FOR PEOPLE
Investment Migration
For investors and families who’ve built something in East Africa and want to extend it — with a second base, a second option, or a stronger passport to travel and do business from.
Investment migration isn't about leaving. It's about adding a layer of optionality on top of what you've already built here — a residency or passport that sits alongside your African life, business, and assets, not in place of them.
You can keep your home, your company, your investments, and your day-to-day life exactly where they are. The programme simply gives you another option: somewhere else you can live, invest, or do business if your circumstances or priorities ever change.
There are two distinct routes to this optionality. Residency by Investment (RBI) grants a renewable right to live in a country, typically requiring the investment to be maintained and, in some cases, periodic travel to renew status. Citizenship by Investment (CBI) grants full, permanent citizenship and a second passport — usually with no ongoing residency obligation at all, and no requirement to ever set foot in the country. The right route depends on what you're solving for: physical residence and Schengen access, or a stronger passport for travel, business, and legacy planning.
At Vela Global Mobility, we assist clients throughout the entire journey on either path: programme selection, investment structuring, property or fund sourcing, due diligence, legal coordination, application preparation, and post-approval support.
Our residency-by-investment programmes currently include:
Greece Golden Visa
UAE Golden Visa
Hungary Guest Investor Program
Our citizenship-by-investment programmes currently include:
Grenada
Antigua & Barbuda
St Kitts & Nevis
The Greece Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment programme that allows non-EU citizens and their families to obtain a five-year residency in Greece through a qualifying investment, while benefiting from visa-free travel across the Schengen Area and greater long-term flexibility for the future. The visa is renewable every five years, provided the investment is maintained.
Primary Investment Routes
€250,000 Tier — Restoration & Conversion Properties
Commercial Spaces converted into Residential homes or historic buildings undergoing restoration. Remains the lowest investment threshold under the programme, although the available inventory is more specialised and subject to stricter project requirements. Often attractive to investors looking for a lower entry point into the programme.
€400,000 Tier — Standard Residential Property
Standard residential property in all regions outside the high-demand zones listed in the €800,000 Tier. Currently one of the most balanced routes within the programme. Particularly suitable for families, long-term investors, and clients considering future relocation or lifestyle flexibility.
€800,000 Tier — Prime Location Property
Applies to premium markets and high-demand areas such as parts of Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini & islands with population over 3,100. Typically chosen by clients prioritising internationally recognised locations, stronger lifestyle positioning, or premium real estate exposure while still securing the residency benefits of the programme for themselves and eligible family members.
Benefits of the Greece Golden Visa
Key benefits for EA investors
Covers spouse, children under 21 (extendable to 24), and parents of both applicant and spouse. A key advantage over Hungary (minor children only) and Malta (costly per person). One fee covers the whole extended family.
Visa-free access across all 29 Schengen countries — up to 90 days per 180-day period per country.
Tangible real estate ownership — property held in Euros, generating rental income and capital appreciation. Unlike funds (Portugal, Hungary), you own a physical asset.
Permit starts from issuance date (new 2026 law) — you get the full 5 years even if processing was slow.
Unlimited entries into Greece — no cap on how long you stay. The visa-free travel limits apply to other Schengen countries, not Greece itself
Property can be transferred or sold — as long as you reinvest in another qualifying property before permit renewal.
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term renewable residency programme that allows foreign nationals and their families to live, work, study, and operate businesses in the United Arab Emirates without requiring a local sponsor. Depending on the qualifying category, residence permits are typically issued for five or ten years and remain renewable as long as the eligibility requirements continue to be met.
Primary Investment Routes
AED 2,000,000 Tier — Real Estate Investment
The real estate route is currently the most widely used pathway under the programme. Applicants may qualify through completed or off-plan property investments with a total value of at least AED 2 million, either through a single property or a portfolio of qualifying properties purchased from approved UAE developers.
Financing is permitted under approved mortgage structures, with some lenders allowing financing of up to 50% of the qualifying investment amount. This route is particularly attractive to investors seeking residency alongside ownership of income-generating or lifestyle-oriented property assets within the UAE.
Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa
Key benefits for East African investors
Long-term renewable residency (10 years) with no requirement for a national sponsor or employer sponsorship.
Fast processing timelines compared to most residency-by-investment programmes globally, with investment-linked approvals often completed within weeks.
Ability to sponsor spouse, children, and domestic staff under the same residency structure.
No personal income tax, capital gains tax, net worth tax, or withholding tax within the UAE tax framework.
Access to one of the world’s strongest international business and aviation hubs connecting Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Real estate investors may qualify through completed or off-plan property investments, including financed property under approved mortgage structures.
The UAE remains highly attractive for internationally mobile entrepreneurs, consultants, remote business owners, and families seeking long-term regional flexibility.
The Hungary Guest Investor Program (also known as the Hungarian Golden Visa) is a residency-by-investment programme that grants non-EU citizens and their families a renewable 10-year residence permit in Hungary through a qualifying investment, with no minimum stay requirement and full Schengen travel access.
