Investment Programs That Include Work Rights
Not all investment migration programs include the right to work. Some residency permits are explicitly non-working (Greece Golden Visa, Spain NLV, most Mauritius visas). Others grant full employment and business rights from day one. For investors who plan to be economically active in their new country, work rights are non-negotiable. This page lists every active program that includes work authorization.
Programs
39
Countries
35
Types
CBI & RBI
From
Income-based
Key Takeaways
- ✓ 39 of 58 active programs include work rights
- ✓ All CBI programs grant full work rights through citizenship
- ✓ Portugal Golden Visa, Italy Investor Visa, and Hungary Golden Visa include RBI work rights
- ✓ Greece Golden Visa notably excludes work rights despite being one of the most popular programs
All Programs at a Glance
Sorted by minimum investment. Click any country to explore in detail.
| Country | Program | Type | Min. Investment | Processing | Citizenship Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | D7 Passive Income Visa | RBI | Income-based | 3 months | 5 years |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Digital Nomad Visa | RBI | Income-based | 1-3 months | 10 years |
| ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia | Temporary Residence for Business Activity | RBI | Income-based | 1-3 months | 8 years (5 years continuous residence + 3 years permanent residence) |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | National Innovation Visa (NIV) | RBI | Income-based | 12-24 months | 4 years (after PR) |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Critical Skills Visa | RBI | Income-based | 4-8 weeks | 10 years (5 years to PR, then 5 years to citizenship) |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | Occupation Permit (Investor / Self-Employed) | RBI | $50,000 | 2-3 months | No direct path |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | Golden Visa | RBI | €50,000 | 1-3 months | 10 years (PR after 4 years) |
| 🇵🇾 Paraguay | Investor Residency (SUACE) | RBI | $70,000 | 1-3 months | 3 years |
| 🇳🇷 Nauru | NECRCP (Climate Resilience Citizenship) | CBI | $90,000 | 3-6 months | Direct |
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé and PrÃncipe | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $90,000 | 2-3 months | Direct |
| 🇰🇠Cambodia | Cambodia My Second Home (CM2H) | RBI | $100,000 | 4-6 months | 5 years (by naturalization under 1996 Nationality Law) |
| 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $100,000 | 2-3 months | Direct |
| 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Development Support Program (DSP) | CBI | $130,000 | 1-3 months | Direct |
| 🇩🇲 Dominica | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $200,000 | 3-4 months | Direct |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | Friendly Nations Visa | RBI | $200,000 | 3-6 months | 5 years |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) | RBI | $215,000 | 4-6 weeks | No direct path |
| 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $230,000 | 3-6 months | Direct |
| 🇬🇩 Grenada | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $235,000 | 4-6 months | Direct |
| 🇱🇨 St Lucia | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $240,000 | 3-4 months | Direct |
| 🇰🇳 St Kitts and Nevis | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $250,000 | 3-6 months | Direct |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Investor Visa | RBI | €250,000 | 3-6 months | 10 years |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $250,000 | 6-12 months | Direct |
| ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Hungary | Guest Investor Program (Golden Visa) | RBI | €250,000 | 3-6 months | 8 years + language exam |
| 🇧🇿 Belize | Investor Residency | RBI | $250,000 | 3-6 months | 5 years |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa | RBI | $350,000 | 1-3 months | No direct path |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | Residence via Property (IRS / RES / PDS / SCS) | RBI | $375,000 | 2-4 months | No direct path |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $400,000 | 6-12 months | Direct |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | Citizenship by Investment | CBI | $490,000 | 3-6 months | Direct |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Golden Visa (ARI) | RBI | €500,000 | 12-18 months | 5 years |
| 🇹🇠Thailand | Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) | RBI | $500,000 | 2-3 months | No direct path |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Investor Residence Permit | RBI | €512,000 | 3-6 months | 5 years (PR), then citizenship after additional residency |
| 🇺🇸 United States | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program | RBI | $800,000 | 12-24 months | 5 years (after green card) |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | MM2H Platinum | RBI | $1,000,000 | 3 months | No direct path |
| 🇸🇻 El Salvador | Freedom Visa (Bitcoin Passport) | CBI | $1,000,000 | 2-3 months | Direct |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | Golden Visa | RBI | AED2,000,000 | 1-3 months | No direct path (UAE does not offer CBI) |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Active Investor Plus | RBI | NZD 5,000,000 | 6-12 months | 5 years |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Business/Investment Visa | RBI | ZAR 5,000,000 | 3-12 months | 10 years (5 years to PR, then 5 years to citizenship) |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Global Investor Programme (GIP) | RBI | SGD 10,000,000 | 6-12 months | 2 years (eligible to apply after PR) |
| ðŸ‡ðŸ‡° Hong Kong | Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) | RBI | HKD 30,000,000 | 6-12 months | 7 years (permanent residency) |
Explore Each Program
Detailed cards with investment requirements, timelines, and key benefits.
