Investment Migration & Golden Visa Glossary
Investment migration has its own vocabulary. Terms like "apostille," "due diligence" and "jus sanguinis" appear in application guides and legal documents without explanation. This glossary defines the most common terms used in Golden Visa and citizenship by investment programs. Each entry includes a short definition on this page and a longer explanation on its own page. Use this as a reference while researching programs.
A
A certificate that authenticates a document for use in another country under the Hague Convention.
B
A physical card containing the holder's biometric data (fingerprints, photograph) that proves their right to reside in a country.
C
A program that grants full citizenship and a passport in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution to the host country.
A formal interview conducted at a consulate or embassy as part of a visa or residency application process.
A numerical measure that compares the relative expense of living in different locations, covering housing, food, transportation and healthcare.
D
The country or jurisdiction where a person has their permanent home and primary legal ties, which determines their tax obligations.
The legal status of being a citizen of two countries simultaneously, holding passports from both.
Background checks conducted on applicants by governments and authorized agents to verify identity, source of funds and criminal history.
E
A card issued to EU/EEA residents that provides access to state-provided healthcare during temporary stays in other EU/EEA countries.
A work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU nationals with a binding job offer or employment contract in an EU member state.
G
A residency-by-investment program that grants a residence permit to non-citizens who make a qualifying investment in the host country.
H
A person with liquid financial assets exceeding $1 million, excluding primary residence and consumer durables.
I
A Golden Visa qualifying option where the applicant invests in a government-approved investment fund rather than purchasing real estate.
J
A principle of nationality law where citizenship is determined by the citizenship of one or both parents, regardless of the place of birth.
A principle of nationality law where citizenship is granted to anyone born within the territory of a state, regardless of parental nationality.
K
Regulatory procedures that require financial institutions and migration agents to verify a client's identity and assess risk before providing services.
N
A Portuguese tax regime that offered reduced tax rates on foreign income for qualifying new residents for a period of ten years.
P
Rankings that measure the travel freedom of passports based on the number of countries the holder can access without a prior visa.
A immigration status that allows the holder to live and work indefinitely in a country without the restrictions of a temporary permit.
R
A Golden Visa qualifying option where the applicant purchases property meeting a minimum value threshold in the host country.
A document or card issued by a government that authorizes a foreign national to live in the country for a specified period.
S
A zone of 29 European countries that have abolished passport controls at their mutual borders, allowing free movement between them.
T
The jurisdiction where a person is obligated to pay taxes, typically determined by physical presence (183+ days per year) or other connecting factors.
A time-limited residence permit that must be renewed at regular intervals and is typically the first stage of a Golden Visa.
V
The ability to enter a foreign country without obtaining a visa in advance, based on the traveler's passport or residence permit.