Residence by investment

Meaning in program materials

The Residency Malta Agency describes the Malta Permanent Residence Programme as a residency-by-investment program for nationals of non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss countries seeking permanent residence in Malta.^[1]

Program names and descriptions use residence by investment, investor residence permit, or immigration permit. These labels refer to residence status linked to specified investment routes. They do not have one shared set of conditions across the countries covered here.^[2]

Greece issues permanent residence permits for investors, and an initial investor permit requires property transaction documents. The Cyprus Migration Department describes an expedited immigration permit procedure for third-country nationals who invest under its policy.^[3]

Investment routes and conditions

The programs attach different qualifying routes, financial thresholds, and evidence requirements to residence status. Malta combines a property requirement with a government contribution, donation, and administrative fee.^[1]

Cyprus sets an investment threshold of at least €300,000 across several routes, including a qualifying home, other real estate, company share capital, or investment units. The company route requires a physical presence in Cyprus and at least five employees. The investment funds must be shown as transferred from abroad, subject to the applicable bank account conditions.^[2]

Income conditions in Cyprus vary by investment category. The stated baseline is €50,000 in secure annual personal income, with additions for a spouse and dependent minor children. For some investment categories, some or all income may come from activities within Cyprus.^[2]

Latvia's share capital route depends on company size and specified financial measures. The Latvian route leads to a temporary residence permit and includes a state budget payment connected to the investment.^[4]

Malta describes permanent residence and gives a choice between renting or purchasing qualifying residential property. The property must be retained for a minimum period, with a continuing Malta residential property requirement afterward.^[1]

Residence status and neighboring terms

Residence by investment is distinct from citizenship by investment. Malta expressly separates its permanent residence program from provisions governing citizenship, while Antigua and Barbuda describes a program that grants citizenship to qualifying applicants.^[1]

Singapore identifies foreign investors as a category that may be eligible to apply for permanent residence, with criteria and process set under a separate Global Investor Programme. Singapore defines permanent residence as status allowing a foreigner to reside in Singapore permanently.^[5]

Family coverage also differs. Cyprus includes a spouse and children under 18 as dependents, while Malta permits up to four generations in one application. Cyprus also describes separate applications for certain adult children under specified study and financial-dependence conditions.^[2]

Citizenship by investment

Citizenship by investment describes a program that grants citizenship to qualifying applicants who make an economic contribution and meet application criteria.

The listed investment choices are a contribution to the National Development Fund, approved real estate, an eligible business, or a university campus fund. The primary applicant must be over 18, meet the application requirements, and choose an option. The real estate option has a minimum holding period of five years. All options are subject to government processing and due diligence fees, and the program identifies categories of ineligible applicants.^[6]

Family members may be granted citizenship with applicants. Citizenship may be revoked if the citizen does not spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda during the five calendar years after obtaining citizenship.^[6]

Citizenship grants are distinct from residence permits. Malta's program grants permanent residence and distinguishes that grant from separate provisions governing citizenship.^[1] Cyprus criteria concern an immigration permit for third-country applicants, with a minimum investment of €300,000 in one of four categories, including real estate, company share capital, or investment units.^[2] Latvia describes a temporary residence permit for certain company share capital investors.^[4] Singapore's immigration authority identifies foreign investors as eligible to apply for permanent residence and points to a separate investor program for its assessment criteria.^[5]

Dependent applicant

Under Cyprus instructions, a spouse and children under 18 may be covered by the principal applicant's permit. Each spouse may instead receive a separate permit through a separate application and relevant fee, without the other spouse meeting the policy criteria. Unmarried children aged 18 through 25 may apply separately if they prove overseas tertiary study at submission and financial dependence on the applicant. Parents must show additional annual income of €10,000 for each such child.^[2]

For adult children who are not financially dependent, Cyprus describes a higher investment amount and requires each adult child to show secure annual income of at least €50,000. The investment amount increases by €300,000 for each adult child using the same investment. Cyprus also requires health insurance evidence for the applicant and dependent family members. If an application for a Cyprus Immigration Permit includes a minor as a dependent without both parents participating, the consent declaration must be signed before a Cypriot consular officer and explicitly authorize the child to reside permanently in Cyprus.^[2]

Family categories differ across programs. Malta permits up to four generations in one residence application and charges a stated fee for each adult dependant other than a spouse. Latvia distinguishes adults and minors when specifying monthly subsistence amounts for accompanying family. Singapore identifies spouses of Singapore citizens or permanent residents, and unmarried children under 21 born within a legal marriage to or legally adopted by a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, as potentially eligible to apply for permanent residence. A Singapore citizen or permanent resident spouse, or a parent, sponsors through ICA's e-Service.^[1][4][5]

Cyprus states that an underage dependent's residence permit lasts until age 18, while the residence right for the permit holder and adult dependents has unlimited validity. The meaning of dependent applicant depends on the program and the family member's circumstances.^[2]

Renewal period

Greek investor permit renewal and Cyprus residence card replacement are separate procedures. The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum uses renewal for applying again for an investor's permanent residence permit, with required documents tied to the prior permit's period of validity.^[3]

A Greek investor permit renewal requires an application form, photographs, an accepted passport or travel document, an insurance policy, and pages of travel documents covering the previous permit's period of validity. If a person is objectively unable to provide a passport or recognized travel document, a formal declaration with supporting documents and a public authority document providing personal data are required instead. Renewal also involves a 16 euro printing fee and an electronic fee where applicable. Renewal requires that the property remain in the holder's ownership and possession, or that the lease remain in force.^[3]

Cyprus distinguishes the residence right from the residence card. The residence right for the permit holder and adult dependents has unlimited validity, while the card expires ten years after issue and must be replaced at expiry. For underage dependents, the residence permit is valid until age 18.

Cyprus instructions also describe a one-year period after approval for applicants living outside Cyprus to acquire residence there. The permit ceases to be valid if holders acquire permanent residence abroad or are absent from Cyprus for two years. These periods govern initial residence and continued permit validity.^[2]

Related reading

Golden visa explains a related label used for investment-linked residence programs. Residence permit covers residence authorization and permit types. Permanent residence addresses permanent residence as defined by destination rules. Tax residence is a separate concept from residence status.

Questions and answers

Related terms

• Golden visa: Golden visa is a common label for residence permits connected to investment, though official programs use different names and conditions for each route.
• Permanent residence: Permanent residence means a status or residence right that each destination defines by its own rules.
• Residence permit: A residence permit is an authorization or document connected with residence in a country. Its duration and conditions depend on the type of permit issued.

Related guides and articles

• How income tax treaties are structured: Income tax treaty terms and structure, related U.S. reporting for U.S. citizens, the OECD Model Tax Convention description and IRS guidance on treaty positions.
• Form 8938 and Foreign Trust Assets: A U.S. citizen's guide to Form 8938: what counts as a specified foreign financial asset, when the form accompanies a tax return, and how filing thresholds vary.
• Licensed trustees and trust companies: Trustee rules depend on the jurisdiction and the trust's activity. Regulated trust company business sets who may act as trustee for U.S. citizens' trusts.

Related pages

• Glossary: All terms.
• Permanent residence
• Residence permit
• IRS forms