D7 Passive Income Visa
Income-based
Proof of passive income (approx. €900/month minimum)
3 months
183+ days/year
2 years (renewable)
Yes
5 years
191
- ✓ No investment required, income-based
- ✓ Pension income accepted
- ✓ Must reside in Portugal
Digital Nomad Visa
Income-based
No investment. Must demonstrate remote employment or freelance activity for a non-Spanish company, with minimum income of approximately €2,520/month (200% IPREM).
1-3 months
Must reside in Spain
1 year visa, then 3-year residence permit (renewable)
Yes
10 years
191
- ✓ Beckham Law eligible: 24% flat tax on Spanish-source income for first 6 years
- ✓ No investment required, income-based qualification
- ✓ Full Schengen access
Temporary Residence for Business Activity
Income-based
Company registration in Croatia or appointment as director/board member. No minimum capital requirement for d.o.o. (LLC equivalent).
1-3 months
Must reside in Croatia
1 year (renewable annually, leads to permanent residence after 5 years)
Yes
8 years (5 years continuous residence + 3 years permanent residence)
188
- ✓ EU + Schengen + Eurozone access from 2023
- ✓ Actual path to Croatian (EU) citizenship via 8-year integration
- ✓ Full work rights, unlike the Digital Nomad Visa
National Innovation Visa (NIV)
Income-based
No minimum investment threshold. Invitation-only based on exceptional achievement and recognised contribution to innovation, research, entrepreneurship, investment, sport, or arts. Must submit Expression of Interest (EOI); Department issues invitations. State nomination required for most streams.
12-24 months
Must reside in Australia
Permanent (direct PR)
Yes
4 years (after PR)
189
- ✓ Merit-based, not investment-based — no minimum capital threshold
- ✓ Grants permanent residence directly, not a provisional visa
- ✓ Highly selective: ~300 invitations issued from 9,000+ EOIs as of 2025
Critical Skills Visa
Income-based
No investment. Must hold qualifications in a gazetted critical skill (engineering, IT, finance, healthcare, etc.).
4-8 weeks
Must reside and work in South Africa
5 years (renewable, leads to PR)
Yes
10 years (5 years to PR, then 5 years to citizenship)
106
- ✓ No investment required, skills-based entry
- ✓ Fast processing (4-8 weeks typical)
- ✓ Full work rights from day one
Occupation Permit (Investor / Self-Employed)
$50,000
Investor route: $50,000 USD equity in a Mauritian business or annual business turnover of $50K+. Self-Employed route: $35,000+ annual revenue from a Mauritian professional activity. Issued for 3 years, renewable, convertible to permanent residence after 3 years of active operation.
2-3 months
Active business or professional operation in Mauritius
3 years (renewable, PR after 3 years active)
Yes
No direct path
148
- ✓ Lowest capital threshold for Mauritius residency via active business
- ✓ Self-employed professionals qualify at $35K annual revenue
- ✓ Converts to permanent residence after 3 years of active operation
Golden Visa
€50,000
Real estate: €250K+ in Riga or within 30km (freehold, 5-year hold, +5% government fee). Business: €50K into Latvian company (<50 employees) or €100K (50+ employees), plus €10K government fee. Bank deposit: €280K fixed for 5 years. Income proof: €2,220/month required.
1-3 months
Must maintain investment
5 years (renewable)
Yes
10 years (PR after 4 years)
188
- ✓ Lowest EU Golden Visa business investment route at €50K
- ✓ Corporate tax on distributed profits only — reinvested profits untaxed
- ✓ Permanent residency available after 4 years
Investor Residency (SUACE)
$70,000
$70K bank deposit or business investment.
