Everything you need to know about Golden Visa application requirements, document preparation, and the due diligence process.
While specific requirements vary by country, all Golden Visa programs require: valid passport, proof of investment funds, clean criminal record, health insurance, and source of wealth documentation. Most programs include family members (spouse and dependent children) in the application. The due diligence process typically takes 2-4 months and involves background checks, financial verification, and compliance screening.
Application timelines range from 3-24 months depending on the country and current processing backlogs. Investment must be maintained throughout the residency period (typically 5-7 years) to preserve your status and qualify for eventual citizenship.
Every Golden Visa program requires documentation across these five core categories
Valid passport, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of legal status in current country of residence.
Bank statements, asset declarations, proof of investment funds, and evidence of income or wealth sufficient to support yourself and family.
Clean criminal record certificate from all countries of residence (past 10 years), police clearance, and character references.
Medical examination certificates, health insurance coverage valid in the host country, and sometimes vaccination records.
Tax returns (3-5 years), business ownership documents, employment contracts, property deeds, inheritance documentation, or investment statements.
Documents required by virtually all Golden Visa programs
Understanding the background verification and compliance screening required for Golden Visa approval
Your application documents are reviewed for completeness and authenticity. Immigration authorities verify that all required documents are present, properly translated, apostilled, and meet technical requirements. Missing or incorrect documents will delay processing.
Authorities confirm your identity through passport verification, biometric data collection, and cross-referencing with international databases. This ensures you are who you claim to be and identifies any identity fraud or document forgery.
Comprehensive screening against criminal databases, sanctions lists, and watchlists. Authorities verify police clearance certificates and conduct independent background checks through international law enforcement channels. Any criminal history (even minor offenses in some countries) can result in rejection.
The most rigorous part of due diligence. Authorities trace your wealth back to its legal origins to prevent money laundering and ensure compliance with anti-financial crime regulations. You must demonstrate a clear, legitimate path from earnings to current assets.
Confirmation that your investment is legitimate, properly valued, and meets program requirements. For real estate, this includes property inspections and valuation. For funds, verification of approved fund status and proper subscription. For business investments, validation of business plans and job creation commitments.
All findings are compiled and reviewed by immigration officials. They may request additional information or clarification. Once satisfied that you meet all requirements and pose no security, financial crime, or public health risk, your application is approved and residency permit issued.
Duration: The due diligence process typically takes 2-4 months but can extend to 6 months for complex cases or applicants with extensive international backgrounds. Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) face enhanced due diligence which adds 1-2 months.
Costs: Due diligence fees range from €5,000 to €15,000 per family depending on the country and complexity. These fees are separate from government processing fees and are typically non-refundable even if your application is rejected.
Rejection Risks: Main reasons for rejection include undisclosed criminal history, inability to prove source of wealth, sanctions list appearance, incomplete documentation, and providing false information. Work with experienced advisors to minimize rejection risk. Consult our Intelligence Hub for country-specific due diligence insights.
Detailed requirements breakdown for popular Golden Visa programs
Fund investment route • 7 days/year stay • 5-year citizenship path
€500,000 (funds only)
18-24 months (AIMA backlogs)
7 days per year
Spouse, children under 26, parents
Note: Real estate investment route closed in October 2023. Only approved investment funds are accepted. Processing times are currently extended due to AIMA backlogs (SEF was abolished in late 2023 and replaced by AIMA). Read our comprehensive Portugal fund-only strategy guide.
View Complete Portugal Program →Real estate investment • No stay requirement • 7-year citizenship path
€400,000 - €800,000 (standard); €250,000 (conversion/restoration only)
4-8 months
None
Spouse, children under 21, parents
Note: As of late 2024, investment thresholds are tiered: Tier 1 (€800K) for Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with 3,100+ inhabitants; Tier 2 (€400K) for the rest of Greece; €250K exception limited strictly to commercial-to-residential conversions and restoration of listed buildings. Property can be rented out. Compare Greece vs other EU programs in our EU Golden Visa comparison.
View Complete Greece Program →Property + donation • English-speaking • Fast processing
€300,000 - €350,000
4-6 months
None (visit recommended)
Spouse, children under 18, parents
Note: This is the MPRP (Malta Permanent Residence Programme) which grants residency. Malta also offers a separate MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation) citizenship programme requiring €600K-€750K+ in contributions plus property purchase/rental — significantly higher than the MPRP. English is an official language. Read the Malta comparison analysis.
View Complete Malta Program →Multiple investment routes • EU access • Cultural heritage
€250,000 (innovative startup) / €500,000 (standard company) / €2M (gov. bonds)
3-6 months
None initially
Spouse, children, parents (if dependent)
Note: Italy offers four investment routes with different minimums. The €250K innovative startup route requires active investment with job creation commitments and has a higher scrutiny/refusal rate. The standard corporate investment route (€500K) is the most commonly used passive option. 10-year pathway to citizenship. Explore all investment options.
View Complete Italy Program →Tax-free residency • Business hub • 10-year renewable
AED 2,000,000 (~$545K)
2-3 months
None
Spouse, children (any age), parents
Note: UAE has 0% personal income tax. Property investment must be maintained (financing now available — minimum down payment requirement removed). Citizenship pathway is limited and nomination-based (introduced 2021 for exceptional investors and talents, granted at government discretion rather than by application). The Golden Visa itself is renewable indefinitely. Compare tax implications in our UAE vs Panama analysis.
View Complete UAE Program →Central America hub • Territorial tax • USD economy
$300,000 (real estate)
6-12 months
Minimal (visits recommended)
Spouse, children under 25
Note: Panama offers a territorial tax system — only locally-sourced income is taxed. However, benefiting from this requires proper structuring to ensure foreign income is genuinely foreign-sourced and not remitted in a way that triggers local taxation. Consult a qualified tax advisor. 5-year pathway to citizenship. USD-based economy. Read more about Panama tax benefits.
View Complete Panama Program →Avoid common mistakes and streamline your application process
Begin gathering documents 6-9 months before you plan to apply. Some documents (like police certificates) expire after 3-6 months, so timing is critical. Create a master checklist and track expiration dates for all time-sensitive documents.
All non-English documents must be translated by certified, sworn translators recognized by the host country. DIY translations or uncertified services will be rejected. Keep original documents alongside translations.
Documents issued outside the host country typically require apostille (Hague Convention countries) or legalization (non-Hague countries). This must be done in the country where the document was issued. Understand the difference and follow the correct process.
This is where most applications struggle. Create a clear timeline showing how you acquired your wealth legally. Include employment contracts, business formation documents, tax returns, sale agreements, inheritance papers—everything that proves legitimate origins.
Authorities want to see money movement. Provide 12+ months of bank statements showing funds existed long before application. Large, sudden deposits raise red flags. Show consistent patterns and explain any major transfers with supporting documentation.
Golden Visa applications are complex. Immigration attorneys and advisors who specialize in your target country can prevent costly mistakes, expedite processing, and handle government communications. Their fees (€5K-€20K) are worth it for applications involving hundreds of thousands in investment. Consult our expert team.
Our advisors can review your documentation, ensure compliance, and guide you through the entire application process from start to finish.