Helping Families Explore Greater Freedom, Security, and Global Opportunity
A number of countries allow people to earn residency or citizenship through a qualifying investment. MY-VIET, INC. offers informational guidance and professional referrals for families exploring Malta and Turkey’s citizenship by investment program, Greece’s Golden Visa, Portugal’s residency by investment route, and other programs around the world. Every formal application is handled by licensed international advisory firms, not by us.
18+ YEAR | 48+ COUNTRIES | 250+ UNIVERSITIES | 6 SECTORS | IMMIGRATION | INVESTMENT | EDUCATION | TEXAS-BASED |
18+ YEAR | 48+ COUNTRIES | 250+ UNIVERSITIES | 6 SECTORS | IMMIGRATION | INVESTMENT | EDUCATION | TEXAS-BASED |
Overview
A growing number of countries have built legal, government-regulated programs that grant residency or citizenship to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment, usually in real estate, a government fund, or a local business. These programs are not loopholes or shortcuts. They are official pathways, used by families from around the world every year, and each one is written into that country’s own immigration law.
There are two broad categories worth understanding.
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programs that grant full citizenship and a passport after meeting investment and residency (or physical presence) requirements. Examples include Malta and Turkey.
Residency by Investment (RBI) / “Golden Visa” Programs that grant legal residency — typically without requiring the investor to live in the country full-time — with the possibility of citizenship after meeting longer-term naturalization requirements. Examples include Greece, Portugal (now modified), and Spain.
The reasons are personal, and they are rarely about any one thing. Some parents want their children to have the option of an EU education or an EU career without a visa standing in the way. Some are thinking about political or economic uncertainty at home and want a second, stable place to land if they ever need one. Some are drawn to a particular country’s healthcare system, safety, or business climate. Others are simply planning ahead, a generation at a time, so their children start from a wider set of options than they did.
None of these reasons need defending. What they deserve is honest, complete information before any money changes hands.
Every investor’s situation is different. But after 18 years, we’ve seen the same challenges come up again and again — not because investors aren’t smart, but because entering a new market has a learning curve that only experience can flatten.
Malta is currently the most established EU citizenship by investment pathway. Clients from Vietnam, Asia, and the Middle East pursuing EU mobility for their families — especially for university access across Europe and long-term career opportunities — frequently ask about this pathway. We provide an honest overview of the requirements, the timeline, the costs, and the key advisors to engage.
Turkey's citizenship by real estate investment program has drawn steady interest from families across the Middle East and Asia who want a passport with strong visa-free travel and the ability to keep their original citizenship at the same time. We explain the current investment minimum, how the application process works, and what real due diligence looks like when buying property in Turkey's current market.
Greece's Golden Visa remains one of Europe's more reachable residency by investment programs, though the rules have changed. Investment minimums now depend on where the property is located, with higher thresholds in places like Athens and the most popular islands, and lower thresholds elsewhere. We share current, plain information on what the program offers, what it no longer offers, and what the longer path to Greek and EU citizenship looks like.
For families who know they want a second citizenship or residency but have not settled on a country, we help sort through the real questions: EU or non-EU, real estate or a government fund, how fast you need this to move, how much time you would need to spend physically in the country, and what the eventual path to full citizenship actually requires. Once you have a clearer picture, we introduce you to advisors who can compare programs properly, side by side.
This concern is reasonable, and honestly, it should be part of your thinking. Programs are modified, restricted, or shut down by governments more often than most people realize. Malta's investor citizenship program, for example, was closed in 2025 after a European court ruling found it violated EU law. We help clients understand the political and regulatory reality behind any specific program, not just its marketing, and we connect you with advisors who track these developments as they happen.
How MY-VIET, INC. Supports
Your Search for a Second Citizenship
Every family’s reasons for exploring citizenship or residency by investment are different, and so is every family’s situation. What stays the same is our approach: plain information first, honest limits on what we do, and a careful hand-off to advisors who have earned the right to be trusted with something this important.
We explain the major citizenship and residency by investment programs in plain language: what each one offers, what it requires, and what the real costs and timelines tend to look like once the marketing is set aside. We help you compare programs across the factors that actually matter to your family, so you know which direction is worth a closer look and which one is not, before you spend time or money finding out.
Turkey grants citizenship to foreign nationals who complete a qualifying real estate investment (currently a minimum of $400,000 USD, though this figure is set by the Turkish government and subject to change) or another approved form of investment. The property must generally be held for a minimum period before it can be resold. We provide current, general information on how the program is structured, typical processing timelines of roughly ten to twelve months, and what careful due diligence looks like before you commit to a property purchase in Turkey.
Greece's residency by investment program grants a five-year, renewable residence permit to investors who complete a qualifying real estate or other approved investment. Since 2024, the required investment amount depends on location: higher minimums apply in Athens, Thessaloniki, and popular islands such as Mykonos and Santorini, while other regions and certain property conversions carry lower thresholds. We explain the current investment tiers, what residency under this program does and does not include, and how it can eventually lead to Greek and EU citizenship through naturalization.
Portugal's Golden Visa no longer includes a real estate route. Today, most applicants qualify through an investment fund, a cultural or scientific donation, or another approved category, with fund investments generally starting around 500,000 euros. The program requires only a small amount of physical presence in the country each year, which is part of why it remains popular with families who are not ready to relocate but want a genuine, lawful path toward EU residency and, eventually, citizenship. We provide current, general information on how the fund and donation routes work and what a realistic timeline looks like.
All formal applications, without exception, are handled by licensed international advisory firms. We introduce clients to accredited, established advisors who specialize in citizenship and residency by investment, professionals with verified track records and clean regulatory standing. We do not receive a hidden commission for pointing you toward one firm over another, and we will tell you plainly if we think a program is not the right fit for your situation.
