Updated
GL-I-09
Glossary · Application and process
Investment migration - citizenship or residence for investing in a country
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- A lawful way to obtain citizenship or residence in exchange for an investment in a country’s economy
- Two main routes
- CBI — a passport straight away; RBI and golden visas — the right to live in the country
- Forms of investment
- Non-refundable contribution, real estate, deposit, government bonds, business investment
- What decides the outcome
- The applicant check and evidence of the source of funds, not the size of the sum
- Who it suits
- For those who need mobility, a back-up plan or to relocate their family
02 / In plain words
What Investment migration means
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.
A case from practice
A client was choosing a programme by cost, although their real task was relocating the family and educating the children. After working through the task, the choice changed: a more expensive programme turned out to be the only one that actually achieved it.
Why people do it
- Freedom of movement and visa-free access
- A back-up plan for the family
- Relocating and living in another country
- Children’s education abroad
- Diversifying country risks
- Tax planning when relocating
03 / What it covers
What the process consists of
Choice
- Country and programme
- Form of investment
- Family members in the application
Check
- Due Diligence
- Sanctions screening
- Public mentions
Money
- Investment
- Government fees
- Cost of the check
Documents
- Personal and family
- Source of funds
- Legalisation and translations
04 / How it works
How the route goes
Choosing a programme for the task
We compare programmes by your goal, timeline and budget.
Preparing documents and the dossier
Family documents and the source of funds file.
Filing and the check
The application goes to the authority and due diligence begins.
Investment after approval
The contribution or purchase under the programme's terms.
Obtaining status
A passport or residence permit for the whole family.
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01Two routes
Citizenship or residence
Citizenship by investment gives a passport straight away. Residence and golden visas give the right to live in the country; citizenship comes later through naturalisation.
02Forms of investment
A contribution, property, a deposit, bonds
Or a business investment. Each country's law sets the form, amount and holding period.
03What decides the outcome
Due diligence, not the amount
Most refusals happen at due diligence: unclear source of funds, undisclosed episodes, reputational risks.
04Family
Usually in one application
A spouse and children, and in some programmes parents too. Each family member affects the budget and the checks.
Common mistakes
Choosing a programme by price
Start with the goal: mobility, a backup plan, moving the family.
Applying without a source of funds file
Prepare SoW and SoF before applying, not when the reviewers ask.
Hiding difficult episodes in your past
Disclose them with explanations: due diligence will find them anyway.
Expecting a passport to change your taxes
Plan tax residence separately: it depends on where you live.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Start not with choosing a country but with the task: what exactly is needed — mobility, relocation, a back-up plan, tax planning. Then assess your background and capital structure candidly: what will have to be explained and which documents are missing. The source of funds dossier is assembled in advance — it is the longest part of the preparation.
What we do for you. We start with your task, not with a catalogue of programmes. A passport for its own sake is rarely the goal — behind the request there is usually mobility, the family’s security, relocation or plans for the children. That is what we build the plan from.
Sergej EvdokimovFounder and managing partner. Strategy, capital, complex cases
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
A lawful way to obtain citizenship or a residence permit in exchange for an investment in a country’s economy, enshrined in its legislation.
Citizenship gives a passport straight away and passes to children. A residence permit gives the right to live in the country, and citizenship comes later through naturalisation.
The check: an unclear source of funds, hidden episodes in one’s background, reputational risks. Refusals are not due to a lack of money.
As a rule, yes: a spouse and children and, in some programmes, parents who meet the conditions. Each person affects the budget.
Not in itself. Tax residence is determined mainly by where you actually live.
From several months to several years, depending on the programme. Preparing documents often takes no less time than the review.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