1-3 months
Minimal
Permanent
Yes
3 years
143
- ✓ Fastest citizenship in South America — 3 years from permanent residency
- ✓ $70K investment threshold — lowest in the Americas for a PR+citizenship path
- ✓ Flat 10% territorial tax — no tax on foreign income whatsoever
NECRCP (Climate Resilience Citizenship)
$90,000
$90,000 standard contribution to Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Programme. Promotional rate of $80,000 available through June 2026.
3-6 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
48
- ✓ Direct citizenship from $90K standard ($80K promotional through June 2026)
- ✓ Zero-tax jurisdiction: no income, corporate, capital gains, or VAT
- ✓ Only 48 countries visa-free — chosen for cost diversification, not mobility
Citizenship by Investment
$90,000
$90K donation to National Transformation Fund (single applicant). $95K for families of 2-4. Total cost with fees ~$105K.
2-3 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
61
- ✓ Cheapest CBI program globally ($90K)
- ✓ Fastest processing (as little as 6 weeks)
- ✓ CPLP member: fast-track to Portuguese/Brazilian residency
Cambodia My Second Home (CM2H)
$100,000
$100K+ in approved real estate project (government-approved developments only, including residential and mixed-use in Phnom Penh). Includes KHCA membership fee. Total cost typically $50K–$100K depending on chosen project. Work rights included from day one.
4-6 months
Minimal
10 years
Yes
5 years (by naturalization under 1996 Nationality Law)
54
- ✓ USD de facto currency — eliminates exchange rate risk for dollar investors
- ✓ Citizenship eligible after 5 years — fastest path to SE Asian passport
- ✓ Work rights included — unlike some competing programs
Citizenship by Investment
$100,000
$100K Heritage track (African descent) or $140K standard track contribution. Total cost with fees approximately $117K–$157K depending on track.
2-3 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
64
- ✓ Two tracks: $100K Heritage (African descent) or $140K standard
- ✓ Fully remote, no visit required
- ✓ Fast processing (2 months)
Development Support Program (DSP)
$130,000
$130K government contribution (single applicant). Additional fees for family members.
1-3 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
89
- ✓ World's fastest CBI (approvals routinely in 30-60 days, some in 3 weeks)
- ✓ Zero-tax jurisdiction: no income, corporate, capital gains, or inheritance tax
- ✓ Schengen access revoked March 2022; UK requires a Standard Visitor visa
Citizenship by Investment
$200,000
$200K donation to Economic Diversification Fund or $200K+ real estate (3-year hold).
3-4 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
145
- ✓ Most affordable CBI globally
- ✓ No residency or visit requirement
- ✓ No interview required
Friendly Nations Visa
$200,000
$200K+ in Panamanian real estate or 3-year Certificate of Deposit in a Panamanian bank. Alternatively, employment with a Panamanian company qualifies. Provisional residency within ~72 hours, permanent residency after 2 years. Available to 50+ eligible nationalities including US, UK, EU, and most Commonwealth countries.
3-6 months
Visit every 2 years
Permanent Residence
Yes
5 years
143
- ✓ Territorial tax — zero tax on all foreign-source income
- ✓ USD-based economy — no currency risk for dollar-denominated wealth
- ✓ Provisional residency granted in ~72 hours
Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)
$215,000
RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit in Malaysian bank (approx. USD 215K; up to 50% withdrawable after 6 months for approved uses). Requires RM 40K/month offshore income and proof of RM 10M+ in global assets. No property purchase required.
4-6 weeks
None specified
20 years (5-year renewal cycles)
Yes
No direct path
180
- ✓ No property purchase required — only Malaysia program with this
- ✓ Full work, business, and directorship rights
- ✓ 20-year renewable visa with 4-6 week processing
Citizenship by Investment
$230,000
$230K donation to National Development Fund (covers family of up to 4 at same price, unique among Caribbean CBI). Or $260K University of the West Indies Fund (family of up to 6, one member enrolled, inclusive of processing fees). Or $300K+ real estate (5-year hold, joint investment option: two families invest $200K each in same property). Or $1.5M direct business investment.
