Many countries have opened their boarders to immigrants and while the requirements in each of these countries differ, the purpose stands the same. Several countries in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Caribbean Islands offer Permanent Residency and/ or Citizenship through Business and Investment Migration.
Business and Investment Migration
Business and Investment Migration comes in different forms and options. They are vary based on the destination country.
Some common options include investing in government-approved bonds or projects, purchasing properties,
and settings up businesses with minimum stipulated turnovers.
List of countries and requirements for Business and Investment Migration:
USA
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
General Requirements:
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Must invest in a new commercial enterprise
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Minimum qualifying investment of US$1,800,000 for non-TEA (Targeted Employment Area).
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Minimum qualifying investment of US$900,000 for TEA (Targeted Employment Area).
CANADA
MANITOBA Provincial Nomination Program
General Requirements
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Minimum investment of CA$250,000 for businesses situated in Manitoba Capital Region.
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Minimum investment is CA$150,000 for businesses situated outside of the Manitoba Capital Region.
CANADA
SASKATCHEWAN Provincial Nomination Program
General Requirements:
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Have a net business and personal assets of at least CA$500,000.
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Invest a minimum of CA$300,000 in Regina and Saskatoon or a minimum of CA$200,000 in all other Saskatchewan communities.
CANADA
PEI Provincial Nomination Program
General Requirements:
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Have a personal net worth of CA$600,000
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Sign an escrow agreement with the Province and submit a CA$200,000 deposit, which will be refunded upon meeting the terms and conditions of the escrow agreement.
CANADA
NOVA SCOTIA Provincial Nomination Program
General Requirements:
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Have a net worth of at least CA$600,000.
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Invest a minimum of CA$150,000 to establish a business in Nova Scotia.
CANADA
BRITISH COLUMBIA Provincial Nomination Program
General Requirements:
-
Have a personal net worth of at least CA$600,000.
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Invest a minimum of CA$200,000 in the business.
CANADA
NEW BRUNSWICK Provincial Nomination Program
General Requirements:
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Have a personal net worth of at least CA$600,000 of which CA$300,000 must be liquid and unencumbered funds.
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Invest a minimum of CA$250,000 to establish a business in New Brunswick.
CANADA
QUEBEC Investor Immigrant Program
General Requirements:
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Have a personal net worth of at least CA$2,000,000.
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Invest a minimum of CA$1,200,000 into a passive government guaranteed investment for a period of five years.
AUSTRALIA
188A – Business Innovation stream (Business Innovation Extension Stream)
General Requirements
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Aged not older than 55 years old
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Pass 65 points on the Points Test
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Able to run a business in Australia
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Networth of AU$800,000
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Has a current business with a turn over of AU$500,000.
AUSTRALIA
188B – Investor Stream
General Requirements
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Aged not older than 55 years old
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Pass 65 points on the Points Test
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Invest A$1.5M in government bonds
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Networth of AU$2,250,000
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Eligible investment of AU$1,500,000
AUSTRALIA
188C – Significant Investor Stream (Significant Investor Extension Stream)
General Requirements
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Invest A$5M in complying investments:
10% – VCPE
30% – Emerging companies
60% – managed funds
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High Networth
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History of Successful Investment
AUSTRALIA
188D – Premium Investor Stream
General Requirements
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Invest A$15M in complying investments (e.g. bonds, managed funds, ASX, annuities)
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High Networth
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History of Successful Investment
AUSTRALIA
188E – Entrepreneur Stream
General Requirements
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Aged not older than 55 years old
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Develop an enterprise based on an innovative idea
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Nil. A $200k funding agreement
NEW ZEALAND
Entrepreneur Work Visa (3 years)
General Requirements:
2 step process to NZ residency
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Entrepreneur Work Visa
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Entrepreneur Resident Visa
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120 points test
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Invest a minimum of NZ$100,000 working capital (*higher the investment, higher the chances)
NEW ZEALAND
Investor Visa
General Requirements:
2 step process to NZ residency
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Entrepreneur Work Visa
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Entrepreneur Resident Visa
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NZD$3M invested for 4 years
NEW ZEALAND
Investor Plus Visa
General Requirements:
2 step process to NZ residency
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Entrepreneur Work Visa
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Entrepreneur Resident Visa
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NZD$10M invested for 3 years
UNITED KINGDOM
Innovator Visa A. TIER 1 Start-Up VISA (Granted for a maximum of 2 years)
The Start-Up category is for applicants who wish to establish a business in the UK for the first time
General Requirements
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English language
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Endorsement: Applicants must obtain an endorsement from an endorsing body listed on the gov.uk website and provide a support letter from the body.
