Service Overview
Residency by investment covers a wide range of programmes that allow individuals and families to obtain the legal right to reside in a country through a qualifying investment, passive income, or entrepreneurial activity. Unlike tourism visas or short-stay permits, residency gives you ongoing, renewable rights to live, access services, and in many cases work or study in the host country.
At Worldwide Visas & Passport Services Ltd, we advise on a broad portfolio of residency programmes — from the Portuguese D7 passive income visa and Greek golden visa to UAE investor residency and Panama's Friendly Nations programme. Our advisory covers the full range, from budget-conscious passive-income routes through to premium investment residency pathways.
Residency is often the first step towards eventual citizenship through naturalisation. We help clients understand not just the immediate residency application, but also the long-term pathway to permanent residency and, where applicable, citizenship — and the obligations that come with each step.
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Book NowIdeal Clients
Those with pension income or remote employment seeking a lower cost of living, warmer climate, or better quality of life abroad.
Clients purchasing property or making fund investments as much for lifestyle reasons as for residency status.
Individuals exploring non-habitual resident (NHR) or similar preferential tax regimes tied to new residency.
Business owners setting up operations in a new market who also need formal residency status.
Preparation
Requirements vary by individual circumstances. This is a general guide — our team will provide a tailored checklist after your initial consultation.
How It Works
We discuss your lifestyle goals, income sources, budget, and priorities to identify the best-fit programmes.
We present 2–3 suitable options with clear comparisons on requirements, costs, and residency obligations.
We issue a tailored document list and assist with obtaining apostilles, certified translations, and supporting evidence.
The application is submitted to the appropriate immigration authority via local licensed partners where required.
Processing times vary by country. We keep you informed of status and any additional requests from authorities.
On approval, your residence permit card is collected. We advise on renewal schedules and any stay requirements.
What To Avoid
Programmes like the D7 require demonstrable passive income at specific thresholds. We confirm exact amounts before you apply.
Many residency programmes require you to spend a minimum number of days in the country per year. Failure to do so can result in permit cancellation.
A policy that does not meet the host country's minimum coverage requirements will delay or block approval.
Applying under the wrong visa category (e.g. D7 vs golden visa) leads to wasted time and costs. Choosing the right route is the most important first step.
If long-term citizenship is the goal, residency conditions need to be structured correctly from the start to count towards the qualifying period.
Always work with licensed professionals for in-country legal work. Our advisors coordinate with regulated local legal partners.
Common Questions
Residency by investment grants you the right to live in a country but does not automatically confer citizenship. Citizenship requires a separate naturalisation process, typically after several years of residency. CBI programmes grant citizenship directly, without an extended residency period.
Processing times range from 2 months (some UAE programmes) to 12 months or more (certain EU programmes with backlogs). We provide current processing estimates for each programme you are considering.
Not necessarily. Requirements vary: some programmes require as few as 7–14 days per year, while others require 6 months or more. We clarify the exact minimum stay obligations before you apply.
In most cases, yes. Spouses and dependent children are typically included in the same application. Some programmes also allow parents. Each additional family member has their own fee and documentation requirements.
No. Most programmes grant temporary residency initially (e.g. 1–2 years), which is renewed periodically. Permanent residency (the right to reside indefinitely) is typically available after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
This depends on the specific permit type. Some residency categories (such as the Portugal D7) do not automatically confer work rights, while others do. We clarify work authorisation as part of programme comparison.
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