Every residency &amp; golden visa program in the world

D7 Passive Income Visa

Affordable Atlantic base for retirees, remote earners and rentiers with a clear EU citizenship pathway — now 10 years for most applicants.

Duration: 2 years, renewable; PR after 5
Threshold: ≈ €920 / month (1× minimum wage, 2026) + savings

Portugal

Golden Residence Permit (ARI)

Investor-friendly EU passport route; real-estate route closed in 2023, fund route remains open.

Duration: 2 years, renewable; PR at 5
Threshold: €500,000 in qualifying funds or research / cultural donation

Spain

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

Classic retirement / private-means visa — no work in Spain, but full residency rights.

Duration: 1 year, renewable 2+2; PR at 5
Threshold: ≈ €2,400 / month (4× IPREM) + 25% per dependant

Italy

Elective Residence Visa

For self-supporting individuals settling in Italy without working — pensions, rents and dividends qualify.

Duration: 1 year, renewable; PR at 5
Threshold: ≈ €31,000 / year passive income (≈ €38,000 with spouse)

Greece

Golden Visa

EU residency with no minimum stay — popular real-estate route into the Schengen Area.

Duration: 5 years, renewable indefinitely
Threshold: €800k real estate in prime areas / €400k in other regions; €250k only for qualifying conversion or restoration projects (separate €250k startup route via Elevate Greece also exists)

Malta

Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Direct EU permanent residency in an English-speaking jurisdiction with favourable tax regime.

Duration: Permanent residency from approval
Threshold: €37k government contribution + €375k property (or €14k/yr rent) + €2k NGO donation

Cyprus

Permanent Residence (Category F / Fast-Track)

Mediterranean PR with one of Europe's most favourable personal tax regimes.

Duration: Permanent on grant; visit every 2 years
Threshold: €300,000 in real estate + €50k annual income

Netherlands

DAFT — Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

US citizens get one of Europe's lowest entrepreneur thresholds — full Dutch residency rights.

Duration: 2 years, renewable for 5; PR at 5
Threshold: €4,500 capital deposited in a Dutch business account

Germany

Self-Employment Visa (§21 AufenthG)

Founder route into Germany — chamber of commerce assesses your business plan.

Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable; PR at 3
Threshold: Viable business plan + economic interest for the region

Germany

EU Blue Card

Fastest skilled-work route in the EU with portability across 25 member states.

Duration: 4 years; PR at 21–27 months
Threshold: University degree + job offer ≥ €50,700/yr (or €45,934.20 in shortage roles), 2026 thresholds (reset annually)

France

Talent Passport (Passeport Talent)

Single multi-stream permit covering investors, founders, researchers, artists and skilled employees.

Duration: Up to 4 years, renewable; PR at 5
Threshold: Varies by stream — €39,582/yr for Qualified Employee (since 29 Aug 2025), €59,373 for EU Blue Card stream, qualifying investor, or recognised talent

Ireland

Stamp 0 — Independent Means

For high-income individuals to live in Ireland without working — no path to citizenship.

Duration: 1 year, renewable; no PR pathway
Threshold: €50,000 / year per person + access to a lump sum (≈ €100k)

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Mainstream UK work route for graduate-level roles with a Home Office-licensed sponsor.

Duration: Up to 5 years, renewable; ILR at 10
Threshold: Sponsored job ≥ £41,700/yr (since 22 July 2025) or going rate, whichever higher

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Sponsor-free UK route for leaders and emerging talent in sciences, arts, humanities and engineering.

Duration: Up to 5 years; ILR at 3 (exceptional talent) or 5 (promise)
Threshold: Endorsement from Tech Nation (digital technology), Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy, UK Research and Innovation, Arts Council England, or a qualifying prize

Switzerland

Lump-Sum Taxation Residence

Swiss residence for non-EU HNWIs willing to negotiate a lump-sum tax with a canton.

