CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT BLOG

Citizenship application processing times in 2021

Note (2026): Malta’s former Citizenship by Investment program has been replaced by the Citizenship by Merit framework.

How long does it take to process an investment citizenship application?

Answer: Of the various citizenship by investment programs in Europe, the two top contenders for fastest application processing include Bulgaria and Malta. In the Americas, the fastest options are the programs offered by the Caribbean nations.

For example, the application processing time to receive citizenship of Bulgaria is currently five years under the standard processing rules, but can be significantly shortened to only 18 months if the “fast track option” is chosen.

However, accelerating the process comes at a price; whereas standard processing requires a government bond investment of EUR 512,000 (plus fees), fast track processing rings up at EUR 1,024,000. For investors who don't want to lock up this amount in a Bulgarian government bond, the fast track program offers a (non-refundable) financing option.

Comparable to Bulgaria, and possibly even a little bit faster than Bulgaria's fast track option, is the new Malta "Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment" regulation, launched in late 2020.  The regulation leads to Malta residency and Malta citizenship / Malta passport, and is available to qualified investors at EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option) plus legal and application fees, a philanthropic donation, and a property lease or rental.

Standard processing for Malta residency (Step 1) is about 15 working days. The application for citizenship (Step 2) may be filed after 12 or 36 months in residency status depending on the investment option chosen.

The citizenship by investment (CBI) program of Cyprus was discontinued in late 2020 until further notice.

Other EU countries, such as Greece, Portugal, and Spain, require an applicant to remain in permanent resident status for several years (currently seven years in Greece, five years in Portugal, and ten years in Spain), before citizenship may be applied for – without guarantee for approvals after waiting all this time.

In the Caribbean, programs offered by Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia can result in citizenship in as little three to four months, with St. Kitts & Nevis slightly faster at two to three months.

The United States is severely backlogged which means EB-5 applications can take between one to two years to process. Then, after two years in "conditional green card" status, the applicant may obtain a "permanent green card". After five years in permanent green card status, or eight to nine years from EB-5 application start, the investor may file for citizenship.

Because residency and citizenship frameworks can evolve over time please contact us to speak with an advisor or to receive a preliminary quotation. The information provided in this blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice.

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MALTA INFORMATION CENTER

Everything you need to know about Malta citizenship, residency, and real estate.

Malta Citizenship

• A Comprehensive Guide to Malta Citizenship by Merit

• Does Malta allow dual citizenship with the USA?

• Do you get citizenship if you buy real estate in Malta?

• How easy is it to get Malta citizenship?

• How long does it take to get the Malta citizenship?

• What is the cost of obtaining Malta citizenship?

• What is the difference between residency and citizenship of Malta?

• What are the benefits of Malta citizenship?

Malta Residency

• How easy is it to get Malta residency?

• How do you qualify for residency in Malta?

• Can I get residency in Malta if I buy a house?

• Can I get permanent residency in Malta by investment?

• How long does it take to get a Golden Visa in Malta?

Malta Real Estate

• A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Real Estate in Malta

• A Comprehensive Guide to Renting Property in Malta

• A Comprehensive Guide to Relocation to Malta

• Discover the Malta Lifestyle

• Investing in Malta Commercial Real Estate

• Investing in the Malta Residential Real Estate

• What are Malta Special Designated Areas (SDA)?

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Click here for the Malta citizenship by merit framework. Click here for the Malta residency programs.

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