{"id":22630,"date":"2018-11-21T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T13:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=22630"},"modified":"2021-03-02T12:57:20","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T17:57:20","slug":"top-residency-and-visa-options-bulgaria-thailand-malta-dr-and-st-kitts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/top-residency-and-visa-options-bulgaria-thailand-malta-dr-and-st-kitts\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Residency and Visa Options: Bulgaria, Thailand, Malta, DR, and St. Kitts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Top Residency and Visa Options: Bulgaria, Thailand, Malta, DR, and St. Kitts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the past couple weeks, we have been examining popular 2nd residency programs around the world. In Week #1, we compared <\/span>residency in Belize and Panama<\/span><\/a>. Week #2, we looked at <\/span>residency options in Chile, Ecuador, and Costa Rica<\/span><\/a>. This week, we are going examine how to obtain residency in several more countries of the world.\u00a0 \u00a0Let’s talk about the top residency and visa options: Bulgaria, Thailand, Malta, DR, and St. Kitts.<\/span><\/p>\n

The chart right below this introduction is a simple and easy way to see the major requirements for some of the best 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency programs in the world. After the chart, you\u2019ll see a detailed description of 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency requirements in Malta, the Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Bulgaria, and Thailand. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep the feedback coming. We are pleased to see that so many of you are inquiring about the Panama 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency program. Having worked in the region and industry for 24 years, the Panama 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency program when paired with a teak investment is one of the best to obtain because it\u2019s inexpensive, simple, and fast to get.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, far more important is that it is the easiest 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency in the world to maintain. To keep a 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency in Panama, you only need to visit one day every 2 years. For people looking for a Plan B \u00a02<\/span>nd<\/span> residency, this is as good as it gets. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are lots of reasons to get a 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency. Thus, the variety of programs in the marketplace. Read on to see the chart and details about other popular 2<\/span>nd<\/span> residency programs around the world. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Snapshot Comparison Chart<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Country<\/b><\/td>\nResidency Program(s)<\/b><\/td>\nRequirements<\/b><\/td>\nEstimated Expense<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Panama<\/span><\/td>\nFriendly Nations Visa<\/span><\/td>\nBank Account, Corporation<\/span><\/p>\n

Land ownership. <\/span><\/p>\n

To maintain:<\/span><\/p>\n

Must visit Panama at least one (1) day every two (2) years.<\/span><\/td>\n

Fee for Friendly Nations Visa (bank account, corporation, including legal and administrative fees for residency) is $4,680<\/span><\/p>\n

An additional $1,900 is required per dependent.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Belize<\/span><\/td>\nQualified Retired Persons Program<\/span><\/td>\nProof that applicant is receiving $2,000 per month from a pension, annuity, or other retirement income<\/span><\/p>\n

OR<\/span><\/p>\n

Proof that an investment made in Belize will generate a minimum of $2,000 per month. <\/span><\/p>\n

Minimum age of 45.<\/span><\/p>\n

Must spend at least 30 days per year in country. <\/span><\/td>\n

Application fee ranges from $250-$5,000.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chile<\/span><\/td>\nThree temporary residency tracks that lead to permanent residency: <\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  1. Rentista<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  2. Lump sum investor<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Business owner<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n
Permanent Residency is good for 5 years and may be renewed indefinitely. If Chile is left for longer than 1-year, permanent residency will be revoked. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ecuador<\/span><\/td>\n9-I Pensioner Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

9-II Real Estate Investor Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

9-II Certificate of Deposit Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

9-III Industrial Investor Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

9-IV Legal Representative, Work, or Religious Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

9-V Professional Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

9-VI Dependent Visa<\/span><\/td>\n

Various requirements depending on Visa chosen. Requirements range from:<\/span><\/p>\n

Proof of a monthly guaranteed income of at least $800 per month.<\/span><\/p>\n

An investment in local real estate or a CD in an Ecuadorian bank of at least $25,000, or a spouse who is an Ecuadorian citizen.<\/span><\/td>\n

For Main Applicant:<\/span><\/p>\n

$50 for the application and $500 <\/span><\/p>\n

once approved<\/span><\/p>\n

For Dependents:<\/span><\/p>\n

$30 for the application and $300 once approved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: applicants 65 and over can receive a discount on fees. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Dominican Republic<\/span><\/td>\nQualified Investor Residency:<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Retiree \/ Pensioner<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Independent Investor<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lump Sum Investor<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No age requirement for retiree \/ pensioner. <\/span><\/p>\n

Minimum $200,000 local investment for Lump Sum Investor<\/span><\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
St. Kitts<\/span><\/td>\nInvestment Program<\/span><\/td>\nOne-time contribution of $125,000 into the Sustainable Growth Fund or an investment of $400,000 into local real estate<\/span><\/td>\n$7,500 for the due diligence and processing fees for the main applicant.<\/span><\/p>\n

$4,000 for due diligence background checks and processing fees for each dependent over 16 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potentially other fees if real estate investment is made.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Malta<\/span><\/td>\nMalta Individual Investor Program<\/span><\/td>\nNote: there is a cap of 1,800 applications which will be approved. As of June 2018, 1,101 have already been filled.<\/span><\/td>\n\u20ac7,500 due diligence fee for main applicant as well as \u20ac500 Malta passport fee. Fees will increase with more dependents. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Costa Rica<\/span><\/td>\nPensionado<\/span><\/i> Residency<\/span><\/p>\n

Rentista<\/span><\/i> Residency<\/span><\/td>\n

For <\/span>Pensionado<\/span><\/i>: Proof that you receive at least $1,000 per month from a pension or annuity.<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>Rentista<\/span><\/i>: Proof that you receive at least $2,500 per month from a guaranteed source. This can NOT come from a salary.<\/span><\/p>\n

For both:<\/span><\/p>\n

Must visit Costa Rica at least one (1) day per year.<\/span><\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thailand<\/span><\/td>\nRetirement Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

Business Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

Marriage Visa<\/span><\/p>\n

Permanent Residency<\/span><\/p>\n

Investment Option<\/span><\/td>\n

Each option requires application through embassy with valid passport. <\/span><\/p>\n

With the permanent residency, applicant must hold non-immigrant visa for at least three years. <\/span><\/td>\n

Financial responsibility ranges from $1,200 monthly income requirement to $305,000 investment, depending on the visa. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bulgaria<\/span><\/td>\nExtended Residence<\/span><\/p>\n

Long-Term Residence <\/span><\/p>\n

Permanent Residence <\/span><\/p>\n

Citizenship Investor <\/span><\/td>\n

Requirements range from visa to visa. Most require application through embassy with valid passport. Each visa upgrade requires more time spent in country. <\/span><\/td>\nInvestment option requires an investment of at least $609,236 in Bulgarian Government Bonds. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*All prices in U.S. dollars, except Malta, which is in euros and is subject to change.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Malta<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Why Malta?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Malta<\/a> Individual Investors Program is a fast-tracked permanent second residency and citizenship program for high net-worth individuals. What makes this program particularly attractive is that Malta is a member of the European Union, meaning that obtaining citizenship through the Malta Individual Investor Program will grant one citizenship in the EU. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Program requires a significant, one-time contribution to the National Development and Social Fund of the Malta Government. This investment must be \u20ac650,000 for the main applicant, as well as an additional \u20ac25,000-\u20ac50,000 for each dependent. <\/span><\/p>\n

The program is capped at 1,800 applicants. As of June 2017, 1,101 applications had already been issued. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due Diligence fees: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n