3-6 months
5 days in first 5 years
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
154
- ✓ Family of 4 covered at same $230K donation price (best family value in Caribbean CBI)
- ✓ Only Caribbean CBI with any residency requirement (just 5 days in 5 years)
- ✓ UK access via Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £20, valid 2 years)
Citizenship by Investment
$235,000
$235K donation to National Transformation Fund (single applicant or family of up to 4), or $270K+ shared real estate (+$50K NTF), or $350K+ sole ownership real estate (+$50K NTF).
4-6 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
147
- ✓ E-2 treaty with US (can apply for US investor visa)
- ✓ Only Caribbean CBI with US E-2 access
- ✓ Visa-free access to China and Russia
Citizenship by Investment
$240,000
$240K donation to National Economic Fund (single applicant; $300K for family of 4). Or $300K+ approved real estate (5-year hold). Or $300K+ government bond (non-interest-bearing, 5-year hold, plus administration fee set by the CIU). Or enterprise investment from $3.5M (3+ jobs created).
3-4 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
144
- ✓ UK: full Standard Visitor visa required (added to UK visa national list April 2026)
- ✓ Schengen visa-free; 144 countries total (Henley March 2026)
- ✓ Only Caribbean CBI with a capital-recoverable bond route
Citizenship by Investment
$250,000
$250K Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC, flat rate for family of up to 4). Real estate: $325K+ (Developer's Real Estate, 7-year hold) or $600K+ (Private Real Estate, 7-year hold).
3-6 months
None (genuine-link due diligence required)
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
157
- ✓ No mandatory physical residency requirement for citizenship
- ✓ Genuine-link principle enforced: enhanced due diligence, background checks, no illicit ties (CARICOM 2024 agreement)
- ✓ Oldest CBI program (since 1984)
Investor Visa
€250,000
€250K in qualifying innovative startup (registered, <5 years old, <€5M revenue), €500K in Italian company (SME or larger), €1M philanthropic donation, or €2M in government bonds. Startup route is most popular entry point.
3-6 months
Must maintain Italian tax residency (183+ days/year or centre of vital interests in Italy)
2 years (renewable)
Yes
10 years
191
- ✓ Lowest EU investor visa entry point at €250K (startup route)
- ✓ Flat tax regime: €300K/year on all foreign income (up to 15 years)
- ✓ Path to EU citizenship and passport after 10 years
Citizenship by Investment
$250,000
$250K+ real estate or $300K+ government treasury deposit (refundable after 5 years).
6-12 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
53
- ✓ Affordable entry point for CBI
- ✓ Property investment qualifies
- ✓ Treasury deposit is refundable
Guest Investor Program (Golden Visa)
€250,000
€250K in HNB-approved residential real estate fund (40%+ of NAV in Hungarian residential property, 5-year minimum hold). Or €1M non-refundable donation to a public interest trust supporting Hungarian higher education. Direct real estate route removed January 2025.
3-6 months
Must maintain investment
10 years (renewable)
Yes
8 years + language exam
188
- ✓ Lowest-cost EU Golden Visa entry point at €250K (fund route)
- ✓ 10-year renewable permit — longest duration in EU
- ✓ Flat 15% personal income tax, 9% corporate tax (lowest in EU)
Investor Residency
$250,000
$250K+ real estate investment.
3-6 months
Approximately 1 visit per year (not strictly quantified in statute)
Permanent
Yes
5 years
96
- ✓ Only English-speaking country in Central America — common law legal system
- ✓ No capital gains tax on any asset class
- ✓ Territorial tax — all foreign income exempt
Golden Visa
$350,000
Passive investor (individual): $350K for 5-year visa or $700K+ for 10-year visa in government bonds, public company shares, or bank deposits. Entrepreneur (establishing company): $2.5M (5-year) or $5M (10-year). No property purchase option — financial instruments only.
1-3 months
No physical presence requirement
5-10 years
Yes
No direct path
78
- ✓ No residency requirement — full 5 or 10-year validity without presence
- ✓ Entry-level passive investor route starts at $350K (5-year)
- ✓ 5-year visa upgradeable to 10-year by meeting higher threshold
Residence via Property (IRS / RES / PDS / SCS)
$375,000
$375,000+ in an approved Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Real Estate Scheme (RES), Property Development Scheme (PDS), or Smart City Scheme (SCS) property. Grants permanent residence directly on purchase, covering the investor and immediate family. Government tax of $70K applies for IRS specifically. Registration duty and land transfer tax rising from 5% to 10% from July 2026. 85% of purchase price must be paid in Mauritius rupees (from December 2024).
