Investment Visas

Panama's most popular residency program for citizens of 50+ "friendly" countries including US, Canada, EU, Australia. Requires minimum $5,000 bank deposit in Panama plus economic ties (employment, business, or $200,000 real estate investment). Grants two-year provisional residency, then eligible for permanent residency. Processing typically 3-6 months. Total costs $8,000-12,000 over two years including legal fees. No age restrictions, can include spouse, children under 25, and parents as dependents. After 5 years of permanent residency, eligible to apply for citizenship. Work rights included from start. Requires licensed Panamanian attorney to file application.

Fast-track permanent residency program for significant investors in Panama. Multiple investment options: $300,000+ in Panama real estate, $200,000+ in Panama company shares, $200,000+ in Panama bank fixed deposit (3+ years), or combination thereof. Fastest processing of all Panama programs at 2-3 months. Grants immediate permanent residency status. Can include family members. Particularly attractive for investors wanting quick permanent residency with substantial capital to deploy. Real estate investment is most popular option and can be residential or commercial. Properties can be rented out for income. After 5 years permanent residency, eligible for citizenship. Full work rights from day one.

Agricultural and forestry investment pathway to Panama residency. Standard route requires $80,000-100,000 investment in certified reforestation projects (teak, pine, tropical fruits). Express track requires $350,000 investment for faster processing. Investment must be in minimum 5 hectares certified by Ministry of Environment. Grants 2-year provisional residency, then eligible for permanent residency. Investment must be maintained for 5 years after permanent residency approval. Popular with environmentally-conscious investors. Additional $2,000 per dependent. Properties can generate income from timber/fruit sales. After 5 years permanent residency, eligible for citizenship. Appeals to those wanting to combine residency with sustainable investment. Licensed attorney required for application.

High net worth individual pathway requiring $300,000 investment in Panama. Investment options: real estate ($300K+ property), bank fixed deposit (3-year CD at Panama bank), or combination. Shows economic self-sufficiency without needing employment. Grants 2-year provisional residency, then eligible for permanent residency. Must maintain minimum $10,000 in Panama bank account. Additional $2,000 per dependent. Property must be mortgage-free and registered in applicant's name. Bank deposits must be 3+ year term. After provisional period and maintaining investment, converts to permanent residency. Appeals to retirees and investors who don't qualify for Pensionado but want passive residency. After 5 years permanent residency, eligible for citizenship. Full work rights though typically used by those not seeking employment.

High net worth investor visa requiring substantial investment in NZ. Two categories introduced April 2025: Growth category (NZD $5 million for 3 years) or Balanced category (NZD $10 million for 5 years). Simplified investment process focuses on actively growing NZ economy. Must maintain investment for required period and spend required time in NZ. Direct pathway to permanent residence. No business management required - passive investment acceptable. Streamlined compared to previous Investor visas. April 2025 changes made process more straightforward for qualifying investors.

New visa category opened November 24, 2025, replacing the Entrepreneur Work Visa. Two investment pathways: NZD $1 million investment offers 3-year work-to-residence pathway; NZD $2 million investment offers fast-track residence after 12 months. Must invest in business employing at least 5 full-time equivalent staff. Requires NZD $500,000 to support self and family during establishment. Must demonstrate business experience: owning business with 5+ full-time employees OR generating NZD $1 million annual revenue. Valid up to 4 years. Allows partner and dependent children inclusion. Modernizes business immigration with clear investment thresholds and employment requirements.

Migrant (M-6) category visa for foreigners investing in Colombian businesses. Requires investment of 100 SMMLV (COP 175,090,500 or ~$40,000 USD in 2026) in a new or existing Colombian company. More accessible threshold than real estate visa. Must register company and investment properly with Colombian authorities. Valid for 3 years, renewable while investment maintained. Path to permanent residency after 5 years. Allows active participation in business operations. Good option for entrepreneurs wanting to establish presence in Colombia.

Migrant (M-10) category visa for foreigners investing in Colombian real estate. Requires property investment of 350 SMMLV (COP 612,816,750 or ~$150,000 USD as of January 2026 - a 24% increase from 2025). Valid for 3 years, renewable as long as investment is maintained. IMPORTANT: Property value must meet threshold at renewal time, not just initial purchase - inflation can make previous investments ineligible. Must register investment with Banco de la Republica. Path to permanent residency after 5 years, citizenship after 10 years total. Requires 180 days annual presence.

The Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), launched in 2023, offers a more cost-effective citizenship path. Invests $50,000 of your contribution into the Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF), which is redeemable after 4 years. This effectively reduces your net cost compared to DSP. Same fast processing (30-45 days) and requirements as DSP. Ideal for investors who prefer partial capital recovery. Note: EU Schengen access currently suspended.

The Development Support Program (DSP) is Vanuatu's primary citizenship by investment pathway and the fastest CBI program globally. Processing takes just 30-45 days. Requires a non-refundable contribution starting at $130,000 for a single applicant. No residency, language test, or interview required. Must visit Vanuatu or a consulate (UAE, Hong Kong, New Caledonia) for biometrics. Passport grants visa-free access to 107+ countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, and UK. Note: EU Schengen access suspended since 2022, expected restoration by mid-2026 pending EU review.

Direct path to permanent residency through business investment, bypassing the 2-year temporary residency requirement. Minimum investment of $70,000 USD that can be deployed gradually over 10 years. Investment options include commercial real estate, business equipment, operating costs, or agricultural ventures. Processed through SUACE (Unified System for Opening and Closing Companies) one-stop shop. Ministry of Industry and Commerce certifies investor status. Processing in approximately 90 days. Permanent residence card valid for 10 years.

The standard pathway for expats seeking to live in Paraguay. Two-year validity with conversion to permanent residency after 21 months. No income or investment requirements since 2022 reforms (removed $5,000 deposit requirement). Must apply in person at immigration offices in Asuncion to provide biometrics. Grants full rights to live, work, and invest throughout Paraguay. Minimal stay requirement: must not stay outside Paraguay more than 365 consecutive days. Starting January 2026, visits will be verified when applying for permanent residency. Cedula (national ID) required within 12 months of approval.

Treaty-based visas requiring treaty country nationality. E1 Treaty Trader: for substantial trade (>50% of total trade) between US and treaty country. E2 Treaty Investor: for substantial investment in US enterprise with active management role. E3: Australia-only visa similar to H1B with separate 10,500 annual cap (undersubscribed). E1/E2 require ongoing treaty country ownership, valid up to 5 years, renewable indefinitely while business operates. Investment amount not fixed but "substantial" relative to business type (typically $100K+ for service businesses).

Portugal's Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU nationals. IMPORTANT: Real estate investment no longer qualifies as of 2023. Current qualifying investments include: €500,000 in approved investment funds, €250,000+ donation to cultural/arts/heritage projects, €500,000 in scientific research, or creating 10+ jobs. Minimal stay requirement of only 7 days in year one and 14 days in subsequent two-year periods. Includes family members. Path to citizenship after 5 years (proposed change to 10 years pending). Processing time 8-12 months.

Permanent residence available after holding temporary residence permit for specified period: 3 years if married to Moldovan citizen, or 5 years for other categories. Requires Romanian language certificate from Ministry of Education, proof of means and tax/social contributions for last 5 years, and criminal record certificate. Processing time up to 90 days. Provides indefinite right to reside in Moldova without visa renewals. Fast-track option available for investors (90-120 days with reduced fee payment).