Citizenship & Residency
by Investment

Citizenship by investment is a government-approved immigration pathway that grants full citizenship and a second passport in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution — typically a donation to a national development fund, a real estate purchase, or a business investment. Unlike traditional routes, most CBI programmes have no residency requirements, making them one of the fastest legal routes to a second nationality.

Residency by investment (also called a Golden Visa) grants long-term residency rights in a country in exchange for a qualifying investment. You receive a residency permit — not an immediate passport — along with the right to live, work, and travel in that jurisdiction. Most EU Golden Visa programmes include Schengen area access and a clear pathway to full citizenship after 5–10 years of standard residency.

CBI gives you full citizenship and a new passport immediately. RBI gives you a residency permit with the option to naturalise as a citizen later. CBI programmes are typically in the Caribbean or Pacific; RBI programmes are predominantly EU-based. The right choice depends on whether you want immediate global mobility without relocating, or a long-term European base and citizenship pathway.

Both can be affordable at entry level. The cheapest CBI programme is Nauru from $105,000. The cheapest EU Golden Visa is Latvia from €50,000 via a business route. Property-based EU programmes (Greece, Portugal) typically start from €250,000–€500,000. Caribbean CBI programmes generally range from $200,000–$400,000+ all-in.

Portugal is widely regarded as the most flexible — just 7 days of physical presence per year and EU citizenship eligibility after 5 years. Greece offers the lowest property threshold (from €250,000) with no annual stay requirement. Malta provides indefinite residency with no renewal needed. Latvia has the most accessible entry point from €50,000 via a business route. The best programme depends on your investment goals and lifestyle.

Yes. Most citizenship by investment programmes — particularly in the Caribbean — have no physical residency requirement. The entire process, from application to passport issuance, can be completed remotely through an authorised representative. Vanuatu may require a brief in-person oath ceremony in some circumstances.

Yes. Both CBI and RBI programmes allow spouses and dependent children to be included in the same application. Many programmes also permit parents or in-laws subject to financial dependency criteria. The entire family receives the same rights — a new passport under CBI or a residency permit under RBI.

CBI processing typically takes 1–12 months: Vanuatu is the fastest at 1–3 months, Caribbean programmes average 3–6 months, and Turkey takes 6–12 months. EU Golden Visa processing ranges from 2–12 months depending on the country and investment type. BFG Global Mobility provides realistic timelines at the start of every engagement.

Grenada is uniquely valuable — it is the only Caribbean passport providing access to the US E-2 Investor Visa treaty. Saint Kitts & Nevis (157+ visa-free countries) and Antigua & Barbuda (150+) are also highly regarded for travel access. For EU access, Portugal and Malta provide some of the strongest passports on the market.

BFG Global Mobility handles everything from initial eligibility assessment and programme comparison through to application preparation, due diligence management, investment coordination, and final passport or permit issuance. We work with both CBI and RBI programmes and ensure full government compliance at every stage of the process.