Duration: B-permit, renewable yearly; C-permit at 10
Threshold: Negotiated annual tax ≈ CHF 250,000–600,000

Andorra

Active Residence

Pyrenean tax-friendly base for founders and traders willing to operate locally.

Duration: 1 year, then 3 + 3 + 10
Threshold: €50,000 non-refundable payment to the AFA (Law 2/2026) + ≥34% shareholding in an Andorran company with active director role + 183 days/year presence

Monaco

Carte de Séjour (Residence)

Iconic 0%-tax residence; demanding banking and housing requirements.

Duration: 1 year, then 3 + 3 + 10
Threshold: ≈ €500,000 deposit in a Monaco bank + housing

Czech Republic

Živnostenský list (Trade Licence Visa)

Prague-based freelancer route — low tax, central Europe, Schengen access.

Duration: 1 year, renewable for 2; PR at 5
Threshold: ≈ CZK 124,500 in a Czech bank account

Hungary

Guest Investor Programme

Relaunched in 2024 as Europe's only true Golden Visa offering 10-year status from day one.

Duration: 10 years, renewable once
Threshold: €250k real-estate fund unit or €1M higher-education donation (€500k direct-property option removed in January 2025)

Latvia

Residence by Investment

Schengen residency at one of the EU's lowest investment thresholds.

Duration: 5 years, renewable; PR at 5
Threshold: €250k real estate + €25k state fee, or €280k bank deposit, or €50k company investment

Bulgaria

Investor (Type D) Permit

EU residency at low-tax 10% PIT — Sofia and Black-Sea coast as bases.

Duration: 1 year, renewable; PR at 5 (fast-track at 1)
Threshold: ≈ €512,000 in government bonds or qualifying business (reconfirm exact euro thresholds on mvr.bg)

Estonia

Startup Visa

Founder route into the EU's most digital state — apply remotely via Startup Estonia.

Duration: 1 year, renewable to 5; long-term residence at 5
Threshold: Approval by Startup Estonia committee + €1,250/mo means

Norway

Skilled Worker Residence Permit

Stable, high-wage Nordic option for graduate-level professionals.

Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable; PR at 3
Threshold: Job offer matching Norwegian collective wage standards

Italy

Investor Visa (Golden Visa)

Apply-first-invest-after investor route — one of the last major EU golden visas after Spain's April 2025 termination.

Duration: 2-year permit, renewable in 3-year increments
Threshold: €250k innovative startup / €500k Italian company / €1M philanthropic donation / €2M government bonds

Montenegro

Temporary Residence by Property Ownership

Property-linked residence in an EU-candidate Adriatic country — the famous no-minimum era ended 17 Jan 2026.

Duration: 1 year, renewable while property is held
Threshold: Property with tax-assessed value ≥ €150,000 (non-EU nationals; effective 17 Jan 2026). EU/EEA/Swiss exempt.

Serbia

Temporary Residence by Property Ownership

Low-friction Balkan residence tied to property ownership, with a fast 3-year PR track and no language requirement.

Duration: Up to 3 years per permit, renewable while property is owned
Threshold: Ownership of residential property — no statutory minimum value

Austria

Settlement Permit — Except Gainful Employment (Private Means)

Quota-defined private-means settlement permit — the January quota race is the program's defining feature.

Duration: 1 year, renewable; PR at 5 years
Threshold: ≈ €2,617/mo single, €4,128/mo couple, +€404/child (2× Austrian reference rates) + accommodation, comprehensive health insurance and German A1 before arrival

Asia & Pacific

17 programs

Thailand

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa

Premier Thai long-stay visa for wealthy globals, retirees, remote workers and high-skill experts.

Duration: 10 years (5 + 5)
Threshold: By category — Wealthy Global Citizens: no income requirement (removed Feb 2025), $1M global assets incl. $500k invested in Thailand. Wealthy Pensioner: age 50+ with qualifying passive income. Work-from-Thailand Professionals: $80k/yr income + employer revenue threshold. Highly-Skilled Professionals: sector-based.

Thailand

Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa

Premium long-stay membership with airport limousine service and concierge.