2-4 months
None (PR is granted regardless of physical presence)
Permanent Residence
Yes
No direct path
148
- ✓ Permanent residence granted directly on property purchase, no separate application
- ✓ 15% flat tax on all income; no capital gains, no inheritance, no wealth tax
- ✓ 45+ double taxation treaties, premier Africa/India investment holding jurisdiction
Citizenship by Investment
$400,000
Property purchase ($400K+) or bank deposit ($500K+) or government bonds ($500K+).
6-12 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
118
- ✓ Strategic location (Europe/Asia bridge)
- ✓ E-2 treaty with US
- ✓ Property can be sold after 3 years
Citizenship by Investment
$490,000
Framework reformed July 2025; all passive treasury-bond routes eliminated. Five active citizenship routes (thresholds in JOD; approximate USD conversions at 2026 rates): Existing Project retroactive recognition JOD 350K-700K (~USD 490K-990K); New Project with 10-20 Jordanian jobs JOD 500K-700K (~USD 700K-990K); Share Purchase in Jordanian companies JOD 1M (~USD 1.4M, 3-year profit lock-up); Sector-Specific in pharmaceuticals/logistics/priority sectors up to JOD 3M (~USD 4.2M); Employment-Only (no capital floor) with 100-150 Jordanian national hires. Annual cap of 500 approvals across all routes.
3-6 months
None specified
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
51
- ✓ July 2025 reform eliminated all passive routes; citizenship now requires active investment or job creation
- ✓ Approximately 51 countries visa-free (Henley 2026), chosen for regional business access, not mobility
- ✓ Dual citizenship recognised (no renunciation of existing nationality required)
Golden Visa (ARI)
€500,000
Qualifying investment fund (€500K min, 60%+ allocated to Portugal-based companies, 5-year lock-up). Also: €250,000 standard contribution to Portuguese cultural heritage, artistic production, or national scientific research (Law 56/2023). Reduced to €200,000 for projects in low-population-density regions including Azores, Madeira, and interior NUTS III areas. €1.5M capital transfer. Job creation (10 positions). Property route closed Oct 2023.
12-18 months
7 days/year average
2 years (renewable)
Yes
5 years
191
- ✓ Only 7 days/year physical presence required
- ✓ Path to EU passport in 5 years — one of Europe's fastest
- ✓ IFICI flat tax regime (20% on qualifying PT income, 10 years)
Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR)
$500,000
Wealthy Global Citizen: $1M+ in assets with $500K invested in Thai government bonds, real estate, or FDI. Income requirement removed for this category since Feb 2025. Wealthy Pensioner: $1M assets or $80K/year income. Work-from-Thailand professional: $80K/year income, 5 years experience.
2-3 months
Annual reporting (vs 90-day reporting for standard visas)
10 years
Yes
No direct path
79
- ✓ Four distinct categories — wealthy global citizen, pensioner, remote worker, skilled professional
- ✓ Flat 17% income tax rate for qualifying work-from-Thailand holders
- ✓ Foreign income brought into Thailand exempt from Thai personal income tax
Investor Residence Permit
€512,000
€512K+ investment in Bulgarian government bonds, business, or designated projects.
3-6 months
Must maintain investment
1 year (renewable, PR after 5 years)
Yes
5 years (PR), then citizenship after additional residency
175
- ✓ Lowest flat tax in the EU — 10% personal and 10% corporate
- ✓ Joined Air Schengen 2024 — full land border Schengen access pending
- ✓ EU citizenship path — one of Europe's lowest-cost routes to an EU passport
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
$800,000
$800K in targeted employment area (TEA) or $1.05M standard. Must create/preserve 10+ full-time jobs.
