One of the most high-profile events of the year for those interested in investment immigration: from January 1, 2022, Portugal will change the requirements of its program. The entry threshold remained the same - € 500 000. However, most tidbits were excluded from the option of buying a home: Lisbon, Porto, coastal areas (Setubal, partly Algarve, Silver Coast).
From now on you can get a residence permit only when investing in residential properties deeper in the country or on the islands. The rules remain the same for commercial premises, you can buy them in any part of the country.
Lowering coefficients still apply for all types of objects – when carrying out renovation (the amount is reduced to € 350 000) or buying objects in sparsely populated areas (another minus 20%). Thus, you can get a residence permit by investing only € 280 000.
Montenegro's investment program had been designed to last until the end of 2021, and in the spring the country's authorities confirmed that it would not be extended. It was possible to obtain citizenship of the country by making investments in projects approved by the government according to the same program.
This measure has significantly raised the demand for local real estate. Now the country is discussing the introduction of an immigration program for digital nomads.
The Law of Albania "On Foreigners" was amended in the autumn of 2021. Now the real estate purchase is an official ground for obtaining a residence permit.
The candidate must own at least 20 sq.m, while the share must be at least half of the living space. A residence permit is issued for one year with the possibility of extension. The property must remain in the ownership all the time while the owner needs a residence permit.
Amendments to the law establish other new grounds for obtaining a residence permit: pensioners and digital nomads have received the right to it.
Although the investment citizenship program was closed in 2020, consideration of submitted applications continued until mid-2021. This year, 390 candidates were approved.
The country's authorities offered investors new ways to obtain permanent residence instead of the citizenship program. A few more options for the purchase of the real estate. Namely: the same amount can be invested in commercial properties, as well as in companies that operate in Cyprus, or in investment funds.
Obtaining a Russian residence permit may be of interest primarily to citizens of CIS countries and neighboring countries. Information that the government is preparing a corresponding law appeared in the spring. It was supposed to start operating in mid-2022. According to the project, it will be necessary to invest 30 million rubles (about $ 400 000) in real estate or a working business.
The Government of Northern Macedonia announced the imminent launch of the program in the spring of 2021. During the autumn first candidates have already received preliminary approval for applications.
The minimum contribution amount is small compared to other countries: €200 000. However, this money has to go to a private investment fund that develops the economy or supports innovation in the state.
Another option - invest €400 000 and more in new companies where a minimum of ten people will work. Given that the country has visa-free access to the Schengen area and is actively negotiating to join the EU, its passport looks attractive.
The country's parliament has amended the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship. The authorities have excluded investments in government bonds from the list of available options and added several new ones. Among them are investments in shares traded in Bulgaria, or international investment funds in which there is an opportunity to invest in Bulgaria, participation in a Bulgarian company, and others. It is still possible to obtain a passport fast with a doubling of investments.
The Emirates launched a whole series of immigration programs in the past year. So, "golden visas" began to be issued to IT specialists, outstanding graduates, humanitarian workers. Now international talents are allowed to get citizenship.
Also, remote workers can get a 2–year work visa, similar to the one that began operating in Dubai in 2020. Abu Dhabi developed its programs to issue long-term visas to talented foreigners and expanded the list of professions for foreign freelancers.
The country has launched a naturalization program for foreigners with exceptional skills. Outstanding specialists from medicine, science, religion, culture, sports, and technology have a chance to obtain Saudi citizenship. The first group of talented foreigners has already received passports.
In September 2021, Oman began issuing long-term residence permits to foreign investors. A residence permit for ten years can be obtained by entrepreneurs who invest from 500,000 Omani rials ($ 1.3 million) in business or government bonds, or owners of companies where at least 50 Omanis work. Those who invest half as much will have the right to a five-year residence permit. This type of residence permit does not give the right to citizenship.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the country approved the issuance of ten-year visas for several types of foreigners. Holders of assets worth $1 million, well-off pensioners aged 50 and over, digital nomads, and highly qualified specialists in the industries targeted for the country can apply for a visa.
It will be necessary to invest in the country's economy from $500,000 (in bonds or real estate) and confirm income from $80,000 per year. Relief for pensioners: it is enough to invest at least $250,000 and receive at least $40,000 (per year).
In 2020, the state announced that the investment to a state fund for obtaining citizenship is reduced to $150,000 from the standard $195,000. The offer was valid until the end of the year, but then the government extended it for another year until December 31, 2021. But this fall, St. Kitts and Nevis announced that there would not be another extension.
In 2020, this island state launched its special offer to mitigate the effects of the pandemic: it was possible to obtain citizenship through investments in government bonds at half the price than usual. By investing $250,000 in interest-free government bonds Covid-19 Relief Bonds, the applicant could obtain citizenship for a family of four.
Initially, the promotion was supposed to be valid until the end of 2020, but it was extended first for 2021, and then for 20225.
For a long time, of all the Caribbean countries, only the citizenship of Grenada made it possible to visit China. But in December 2021, Dominica signed a visa-free agreement with China, so now the possibilities of her passport have expanded.
Seychelles has started to issue its citizenship to those who invest in local businesses from $ 1 million. However, this is not the only condition: you will need to live in the country for 11 years and not be absent for more than a year continuously. In addition, the candidate must be clean before the law and pass the citizenship exam in one of the local languages (Creole, English, or French).
The self-governing Territory of the Netherlands in the Caribbean has resumed its investment program. Investors can get a local residence permit, the validity of which depends on the amount invested ($280,000, $425,000, or $ 850,000), and the possibilities are the same as for a residence permit obtained, for example, in Amsterdam. In addition, after five years of residence, you can take an exam and get citizenship.
Vanuatu launched its investment program in 2017, and its results are impressive: in 2020, about 70 passports were issued monthly.
The applicants had the only option to donate to the state fund. In 2021, there was an opportunity to invest in real estate. So far, the state offers four approved projects in which you can buy a real estate object in its entirety or a 50 percent share in it. Prices start from $200,000.
The country of the maple leaf is still waiting for professionals. Quebec launched three new programs in 2021: the province is ready to issue permanent residence to qualified workers in the healthcare, food industry, and IT. The first two categories require work experience in Quebec, the third requires a diploma and work experience in the field. In 2022, the province plans to accept 52.5 thousand immigrants.
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has celebrated the new Pathways program, which directly connects employers and professionals from abroad.
In general, the country is moving towards the planned indicator of 401,000. Permanent residence in 2021, a plan of 411,000 is set for 2022.
The green card program has a target of 10,000 permits per year in exchange for investments. However, in the second half of 2021, only a few dozen permits were issued per month.
The fact is that at the end of June, the powers of the regional centers – companies that coordinate the issuance of visas expired. Therefore, now you can only apply directly, which very few do.
The full-fledged work of the program will resume in the first months of 2022, but conditions may be tightened to make the selection of applications more thorough to avoid fraud.
The government of Costa Rica has lowered the minimum investment threshold for obtaining a residence permit from $200,000 to $150,000. This program is aimed at foreign pensioners and rentiers. Investors will receive not only the right to reside in the country, but also tax benefits.