Duration: 5, 10, 15 or 20 years
Threshold: THB 900k–THB 5M one-time membership fee

Malaysia

MM2H — Malaysia My Second Home

Asia's longest-running retirement and second-home programme — relaunched with new tiers.

Duration: 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 years (Silver/Gold/Platinum)
Threshold: USD 150k (Silver) / USD 500k (Gold) / USD 1M (Platinum) fixed deposit + mandatory property purchase (RM 600k / RM 1M / RM 2M by tier)

Indonesia

Second Home Visa

Bali, Jakarta and Lombok long-stay route for HNWIs — relaunched 2024.

Duration: 5 or 10 years
Threshold: IDR 2 billion (≈ $130k) deposit in Indonesian state bank

Indonesia

Investor KITAS

Standard route for foreign founders running a PMA in Bali, Jakarta or Surabaya.

Duration: 1 or 2 years, renewable
Threshold: ≈ IDR 1B paid-up shares in a PT PMA company

Singapore

ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise)

Singapore's marquee talent pass with multi-employer flexibility.

Duration: 5 years, renewable
Threshold: S$30,000 / month salary or recognised global achievement

Singapore

Global Investor Programme (GIP)

Direct PR for entrepreneurs and family-office principals investing in Singapore.

Duration: 5 years PR from issuance
Threshold: S$10M business investment, S$25M PE fund, or S$200M family office

Japan

Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)

Japan's fastest residency route for skilled academics, executives and specialists.

Duration: 5 years; PR at 1–3 years
Threshold: 70-point threshold on points-based system (academic, career, salary)

South Korea

F-2-7 Points-Based Long-Term Residence

Self-applied skilled-worker residency without employer sponsorship.

Duration: 3 years, renewable; F-5 PR after
Threshold: 80 of 120 points (income, education, Korean ability, age)

Taiwan

Employment Gold Card

All-in-one work + residence + re-entry permit for global talent.

Duration: 1–3 years; APRC at 3
Threshold: Sector-specific qualifications (≈ NT$160k/mo prior salary common)

Hong Kong

Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)

Open-ended work pass for high-earners and top-university graduates.

Duration: 3 years (Category A); renewable; right of abode at 7 years
Threshold: HK$2.5M+ prior annual income, or degree from world top-100 university

Australia

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

Sponsor-free permanent skilled migration based on points and occupation list.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: Eligible occupation + 65 SkillSelect points + invitation

Australia

Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)

Renamed the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) in December 2024 — invitation-only direct PR for exceptionally talented individuals in priority sectors.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: Nomination/invitation only — internationally recognised, exceptionally talented individuals (no salary threshold)

New Zealand

Active Investor Plus Visa

Refurbished April 2025 — two-band investor scheme (Growth and Balanced) replacing the old direct/passive split.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: Growth: NZ$5M over 3 years (min 21 days in NZ) — or Balanced: NZ$10M over 5 years (min 105 days)

Philippines

SRRV — Special Resident Retiree's Visa

Long-running retirement programme administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority.

Duration: Permanent (multi-entry)
Threshold: Age 40+ (Sept 2025 reform). Classic deposits by age — 50+: $15k with pension / $30k without. 40–49: $25k with pension / $50k without.

Vietnam

Investor Visa (DT1 / DT2 / DT3 / DT4)

Investor route into Vietnam's fast-growing economy with multi-year residence card.

Duration: DT1: 10-year residence card; DT2: 5 years; DT3: 3 years; DT4: up to 12 months
Threshold: DT2 ≈ VND 50B (~$2M); DT3 floor VND 3B (~$125k); DT4 for smaller capital

Vanuatu

Citizenship by Investment (DSP / CIIP)

The fastest citizenship-by-investment programme in the world — but with major mobility caveats after EU and UK visa removals.

Duration: Full citizenship; ~1–2 months (fastest CBI globally)
Threshold: DSP: $130k single / $150k couple / $180k family of 4 (non-refundable). CIIP: $155k for 1–4 family members incl. a redeemable $50k component.

