Which Countries Offer Golden Visa Citizenship by Investment? [2023]

There are currently 19 countries that offer golden visas, but that doesn’t necessarily mean applicants obtain instant citizenship. Sometimes, they simply receive the right to residency. So, which countries offer golden visa citizenship by investment? 

In many cases, obtaining a second citizenship can take years to complete. There are specific requirements you must meet, such as language tests and residing in the country for a certain amount of time, to get a new passport. 

However, these golden visas that offer citizenship by investment make getting a second passport easier than ever. With a simple application process and a hefty investment, you could become a citizen of two countries. 

Diversifying your lifestyle with two citizenships opens many doors, both financially and personally. You can pass your citizenship down to your family and take advantage of what another country has to offer. 

If you’re goal is to obtain a second citizenship by investment, then you’re in the right place. We are diving into a list of countries that offer golden visa citizenship by investment. 

What is a Golden Visa? 

A golden visa is an investment visa available to wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and retirees who wish to diversify their lifestyle and move abroad or obtain a second citizenship. 

Oftentimes, golden visas require the applicant to make a substantial investment in real estate, government bonds or funds, or start a local business to create job opportunities. However, each country has its own requirements, and some golden visa investments are more affordable than others. 

What Happens When You Obtain Citizenship by Investment?

When you get a second citizenship through a golden visa, there are a couple of things that will happen. 

Firstly, you will get a physical passport for the country where you apply for your golden visa. You may have to travel to the country to receive your passport and take part in a swearing-in ceremony, or you may visit your local embassy. 

You will also always have the right to reside in the country where you hold your new citizenship. You will never have to apply for a visa or residence permit to stay in the country. Legally, you will be treated as if you were born and raised in that country. 

Lastly, your family members may also benefit from getting a second citizenship as well. Depending on the country where you apply for the golden visa citizenship by investment, you may be able to include your spouse and dependents on your application. 

Which Countries Offer Golden Visa Citizenship by Investment?

In 2023, there are seven countries that offer golden visa citizenship by investment. For a set price, you can obtain a new passport and second citizenship when you meet the eligibility requirements and follow the application process. 

Antigua and Barbuda

In just three to four months, you could be holding a new passport from Antigua and Barbuda, granting visa-free access to 150 countries, including the UK. 

Investment options include:

• Real Estate – $400,000 for a pre-approved property
• Business Development – $1.5 million to develop a local business
• National Development Fund – $100,000 donated to the government
• University Donation – $150,000 donated to the University of the West Indies

Golden visa applicants may include family members, including spouses, dependents, and parents over the age of 58. 

While there is no requirement to reside in Antigua and Barbuda as a golden visa holder, you must spend at least five days physically present in the country during the first five years of citizenship. 

Learn more about the Antigua and Barbuda golden visa requirements and application process. 

Austria

The application process for Austrian citizenship through the golden visa takes around three years. However, having an EU passport grants visa-free access to the Schengen Area (27 countries) and the ability to reside and work within the European Union. 

There are two investment options you can make to obtain the Austria golden visa:

• Government Fund – €3 million donation
• Venture Capital – €10 million investment

While the price tag for Austrian citizenship is hefty, it could be worth it for some individuals. 

It’s important to note that Austria is one of the handful of countries that does not allow dual citizenship. So, if you wish to apply for this for golden visa citizenship by investment program, then you must renounce your original nationality. 

Learn more about the Austria golden visa program and its eligibility requirements. 

Grenada

Wander through the tropical forests as a citizen of Grenada when you apply for this golden visa citizenship by investment program. In just three to four months, you could be holding your own Grenada passport. 

Many investors choose Grenada’s golden visa thanks to its moderately low investment requirement, access to E2 visas in the United States, and favorable tax rates. 

To be eligible for Grenada’s golden visa, you must make one of the qualifying investments:

• Real Estate – $220,000 investment in a government-approved property
• National Transformation Fund – $150,000 donation for single applications, $200,000 donation for couples and families of four

With Grenada’s passport, you’ll have visa-free access to 153 countries. Plus, there is no minimum stay requirement. So, you never even have to step foot in the country if you don’t want to. 

Learn more about the Grenada golden visa program and how to apply for it. 

St. Kitts and Nevis

You could hold one of the strongest passports in the Caribbean in just 90 days with the St. Kitts and Nevis golden visa citizenship by investment program. 

