Development Support Program (Vanuatu)
The official name of Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment programme, based on a non-refundable contribution to the government.
Investment Terms
Definitions of the qualifying investment, donation and fund terms you will meet in investment migration programmes.
Start typing to search every term in the glossary.
Economic Diversification Fund (Dominica)
Dominica’s government fund. A non-refundable contribution to the fund is one of the qualifying options of its citizenship by investment programme.
Escrow account
An account held by a regulated third party that keeps funds safe until agreed conditions, such as approval in principle, are met.
Government fees
Non-refundable charges paid to the state for processing, due diligence, issuing permits or passports, separate from the investment itself.
National Development Fund
The non-refundable government contribution route in Caribbean CBI programmes. The simplest and fastest path, but the contribution is not recoverable.
Qualifying Investment
An investment that meets the statutory criteria of a CBI / RBI programme — including amount, asset class, holding period, and (in some cases) job-creation tests.
Real Estate Route
A CBI / RBI investment route requiring purchase of approved real estate above a minimum threshold. The property can typically be resold after a 5–7 year holding period.
Sustainable Island State Contribution (St Kitts and Nevis)
The non-refundable government contribution option of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment programme.
Plan your next step
Compare live programmes on eligibility, timelines and family rules, check where you qualify, then read the country guides before you book a paid 60-minute consultation.
Browse live programmes
Residency and citizenship by investment programmes that are currently open, with the qualifying routes for each country.
Compare programmes
See two or more programmes side by side: investment routes, processing stages, family inclusion and residence rules.
Check your eligibility
Answer a few questions about your nationality, family and goals to see which programmes may fit.
Read the country guides
Plain guides to each programme: requirements, documents, due diligence and the steps from application to approval.
Frequently asked questions
How many investment terms are in the glossary?
The glossary currently defines 8 terms in this topic. Each entry gives a short definition first, with a full article where the subject needs more detail.
Can I suggest a term?
Yes. If a term you need is missing, contact our team and an adviser will review it for the next update.
What is investment migration?
Investment migration covers programmes that grant residency or citizenship in return for a qualifying investment in a country, such as a donation, property or a fund.
What is the difference between a golden visa and citizenship by investment?
A golden visa grants residency, usually renewable, and can lead to citizenship after years of residence. Citizenship by investment grants a passport directly once the application is approved.
What does due diligence mean?
Due diligence is the background check that governments run on every applicant and adult family member before approval.
What is the difference between residency and citizenship by investment?
Residence by investment gives you the right to live in a country; citizenship by investment makes you a national with a passport and full civic rights.
Residence permits usually need renewing and may carry stay requirements, while citizenship is generally permanent. Many families combine the two to cover different needs.
What is the difference between citizenship by investment and a golden visa?
A golden visa grants residency — the right to live, work, and travel in a country — but not citizenship or a second passport. Citizenship by investment grants full citizenship, including a second passport with all associated rights. Some programmes (like Portugal's) offer a residency-first route with citizenship eligibility after 5 years of residency. The right choice depends entirely on your goals: travel access, tax benefits, speed, or long-term settlement.
Explore further
Programmes, guides, insights and tools related to this page.