A Comparison of Country Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programmes
Choosing the right citizenship or residency plan can be challenging. This citizenship by investment country comparison guide will help you understand your options, including the EU or Dubai Golden Visa and various CBI programme pathways and give you the insights you need to make an informed decision.
Compare CBI Programmes
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes grant you full citizenship rights, including a new passport, in return for a qualifying contribution, often in real estate, government bonds, or a national development fund. Let us discuss the most popular options in this post.
| Visa Free Countries | 140+ | 130+ | 135+ | 140+ | 135+ | 90+ | 120+ |
| Current Processing Time | 8-10 months | 6-8 months | 12-14 months | 8-10 months | 12-14 months | 3-4 months | 4-6 months |
| Physical Stay | 5 days in first 5 years | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Minimum Investment | $230,000 | $200,000 | $235,000 | $250,000 | $240,000 | $130,000 | $400,000 |
| Family of 4 | $230,000 | $250,000 | $235,000 | $250,000 | $240,000 | $180,000 | $400,000 |
| Real Estate Shares/ Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Property Purchase | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Spouse | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Children | Under 30 | Under 18 Under 30 in Full-Time Education | Under 18 Under 30 in Full-Time Education | Under 18 Under 30 in Full-Time Education | Under 18 Under 25 in Full-Time Education | Under 18 Under 25 in Full-Time Education | Under 18 |
| Parents | Over 55 | Over 65 | Over 55 | Over 65 | Over 55 | Over 50 | No |
| Grandparents | Over 55 | Over 65 | No | Over 65 | No | No | No |
| Siblings | Unmarried | No | Under 18 | No | Under 18 | No | No |
| Highest Tax Rate for Tax Residents | 28% | 35% | 28% | 0% | 30% | 0% | 40% |
Compare RBI Programmes
Residency by Investment (RBI) programmes offer legal residency in exchange for a qualifying investment. Some programmes eventually lead to an EU passport or permanent residency. Below are notable options to consider:
| Residency Length (Renewable) | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 2 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Leads to Permanent Residency | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Processing Time | 4-5 months | 5 months | 6 months | 4 months | 2-3 months | 28 days | 3 months |
| Minimum Investment | €250,000 | €500,000 | €70,000 + Property Purchase | €300,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | 2,000,000 AED |
| Physical Stay | One visit | 7-14 days annually | One visit | Once every 2 years | None | None | None |
| Visa Free Countries | EU + Schengen | EU + Schengen | EU + Schengen | EU + Schengen | – | ASEAN | – |
| Time to Citizenship | – | 5 years | 1,3 or 5 years depending on investment | – | – | 5 years or immediate with qualifying investment | – |
| Investment Fund | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Property Purchase | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spouse | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Children | Under 18 | Under 21 | Under 18 | Under 18 | Unmarried dependent | Under 18 | Under 18 |
| Parents | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Highest Tax Rate for Tax Residents | 45% | 48% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 20% | 0% |
Let Premier Consultancy Help You Make the Right Choice
Making the right choice starts with defining your objectives. If you wish to stay in your home country and are looking for ease of travel to other countries, then a CBI programme will be the right choice for you.
However, if you wish to relocate yourself and your family to another country, then the RBI programme, which gives you an EU or Dubai Golden Visa, may be the right choice.
The next thing to work out is your budget. How much are you willing to spend? The cost of a Caribbean second passport also depends on your family size. Certain CBI programmes, such as Grenada, are cost-effective if you have a large family, while as a single applicant, Dominica may be a better option.
The same applies to RBI programmes. Certain EU Golden Visas allow you to include children up to a certain age, while others may allow you to include your parents as well. Some EU Golden Visas will lead to an EU citizenship and ultimately, an EU passport. Meanwhile, others, such as the Greece Golden Visa, does not have a clear pathway to Greek citizenship; however, it does allow visa-free access to all the Schengen countries.
At Premier Consultancy, our immigration advisors have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the programmes, and depending on your objectives, family size, and budget, we can recommend a programme that will meet your needs.Once you have decided on a suitable CBI or RBI programme for you and your family, a dedicated account manager will complete your application and help you gather all the documents required. We keep you updated throughout every step until you receive your Golden Visa or Strong Second Passport.
How Premier Consultancy Can Help
Documents and Due Diligence
Aside from helping you make the right choice when applying for second citizenship or Golden Visa, we can also assist you with gathering the documentation required to complete the process. Where documents are not in English, we can arrange for them to be officially translated and arrange necessary attestations for you.
For the Caribbean second passport, there is an interview process where applicants are interviewed online by an independent panel to assess sources of funds and gather information about their business. Our Immigration Advisors have helped hundreds of clients through this process and we will prepare you for the interview to make sure the process is completed successfully.
Professional Advice and Support
Premier Consultancy simplifies your residency and citizenship by investment application process. We provide personalised advice and consultation on country comparisons based on your financial situation, travel needs, and long-term objectives to find the perfect CBI programme or residency option.
Receive professional support from our specialists, who manage every step, from document gathering to final submission and compliance with local regulations. With offices in London, Bangkok, Nairobi, and Dubai, we provide global expertise and on-the-ground guidance for various programmes ranging from Caribbean citizenship programmes to EU and Dubai Golden Visas.
Our team of tax consultants can advise you on structuring your assets and income to maximise the benefits of your citizenship or residency permit. Enjoy ongoing assistance after you secure your second passport or Golden Visa. We remain available to help with renewals, legal updates, and more.
Find Your Ideal Programme
Ready to get started? If you are considering residency or citizenship by investment, aiming for EU citizenship, or exploring the Dubai Golden Visa, browse our country comparison. Contact our experienced team at Premier Consultancy to discuss your options in more detail.
FAQs
Can I apply for an EU passport through a Golden Visa?
In some countries, yes. Portugal and certain other EU nations allow you to apply for citizenship after maintaining legal residency for a set number of years, eventually giving you full EU citizenship rights.
What’s the difference between a Golden Visa and a CBI programme?
A CBI programme generally grants citizenship immediately upon approval, while Golden Visas usually start with a residency permit that may lead to citizenship over time.
Is the Dubai Golden Visa right for me?
If you plan to invest, run a business, or secure long-term residence in Dubai, the Dubai Golden Visa could be an excellent fit. It offers extended residency with fewer renewal requirements.
Which Caribbean Citizenship Programmes are the fastest?
Countries like Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis typically have streamlined processes, but exact timelines depend on factors like due diligence and documentation accuracy.