The investment migration market offers dozens of residency programs that do not require starting a business or securing employment—all you need to do is invest in real estate, a deposit, or securities. Minimum entry thresholds start at a few thousand dollars and reach $100,000, covering countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and even the European Union. Learn more about the conditions, costs, and prospects for naturalization for each of the 11 passive residency-by-investment programs in 2026

The investment migration market comprises hundreds of programs, but by no means are all of them accessible to a wide range of applicants. According to the analytical database IMI Daily, among nearly 300 programs for obtaining a residence permit and citizenship, there is a separate category—programs that grant residency in exchange for passive investments: real estate, bank deposits, securities, or membership fees. Applicants do not need to start a business, hire employees, or generate income. We discuss these programs—with a minimum entry threshold of up to $100,000—along with their conditions, benefits, and limitations, in the article below.

All currency conversion amounts are approximate and based on exchange rates as of March 2026. Threshold values in local currency may change in dollar terms without changes to the program itself.

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The most affordable investment residency programs: up to $50,000

The lower price segment of investment residency programs covers four countries located in different parts of the world—from the South Caucasus to Southeast Asia and Latin America. A common feature of these programs is minimal financial requirements and a relatively straightforward application process.

Armenia — starting at $5,000. The Armenian program is one of the most affordable in the world. The law requires the applicant to “engage in entrepreneurial activity,” which in practice covers a wide range of forms of participation—from sole proprietorship to holding a minority stake in a company. According to local experts, an investment of a few thousand dollars is sufficient. Applications are submitted remotely, the state fee is approximately $350, and physical presence is not required to renew the permit. After three years of residence, the path to citizenship opens (with an exam in the Armenian language), and dual citizenship is permitted. It is worth noting that starting August 1, 2026, Armenia plans a radical reform of the system—a transition to a digital five-year permanent residence card with a separate expedited procedure for investors. The minimum investment thresholds for the new program have not yet been announced, so the current rules are in effect for a limited time.

Thailand Privilege — starting at $26,000. The Thailand Privilege program (formerly Thailand Elite) operates on a membership basis: a financial contribution in exchange for a long-term renewable visa. The Gold tier costs 900,000 baht (about $26,000) and provides a five-year visa. A limited-time offer for the Bronze tier at 650,000 baht (about $19,000) has been extended until March 31, 2026; the future of this tier is unknown. Higher tiers extend the validity period to 10, 15, or 20 years. Membership includes concierge services: airport transfers, expedited immigration clearance, and annual medical checkups. The program does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship—it is exclusively a long-term visa.

Nicaragua — $30,000. A real estate investment of $30,000 grants immediate permanent residency. Government fees amount to approximately $715 per applicant.There are no official physical presence requirements to maintain the five-year permit. Citizenship is available after approximately four years, provided you reside in the country and pass a Spanish language exam. A Nicaraguan passport grants visa-free entry to approximately 126 countries, including the Schengen Area. The country is also a signatory to the CA-4 agreement, which allows for free movement between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Significant change for 2025–2026: A constitutional amendment has abolished dual citizenship. Naturalized citizens must renounce their previous passport (with the exception of Central Americans by birth).

Ecuador — $48,200. Ecuador’s investor visa requires an investment of 100 times the national minimum monthly wage, which amounts to $48,200 in 2026. Acceptable forms of investment include bank deposits, real estate, or equity stakes in local companies. The initial permit is temporary for two years, after which you can apply for permanent status. Citizenship is available after four years, provided you are proficient in Spanish. Ecuador allows dual citizenship, uses the U.S. dollar as its national currency (which eliminates currency risk), and has a territorial tax system—income from foreign sources is not taxed for residents.

Read also: The cost of a passport under CBI programs. Which country is the most advantageous for a family in 2026?

Residency by investment from $50,000 to $75,000: Egypt, Azerbaijan, Latvia

The mid-range price bracket includes three programs with varying levels of prospects—from a temporary permit without the possibility of naturalization to full residency in the European Union.

Egypt — starting at $50,000. Purchasing real estate or opening a term deposit in a state-owned bank for an amount of $50,000 or more grants a one-year residence permit. Increasing the amount extends the term: $100,000 — three years, $200,000 — five years. Permits are renewed indefinitely provided the investment is maintained; physical presence is not required. A key limitation of the Egyptian program is that it does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. The investor receives only a temporary, renewable permit. For those interested in a second passport, Egypt has a separate citizenship-by-investment program with a threshold of $250,000.

Azerbaijan — starting at $58,800. An investment of at least 100,000 manats (approximately $58,800) in real estate, a bank time deposit, or government securities grants access to temporary residency. To obtain a permanent residence permit, the thresholds are higher—200,000 manats. A mandatory requirement is continuous residence in the country for at least two years. Citizenship becomes available after five years of continuous residence, but Azerbaijan does not recognize dual citizenship—the applicant must renounce their previous passport.

Latvia — starting at $64,500. The Latvian “golden visa” is the most accessible passive program for obtaining residency in the European Union. The minimum investment is €50,000 in the form of a stake in a Latvian company (up to 50 employees, annual turnover under €10 million) plus a mandatory state fee of €10,000—a total of approximately $64,500. The applicant purchases shares but does not manage the company; however, the company must pay at least €40,000 in corporate tax annually, meaning the business must be actively operating and profitable.