Middle East

9 programs

United Arab Emirates

Golden Visa

Long-term Emirates residence with no employer sponsor and no minimum stay.

Duration: 5 or 10 years, renewable
Threshold: AED 2M property / business / public investment, or qualifying talent / specialist

United Arab Emirates

Green Visa

Self-sponsored 5-year residence for skilled employees, freelancers and investors.

Duration: 5 years, self-sponsored
Threshold: Salary ≥ AED 15k + bachelor's, or freelance permit

Saudi Arabia

Premium Residency

Saudi PR independent of an employer — work, own property and sponsor family directly.

Duration: 1 year (renewable) or permanent
Threshold: SAR 800,000 one-time fee (permanent) or SAR 100,000/yr (renewable)

Qatar

Permanent Residency Permit

Rare GCC PR — limited to ~100 issued per year.

Duration: Permanent (residence card renewed every 1 or 3 years)
Threshold: 20 years of residence (10 if Qatar-born) + Arabic + clean record + means

Israel

Ancestry / heritage

Aliyah — Right of Return

Statutory right for Jewish people and immediate family to immigrate to Israel.

Duration: Citizenship granted on arrival
Threshold: Jewish ancestry (parent or grandparent) or conversion via recognised stream

Turkey

Residence by Real Estate

Affordable Mediterranean residence with optional fast-track citizenship at higher tier.

Duration: 1 year, renewable up to indefinite
Threshold: $200,000 property purchase (closed neighbourhoods excluded)

Turkey

Citizenship by Investment

One of the world's most-used CBI programmes — no residency, language or physical-presence requirement.

Duration: Full citizenship; 6–12 months typical processing
Threshold: $400,000 real estate (3-year resale restriction) or $500,000 in bank deposit, government bonds, investment funds, or business capital

Bahrain

Golden Residency Visa

10-year GCC residence with multiple qualifying tracks — property, employment, retirement or talent.

Duration: 10 years, renewable
Threshold: Property share ≥ BHD 130,000 (~$345k); or 5 years' Bahrain employment at basic salary ≥ BHD 2,000/mo; or resident retiree (15+ years worked, pension ≥ BHD 2,000/mo); or non-resident retiree (pension ≥ BHD 4,000/mo, ~$10,600); or exceptional-talent nomination

Oman

Investor Residency Programme (Golden Visa)

Relaunched Aug 2025 under Vision 2040 — among the fastest GCC investor programmes, with no minimum physical-presence requirement.

Duration: 5 or 10 years by tier, renewable
Threshold: 5-year: OMR 250,000 (~$650k). 10-year: OMR 500,000 (~$1.3M) in ITC real estate, government bonds, listed equities, fixed deposit or business (company stakes qualify from OMR 200,000). 10-year tier also via employing 50 Omani nationals.

Africa

8 programs

Mauritius

Property-Based Residence Permit

Indian Ocean residence tied to a qualifying real-estate purchase under an approved scheme.

Duration: 20-year residence permit (PRP) tied to qualifying property
Threshold: $375,000 property purchase under an official scheme (IRS / PDS / Smart City only)

Mauritius

Premium Visa

Renewable ~1-year remote-work and retiree visa with no investment or property requirement.

Duration: 1 year, renewable
Threshold: Proof of long-stay purpose (remote work / retirement) and means of support — no property requirement

South Africa

Critical Skills Work Visa

Streamlined route for engineers, scientists, ICT pros and other shortage occupations.

Duration: 5 years; PR at 5
Threshold: Occupation on Critical Skills List + South African qualification recognition (SAQA)

Namibia

Investor's Permit

Affordable Southern African residence with a low investment threshold.

