outset: it is not the sum that decides but the check. Many people have money, but those who get through a programme are those with a transparent background and a documented source of capital. It is at due diligence that refusals most often occur, and it is due diligence that is prepared for in advance — this is the main part of the work.

Why people do it

What the process consists of

How the route goes

1. 01Choosing a programme for the task
2. 02Preparing documents and the dossier
3. 03Filing and the check
4. 04Investment after approval
5. 05Obtaining status

What you need to know

• Programmes are enshrined in countries’ legislation
• Refusals occur most often at the check, not because of money
• Government fees are, as a rule, non-refundable
• The family is usually included in one application
• A second passport does not in itself change tax residence

Common mistakes

• ✕Choosing a programme by price rather than by task
• ✕Starting without preparing a source of funds dossier
• ✕Hiding difficult episodes in one’s background
• ✕Not taking into account the tax consequences of relocating
• ✕Working without a licensed agent where one is mandatory

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