Once you are working with a licensed advisory firm, we can stay involved in a smaller, supporting role: helping keep your documents organized, making sure communication between everyone involved stays clear, and checking in periodically so the process keeps moving without you having to chase it yourself.
How Second Citizenship Exploration Typically Works
We begin with an open conversation about your goals, your family situation, your investment capacity, and your timeline. We discuss which programs may be worth exploring further and what the realistic requirements and costs look like.
Based on your goals, we help you identify one or two programs that warrant deeper investigation — considering EU vs. non-EU, investment minimums, physical presence requirements, processing timelines, and long-term citizenship pathways.
We connect you with accredited international advisory firms that specialize in the program(s) you're exploring. We brief the advisor on your situation in advance and facilitate a warm, informed introduction.
The licensed advisor conducts a formal eligibility assessment — reviewing your background, financial profile, source of funds, and family composition to confirm program fit and identify any potential complications.
For real estate-based programs (Turkey, Greece), the advisor coordinates with vetted real estate professionals to identify qualifying properties. For government contribution programs (Malta), the advisor prepares the formal application package.
The licensed advisor prepares and submits the formal citizenship or residency application on your behalf. All required documents, background checks, and investment evidence are included.
The relevant government authority reviews the application. Timelines vary by country and program — from several months to over a year for citizenship programs.
Upon approval, the appropriate documentation is issued — citizenship certificate and passport (Malta, Turkey) or residence permit (Greece Golden Visa). We remain available for any follow-up coordination.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
General Documentation for Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programs
Every citizenship and residency program has its own requirements. After your consultation, your licensed advisor will provide a detailed checklist tailored to your chosen program.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are legitimate — these are formal government programs established by national law. Countries create citizenship and residency by investment programs for economic reasons: attracting foreign capital, stimulating real estate markets, and drawing high-net-worth residents who contribute to the local economy. They have existed for decades in various forms and are used by tens of thousands of families each year. That said, due diligence on the specific program and the advisory firm handling your application is essential.
That depends entirely on your home country’s laws. Some countries allow dual citizenship; others do not. Vietnamese citizens, for example, should consult with both Vietnamese and international legal counsel before pursuing any second citizenship program to understand the implications under current Vietnamese law. We strongly advise clients to seek proper legal guidance on this question before proceeding.
The headline investment minimum is only part of the cost. Professional advisory fees, legal fees, government processing fees, background check fees, translation costs, and property-related costs (for real estate programs) can add significantly to the total. A honest advisor will provide a full cost breakdown at the beginning of the process. We encourage clients to ask for this before engaging any advisory firm.
It varies by program. Turkish citizenship by real estate investment has historically processed in three to six months for a clean application. Malta’s citizenship program requires a mandatory residency period before citizenship can be granted. Greece’s Golden Visa can be issued relatively quickly, but citizenship through naturalization requires a much longer timeline. Your advisor will provide current processing estimates.
This is a real risk. Programs have been modified, restricted, or discontinued after investors have already committed capital. This happened most significantly with Portugal’s Golden Visa in 2023, which removed real estate from its qualifying investment categories. The best protection is to work with an advisor who monitors program developments closely and can advise you proactively. We connect clients with advisory firms known for their program tracking and client communication.
Yes, for most programs — but it takes time. Greece’s Golden Visa is a residency permit; citizenship through Greek naturalization typically requires seven years of legal residence and language proficiency. Malta’s program can lead to citizenship more directly, with a minimum one-year or three-year residency requirement depending on the contribution tier. Turkey’s citizenship program grants citizenship directly without a residency requirement for the real estate pathway.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
What Families Get Wrong
About Second Citizenship Programs
The advertised investment is only one part of the total commitment. Legal fees, government charges, due diligence, taxes, and other costs should all be understood before making a decision.
The best program for someone else may not be the best program for you. Your nationality, family, business plans, and long-term objectives should guide the decision, not a sales presentation.
Experience, licensing, transparency, and reputation matter. Before moving forward, understand who you are working with, how they are compensated, and whether they are acting in your best interests.
Most programs require clear documentation showing that investment funds were legally obtained. Preparing this early often makes the process smoother and reduces unnecessary delays.
Each residency and citizenship program provides different rights, obligations, and travel privileges. Understanding those differences before investing helps prevent disappointment later.
Perhaps the biggest mistake is feeling pressured to act before you are ready. A second citizenship is more than an investment. It can influence where your family lives, works, travels, and builds opportunities for years to come. The best decisions are rarely the fastest. They are the ones made with clarity and careful understanding.
WHY FAMILIES & INVESTORS CHOOSE MY-VIET, INC
Independent Guidance
in a Space Full of Sales Pressure
The world of residency and citizenship by investment can be difficult to navigate. Programs change, opinions differ, and many people involved are compensated only when an investment is completed.
That is why we believe the first responsibility of an advisor is not to persuade. It is to help you understand.
For more than 18 years, families, investors, and business owners have trusted MY-VIET, INC. because we begin with listening, not selling. We take time to understand your goals, explain both the opportunities and the limitations, and connect you with experienced licensed professionals when legal or investment advice is needed.
We believe the best decisions are made with patience, clear information, and realistic expectations. Sometimes the right answer is to move forward. Sometimes it is to wait. Sometimes it is to choose a different path altogether.
Our role is not to convince you to pursue a particular program.
Our role is to help you make a decision you will still feel confident about years from now.
Most of our clients come through referrals. It is something we earn, slowly, over years of showing up for people when it matters most.
Supporting families and professionals through immigration and international education — one case, one family, one future at a time.
Traveled not as a tourist but as a student — of how trust is built, how trade moves, and how cultures make decisions.