Duration: 2 years, renewable
Threshold: NAD 2M (≈ $110k) invested in a Namibian business

Egypt

Residence by Real Estate

Egyptian residence backed by real-estate or business deposit; cheaper alternative to citizenship route.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (tier-based)
Threshold: $50k (1-year), $100k (3-year), $200k (5-year) property purchase

Egypt

Citizenship by Investment

Egypt's citizenship-by-investment route — one of the most affordable CBI programmes globally, administered by the General Authority for Investment (GAFI).

Duration: Citizenship for life
Threshold: $250k non-refundable contribution to the state treasury, or $300k real estate, or $350k investment project, or $500k bank deposit (3-year hold)

Morocco

Carte de Séjour

Long-stay residence in Casablanca, Marrakech or coastal Morocco for retirees and remote workers.

Duration: 1 year, then 5 + 10
Threshold: Stable income or local employment / property

Seychelles

Gainful Occupation Permit (Investor)

Indian Ocean island residence pegged to substantial business investment.

Duration: 5 years, renewable
Threshold: $1M invested across approved sectors

Caribbean

8 programs

St Kitts & Nevis

Citizenship by Investment

World's oldest CBI programme — ~6-month processing for citizenship and passport.

Duration: Citizenship for life
Threshold: $250k SISC contribution or $400k approved real estate (7-year hold)

Dominica

Citizenship by Investment

Caribbean CBI with the lowest single-applicant contribution and ~3-month processing.

Duration: Citizenship for life
Threshold: $200k EDF contribution or $200k approved real estate (3-year hold)

Antigua & Barbuda

Citizenship by Investment

Caribbean CBI with the lowest threshold for families of 4 or more.

Duration: Citizenship for life
Threshold: $230k NDF or $300k real estate or $260k UWI fund (family of 6)

Grenada

Citizenship by Investment

Only Caribbean CBI programme granting visa-free access to China — and access to US E-2 treaty visa.

Duration: Citizenship for life
Threshold: $235k NTF or $270k approved real estate (5-year hold)

Saint Lucia

Citizenship by Investment

Newest of the Caribbean CBIs with one of the most flexible bond structures.

Duration: Citizenship for life
Threshold: $240k NEF contribution or $300k real estate or $300k bond

Cayman Islands

Certificate of Permanent Residence by Investment

Premium Caribbean PR with right to work after additional KYD 100k variation fee.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: KYD 2M property + KYD 1M of which in developed land

Bahamas

Permanent Residence (Accelerated)

Direct PR via Bahamian real estate, with accelerated processing above $1.5M.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: $750k property (≥ $1.5M for fast-track)

Dominican Republic

Pensionado / Rentista (Fast-Track PR)

Fast-track direct PR with one of the world's shortest naturalisation timelines for investors.

Duration: Direct permanent residency (some describe a ~1-year provisional card first); PR card renewable
Threshold: Pensionado: $1,500/mo pension +$250/dependent. Rentista: $2,000/mo passive income (5-year history). Investor alternative: $200,000 (CD, company or property via company).

Latin America

13 programs

Mexico

Temporary Resident Visa

Most popular Latin American long-stay visa — work permit available after first renewal.

Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 4; PR at 4
Threshold: ≈ $4,300/mo income or ≈ $72,000 in savings (12 months)

Costa Rica

Rentista Visa

Long-standing Pura Vida residency for self-supporting professionals and retirees.

Duration: 2 years, renewable; PR at 3
Threshold: $2,500/mo guaranteed income for 2 years (or $60k bank deposit)

Panama

Qualified Investor Visa

Fast-track Panamanian PR (~30 days) with no requirement to visit before approval.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: $300k property, $500k securities, or $750k bank deposit

Panama

Friendly Nations Visa

Two-year work-anchored route to PR for nationals of 50 friendly countries.

Duration: 2 years temporary, then PR
Threshold: Local job offer, Panamanian company, or $200k property

Colombia

M-11 Migrant Visa (Investor)

Affordable South American base for investors and remote workers, especially Medellín.