UNITED KINGDOM
Innovator Visa B. TIER 1 Innovator VISA (Granted for a renewable of 3 years; after3 years, have a chance to apply for PR)
General Requirements
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The applicant must have funds of at least £50,000 available to invest in their business – this is a significant reduction from the £200,000 required under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category.
UNITED KINGDOM
Innovator Visa C. TIER 1 Investor VISA (Granted for 3 years and 4 months, renewable 2 years more; after 5 years, have a chance to apply for PR)
SINGAPORE
Business Solution – Employment Pass to PR pathway
SINGAPORE
Global Investor Program
General Requirements
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Option A: Invest a minimum of SG$2,500,000 in a new business entity or to expand an existing business operation.
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Option B: Invest a minimum of SG$2,500,000 in a GIP fund that invests in Singapore.
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Family Office: Invest at least SG$2,500,000 in a new Singapore-based single family office, having Assets-Under-Management (AUM) of at least SG$200,000,000.
SPAIN
Golden Visa Program – Residency Investment Program
PORTUGAL
Golden Visa Program – Residency Investment Program
GREECE
Golden Visa Program – Residency Investment Program
General Requirements
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Invest a minimum of €250,000 in the Greek real estate property on mainland or the islands, can be either residential or commercial.
IRELAND
Immigrant Investor Program
Investment Options:
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A minimum of €1,000,000 investment to Enterprise Investment.
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A minimum of €1,000,000 investment to Investment Fund.
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A minimum endowment of €500,000 is required in a project of public benefit in the arts, sport, health, cultural, or educational field. It will be regarded as a philanthropic contribution and investors will receive no financial return
CYPRUS
Permanent Residency Program
General Requirements
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Invest a minimum of €300,000 in Cypriot real estate property.
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Opening of bank account with a minimum deposit of €30,000 for 3 years.
MALTA
Permanent Residency Program
Investment Options
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Invest in Government Bonds of €250,000 to be retained for a minimum period of five years.
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Invest a minimum of €320,000 (€270,000 in South Malta or Gozo) in Maltese real estate property; or a property lease of €12,000 per annum (€10,000 in South Malta or Gozo).
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Government contribution of €30,000.
Passport Program
The passport programs grant an individual passport of a specific country upon meeting specific investment regulations. The conditions vary from country to country. This is a good way for an individual to earn a second passport and be more mobile in his travels.
AUSTRIA
Citizenship by Investment
BULGARIA
Citizenship-by-Investment Program
Investment Options:
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Full Investment – Deposit of BGN 1,000,000 (approximately €512,000) in the Guaranteed Governmental Bond Portfolio for a period of 5 years.
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Fast-Track Investment – Invest approximately €512,000 in the first year and double the investment to €1,024,000 in the second year.
LATVIA
Residency Permit Program, Permanent Residency and Citizenship by Investment
Investment Options
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Invest a minimum of €250,000 in Latvian real estate.
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Opening of bank account with a minimum deposit of €300,000 for 5 years.
MALTA
Citizenship by Investment Program
Investment Options:
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National Development and Social Fund contribution of at least €650,000.
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Invest a minimum of €350,000 in Maltese real estate property; or lease a property for five years or more with a minimum annual rent of €16,000.
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Invest a minimum of €150,000 in Government approved financial instruments (bonds, stocks, and debentures etc.)
MOLDOVA
Citizenship by Investment Program
MONTENEGRO
Citizenship-by-Investment Program
Investment Options
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Contribution of €100,000
Invest a minimum of €450,000 in Montenegrin real estate property project in Podgorica or in the coastal region of Montenegro. -
Contribution of €100,000
Invest a minimum of €250,000 in Montenegrin real estate property project in the northern or central region of Montenegro, excluding Podgorica.
TURKEY
Citizenship by Investment Program
Investment Options:
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Invest a minimum of €250,000 in Turkish real estate property.
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Opening of bank account with a minimum deposit of €500,000 for 3 years.
VANUATU
Citizenship by Investment Program
General Requirements
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Have a personal net worth of at least US$450,000.
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Development Support Program contribution of at least US$80,000.00.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Citizenship-by-Investment Program
Investment Options
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National Development Fund contribution of at least US$100,000.
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Invest a minimum of US$400,000 in real estate property.
DOMINICA
Citizenship by Investment Program
Investment Options:
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Government Fund contribution of at least US$100,000.
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Invest a minimum of US$200,000 in Dominican real estate property.
GRENADA
Citizenship by Investment Program
Investment Options:
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National Transformation Fund (NTF) contribution of at least US$150,000.
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Invest a minimum of US$350,000 in Grenadian real estate property.
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Citizenship-by-Investment Program
Investment Options
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Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) contribution of at least US$150,000.
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Invest a minimum of US$200,000 in real estate property (resalable after 7 years); or US$400,000 (resalable after 5 years).
ST. LUCIA
Citizenship by Investment Program