Primary Investment Routes
€250,000 Tier — Real Estate Investment Fund
Acquisition of investment certificates issued by a government-approved real estate fund registered with the Hungarian National Bank, at least 40% allocated to Hungarian residential property. Certificates must be held for a minimum of 5 years. This is currently the most widely used route under the programme.
€1,000,000 Tier — Public Trust Donation
A non-refundable donation to a public interest trust foundation supporting higher education, scientific research, or artistic activity in Hungary. Suitable for investors who prefer a one-time contribution over a maintained investment.
Benefits of the Hungary Guest Investor Program
Key benefits for EA investors
10-year residence permit, renewable for another 10 years — effectively a 20-year runway before any citizenship decision is needed.
No minimum stay requirement — unlike most EU residency programmes, there's no obligation to spend time in Hungary to keep the permit active.
Covers spouse and dependent children (unmarried, under 18 automatically; up to 26 if financially dependent), with several providers also confirming inclusion of dependent parents.
Full right to work and run a business in Hungary without needing a separate work permit.
Visa-free Schengen travel — 90 days per 180-day period across all 29 Schengen countries.
Among the lowest tax rates in the EU — 15% personal income tax, 9% corporate tax, for those who become tax resident.
Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship after continuous residence (naturalisation typically after 8 years).
Your Residency by Investment Journey
What East African Investors Should Know (Residency by Investment)
Source of funds scrutiny applies across all three programmes
Expect detailed KYC and source-of-funds checks — bank statements, business documentation, tax records — regardless of which RBI programme you choose. Greece's review is relatively lenient by EU standards; the UAE's is the strictest of the three, with enhanced anti-money laundering and beneficial ownership checks now central to approval rather than a formality. Hungary sits in between, but its 93-day window to complete the investment after first entry means documentation needs to be ready before you travel, not after.
Currency planning differs by programme
Greece and Hungary price in Euros, the UAE in AED — all three expose you to KES exchange rate movement, so specialist foreign exchange providers are generally preferable to standard local bank transfers.
Document legalisation is a UAE-specific step
Police clearance certificates, business records, financial statements, and civil documents issued in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, or Ethiopia must undergo formal legalisation and attestation before the UAE process will accept them. This should start several weeks before travel. Greece and Hungary do not require this additional attestation layer.
Embassy access varies significantly
The Greek Embassy in Nairobi handles visa and biometric appointments for Kenyan applicants directly. The Hungarian Embassy in Nairobi covers an unusually wide consular district — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, DRC, Comoros, and Seychelles — making it a genuine regional access point. The UAE has no equivalent consular step; applicants travel directly to the UAE to complete medical screening, identity registration, and processing.
Physical presence requirements are the key differentiator
Greece requires one mandatory trip for biometrics, with family attending too, but otherwise unlimited entry once residency is granted. Hungary requires one visit for the Guest Investor Visa and biometrics, but has no ongoing minimum stay. The UAE is the fastest of the three — often weeks rather than months — but typically requires the applicant to remain in-country while the visa is being finalised.
Grenada's Citizenship by Investment programme grants full citizenship and a Grenadian passport in as little as 8–10 months, with no requirement to ever visit or reside in the country. It is the only Caribbean CBI programme with a US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa pathway, making it a distinctive choice for investors with US business ambitions.
Primary Investment Routes
$235,000 Tier — National Transformation Fund (NTF) Donation
A non-refundable contribution to Grenada's National Transformation Fund, covering the main applicant plus up to 3 dependants. Currently the fastest and most straightforward route — no asset management, no exit strategy required.
$270,000 Tier — Approved Real Estate (Shared Ownership)
Investment in a government-approved tourism project alongside other investors (minimum project value $440,000). Property must be held for a minimum of 5 years, after which it can be sold. Includes a $50,000 additional government contribution.
$350,000 Tier — Approved Real Estate (Sole Ownership)
Full ownership of a qualifying property rather than a shared interest. Same 5-year hold period, same $50,000 government contribution. Preferred by investors who want a standalone asset rather than shared exposure.
Benefits of Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Key benefits for EA investors
US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa eligibility — after establishing domicile in Grenada for 3 years, citizens can apply for a renewable US business visa. No other Caribbean CBI passport offers this.
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 147+ countries, including the Schengen Area, UK, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
No tax on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance, or wealth for Grenadian citizens.
Broad family inclusion — spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents, and unmarried siblings can all be included.
Fully remote process — no travel to Grenada required at any stage, and citizenship is permanent and hereditary once granted.
Real, tangible asset ownership available for investors who prefer property over a pure donation.
Antigua & Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment programme offers the widest range of investment routes of any Caribbean CBI programme and the lowest entry point among the three we advise on — making it a strong fit for larger families or investors who want maximum route flexibility.
Primary Investment Routes
$230,000 Tier — National Development Fund (NDF) Donation
A non-refundable contribution covering the main applicant plus up to 3 dependants; $15,000 per additional dependant. The fastest and most popular route.
