Capital opens migration doors
that employment visas cannot.
But the thresholds are significantly higher than most people expect.
Investment migration programmes require documented, verifiable capital meeting strict minimum thresholds. The country that looks most accessible from the outside is often the most demanding in practice. VisaGuide tells you which investment programmes your capital genuinely qualifies you for.
Free to start. No card required. Results in under 90 seconds.
Built for individuals and families with significant capital seeking residence through investment.
Investment migration is one of the most misunderstood pathways in global immigration. The marketing material from immigration consultancies makes it appear straightforward. The reality involves strict minimum investment thresholds, documented source of funds requirements, due diligence processes and in many cases a requirement to maintain the investment for a minimum period before permanent residence is granted.
VisaGuide analyses your investment capital, your preferred investment type and your residency goals against the actual requirements of investment migration programmes across 16 countries. The result is a clear picture of which programmes your capital qualifies you for today and what would need to change for the others.
Investment visa eligibility depends on more than the size of your capital.
Minimum investment thresholds by country and programme
Malta Permanent Residence Programme requires a government contribution of 30,000 EUR plus property purchase or rental and a charitable donation. UAE Golden Visa for property investors requires a minimum property value of 2 million AED. Portugal's residency by investment programmes have specific capital thresholds. We check your capital against each programme's current requirements.
Source of funds documentation
Every investment migration programme requires you to demonstrate that your capital was acquired through legitimate means. This typically involves 3 to 5 years of bank statements, tax returns, business accounts or inheritance documentation. The source of funds requirement is where many applications fail at the due diligence stage. We flag what documentation is required for each programme.
Investment hold period requirements
Most investment residence programmes require you to maintain your investment for a minimum period before permanent residence or citizenship is confirmed. Portugal requires 5 years. Malta requires ongoing compliance for at least 5 years. Selling or withdrawing the investment early typically results in loss of residence status. We surface these commitment timelines clearly.
Investment type eligibility
Not all capital counts as qualifying investment in every programme. Some programmes accept property only. Others accept government bonds or approved funds. Some require job creation through business investment. The type of investment you prefer may narrow the field of eligible programmes significantly. We match your preferred investment type against what each programme accepts.
Residence versus citizenship programmes
Some programmes give you permanent residence. Others eventually lead to citizenship. Malta's programme can lead to citizenship after 1 or 3 years of residence. Portugal's programme can lead to citizenship after 5 years. UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit, not a citizenship programme. We clarify which programmes give you what outcome.
Due diligence and background requirements
Investment migration programmes conduct thorough background checks on applicants. Criminal records, previous visa refusals, adverse media coverage and business history are all assessed. A record that would not prevent a standard work visa in many countries can be disqualifying for an investment programme. We flag where enhanced due diligence requirements apply.
The countries with established, credible investment residence pathways.
Malta
Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Total investment typically ranges from 150,000 to 300,000 EUR depending on property choice between purchase and rental. Government contribution of 30,000 EUR required regardless. 2,000 EUR charitable donation required. Permanent residence granted with no minimum stay requirement. EU residence rights included. Citizenship pathway available after 1 or 3 years of genuine residence.
UAE
Golden Visa, Investor Residence
Property investment of minimum 2 million AED qualifies for Golden Visa. Business investment and company establishment routes also available. 10-year renewable residence with no minimum stay requirement. Tax-free environment. Family members included. No requirement to divest or liquidate the investment after a hold period.
Portugal
Golden Visa, Investment Fund Route
Property investment routes in most areas of Portugal closed to new applicants in 2023. Investment fund route of minimum 500,000 EUR remains open. Minimum 7-day physical presence per year required. Citizenship pathway after 5 years. Access to Schengen travel area. Non-habitual residence tax regime available for qualifying income.
United Kingdom
Innovator Founder Visa
UK Investor Visa closed in February 2022. Innovator Founder Visa is now the primary business migration route requiring an endorsed innovative business idea. No minimum investment threshold but requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body. Different from traditional investment migration programmes.
The investment migration realities that consultancies rarely lead with.
The total cost is significantly higher than the headline investment figure
Every investment migration programme has costs beyond the headline investment. Government fees, legal fees, due diligence fees, processing fees and ongoing compliance costs add 15 to 25 percent to the total cost in most programmes. Malta's MPRP has a headline contribution of 30,000 EUR but the total cost including property, charity donation, legal fees and due diligence typically reaches 150,000 to 300,000 EUR. We show you the total realistic cost, not the headline number.
Source of funds documentation is where applications most commonly fail
Investment migration programmes are subject to international anti-money laundering regulations. The due diligence process is rigorous and requires comprehensive documentation of how your capital was accumulated over a period of typically 3 to 5 years. Business owners need audited accounts. Employees need salary records and bank statements over multiple years. Inherited capital requires probate documentation. Applicants who cannot fully document their source of funds are rejected regardless of the size of their capital.
Several major investment visa programmes have closed or significantly changed recently
The UK Tier 1 Investor Visa closed permanently in February 2022 following security concerns. Portugal closed its property investment routes in most regions in 2023. Ireland closed its Immigrant Investor Programme in February 2023. The investment migration landscape changes significantly with political and regulatory shifts. The programme that exists today may not exist when you are ready to apply.
Find out which investment programmes your capital genuinely qualifies you for.
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Free report included. No card required. General information only, not regulated immigration advice.