Which countries offer a golden visa (residence by investment) visa?

VisaPassage tracks 63 countries offering a golden visa (residence by investment) route — 34 with fully verified government fees, processing times and rights, and 29 more at summary level. Every entry is checked against official sources and describes typical eligibility, never a promise of approval.

Does a golden visa (residence by investment) visa lead to permanent residency?

In 22 of the tracked golden visa (residence by investment) routes there is a statutory path to permanent residency — the fastest reaches PR on grant in Bulgaria. These are statutory minimums and may vary by individual circumstances; they are never a guarantee.

Can you work on a golden visa (residence by investment) visa?

Work rights vary by country: 28 of the tracked golden visa (residence by investment) routes carry some form of work permission — see the Rights column in the comparison table for each country's specific terms. Confirm against the official source before relying on it.

Visa types · Invest & Capital

Golden Visa (Residence by Investment) visa

Residence granted for qualifying investments in funds, business or government bonds.

34 countries with verified fees and rights · 29 more offered at summary level.

						Rights
Bulgaria Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment (Investor Route)	€511	60 days	—	—	On grant	Work: Permanent residents have free access to the labour market. Study: Full access to education as a permanent resident. Residency: Grants permanent residence directly; citizenship eligibility after 5 years of holding the investment. Family: Family members may obtain residence; spouse and children need not reside to maintain status.
Cambodia Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) Golden Visa	—	90 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Work and business permitted with the appropriate work permit. Study: Study permitted. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members can be included under the program.
Colombia Colombia R Resident Visa - Direct Foreign Investment	$400	30 days	—	—	On grant	Work: Open work authorisation for any lawful activity. Study: Study permitted. Residency: R is permanent residence directly; naturalisation generally after 5 years of residence. Family: Dependent spouse/partner and children may apply as beneficiaries.
Cyprus Cyprus Permanent Residence by Investment (Regulation 6(2) Fast-Track)	€500	60 days	—	—	On grant	Study: Permitted as resident Residency: Permanent residence from grant Family: Spouse and minor children included
Egypt Egyptian Citizenship by Investment - Business / Project Route	$10,000	180 days	—	—	On grant	Work: Full work rights as a naturalised citizen. Study: Full study rights as a national. Residency: Direct grant of citizenship. Family: Investor and minor children up to age 21 naturalised.
El Salvador Definitive Residence by Investment/Donation in Government Programs	—	—	—	—	—	Work: Definitive residents may carry out any lawful activity, including employment. Study: Definitive residents may study. Residency: This grants definitive (permanent) residence directly and opens a route to naturalisation for qualifying contributors. Family: Family members may be included per the program and DGME rules.
Estonia Estonia Major Investor Residence Permit	€350	90 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Manage own investment/business Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and minor children may join
Gabon Gabon Permanent Residence for Investors (10 Billion FCFA)	—	—	—	—	On grant	Work: Permanent residence allows the investor to live and conduct business in Gabon. Study: Lawful permanent residence permits study. Residency: Grants permanent resident status (10-year card) directly upon qualifying investment.
Georgia Georgia Investment Residence Permit	—	30 days	—	—	6 years	Work: Investor; own business activity Study: May enroll in study programs Residency after 6 years Family: Spouse and minor children included
Greece Greece Golden Visa (Residence by Real Estate Investment)	€2,000	—	—	—	—	Study: Study permitted Residency: Renewable residence; citizenship after 7 yrs Family: Spouse, children & parents included
Hong Kong Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)	HK$600	—	—	—	7 years	Work: Entrant is not subject to an employment condition while the investment is held. Study: Holder and dependants may study. Residency after 7 years Family: Dependants may work and study.
Hungary Hungary Guest Investor Residence Permit (Golden Visa)	€110	21 days	—	—	3 years	Work: Work without restriction Study: Study permitted Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse, children, parents includable
Indonesia Indonesia Golden Visa – Capital Market Investor (E28C)	—	5 days	—	—	—	Work: May invest/run business; salaried job needs permit Residency: 5 or 10-yr stay permit (investment) Family: Family may accompany as dependents
Italy Italy Investor Visa (Golden Visa)	€116	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Work and business activity allowed Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification allowed