The residence permit is valid for five years and requires entry into Latvia at least once every 12 months. Membership in the EU and EEA grants the permit holder the right to free movement within the Schengen Area for 90 days within any 180-day period. Permanent residency is available after five years, and citizenship after ten (subject to a Latvian language exam). Latvia allows dual citizenship with EU/EEA/NATO countries and some others, but may require renunciation of citizenship for citizens of other countries.

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Investment residency programs ranging from $75,000 to $100,000

The upper budget limit of $100,000 includes programs in Asia and Africa, most of which offer the possibility of obtaining citizenship.

Philippines — $75,000. The country offers two parallel programs with the same threshold. The Special Investor Visa (SIRV) requires an investment of $75,000 in securities listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The Foreign Investor Visa (FIV) accepts a broader range of qualifying investments. Both programs grant permanent residency. The SIRV has been in operation for several decades and has an established reputation, while the recently launched FIV has attracted significant attention—over 200 applicants registered within the first month. Citizenship is available after ten years of continuous residence. The Philippines allows dual citizenship for naturalized citizens, and the passport provides visa-free entry to approximately 67 countries.

Sri Lanka — starting at $75,000. Sri Lanka offers residence permits ranging from two to ten years across six investment categories. The lowest entry threshold is $75,000 in condominiums or shares of public companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, which grants a five-year visa. Higher amounts expand the options: a bank deposit of $200,000 or more grants a ten-year visa; government bonds—$250,000 for five years or $400,000 for ten. The path to permanent residency is available only through the bank deposit category of the Permanent Guest Program (starting at $200,000, with subsequent conversion into an investment project within two years), and only this option leads to citizenship after five years. With a base investment of $75,000, only a renewable temporary visa is available.

Cape Verde — starting at $94,000. A real estate investment of at least €80,000 (approximately $94,000) in areas with below-average GDP per capita grants permanent residency. In wealthier areas, the minimum rises to €120,000.

The process takes two to four weeks. Citizenship is available after five years, and dual citizenship is permitted. A Cape Verde passport provides visa-free entry to approximately 75 countries, and the country’s membership in ECOWAS grants residency rights in 15 West African nations.

Cambodia — $100,000. The “My Second Home” (M2H) program grants a ten-year renewable visa for an investment of at least $100,000 in real estate projects. Physical presence is not required. Details regarding eligible investment types are limited—applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The program is implemented by the Khmer Home charitable association under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior. After five years of maintaining the investment, the path to citizenship opens up. Cambodia allows dual citizenship, although its passport provides visa-free entry to only about 53 countries. Separately, there is a direct citizenship-by-investment program for investments of $245,000 for those who wish to bypass the residency requirement.

Which European countries have the easiest naturalization requirements?— Find out by following the link.

Which programs lead to citizenship, and which do not?

The choice of a residency program often depends on the applicant’s ultimate goal. Among the programs reviewed, two do not provide any path to permanent residency or naturalization—Thailand Privilege and Egypt. Both grant temporary legal status in exchange for an investment, but their obligations to the investor end there.

The remaining programs, to varying degrees, offer the prospect of naturalization. The fastest path to citizenship is in Armenia (three years), Ecuador and Nicaragua (four years), as well as Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Cape Verde, and Sri Lanka (five years). Latvia requires ten years before naturalization, and the Philippines also requires ten years of continuous residence. A key factor is the stance on dual citizenship: Azerbaijan and Nicaragua (following the 2025–2026 reforms) require renunciation of the previous passport, while Armenia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Cape Verde allow dual citizenship. Latvia takes an intermediate position, allowing dual citizenship with EU/EEA/NATO countries.

In which countries is triple citizenship permitted in 2026 — read here.

The only EU “Golden Visa” with a budget of up to $100,000

Of all the programs reviewed, only one provides access to the European Union—the Latvian Golden Visa. For $64,500, the applicant receives a five-year residence permit with the right to free movement within the Schengen Area. The next most expensive passive program in the EU—the Hungarian Guest Investor Program—requires an investment of 250,000 euros in real estate funds, which is several times higher than the Latvian threshold.

The Latvian program has a feature that sets it apart from most others in this review: the company in which the funds are invested must pay at least €40,000 in corporate tax annually. This means that the investor is effectively dependent on the financial performance of the operating business, rather than simply holding a passive asset. This condition adds an element of risk, but at the same time makes the Latvian residence permit one of the most valuable on the list in terms of global mobility.

Where in Europe is it cheapest to buy real estate in 2026 — we covered this in a previous article.

Remember! The process of obtaining residency through investment involves a series of legal procedures: from selecting the optimal program and legal structure to document preparation, tax planning, and support for real estate transactions. The Visit World portal offers the opportunity to consult with a personal business attorney who can assist with company registration, document management, minimizing tax risks, obtaining a work visa, relocating a business abroad, and remotely establishing a representative office.

Legal support becomes critically important in situations involving complex disputes with counterparties, filing reports in foreign jurisdictions, or the need to protect your interests before government officials.

Book a consultation with a personal business lawyer on the Visit World portal—protect your business, money, and time right from the investment planning stage!

Reminder! European investment residency programs are undergoing significant changes: some countries are raising entry thresholds, while others are completely closing their “golden visa” programs. As of 2026, eight EU countries offer residence permits for investors with varying conditions, costs, and tax benefits. We discuss current “golden visa” programs in Europe, their costs, and prospects here.

Photo: Freepik

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