Would you like to obtain permanent residence in another country, with or without a Golden Visa?

Permanent residence at its basic level is designed for individuals and families who want to physically relocate full time to a new country. Other clients seek Permanent Residence because they are very mobile, spending time living and working in different countries. They are looking for a favorable place they can call home, preferably in a tax friendly country.

Permanent residence is also suitable as a Plan B - making sure you and your family can "get out of Dodge fast" if necessary. If the worst happens and something goes wrong in your home country - such as political unrest, pandemic or even a war, or you become a victim of crime or extortion - then you have a "second life" in a safe, neutral jurisdiction ready to fit easily into with a minimum of disruption.

Permanent residence or "P.R." can also bring a number of fringe benefits you might not initially have considered. These include access to schools and higher education and healthcare that might not be available in your home country, through to VIP fast track airport privileges in some countries.

By far the easiest way to qualify for a residence permit / permanent residence abroad is by investment. The best known route to permanent residency through investment is the so-called "golden visa."  The term Golden Visa was originally coined in Portugal but is now generally applied to residence permits obtained based on a substantial investment, aimed at successful people who are willing to invest in a country in return for residence.

Methods of obtaining permanent residence via the Golden Visa route typically include:

• Investment in financial instruments (government bonds, venture capital funds etc)
• Investments in real estate
• Starting a business (entrepreneur or business angel visas)
• Depositing funds in a bank account

There are also opportunities in many countries to obtain Permanent Residence without going down the investment route. For example, Portugal's D7 visa program, Paraguay's Permanent Residence Program and the Serbia residence program just to name a few.

Another important consideration is the availability of citizenship and passport. In Portugal, for example, Golden Visa holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years, but need to learn some Portuguese language and prove certain integration into the community in order to qualify. If a second citizenship is important to you, then it's probably better to go straight away for Citizenship by Investment in the Caribbean or Vanuatu rather than via the Permanent Residence route.

Bottom line? Choosing a golden visa or permanent residence permit is no easy task. A personalized consultation with a Permanent Residence expert immigration lawyer will help narrow your choice and guide you in the right direction. There is no charge for this initial consultation.

Sign up for a free consultation on the selection of a golden visa to save time and money, getting the right Permanent Residence option without headaches.

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