The professional field encompassing all routes by which an individual acquires citizenship or residency through an economic investment in the host country.
Investment Migration is the umbrella term for the professional field — and the policy area — encompassing all routes by which an individual acquires citizenship or residency on the basis of an economic investment. It covers CBI, RBI, Golden Visa, investor visa, start-up visa, and naturalisation-by-investment programmes.
The industry is represented internationally by the Investment Migration Council (IMC), which sets ethical and competence standards. Major specialist law firms, "big four" advisory arms, and licensed agents form the supply side; high-net-worth individuals and families form the demand side.
Annual global volume in 2025 was estimated at approximately USD 25 billion in qualifying investment value, with the Caribbean 5 collectively processing 5,000–7,000 main applicants per year and the Malta MEIN processing 400–500 per year.