Duration: 3 years, renewable
Threshold: Real estate ≈ 350× monthly minimum wage (~USD 110k+); business ≈ 100× monthly minimum wage

Uruguay

Permanent Residency (Rentista)

Most stable South American democracy with one of the most generous expat tax holidays.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: ≈ $1,500–$2,000/mo income (case-by-case)

Argentina

Rentista Visa

Lowest-friction South American residency with one of the world's fastest citizenship paths.

Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 3; PR at 3
Threshold: ≈ $2,000/mo passive income (rentals, dividends, pension)

Paraguay

Permanent Residency (Standard Route & Investor Pass)

Paraguay offers two paths. The standard route is one of the world's most accessible — since Law 6984/2022 abolished the old $5,000 bank deposit, temporary residency needs no investment, deposit, or income proof, and converts to 10-year permanent residency after 2 years. The Investor Pass (launched April 2026 under Resolution 0283/2026) grants immediate permanent residency via productive business ($70k over 10 years + 5 formal local jobs + business plan), tourism ($150k + business plan + semi-annual reporting), real estate ($200k, no job creation), or Paraguayan stock-exchange securities ($200k, fully deployed at application).

Duration: Standard route: 2 years temporary, then 10-year permanent. Investor Pass: immediate permanent residency.
Threshold: Standard route: no investment, deposit, or income proof (Law 6984/2022). Investor Pass (direct PR): $70k productive business (+5 local jobs) / $150k tourism / $200k real estate / $200k Paraguayan-exchange securities.

Brazil

VITEM IX — Investor Visa (VIPER)

Direct PR via investment in a Brazilian company or qualifying real estate.

Duration: Permanent on grant
Threshold: BRL 500k in a Brazilian company (BRL 150k for approved innovation / tech / R&D projects), or BRL 1M in real estate (BRL 700k in the North/Northeast regions)

Ecuador

Investor Visa (Inversionista)

Affordable PR using Ecuadorian property or bank-issued certificates of deposit.

Duration: 2 years temporary; PR at 21 months
Threshold: ≈ USD 48,200 in real estate, CDs or productive investment (2026)

Chile

Temporary Residence (Subcategory General)

Stable Andean economy with a structured temporary-to-permanent route.

Duration: 1 year temporary, renewable to 2; PR at 2
Threshold: Job offer, family link or qualifying activity

Peru

Rentista Resident Visa

Andean low-cost residency popular with retirees and remote workers.

Duration: 1 year, renewable; PR at 2
Threshold: ≈ $1,000/mo lifetime passive income (+$500 per dependant)

Belize

Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Programme

Turnkey Caribbean retirement residence administered by the Belize Tourism Board, with duty-free imports and generous foreign-income exemption.

Duration: Annual renewal, indefinite
Threshold: $2,000/mo ($24,000/yr) from foreign sources in USD, GBP, EUR or CAD deposited into a Belizean financial institution; age 40+

North America

5 programs

United States

EB-5 Immigrant Investor

Direct route to a US green card via job-creating investment.

Duration: 2-year conditional green card; 10-year PR
Threshold: $800k (TEA) or $1.05M direct investment + 10 jobs created

United States

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

Sponsor-required but employer-flexible work visa for top performers in arts, sciences, business or athletics.

Duration: 3 years, renewable in 1-year increments
Threshold: Sustained national or international acclaim in your field

Canada

Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker

Canada's flagship skilled-immigration system using points-based draws every 2 weeks.

Duration: PR on grant
Threshold: 67/100 FSW points + competitive CRS score (typically 470+)

Canada

Start-up Visa

Direct PR for founders backed by a Canadian designated organisation.

Duration: PR on grant (work permit while pending)
Threshold: Letter of Support from designated VC, angel group or incubator + ≈ C$15,263 settlement funds

United States

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

Renewable US work visa for citizens of ~80 treaty countries who develop and direct a real operating enterprise.

Duration: Up to 5 years per issuance (varies by treaty reciprocity); indefinitely renewable while the business operates
Threshold: No statutory minimum; 'substantial' investment under a proportionality test — in practice commonly $80,000–$300,000 (small businesses sometimes $50k+)