Mobility Asset 101

Also Known As: Citizenship by Ancestry, Ancestry-based Citizenship

Residency Rights Earned: Permanent

Citizenship by Descent, also known as Citizenship by Ancestry or Ancestry-based Citizenship, allows individuals to claim citizenship of a country based on having ancestors (typically up to grandparents or great-grandparents) who were citizens of that country. This method provides full citizenship rights and permanent residency.

Typical requirements include proof that the Primary Applicant is related to the Anchor Ancestor, proof of ancestor's citizenship (which can include birth certificates, naturalization certificates and marriage certificates), a clean criminal record, and sometimes basic language proficiency.

The process usually involves an application fee as well as the cost of preparing, translating and apostilling Vital Documents, and generally take 6 months to 2 years to complete, depending on the country and the route you take.

Notable countries offering Citizenship by Descent include Ireland, Italy, Spain and Slovakia.

Also Known As: Semi-Citizenship

Residency Rights Earned: Permanent

Residency by Descent, also known as Semi-Citizenship, is a process that grants permanent residency rights to individuals with ancestral ties to a country, without conferring full citizenship. It may offer a path to citizenship after a period of residency.

Typical requirements include proof that the Primary Applicant is related to the Anchor Ancestor, proof of ancestor's citizenship (which can include birth certificates, naturalization certificates and marriage certificates), proof of the Primary Applicant’s current residency and income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

The process involves an application fee, as well as the preparation of Vital Documents, and generally takes 3 months to 1 year to complete.

Notable countries offering Residency by Descent include the UK and New Zealand, both through their respective Ancestry Visa programs.

Also Known As: Remote Worker Visas

Residency Rights Earned: Temporary

Digital Nomad Visas, also known as Remote Worker Visas, are temporary residency permits that allow remote workers and digital nomads to live and work in a country for a specified period, usually from 6-24 months.

The most common requirement includes proof of employment by a foreign company, or self-employment with foreign companies or clients, with a minimum monthly income (usually $2,000-$5,000). Other Vital Documents include a valid passport, health insurance, a clean criminal record, proof of accommodation, and an application fee. The processing time generally ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months. The tax implications of Digital Nomad Visas vary.

Notable countries offering Digital Nomad Visas include Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Dubai, and Barbados.

Also Known As: Digital Residencies

Residency Rights Earned: None

E-Residencies (E-RES), also known as Digital Residencies, are programs that provide a government-issued digital identity and access to e-services, enabling individuals to establish and manage businesses remotely. However, they do not grant physical residency rights and, notably, no physical presence is required, which allows for business operations without the need for physical relocation.

Typical requirements include a valid passport or government-issued ID, a digital photo, a brief explanation of motives for e-residency, and an application fee. The processing time is usually 4-8 weeks.

Notable Countries offering e-Residency programs are Estonia and Azerbaijan.

Also Known As: Employment Visas

Residency Rights Earned: Conditional

Highly Skilled Work Visas, also known as Employment Visas, are conditional residency permits given to individuals with specific skills or qualifications in demand in the issuing country. These visas tie residency to employment, and may lead to permanent residency, but are contingent on the applicant staying within a specified job or field.

Typical requirements include a job offer from an approved employer, meeting a minimum salary threshold, relevant qualifications or experience, sometimes language proficiency (this varies by country), health insurance, a clean criminal record, and an application fee. The processing time generally ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months.

Notable examples include the UK's Skilled Worker Visa, Germany's EU Blue Card, and Canada's Express Entry program.

Also Known As: Rentier Visas, Retirement Visas

Residency Rights Earned: Conditional

Independent Means Visas, also known as Rentier Visas or Retirement Visas, are conditional residency permits for individuals with sufficient passive income or savings to reside in a country without working.

Often targeting retirees or those with investment income, typical requirements include proof of regular, stable income (usually $2,000-$5,000 monthly), substantial savings (this varies between Mobility Assets), health insurance, a clean criminal record, proof of accommodation, and sometimes age restrictions for retirement visas. Processing time ranges from 1-6 months.

Notable examples include Portugal's D7 Visa, Thailand's Retirement Visa, and Panama's Pensionado Visa.

Also Known As: Startup Visas, Entrepreneur Visas

Residency Rights Earned: Conditional

Active Investor Visas, also known as Startup Visas or Entrepreneur Visas, are conditional residency permits granted to entrepreneurs or investors who want to start or invest in a business in the issuing country. These visas aim to attract business talent and investment to boost the host country's economy.

Vital Documents include a detailed business plan, a minimum investment amount (this varies between Mobility Assets), proof of funds, relevant business experience, and sometimes job creation requirements. The processing time generally ranges from 2-6 months.

Notable examples include Canada's Start-up Visa and New Zealand's Entrepreneur Work Visa programs.

Also Known As: Golden Visa, Immigrant Investor Visa

Residency Rights Earned: Permanent

Residency by Investment, also known as the Golden Visa or Immigrant Investor Visa, offers permanent residency in exchange for a significant investment in the issuing country's economy.

These programs typically involve investments in real estate, government bonds, or job creation. Requirements usually include a substantial investment (ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000), source of funds documentation, a clean criminal record, and health insurance. Some countries impose minimum stay requirements, such as 7 days per year. The processing time generally ranges from 3-8 months.

Notable countries offering Residency by Investment programs include Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Malta.

Also Known As: Golden Passport

Residency Rights Earned: Permanent

Citizenship by Investment, also known as a Golden Passport, provides full citizenship and a passport in exchange for a substantial investment or donation to the country. This program typically offers the fastest route to citizenship. Requirements usually include a significant investment or donation (ranging from $100,000 to $2,500,000), passing due diligence checks, having a clean criminal record, and providing source of funds documentation. Some countries may require a brief residency period, such as 14 days. Health insurance is often mandatory, and application and processing fees apply. The processing time is generally 3-6 months. Notable countries offering CBI programs include Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Vanuatu. These programs aim to attract foreign investment and boost economic development in exchange for citizenship rights.

Notable Countries: Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Vanuatu