Residency by Investment: How Long Until You Get Citizenship?

For high-net-worth individuals and global entrepreneurs, residency by investment (RBI) is a popular route to international mobility, enhanced business opportunities, and eventually—citizenship. But one of the most pressing questions is: how long does it take to move from residency to citizenship through investment?

The answer varies by country. While some jurisdictions offer fast-track citizenship in as little as 2 to 5 years, others require decades of residency before naturalization. In this guide, we’ll explore average timelines, key requirements, and how to choose a program that aligns with your goals.

What Is Residency by Investment?

Residency by investment is a government-approved immigration route that allows foreign nationals to obtain permanent or temporary residency in a country by making a qualifying financial investment. This could be in:

Real estate
Government bonds
Local businesses
National development funds

The main attraction? RBI programs often lead to citizenship and a second passport, providing benefits such as visa-free travel, tax optimization, and access to better healthcare or education.

Residency vs. Citizenship by Investment

Before diving into timelines, it’s important to distinguish between Residency by Investment (RBI) and Citizenship by Investment (CBI):

RBI grants a residence permit first, often requiring physical presence, and may lead to citizenship after several years.
CBI offers direct citizenship, usually without long-term residency requirements, but only a few countries (e.g., St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica) offer this option.

This article focuses on RBI programs that transition to citizenship over time.

How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship via Residency by Investment?

Here's a look at approximate timelines for popular RBI programs that can eventually lead to citizenship:

1. Portugal Golden Visa

Residency: Immediate (after investment and application approval)
Citizenship: After 5 years
Physical Stay Requirement: 7 days per year on average

Portugal is one of the fastest and most flexible pathways. Investors can apply for citizenship after five years of maintaining residency—even with minimal physical presence.

2. Greece Golden Visa

Residency: Within 2–3 months
Citizenship: After 7 years
Physical Stay Requirement: Full-time presence typically required for naturalization

Greece offers a quick residency permit, but citizenship requires continuous residence and integration (e.g., language proficiency and cultural knowledge).

3. Spain Golden Visa

Residency: Within 2–3 months
Citizenship: After 10 years
Physical Stay Requirement: Full-time residency required

Spain grants temporary residence quickly, but becoming a citizen takes longer and involves strict stay requirements.

4. Canada Start-Up Visa (RBI Route)

Permanent Residency: 12–16 months
Citizenship: After 3 years of physical presence in a 5-year period
Physical Stay Requirement: 1,095 days (3 years)

Canada’s program is ideal for entrepreneurs. Once permanent residency is granted, you can qualify for citizenship in as little as 3 years—assuming you meet physical presence requirements.

5. Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP)

Residency: Within 4–6 months
Citizenship: After 5 years
Physical Stay Requirement: Yes, with strong ties to Malta

Malta also offers a direct citizenship program (with higher investment), but through RBI, citizenship comes after 5 years with strong integration into Maltese society.

6. United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

Conditional Green Card: 12–24 months
Permanent Green Card: After 2 years (upon project approval)
Citizenship: After 5 years of permanent residency
Physical Stay Requirement: Continuous residence

The EB-5 visa provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship after approximately 7–8 years from initial application (including green card stages).

7. Australia Significant Investor Visa (SIV)

Residency: Within 3–6 months
Citizenship: After 4 years (including 1 year as permanent resident)
Physical Stay Requirement: 40 days per year over 4 years (or 180 days for family)

Australia offers one of the more generous timelines and flexible physical presence rules for investors.

Factors That Affect Your Path to Citizenship

1. Physical Presence Requirements

Even if residency is granted, most countries require investors to spend a certain number of days per year in the country to qualify for citizenship. Failure to meet this can reset the clock.

2. Language and Cultural Tests

Many jurisdictions require passing a language exam or civics test to prove integration into society before granting citizenship.

3. Clean Criminal Record

Maintaining a clean criminal record is essential throughout the residency period.

4. Investment Maintenance

In many programs, the qualifying investment must be maintained until citizenship is obtained. Selling a property or withdrawing funds prematurely may disqualify the applicant.

How to Fast-Track Citizenship via RBI

If your goal is to obtain a second passport quickly, here are some tips:

Choose countries with low physical presence requirements (e.g., Portugal, Malta)
Opt for countries with short naturalization periods (e.g., Canada, Australia)
Consider dual citizenship-friendly countries to avoid renunciation
Work with an experienced immigration lawyer or licensed agent to avoid mistakes or delays
Keep your documents and residency renewals up to date

Countries That Offer Direct Citizenship by Investment

While this article focuses on RBI, it’s worth noting that a few countries offer direct CBI programs—ideal for those who want a passport without long-term residency:

Dominica: Citizenship in 3–6 months with a $100,000 donation
St. Kitts & Nevis: Fast-track citizenship in 2–3 months
Antigua & Barbuda: Citizenship in 4–6 months
Vanuatu: Citizenship within 2 months

These programs are quicker but don’t offer residency rights in the EU or major economies. However, they provide visa-free travel to 100+ countries and enhanced mobility.

Conclusion

So, how long does it take to get citizenship through residency by investment? The average range is 5 to 10 years, though countries like Portugal and Canada offer faster routes with flexible stay requirements. The timeline largely depends on the country, the type of investment, physical presence obligations, and how well you maintain compliance.

If your goal is to become a global citizen, RBI can be a strategic and rewarding path. But it’s important to plan ahead, understand the requirements, and work with professionals to ensure your journey from residency to citizenship is smooth, legal, and timely.

FAQs

1. Can I get citizenship without living in the country?

Only a few countries allow citizenship without physical residence—typically through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. Residency by investment (RBI) usually requires some physical presence.

2. Do I need to give up my original passport to get a second citizenship?

It depends on your home country and the second country’s laws. Many countries allow dual citizenship, but some require you to renounce your original citizenship.

3. What is the fastest route to citizenship through investment?

If speed is your top priority, consider Portugal (5 years), Canada (3 years after PR), or Malta (1–3 years via direct CBI). Caribbean CBI programs offer citizenship in under 6 months with no residency required.