An investor visa grants residence to individuals who invest a qualifying amount of capital in a destination country. It is a residence-by-investment route, not a short-stay business visa, and the investment thresholds and conditions are set strictly by each country.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Published 2026-09-15 · Updated 2026-09-15
Purpose
Obtaining residence by making a qualifying capital investment in the country.
Who is it for?
High-net-worth individuals willing to invest the required amount and meet source-of-funds rules.
Typical application method
Embassy or in-country residence application with detailed investment and source-of-funds evidence.
Can Krosz help?
Krosz can help you understand the general investor visa landscape and point you to specialist legal advice. We do not provide investment, tax or legal counsel and are not a government authority.
Krosz does not publish fabricated processing times, fees, validity or stay durations. Country-specific figures appear only when pulled from Krosz's verified visa database.
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
Overview
An investor visa is a residence permit granted in exchange for a qualifying investment — often in government bonds, a business, real estate, or a dedicated investment fund. It is a long-stay residence route, not a short business visit.
It is designed for individuals who can commit substantial capital and meet strict source-of-funds and due-diligence checks. The investment must usually be maintained for a defined period to keep the residence.
Each country sets its own threshold, qualifying asset classes, job-creation requirements and path to permanent residence. There is no universal investor visa; rules differ widely.
Exemptions depend on your nationality, the destination and your circumstances — always confirm for your exact combination.
Activities
Residence
Living in the country as a resident under the investment.
Managing the investment
Holding and managing the qualifying investment.
Travel in and out
Entering and leaving as a resident.
Family inclusion
Including dependants in many programmes (rules vary).
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category are shown. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport
Valid with sufficient validity and blank pages.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed residence/investor application.
Source-of-funds proof
Detailed, lawful evidence of the investment capital's origin.
Investment plan
Documentation of the qualifying investment (bonds, business, fund).
Due-diligence file
Clean-record evidence, police clearance, background checks.
Business/financial records
Business and financial history supporting the investment.
Process
A category-specific application timeline. Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Choose the programme
Compare countries' thresholds, asset classes and residence paths.
Prove source of funds
Document the lawful origin of the investment capital in detail.
Make the investment
Execute the qualifying investment per the programme rules.
Submit the residence application
Apply with investment proof, due-diligence and identity documents.
Due diligence & processing
The authority runs background and source-of-funds checks.
Residence granted
Receive residence, subject to maintaining the investment.
Krosz tool
Tell us where you want to travel and your passport. We'll route you to the right Krosz visa page.
Destinations
Only destinations where Krosz has verified data for this purpose are shown. We never claim every country offers a visa with the same name.
Krosz does not currently process this visa category for specific destinations.
Contact the relevant embassy or authority for the country you plan to visit, or for guidance.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Investor Visa | Entrepreneur / Startup Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Passive capital investment | Active company building |
| Threshold | High fixed capital threshold | Lower capital, focused on the business idea |
| Role | Investor, not necessarily running the business | Founder actively running the venture |
| Key document | Source-of-funds + investment proof | Business plan + company incorporation |
Be prepared
General, educational reasons relevant to this category. We never publish invented refusal rates.
Practical
FAQ
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
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Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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