12-24 months
Must reside in US
Green card (permanent)
Yes
5 years (after green card)
186
- ✓ Only investment route to a US green card and eventual citizenship
- ✓ TEA threshold: $800K (vs $1.05M standard) — most invest through regional centres
- ✓ US taxes worldwide income permanently from green card issuance — irreversible
MM2H Platinum
$1,000,000
USD 1,000,000 fixed deposit in Malaysian bank (approx. RM 4.4M-4.7M depending on exchange rate) + mandatory property purchase RM 2M+ + participation fee RM 200K. Proof of RM 1.5M liquid assets and RM 60K/month offshore income required. Work and business rights included.
3 months
90 days/year
20 years (5-year renewal cycles)
Yes
No direct path
180
- ✓ Full work and business rights (only MM2H tier with this)
- ✓ 20-year visa, longest of all MM2H tiers
- ✓ USD 1M fixed deposit + RM 2M property + RM 200K participation fee
Freedom Visa (Bitcoin Passport)
$1,000,000
$1M contribution (can be paid in Bitcoin or USD).
2-3 months
None
Citizenship (permanent)
Yes
Direct
134
- ✓ First Bitcoin-accepting CBI program
- ✓ 100% online, no visit required
- ✓ No capital gains tax on Bitcoin
Golden Visa
AED2,000,000
Property: AED 2M+ (equity portion, no 50% threshold since Feb 2026 — off-plan and mortgaged accepted). Or: AED 2M+ public investment/deposits. Entrepreneurs: AED 500K+ in approved startup. Expanded categories include content creators, educators, nurses (15+ years), e-sports professionals.
1-3 months
None (can stay outside UAE without visa cancellation)
10 years (renewable)
Yes
No direct path (UAE does not offer CBI)
183
- ✓ Zero personal income tax — no employment, investment, or capital gains tax
- ✓ Off-plan and mortgaged property now qualify (rule change Feb 2026)
- ✓ Can sponsor unlimited family members including adult children
Active Investor Plus
NZD 5,000,000
Growth category: NZD 5M+ in approved managed funds or NZ business direct investment, held 3 years (21 days/year stay). Balanced category: NZD 10M+ in mixed investments including bonds and new residential property, held 5 years (105 days/year stay). Both restructured April 2025.
6-12 months
21 days/3 years (Growth) or 105 days/5 years (Balanced)
4 years (leads to PR)
Yes
5 years
189
- ✓ Two-tier structure since April 2025 — Growth (NZD 5M) or Balanced (NZD 10M)
- ✓ Growth category: only 21 days presence over 3-year investment term
- ✓ No capital gains tax on shares or portfolio investments
Business/Investment Visa
ZAR 5,000,000
ZAR 5M (~$270K USD) in a South African business.
3-12 months
Must reside
3 years (renewable, leads to PR)
Yes
10 years (5 years to PR, then 5 years to citizenship)
106
- ✓ ZAR 5M (~$270K USD) — among lowest investment thresholds for a direct PR pathway globally
- ✓ Africa's largest and most diversified economy — gateway to continental markets
- ✓ GMT+2 timezone — convenient for Europe-facing business operations
Global Investor Programme (GIP)
SGD 10,000,000
Option A: SGD 10M into new/existing Singapore business (30+ employees, 50%+ Singaporean). Option B: SGD 25M into EDB-approved fund investing in Singapore companies. Option C: Single Family Office with SGD 200M AUM, SGD 50M deployed locally. Application fee SGD 20,000 (from May 2025).
6-12 months
Must be based in Singapore
Permanent Residence
Yes
2 years (eligible to apply after PR)
195
- ✓ World's strongest passport by visa-free access (195 countries)
- ✓ Grants PR directly — no provisional period
- ✓ Citizenship eligible after just 2 years of PR
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
HKD 30,000,000
HKD 30M (~$3.8M USD) in permissible financial assets. No property.
6-12 months
Must ordinarily reside in HK
2 years (renewable, leads to PR at 7 years)
Yes
7 years (permanent residency)
171
- ✓ No capital gains tax, no dividend tax, no estate duty — territorial tax system
- ✓ HKD 30M threshold (up from HKD 10M) — property excluded, financial assets only
- ✓ Relaunched 2024 after 9-year suspension (2015–2024)
More Program Rankings
Get the Free Comparison Guide
A comprehensive breakdown of CBI and RBI programs worldwide, delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.