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Investor Visa (A6) - 'Golden Visa'	$250	5 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Permits management of the investment; broad local employment needs a work permit. Study: Holder and family may study while resident. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members may obtain accompanying visas/residence.
Latvia Latvia Residence Permit via Government Bonds / Subordinated Bank Capital	€100	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Work allowed as investor Study: Study permitted alongside residence Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and minor children included
Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)	MYR 200,000	—	MYR 40,000	—	—	Work: May work, run business, study Study: May study in Malaysia Family: Spouse, children, parents included
Malta Malta Permanent Residence Programme	€60,000	180 days	—	—	On grant	Study: Residents may study Residency: Permanent residence from grant Family: Spouse, children, parents, grandparents
Nepal Nepal Residential Visa for Major Foreign Investors	—	30 days	—	—	—	Work: Permits oversight of the investor's own enterprise; general employment needs a working visa. Study: Investor and family may study subject to institutional enrolment. Residency: Residential visa up to 5 years, extendable; functions as investment-linked long-term residency. Family: Investor and accompanying family may obtain residential/dependent visas.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa	NZ$27,470	74 days	—	—	On grant	Work: Resident; work unrestricted Study: Resident; study unrestricted Residency: Residence from grant (PRV after ~2 yrs) Family: Partner + dependent children included
Oman Oman Investor Residency — 10-Year (Golden Residency)	—	15 days	—	—	—	Work: May own and manage the invested business Study: Resident; may study Residency: Renewable 10-year residency; no automatic citizenship Family: Spouse, children and dependent parents included
Panama Panama Qualified Investor Permanent Residence	$5,000	45 days	—	—	On grant	Study: May study as legal resident Residency: Permanent residence from grant Family: Dependents included with fees
Paraguay Paraguay Investor Pass - Permanent Residence by Investment	PYG 27,875.50	30 days	—	—	—	Work: Full right to work and manage the investment in Paraguay. Study: Full access to study. Residency: Direct permanent residence; naturalisation generally after about 3 years of residence. Family: Family members obtain residence based on relationship to the principal investor.
Philippines Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)	—	—	—	—	—	Study: Resident status allows enrolment; dependents may study. Residency: Confers indefinite residence while the qualifying investment is maintained. Family: Spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be included as dependents.
Portugal Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) - Investment Fund Route	—	540 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Work permitted in Portugal Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse, children, dependents included
Qatar Qatar Premium Real Estate Residency (QAR 3,650,000+)	—	7 days	—	—	—	Work: Own businesses, invest freely Study: Free public education like citizens Residency: Permanent residency, no expiry Family: Spouse, children, parents included
Saudi Arabia Saudi Premium Residency — Limited & Unlimited Duration	SAR 800,000	—	—	—	On grant	Work: Self-sponsored; may work & own business Study: Full access; no restrictions Residency: Unlimited Premium Residency (permanent) Family: Spouse, children & parents included
Singapore Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP)	SGD 20,000	365 days	—	—	On grant	Work: PR may work or invest freely in SG Study: PR may study in SG Residency: Permanent residence (re-entry permit) Family: Spouse & children under 21 get PR
South Korea Public Business Investment Immigration (F-2/F-5)	—	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Work allowed under F-2 Study: Study allowed under F-2 Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse & children included
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Golden Paradise Residence Visa	$200	—	—	—	—	Work: May invest and manage approved investments/business; live and study in Sri Lanka. Study: Applicant and dependents may study in Sri Lanka. Family: Spouse and dependants may apply for the same visa.
Taiwan Taiwan Investment-Immigrant Permanent Residence (Plum Blossom Card)	NT$10,000	—	—	—	On grant	Work: Permanent residents have open work rights and need no separate work permit. Study: Full access to study. Residency: This route grants permanent residence directly on approval. Family: May sponsor spouse and dependent children to join.
Thailand Thailand LTR Visa - Wealthy Global Citizen	THB 50,000	60 days	—	—	—	Study: Study permitted during 10-yr stay Family: Up to 4 LTR dependents (children <20)
United Arab Emirates UAE Golden Visa (Investor)	AED 1,100	5 days	—	—	—	Work: Work without employer sponsorship Study: May live, work or study Residency: 10-yr renewable Golden residence; no PR Family: Sponsors spouse, children, parents
United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program	$11,160	—	—	—	On grant	Work: Unrestricted work as LPR Study: May study freely as LPR Residency: Immigrant visa to Green Card (permanent) Family: Spouse and children get green cards