Protect your wealth, travel visa-free to 160 countries, and provide second citizenship to your family with this program. 

To be eligible, you must make at least one of the qualifying investments: 

• Sustainable Growth Fund – $150,000 donation
• Real Estate – $200,000 in a government-approved property
• Private Residential Home – $400,000 in a residential property
• Public Benefit Program – $175,000 donation to an approved public benefit program

With no minimum stay requirement, you never even have to travel to St. Kitts and Nevis to get citizenship there. Although, it is nice to know that you can travel and live there whenever you please as a citizen! 

Learn more about the St. Kitts and Nevis golden visa program and how to apply for it. 

St. Lucia

In a quick 90 days, you could become a citizen of St. Lucia when you apply for the golden visa citizenship by investment program. 

This is one of the few golden visas that allow applicants to include spouses, dependents, parents, and siblings on their applications. That means everyone in your immediate family can obtain a second passport. 

There are different tiers of investment to qualify for the golden visa: 

• National Economic Fund – Donations starting from $100,000
• Real Estate – $200,000 to purchase a property
• National Action Bond – $300,000 donation
• Enterprise Investment – $3.5 million investment that creates at least three permanent jobs in St. Lucia

With favorable tax rates within the country, St. Lucia may be the smartest financial move you’ve ever made; it also doesn’t hurt to be a citizen of paradise. 

Learn more about the St. Lucia golden visa and how to apply for the program. 

Turkey

While the Turkey golden visa doesn’t lead to instant citizenship, you may obtain it three to six months after becoming a resident with the golden visa. 

You do not have to take a language or citizenship exam to obtain your Turkish passport either. Plus, there is no minimum stay requirement; you can visit Turkey (or not) as much as you wish. 

To qualify for the Turkey golden visa program, you must make one of the following investments:

• Real Estate – $400,000 in property 
• Capital Transfer – $500,000 deposited in a Turkish bank account
• Local Job Creation – Create at least 50 jobs in Turkey through business establishment

Not only will you have the opportunity to become a Turkish citizen, but you can earn a return on your investments if you play your cards right. 

Learn more about the Turkey golden visa and how to apply for it. 

Vanuatu

The quickest and one of the cheapest golden visa citizenship by investment programs belongs to Vanuatu. In just 30 days you can obtain citizenship from Vanuatu. 

While this citizenship grants you the right to live and work in the country, it does not allow you to vote in local elections. 

To be eligible for the Vanuatu golden visa, you must make a qualifying investment. There are no investment options; it’s simply a price for the passport. The prices are as follows:

• Individuals – $130,000
• Couples – $150,000
• Family of Three – $160,000
• Family of Four – $180,000
• Additional Family Members – $15,000 each

In other good news, you may use cryptocurrency to make your investment to obtain your Vanuatu citizenship. This is mostly uncommon for other golden visas available. 

Learn more about the Vanuatu golden visa program and how to apply for it. 

Do All Golden Visas Lead to Citizenship?

Yes and no. 

Many countries have immigration laws that allow citizenship by naturalization. This means if you have lived in a country for a certain amount of time, such as five to ten years, then you may apply for citizenship. 

In cases where golden visas only grant permanent residency, then citizenship by naturalization is the best option. 

However, if you apply for one of the golden visas listed above, then you can obtain citizenship within months of acceptance. 

Can You Have Dual Citizenship with a Golden Visa?

There are some countries that do not recognize dual citizenship. 

Austria, China, India, Ukraine, and Cuba are just some of them. 

So, suppose you originate from a country that does not recognize dual citizenship and would like to obtain citizenship by investment with a golden visa. In that case, you must renounce your original citizenship. 

Of course, this is different if you wish to obtain Austrian citizenship. No matter where you originate, you must renounce your citizenship to get an Austrian passport. 

Should I Work with a Lawyer to Apply for a Golden Visa?

It’s always a good idea to work with an immigration lawyer when applying for any type of visa. This often complicated bureaucracy can be long and drawn out if you decide to do it on your own. 

When you work with an immigration lawyer, which some golden visas require, you can rest assured that your application and citizenship process are well taken care of. You get to sit back, relax, and enjoy being a citizen of the world. 
Want to get in touch with an immigration lawyer? Contact Nomads Embassy to see how we can help you today!