PERMANENT RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP

One of the most attractive options is the ability to apply for permanent residency and citizenship after 5 years without the need to reside in Portugal. In fact, the applicant and their family need only visit for two weeks every two years in order to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa. In Portugal citizenship can be granted without the applicant having resided in the country. However the investor having acquired residency through the golden visa programme will need to demonstrate ties to the country and pass a basic language test. Citizenship of Portugal and a second passport conveys the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union. The Portuguese residency card granted through the golden visa programme allows the holder to travel throughout the EU Schengen zone.

The Grenada programme is one of the newest citizenship investment programmes available to investors. Introduced in 2013 it offers a low cost entry for a second passport. Grenada is the only Caribbean programme with no country restrictions. All applicants are welcome but are subject to strict due diligence checks.

There are fees and taxes to pay in addition. Applicants must be of outstanding character, in good health, of high net worth and with no criminal record. There is no requirement to visit for an interview for the Grenada citizenship programme and in fact there is no need to travel to the country to complete the application.

There are no specific country restrictions with the Grenada programme (includes Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria). Children and dependents up to age 30 can be included (subject to restrictions) along with dependent parents over age 55 (if fully supported). There is no tax on worldwide income and processing of the application takes around 4 months. Government, Professional and Due Diligence fees apply.

INVESTOR E2 VISA

The E-2 treaty ‘Investor Visa’ signed between Grenada and the United States allows citizens of Grenada to operate a substantial business in the U.S. and reside there. Many countries in the world including China and India do not have an E-2 treaty with the USA. In such circumstances investors can obtain citizenship of Grenada first and then apply for a USA E2 Visa.