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Citizenship and residency by investment: 10 programmes compared
Seven countries that grant citizenship (a second passport) and three EU countries that grant residence for an investment. Official minimums, time, family rules and the 2026 travel changes — checked against government sources. GVS applies through a government-authorised agent.
At a glance
Citizenship gives you a second passport for life, usually for the whole family. Residency (Portugal, Greece, Cyprus) gives the right to live there; citizenship comes only after years of real residence.
Amounts shown are the governments’ own minimum investments. Government fees, due-diligence fees and service costs come on top.
2026 is a year of big changes in the Caribbean: the EU asked the five Caribbean countries to phase out their programmes by June 2028 (answers due 12 November 2026), and the UK and the US have tightened entry for some of these passports. Applications are still being accepted as of November 6, 2026.
No programme guarantees approval. Every applicant passes government due diligence, and rules change often — we check them before every application.
Citizenship by investment: 7 countries
A second passport for the main applicant and, in most programmes, spouse, children and parents. Tap a country for details.
| Country | Official minimum | Processing | Visa-free travel (about) | 2026 note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanuatu | US$130,000 | About 1–3 months | 90 countries | The EU suspended visa-free Schengen entry for Vanuatu passports, and the UK requires visas — so Vanuatu is fast and low-cost but travels less well than before. |
| Dominica | US$200,000 | About 3–6 months | 145 countries | The UK has required visas since 19 July 2023, and since 1 January 2026 the US has restricted new visas for Dominica nationals. Also part of the EU phase-out request. |
| Antigua & Barbuda | US$230,000 | About 3–6 months | 154 countries | Since 1 January 2026 the US has restricted new visas (including visitor and student visas) for Antigua & Barbuda nationals. The government has conditionally offered the EU to end the programme by December 2030 (not yet agreed); applications continue for now. |
| Grenada | US$235,000 | About 3–6 months | 147 countries | Grenada has a US E-2 treaty, but the US expects real residence in Grenada first. Part of the EU phase-out request (June 2028). |
| St Lucia | US$240,000 | About 3–9 months | 144 countries | The UK has required visas for St Lucia passport holders since 5 March 2026. Also part of the EU phase-out request (June 2028). |
| St Kitts & Nevis | US$250,000 | About 4–6 months | 157 countries | One of the five Caribbean programmes the EU asked to phase out by June 2028; applications continue while governments respond. |
| Türkiye | US$400,000 | About 6–12 months | 110 countries | Türkiye passports need a visa for the Schengen area, the UK and the US. Türkiye has a US E-2 treaty, but citizens by investment are expected to live there 3 years first. |
Residency by investment: 3 EU countries
The right to live in an EU country. Not a passport: citizenship needs years of real residence and language skills.
| Country | Official minimum | Processing | 2026 note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | €250,000 | About 1.5–3 years to the first card | Residence, not citizenship. Portugal’s nationality law now asks for 10 years of legal residence before citizenship, with language and knowledge tests. |
| Greece | €250,000–800,000 | A few months; legal stay while the application is pending | Residence, not citizenship. Citizenship is possible after about 7 years of real residence and integration requirements. |
| Cyprus | €300,000 | About 6–12 months to the permanent residence card | Residence, not citizenship, and it does not give visa-free Schengen travel. Citizenship needs about 8 years of real residence and Greek language. |
How an application works · Citizenship by investment
- 1Consultation
We check your goal, family and source of funds, and which programme fits.
- 2Documents
Passports, birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, bank and income records, and proof of where the money came from.
- 3Government due diligence
The application goes to the country’s citizenship unit through a licensed agent. Background checks take most of the time; an interview is usual.
- 4Approval, then investment
Only after approval in principle do you pay the investment.
- 5Certificate and passport
The citizenship certificate is issued, then passports for each family member.
How an application works · Residency by investment
- 1Consultation
We compare the routes (fund, donation, property) for your budget and plans.
- 2Tax number and bank account
Opened in the country, often through a power of attorney.
- 3Investment
Made from your own funds through the banking system, with documents for the source of funds.
- 4Application and biometrics
Filed with the migration authority; fingerprints and photo are taken in person.
- 5Residence card
Renewed while the investment is kept. Citizenship only after years of real residence.
Before you decide
- Visa-free lists change. In 2023–2026 the UK ended visa-free entry for Dominica, Vanuatu and St Lucia, the EU suspended it for Vanuatu, and the US restricted new visas for Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica.
- A second passport does not change your US immigration case: EB-3 and the Visa Bulletin go by your country of birth, not your new passport.
- Citizenship-by-investment passports usually do not give access to the US E-2 visa; Grenada and Türkiye have E-2 treaties, but the US expects a period of real residence first.
- Check whether your own country allows dual citizenship before you apply.
- Contributions and fees are not refunded if an application is refused.
Questions people ask
Which is the cheapest second passport?
By official minimum, Vanuatu (US$130,000 for one person) and then Dominica (US$200,000). But Vanuatu passports no longer have visa-free entry to the UK or the Schengen area, so the cheapest is not always the best value.
Does a Caribbean passport help my US green card?
No. US immigrant visas like EB-3 are counted by country of birth, so a new passport does not move you in the Visa Bulletin.
Do I have to live in the country?
For most citizenship programmes, no (Antigua & Barbuda asks for a short visit). For residency, Portugal expects about 7 days a year and Cyprus a visit every two years; Greece has no minimum stay.
Talk to GVS about a second passport
We compare the programmes for your family and budget, prepare the documents and apply through a government-authorised agent. In English, Bangla or Korean.
Sources: the official citizenship and migration bodies listed on each country page, the UK Home Office, the US presidential proclamation of 16 December 2025, the European Commission (letter of 25 June 2026), and the Henley Passport Index 2026 for visa-free counts (approximate). Checked November 6, 2026. General information, not legal or financial advice.