RBI (Residence by Investment)
Reviewed by The right to live in a country in exchange for investment in its economy.
RBI grants an investor a residence permit: the right to legally live — and in many countries work and study — while keeping their original citizenship.
Qualifying options differ by country: real estate, securities, deposits, business, or proof of financial independence.
A residence permit is usually the first step of the chain residence → permanent residence → citizenship.
| What it is | A residence permit in exchange for investment |
| Who it suits | Investors planning to live or spend time abroad |
| Where it applies | Programs across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Americas |
| Not to be confused with | Citizenship by investment and ordinary visas |
| Role in investment migration | First step on the path from residence to citizenship |
How it works in practice
- The investor picks a country and a qualifying route: real estate, funds, a deposit, a business or proof of financial independence.
- Lawyers check the profile against the program requirements before any money is committed.
- The application is filed with identity, family and source-of-funds documents, followed by background screening.
- After approval, residence cards are issued — usually with biometrics submitted in person in the country or at a consulate.
- The status is renewed for as long as the investment is maintained and the stay conditions are met.
Common pitfalls
- ! Buying an asset before confirming it qualifies under the program — not every asset gives the right to residency.
- ! Ignoring minimum stay requirements: breaching them can cost the renewal of the status.
- ! Unplanned tax residency: long presence in the country can change tax obligations.
- ! Betting on rules staying unchanged: countries regularly revise and close investment routes.
FAQ
Do you keep your original citizenship with residence by investment?
Yes, RBI grants a residence permit while the investor keeps their original citizenship. The program provides the right to live in the country, not a change of nationality.
Can residence by investment lead to citizenship?
Usually a residence permit is the first step in the chain residence → permanent residence → citizenship. Moving on to permanent status and a passport becomes possible after several years of legal residence, subject to the country’s conditions.
Who can be included in a residence-by-investment application?
Usually the spouse and minor children; a number of programs also admit financially dependent adult children and parents. The family scope is fixed by the rules of the specific country.
Do you have to live in the country to keep an investment residence permit?
It depends on the program: some countries require no permanent residence, others set a minimum stay. Stay requirements for renewal and for future citizenship are different things.
Can the investment be sold after obtaining residency?
As a rule the investment must be held for as long as the status relies on it; an early sale leads to losing the permit. Exit conditions should be checked for the specific program.
Does an investment residence permit allow you to work?
In some countries yes; in others a work permit is issued separately or unavailable. If employment matters, check this before choosing a program.