Author: Prabhu Balakrishnan

Italy has plans to introduce golden visa (investment residency) to wealthy high net worth foreign investors, who want to move and live in Italy. The 2017 Budget Law  introduces a new investment visa called ‘special investment visa’ for foreign investors who commit to invest atleast € 1,000,000 in Italian company shares invested for 2 years € 2,000,000…

Malta and Cyprus are the only two countries, which have their official citizenship by investment programmes running in Europe.  Foreign investors can apply for EU citizenship in any these countries through a qualifying economic investment. In my opinion, Malta passport is cheaper, has more reputation and value, than Cyprus passport, but takes more time. I will…

Grenada and St Lucia are two new comers in the citizenship-by-investment industry. I will point out the main differences between the two citizenship by investment programmes which are currently running.  In my opinion,Grenada passport has more value but expensive, while St Lucia passport is much cheaper, almost half the price. Grenada St Lucia Economic Citizenship CIP…

UK tier investment program to rich foreign nationals has not lost its shine and popularity.  UK tier1 investor program grants fast track residency to those bringing 2 million pounds into the UK. Since the Brexit, the investor program has become cheaper to rich foreigners seeking entry clearance, because of the falling pound and London’s attractiveness…

Portugal’s golden visa programme is the most popular golden visa programme in Europe for property investment. The latest report released by SEF immigration office in Portugal shows, Portugal issued over 11,000 residence permits under the golden visa program from Oct 2012 to Jan 2017.  About 4423 residence permits issued for main applicants and 7038 issued for family…

St Lucia  entered citizenship by investment market in 2015, while Dominica is most popular CIP program running since 1993. As of 2017, both the programs cost $100,000 for their passports. One big difference is real estate is cheaper in Dominica costing $200,000. But what is the main difference between Dominica and Saint Lucia citizenship by investment passport…

There are several countries in the world having special provisions in citizenship laws granting citizenship based on public interest such as achievements in the field of science, sports, technology, research, energy and art/culture. The paperwork and bureaucratic procedure is quite difficult and may take many months as the decisions are made by minister. Austria (11(4))…

Malta is planning to grant Maltese Citizenship of Merit to foreign nationals who have given “exceptional” service to the country.  This Citizenship of Merit will be given Maltese citizenship to deserving individuals who are of exceptional interest to Malta by amending Citizenship Act (Chapter 188 of Laws of Malta) The proposed Citizenship of Merit initiative…

  The CBI/RBI industry has seen some dramatic changes residence and citizenship programs during the year 2018.   The Citizenship by investment industry is seeing a rapid growth year by year and the demand for second passports just keeps on increasing and the investment migration industry expected to hit $20 billion by 2020. There are…