How much rich South Africans have to pay to reside in Spain, New Zealand, the UAE and Switzerland
There are 26 countries across the world that offer residency through investment programmes to wealthy South Africans.
The programmes, also known as Golden Visas, allow wealthy individuals to work, study, and possibly receive healthcare in a foreign country.
Global immigration company Henley and Partners said, however that the benefits of being a citizen through an investment programme outweigh those of having traditional multiple residencies.
Citizenship by Investment affords the applicant the same benefits as a natural-born citizen of a country.
Whereas a golden visa only allows for residency in a country for a set period.
The programmes can lead to major benefits, with Greece’s scheme generating EUR 1 billion in the first five months of the year, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com.
Singapore currently offers the most expensive golden visa programme, which will set a wealthy South African back SGD 10 million or roughly R135 million.
Investment into popular emigration areas such as New Zealand and Australia will set wealthy South African back approximately R55 million and R30 million, respectively.
On the other end of the scale, a golden visa in Thailand will only cost roughly R300,000:
| Country | Cost |
| Singapore | SGD 10,000,000 (R135,000,000) |
| New Zealand | NZD 5,000,000 (R55,000,000) |
| Australia | AUD 2,500,000 (R30,000,000) |
| Jersey | Real estate investment of GBP 1,250,000 (R28,000,000) and annual taxes of GBP 145,000 (R3,200,000) |
| USA | USD 800,000 (R14,000,000) |
| UAE | AED 2,000,000 (R10,000,000) |
| Ireland | Eur 500,000 (R10,000,000) |
| Spain | Eur 500,000 (R10,000,000) |
| Luxembourg | Eur 500,000 (R10,000,000) |
| Mauritius | USD 375,000 (R6,700,000) |
| Cyprus | EUR 300,000 (R6,000,000) |
| Namibia | USD 300,000 (R5,500,000) |
| Portugal | EUR 280,000 (R5,500,000) |
| Switzerland | CHF 250,000 (R5,000,000) in taxes |
| Italy | EUR 250,000 to 2,000,000 (R5,000,000 to R40,000,000) |
| Greece | EUR 250,000 (R5,000,000) |
| Malaysia | MYR 1,000,000 (R4,500,000) |
| Malta | EUR 175,000 (R3,500,000) |
| Panama | USD 100,000 (R1,800,000) |
| Latvia | EUR 60,000 (R1,200,000) |
| U.K. | GDP 50,000 (R1,200,0000) |
| Thailand | THB 600,000 (R300,000) |
Additionally, four countries offer residency by investment programmes but do not provide an official amount.
Experts at Henley and Partners said that it is difficult to give a precise amount for these countries as they are not directly linked to a direct investment or real estate.
These programmes focus on other criteria like starting a business and are only logical for those who want to relocate and base themselves in these respective countries.
For instance, those wanting to move to Canada must create a start-up business.
The four listed countries can be seen below:
| Country | Cost |
| Monaco | Must be able to afford the lifestyle, including rent and prices for real estate |
| Hong Kong | Must complete a points-based test under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. |
| Canada | Creative start-up business |
| Montenegro | No minimum investment |
Provided below is a breakdown of how much it costs to get residency in a country abroad and how long it would take through investment:
Singapore
- Investment: SGD 10,000,000 (R135,000,000)
- Processing time: Nine to 12 months
- Key benefit: Eligible for citizenship after two years of permanent residency
New Zealand
- Investment: NZD 5,000,000 (R55,000,000)
- Processing time: Eight to nine months
- Key benefit: Eligible for citizenship after five years of residence
Australia
- Investment: AUD 2,500,000 (R30,000,000)
- Processing time: 12 months
- Key benefit: Roughly five years to get citizenship
Jersey
- Investment: Real estate investment of GBP 1,250,000 (R28,000,000) and annual taxes of GBP 145,000 (R3,200,000)
- Processing time: Varies
- Key benefit: Well-regulated finance industry
The United States of America
- Investment: USD 800,000 (R14,000,000)
- Processing time: (30-36 months)
- Key benefit: Citizenship after five years of residence
United Arab Emirates
- Investment: AED 2,000,000 (R10,000,000)
- Processing time: Eight weeks
- Key benefit: Right to live in any of the seven emirates in the UAE
Ireland
- Investment: Eur 500,000 (R10,000,000)
- Processing time: 9 to 12 months
- Key benefit: Free movement in the Common travel area
Spain
- Investment: EUR 500,000 (R10,000,000)
- Processing time: 20 days
- Key benefit: Free movement to EU and Schengen area
Luxembourg
- Investment: Eur 500,000 (R10,000,000)
- Processing time: Roughly six months
- Key benefit: Visa-free access to the EU and Europe’s Schengen Area
Mauritius
- Investment: Real estate investment of USD 375,000 (R6,700,000)
- Processing time: Six to eight months
- Key benefit: Right to live, work and study in Mauritius
Cyprus
- Investment: EUR 300,000 (R5,950,000)
- Processing time: Two to 18 months
- Key benefit: The right to live and study in Cyprus
Namibia
- Investment: USD 300,000 (R5,500,000)
- Processing time: Three months
- Key benefit: Right to live, work and study in Namibia
Portugal
- Investment: EUR 280,000 (R5,500,000)
- Processing time: More than 18 months
- Key benefit: Right, live and work in Portugal
Switzerland
- Investment: Minimum annual taxes of CHF 250,000 (R5,000,000)
- Processing time: Three to six months
- Key benefit: Right to live and study in Switzerland
Italy
- Investment: EUR 250,000 to 2,000,000 (R5,00,000 to R40,000,000)
- Processing time: Three to four months
- Key benefit: The right to work, live and study in Italy
Greece
- Investment: EUR 250,000 (R5,000,000)
- Processing time: One to two months
- Key benefit: Right to move freely in Greece and Shengen area
Malaysia
Malta
- Investment: EUR 175,000 (R3,500,000)
- Processing time: Four to six months
- Key benefit: Free of movement in Malta
Panama
- Investment: USD 100,000 (R1,800,000)
- Processing time: 1 to six months
- Key benefit: Free movement in Panama
Latvia
The United Kingdom
- Investment: GDP 50,000 (R1,200,0000)
- Processing time: One to eight weeks
- Key benefit: The right to live, work, and study in the UK
Thailand
- Investment: THB 600,000 (R300,000)
- Processing time: Two to three months
- Key benefit: Long-term, privileged multiple-entry permit.
Monaco
- Investment: Must be able to afford the lifestyle, including rent and prices for real estate
- Processing time: N/A
- Key benefit: Stable real estate environment for potential investors
Hong Kong
- Investment: Must complete a points-based test under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.
- Processing time: Four to eight months
- Key benefit: Eligible to become a permanent residence in seven years
Canada
- Investment: Creative start-up business
- Processing time: 12-31 months
- Key benefit: Eligibility for citizenship after three years of physical presence over a five-year period
Montenegro
- Investment: No minimum investment
- Processing time: Roughly one month
- Key benefit: Right to live, work and study in Montenegro
Read:
Loading ...
