Residence by investment (RBI) grants the legal right to live in a country long-term, but does not confer nationality or a passport. Citizenship by investment (CBI) grants full nationality and passport rights. RBI programs are typically lower in cost and faster to obtain, and may serve as a precursor to citizenship in countries where naturalization is available after a qualifying period of residency.

Among the five EU programs we advise on, Cyprus typically offers the fastest processing — often 2–3 months — and uniquely grants permanent residency immediately upon approval. Greece also processes in 2–4 months. Portugal and Hungary take 6–8 months on average. Malta’s MPRP takes 4–6 months but delivers lifetime permanent residency. The right choice depends on your investment preferences, timeline, and citizenship goals.

Requirements vary by program. Portugal’s Golden Visa requires only 7 days per year. Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, and Malta impose no minimum stay requirement at all. New Zealand AIP requires 117 days over 3 years. Hong Kong’s CIES requires ordinary continuous residence for the 7-year path to permanent residency. Canada QIIP and US EB-5 have more substantial physical presence requirements tied to maintaining permanent residency status.

Dependent parent inclusion varies by program. Malta’s MPRP explicitly allows inclusion of parents and grandparents of both the main applicant and spouse — one of the most generous family inclusion policies among EU programs. Cyprus also permits inclusion of parents. Portugal, Greece, and Hungary allow dependent parents in certain circumstances. Simard & Associates reviews each family structure and identifies the optimal program for multi-generational planning.

Yes, Portugal’s Golden Visa program remains active, but direct residential real estate investment is no longer a qualifying route in most areas. The focus has shifted to investment funds, venture capital, scientific research, cultural heritage contributions, and job creation. The program continues to offer the same residency benefits and citizenship pathway — only the qualifying investment categories have changed. Simard & Associates advises clients on the current eligible routes and connects them with approved Portuguese investment funds.

In a direct EB-5 investment, the investor establishes or purchases a US business and is directly responsible for creating 10 full-time jobs. This requires active involvement and business management. In the Regional Center route, investors pool capital into USCIS-designated investment vehicles — typically large real estate or infrastructure projects — and job creation is calculated on an indirect and induced basis, which is more straightforward to satisfy. The Regional Center route is preferred by passive investors and accounts for the majority of EB-5 applications.

Tax consequences depend heavily on your country of origin, your current tax residency, and the tax treaties in force. Cyprus operates a non-domiciled resident regime with zero tax on foreign-sourced dividends, interest, and gains. Portugal offers the IFICI regime for qualifying professionals. Hong Kong taxes only Hong Kong-sourced income. New Zealand and Canada tax worldwide income. The US taxes citizens and permanent residents on worldwide income regardless of where they live — a critical consideration for EB-5 applicants. Simard & Associates refers clients to qualified international tax advisors before any application is filed.

Yes. The CAD 1,200,000 investment made through the QIIP is a five-year, interest-free loan to the Quebec government via an approved financial intermediary. At the end of the five-year period, the full principal is returned to the investor with no deductions. The investor does not earn interest on the capital during this period — the opportunity cost of foregone returns is effectively the price of the residency. Many clients finance the investment through third-party lenders, reducing their out-of-pocket capital outlay.

Citizenship timelines vary significantly. Portugal offers the fastest EU citizenship pathway at 5 years of legal residency with minimal physical presence. Greece and Cyprus both require 7 years of residency. Hungary’s program is newer and does not yet have a established direct citizenship pathway beyond standard naturalization. Malta has a separate Citizenship by Naturalization program requiring 36 months of residency. For non-EU programs, New Zealand requires 5 years after residency, Canada 3 years, and the US 5 years after receiving a permanent Green Card.

Common requirements across most programs include: valid passport, certified birth and marriage certificates, criminal background clearance from all countries of residence in the past 10 years, proof of source of funds (bank statements, tax returns, asset declarations), medical insurance, and investment-specific documentation (property title deeds, fund subscription agreements, or business plans). Simard & Associates prepares a tailored document checklist for each program, coordinates apostille and notarisation, and liaises directly with immigration authorities on the client’s behalf.