A residency visa grants you the legal right to live in a country for an extended period — but does not make you a citizen or entitle you to a passport. Citizenship by investment, by contrast, grants full nationality. Residency programs like the Portugal D7, Philippines SRRV, and Thailand long-stay visas are ideal for clients who want to live abroad without necessarily changing their nationality.

Portugal’s D7 Visa requires the holder to spend a minimum of 183 days per year in Portugal, or at least 8 months cumulatively over a two-year period. This residency requirement is important for clients seeking to eventually qualify for permanent residency or citizenship. Our team advises on how to structure your stay to remain compliant.

Yes. The SRRV deposit held in a PRA-accredited bank is repatriable in full upon voluntary cancellation of the visa. Alternatively, the deposit can be converted into qualifying investments such as a Philippine condominium unit, a long-term residential lease, or a golf club membership share — allowing clients to put capital to productive use while maintaining residency status.

For a retiree with capital savings but no regular pension, the Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa is often the most practical route — requiring a one-time fee rather than ongoing income proof. The Property Route (Non-OA Retirement Visa linked to a condominium purchase of THB 3M+) is another strong option that combines a real estate asset with annual stay rights. The LTR Visa is best suited to those with documented assets of USD 500,000 or more. Simard & Associates assesses each profile individually to identify the most appropriate fit.

Yes — once you convert the D7 entry visa into a Portuguese residence permit through the AIMA immigration authority, you are permitted to work as an employee or self-employed professional in Portugal and across the EU. However, the D7 is primarily designed for those with passive income; those seeking to work in Portugal from day one may also consider the Digital Nomad Visa (D8) as an alternative. We advise on which route best aligns with your professional situation.

The Wealthy Global Citizen category of Thailand’s LTR Visa targets individuals with personal assets of at least USD 1 million and an annual income of at least USD 80,000 in the past two years, along with a qualifying investment of USD 500,000 in Thai government bonds, real estate, or the Board of Investment-approved securities. It grants a 10-year renewable visa with premium immigration services and a flat 17% income tax rate on Thai-sourced income.

Yes, in most cases. Portugal’s D7 Visa allows applicants to include a spouse, dependent children, and in some cases dependent parents through family reunification. The Philippines SRRV allows a spouse and dependants to be included on the same application. Thailand’s Privilege Visa offers companion membership options for spouses. The LTR Visa also makes provision for dependants. Our advisors will outline the exact eligibility criteria for each family member based on your chosen program.

Portugal’s NHR regime — now replaced by the IFICI regime for new applicants from 2024 — historically offered a flat 20% income tax rate on Portuguese-source income and full or partial tax exemptions on foreign-source pensions, dividends, and capital gains for a 10-year period. The updated IFICI regime targets qualified professionals in priority sectors. Simard & Associates works in coordination with Portuguese tax advisors to assess which regime applies to your situation and how to maximise your tax position upon relocation.

The Thailand Privilege Visa is non-renewable in the traditional sense — it is a fixed-term membership program. Clients who select a 5-year membership may upgrade to a 10 or 20-year membership before expiry, or apply for a new membership. Upon expiry, holders can transition to another long-stay route such as the LTR Visa or retirement-linked stay, depending on their circumstances at the time. We advise clients well in advance of expiry to ensure continuity.

Common documents across most programs include a valid passport (with at least 12 months validity), proof of income or assets, criminal background certificate, medical insurance, and bank statements. For the Philippines SRRV, a notarised deposit agreement with a PRA-accredited bank is required. For Portugal’s D7, Portuguese consular appointment documents and a lease agreement or property title are needed. Simard & Associates provides a complete program-specific checklist and assists with document authentication and apostille as required.