Sort by any column. Fees are shown in each program's own currency and are government fees only. Blank cells (—) mean we haven't verified that fact — never that it is zero. “PR in” is a statutory minimum and may vary.

Also offered by

Countries where we track this route at summary level only — no verified fee or processing data yet, so they aren't comparable in the table above.

Passive Residence (Residencia sense activitat lucrativa)Andorra
Law approved 22 January 2026 raised the required investment from €600,000 to €1M in Andorran assets (real estate, company shares, bonds, life insurance) or €400,000 via the national Housing Fund, plus €50,000 state fee and 90 days/year presence.
Anguilla Residence by Investment ProgrammeAnguilla
Permanent residence for a USD 150,000 donation to the Capital Development Fund (+USD 50,000 per dependent) or USD 750,000 in real estate; no minimum stay, path to British Overseas Territory citizenship after 5 years.
Economic Permanent ResidencyBahamas
Permanent residence for a minimum BSD 1,000,000 investment (raised from BSD 750,000 on 1 January 2025) in real estate or Central Bank zero-coupon bonds held 10 years; accepts both property and non-property routes (overlaps residence_by_property).
Golden Residency VisaBahrain
10-year renewable residency for property investors (threshold cut to BHD 130,000 / ~USD 345,000 in 2026), long-term workers earning BHD 2,000+/month, retirees, and talented individuals; mixed program also accepting real estate (overlaps residence_by_property).
Special Entry and Reside Permit (SERP)Barbados
Long-term/indefinite residence for HNWIs investing at least USD 2M in Barbados (real estate, deposits, funds, bonds, or businesses) with certified net worth above USD 5M; term varies by age, with indefinite permits from age 60.
Economic Investment Certificate / Residential Certificate (EIRC)Bermuda
Immediate residency rights for a qualifying investment of at least USD 2.5M in real estate, Bermudian businesses, government funds, or charitable contributions, maintained 5 years with 90 days/year presence, then eligibility for the long-term Residential Certificate.
Residency Certificate (Substantial Business Presence) / Certificate of Permanent ResidenceCayman Islands
25-year renewable residency certificate for owners of 10%+ of an approved Cayman business or senior managers of one; the separate CI$2M Certificate of Permanent Residence is real-estate-only (overlaps residence_by_property).
Residencia Temporal para InversionistasChile
Temporary residence for foreigners investing at least USD 500,000 in productive goods/services businesses, requiring an InvestChile sponsorship letter; permanent residency possible after one year; no property-purchase route exists.
Curaçao Investor PermitCuraçao
Residence permit of 3 years for USD 280,000, 5 years for USD 425,000, or indefinite for USD 850,000 invested in real estate, local business, or DCSX-listed securities; one day per year presence required.
Residencia por Inversión (Investor Residency, Law 171-07)Dominican Republic
Fast-track permanent residency for a USD 200,000 minimum investment in a bank certificate of deposit, a Dominican business, or property held through a company, with eligibility for fast-track citizenship after 6 months.
Visa de Residencia Temporal InversionistaEcuador
2-year temporary residence (then permanent) for an investment of 100x the monthly minimum wage (USD 48,200 in 2026) in an Ecuadorian bank deposit, real estate, or company shares, maintained for the visa duration.
Investor PermitFiji
Permit of up to 7 years for foreign investors putting at least FJD 250,000 into an approved Fijian business (3-year permits from FJD 50,000 in approved projects); Fiji also offers a deposit-based Assured Income residence permit.
Guernsey Investor Visa RouteGuernsey
2-year (extendable 3 more) investor visa requiring £1M held in a Guernsey bank, of which £750,000 must be invested for the benefit of the Bailiwick, plus purchase or rental of an Open Market property of ~£750,000; settlement after 5 years.
High Value Residency (HVR)Jersey
Entitled residency status for HNWIs committing to a minimum annual tax contribution of £250,000, with personal wealth above £10M and purchase/rental of a property worth at least £1.75M.
