What is investor immigration

Investor immigration refers to the process where individuals make a capital investment into a foreign economy in exchange for permanent resident status or citizenship. These programs are also known as ‘immigrant investor programs’ or ‘golden visas’.

Countries use investor immigration to attract foreign capital and business. The overall goal is to achieve sustained economic growth and help regions with high unemployment levels.

What are the main types of investor immigration programs?

There are three main types of investor immigration programs:

Direct investment: Applicants are required to invest a substantial amount in an existing business venture or new commercial enterprise in the host country. Often, this involves job creation or preservation for its citizens. Investors may need to take an active role in managing the company or have a stake in its success
Real estate investment: Investors can purchase property in the desired country, usually provided it meets a minimum threshold. Some programs offer more favorable terms if the property is in an area that requires economic investment or revitalization
Government funds: Some countries offer programs whereby investors can contribute to government projects. Often, visa holders can assume a more passive role and remain uninvolved in daily management or operations

What does the process of investor immigration entail?

The path to obtaining an investor visa typically involves several steps:

Checking qualifying factors: The applicant must meet the eligibility criteria of the host country including going beyond the minimum threshold and using the required investment channels
Creating business proposals: Immigration officials may need to see evidence that the investment will create full-time jobs for workers
Filing forms: Most countries require investors to fill in applications with their personal and business details
Undergoing a background check: Countries usually analyze the applicant’s accounts and financial records to ensure they have sufficient funds
Making the investment: Applicants should pay the required amount according to the terms of their visa

Afterward, the individual must continue to meet the conditions of their visa. These vary between jurisdictions but may involve continuing to make qualified investments and maintaining a presence in the county.

What are the differences between the work and investor visa immigration processes?

The work visa application assesses an individual’s ability to contribute labor and skills to the local economy. Immigration officials often expect them to secure a job offer as well as having the requisite qualifications and experience.

By contrast, the investor centers on the applicant’s ability to contribute directly to the economy and create jobs. They must usually demonstrate that they have a substantial amount of capital to invest and that their plans will benefit the country and its citizens.

Investor immigration programs tend to have more support for dependents. That means the applicant can include immediate family members (spouses and unmarried children) and help them become lawful permanent residents.

What’s the role of global enterprises in investor immigration?

Global enterprises can play a pivotal role in investor immigration by offering opportunities that allow foreign nationals to qualify for the visa. You can reach out directly to potential applicants or engage in partnerships with governments. For example, countries often develop investment pathways that align with economic priorities such as technology innovation and renewable energy.

The visa holder can use their stake in your company to obtain an immigrant visa and get permanent residence status. If they’re interested in becoming a citizen, they may be able to fast-track the naturalization process.

With the investment funds, companies can drive more research, development, and expansion. They can use their business acumen and international networks to investigate possible new markets and opportunities.

How can you improve the investor immigration process?

You can support applicants before, after, and during the application to ensure a smooth process and increase the chances of approval.

Establish connections with business leaders and policymakers worldwide to gain insights into cross-border investor immigration programs
Work with government agencies to advocate for policies that make investor immigration more available and accessible
Explore how to lower the minimum investment amount, for example, by researching targeted employment areas in countries like the US
Tailor investment opportunities to meet the specific needs and interests of potential applicants while ensuring you meet the eligibility criteria
Build networks of specialists in immigration law who can support foreign investors through the complex application process
Simplify the application process by offering clear step-by-step guides and checklists to help investors understand the process
Provide ongoing support after approval to ensure your investor maintains compliance with the terms of their visa

Immigration services like Deel can consult on and manage many of these tasks. We cover a range of different visa types across over 30 countries and enlist the help of localized expert teams.

Discover how Deel Immigration could support your global expansion plans.

Which countries are the best for investor immigration?

Several countries have lucrative investor immigration visa programs:

Portugal: Known for its Golden visa, Portugal is a popular option due to its relatively low minimum thresholds and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area
Turkey: The Citizenship by Investment program is attractive due to its relatively low threshold and the option for a fast-track application process
USA: Under the EB-5 immigrant investor program, applicants have the option to make either an active or passive investment. The EB-5 visa also offers a pathway to getting a highly sought-after Green Card
Singapore: The country’s reputation for ease of doing business, coupled with a straightforward residency application process, makes it highly popular with business investor
Australia: There are comprehensive options making it possible for companies to support different investor visa types

However, the best location ultimately depends on your unique business needs and goals. While processing times and minimum thresholds are important factors, you also need the right global talent for your team.