$300,000 Tier — Approved Real Estate
Purchase of government-approved property. Requires the same due diligence on developer reputation and location as any real estate route, but offers a tangible asset alongside citizenship.
$1,500,000 Tier — Business Investment
Direct investment in an approved business venture (or $400,000 each for two or more joint investors totalling $5,000,000). Designed for entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand operations in Antigua & Barbuda, across sectors like tourism, agriculture, and technology.
Benefits of Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Key benefits for EA investors
Lowest minimum entry point among our three CBI programmes at $230,000 for a family of up to four.
Only 5 days' physical presence required over the first 5 years to keep the passport renewable — one of the lightest obligations of any CBI programme globally.
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 140+ countries, including the Schengen Area, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Broadest family inclusion of the three programmes — spouse, children under 30, unmarried siblings, and parents/grandparents over 55, with the ability to add eligible family members even after the main applicant already holds the passport.
Four distinct investment routes, giving genuine flexibility to match the client's objective — speed, education access, real estate, or business.
Dual citizenship permitted, with no requirement to renounce existing citizenship.
St Kitts & Nevis operates the world's longest-running Citizenship by Investment programme — established in 1984 — and was named Programme of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Investment Summit, alongside three other awards for efficiency and development impact.
Primary Investment Routes
$250,000 Tier — Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
A non-refundable contribution (replacing the former Sustainable Growth Fund) covering a family of up to four. The most widely used and fastest route under the programme.
$250,000 Tier — Public Benefit Option (PBO)
An alternative donation route directed at approved public benefit projects, appealing to investors who want their contribution tied to a specific national development initiative. Tends to process slightly faster due to lower application volume.
$325,000 Tier — Approved Real Estate (Condominium/Share Unit)
Investment in a government-approved tourism project or condominium interest, with a 7-year mandatory hold period. Properties can generate rental yields of roughly 2–5% annually and be resold after the hold period.
$600,000 Tier — Private Single-Family Home
Full ownership of a standalone private residence, for investors who want a dedicated home rather than a shared development interest, subject to the same 7-year hold.
Benefits of St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Key benefits for EA investors
World's longest-standing CBI programme (est. 1984) — over 40 years of continuous, tested operation.
Named Program of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Investment Summit, alongside efficiency and sustainable development awards.
Broad family inclusion — spouse, children under 30 (education requirement removed in 2024 reforms), and parents/grandparents from age 55 (lowered from 65).
No physical presence or residency obligation to maintain citizenship once granted.
Real estate routes generate rental income during the mandatory hold period, for investors who want their investment working rather than static.
Enhanced institutional governance — the CIU was reconstituted as a statutory corporation in 2024 with strengthened transparency and accountability structures.
Your Citizenship by Investment Journey
What East African Investors Should Know (Citizenship by Investment)
None require physical presence to apply
Unlike any of the RBI programmes above, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, and St Kitts & Nevis can all be completed entirely remotely — documentation, due diligence, and the now-standard virtual interview — through Vela and our licensed CBI agent partners, with no travel to the Caribbean required at any stage of the application itself.
No East Africa embassy presence — by design, not by gap
None of the three states maintain diplomatic representation in East Africa. This isn't a shortfall specific to one programme; it's the norm for Caribbean CBI, and it's precisely why the licensed-agent model exists — all engagement runs through Vela and our agent partners rather than a local mission.
Regulatory changes are moving at different speeds across the three
Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda are both transitioning under the new Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) through 2026 — a shared regional rulebook with a harmonised $200,000 investment floor and tightening due diligence standards. Both programmes' existing thresholds already sit above that floor, so no pricing change is expected, but documentation requirements are getting stricter.
Family inclusion is broadest under Antigua & Barbuda, most flexible under Grenada
If a client's priority is bringing the widest family group along — unmarried siblings, grandparents, adult children — Antigua's criteria are the most accommodating of the three. If US business access matters more than family breadth, Grenada's E-2 Treaty pathway is the differentiator worth leading with.
Why choose us?
Strong understanding of global mobility frameworks from an East African perspective
We understand the practical realities, challenges, and opportunities individuals and businesses from East Africa face when navigating international mobility. Through our experience working with trusted partners across different jurisdictions, we understand which processes, service providers, and pathways tend to work effectively — and which ones may not be suitable.
Trusted partner ecosystem for regulated services
We work with a carefully selected network of third-party professionals and regulated service providers. Partners are internally assessed based on reliability, professionalism, compliance standards, and service quality. Relevant licenses, permits, and compliance requirements are reviewed, with accountability measures maintained throughout our working relationships.
Coordination-focused approach
We coordinate communication and processes between relevant legal, tax, investment, and relocation partners, allowing clients to manage key aspects of their journey through a more streamlined process.
Discreet and professional handling of client matters
International mobility decisions involve sensitive personal, financial, or business information. Client matters are handled with discretion, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality throughout & after the engagement process.