Jordan
Renewable 5-year investor residency for purchasers of JOD 200,000+ property or active investors in Jordanian businesses (deposit requirement cut to JOD 10,000 in Feb 2025); a separate citizenship-by-investment track exists from JOD ~700,000.
Investor Residence PermitLuxembourg
3-year renewable residence permit for third-country nationals investing €500,000 in an existing Luxembourg company (kept 5 years) or €500,000 in a new business creating 5 jobs within 3 years (higher tiers: €3M management structure, €20M deposit).
Temporary Residency for Investors (IPIM)Macao
IPIM grants temporary residency to investors with approved major investment projects, assessed case-by-case (guidelines updated March 2025); the old real-estate investment immigration scheme has been suspended since 2007.
Investor Occupation PermitMauritius
10-year renewable combined work/residence permit for a USD 50,000 initial transfer into a Mauritian company (turnover milestones apply), with eligibility for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit after holding the permit.
Moldova
Investor residence under Law 200/2010 art. 36-1: capital contribution of roughly EUR 100,000 (30 average monthly salaries) to a Moldovan entity or job creation grants 2-8 year renewable residence; the 2018 citizenship-by-investment program was repealed in 2020.
Monaco
Residence (carte de sejour) for financially self-sufficient applicants who secure local accommodation and a Monaco bank reference, in practice requiring a deposit of around €500,000 (bank practice, no statutory minimum); not a formal investment program.
Residente InversionistaNicaragua
5-year residency for a minimum USD 30,000 investment in a Nicaraguan business, agricultural/forestry project, or qualifying income-producing real estate, with no formal physical presence requirement.
Visa de Residente InversionistaPeru
1-year renewable investor residence for a single-disbursement investment of PEN 500,000 (~USD 135,000) in a new or existing Peruvian company with a commitment to create 5 jobs; permanent residence possible after 3 years.
Investor Residence Permit (Government Decree No. 2573)Russia
Immediate permanent residence (since January 2023) for investing RUB 15M in socially important regional projects, RUB 30M in an established Russian company, or high-value real estate (RUB 20-50M by region); 2025/26 changes removed the 6-month stay requirement.
Elective / Atypical ResidenceSan Marino
Elective residence for an investment of at least €500,000 in San Marino residential real estate (or higher financial commitments), plus 'atypical' economic residence routes for entrepreneurs and retirees with preferential tax rates; property-leaning mixed program.
Permanent Residence Permit (Investor Category)Seychelles
Permanent residence for investors of USD 1,000,000 or more in a Seychelles business, requiring 5 years of business association and proof of self-support; SCR 350,000 approval fee.
Lump-Sum Taxation Residence (Forfait Fiscal)Switzerland
Counted as a golden-visa equivalent with note: wealthy non-working foreigners obtain a renewable B residence permit by agreeing to annual lump-sum taxation (federal minimum taxable expenditure CHF 434,700; Geneva ~CHF 500,000), with ~183 days/year presence expected; abolished in Zurich and several other cantons.
Permanent Residence Certificate (Investment)Turks and Caicos Islands
Permanent residence for investing USD 300,000-1,000,000 in a home (by island) or USD 750,000-1,500,000 in a job-creating business or USD 1,000,000 in approved public-sector projects; USD 25,000 certificate fee; accepts both property and business routes.
Uruguay
Tax-residency-by-investment route (with 11-year foreign-income tax holiday) repriced by Law 20.446 from 1 January 2026 to ~USD 2M in real estate or USD 100,000/year to the National Innovation Fund; ordinary legal residency remains open without an investment requirement.
Residence Visa (Investor / Self-Funded)Vanuatu
Residence visas of 1-10 years for VIPA-approved investors and self-funded residents with certified income of VUV 250,000/month (~USD 2,000), with permanent residency possible after 12 months.