The State of Investment Migration 2026
Every figure below is computed live from the 434 programmes we track across 150 countries — no estimates, no marketing rounding.
Last generated 12 June 2026.
Key findings
- →142 countries run 246 active residency- or citizenship-by-investment programmes.
- →Entry starts at $15k (Temporary residence for retirees / own means, Namibia); the median priced route asks $250k.
- →114 routes lead to a passport — the fastest in about 2 years (Argentina).
- →5 charge zero personal income tax on their residents.
The cheapest ways in
The 10 lowest-cost programmes with a published investment threshold.
| # | Programme | From |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇳🇦 Temporary residence for retirees / own means | $15,000 |
| 2 | 🇧🇷 Digital Nomad Visa | $18,824 |
| 3 | 🇸🇲 Elective Residence | $20,000 |
| 4 | 🇲🇾 DE Rantau Nomad Pass | $24,000 |
| 5 | 🇮🇹 Italy Digital Nomad Visa | $28,000 |
| 6 | 🇮🇹 Elective Residency Visa | $31,000 |
| 7 | 🇬🇧 Scale-up Visa | $33,000 |
| 8 | 🇪🇨 Investor Visa | $45,000 |
| 9 | 🇮🇹 Startup Visa | $50,000 |
| 10 | 🇧🇧 Welcome Stamp | $50,000 |
What does it cost?
Distribution of the 141 programmes with a published price.
Where they are
By programme type
Fastest to residency
- 🇹🇭 Long-Term Resident Visa – Wealthy Global Citizens1 mo
- 🇪🇪 Estonia Digital Nomad Visa1 mo
- 🇧🇭 Bahrain Digital Nomad Visa1 mo
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands Orientation Year (Zoekjaar)1 mo
- 🇬🇪 Investment Residence Permit1 mo
- 🇨🇴 Colombia Digital Nomad Visa1 mo
- 🇦🇪 UAE Remote Work / Virtual Working Programme1 mo
- 🇦🇪 Retirement Visa in Dubai1 mo
Fastest to a passport
The 2026 angles
Methodology
We define investment migration as any residency or citizenship route with a published financial threshold, or that we classify as a golden visa, citizenship-by-investment, investor or entrepreneur programme. Figures are computed in real time from our live catalogue and reflect the cheapest published qualifying amount per programme, converted to USD. Cost rankings include only programmes with a qualifying investment of at least $10,000; smaller figures are treated as nominal placeholders. Programmes marked closed are excluded. Costs exclude government fees, due-diligence and legal costs unless stated.
Explore the underlying data
Every number here links back to a verified programme page with sources, requirements and the catch.
Cheapest tracked route: Temporary residence for retirees / own means (Namibia) at $15,000. Most expensive: Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business (IISPB) at $300,000,000.
Generated live on 12 June 2026 · All reports