What it costs to get Citizenship in Canada, UAE, US, 12 others

Canada’s start-up visa, the United Arab Emirates’s golden visa, and the United States’ EB-5 immigrant investor programme are among a growing number of pathways offering Nigerians and other Africans access to investment migration opportunities designed to attract foreign capital inflows.

Nigerian investors are no longer driven solely by passport acquisition but are increasingly adopting investment migration as a dynamic strategy to secure both their present and future generations, according to Troy Hanley, managing director at Henley & Partners.

“This concept is also about international investment opportunities, business expansion, education for your children, and global tax planning. Nigerians are constantly thinking about international opportunities, particularly those linked to their children’s futures, education, career prospects, and business travel,” Hanley said.

Across 15 jurisdictions, including Nauru, São Tomé and Príncipe, Canada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Egypt, Greece, Türkiye, Portugal, the UAE, Jordan, and the United States, the programmes reveal a clear global split:

Low-cost entry routes, such as Nauru and São Tomé and Príncipe at around $90,000, prioritise speed and accessibility but offer no financial return. In contrast, mid-tier destinations like Caribbean states and Greece provide a balance between asset-backed investment, partial capital recovery, and mobility benefits.

At the upper end, programmes in Portugal, the UAE, and Jordan shift toward capital-intensive, regulated investment structures, where access to residency or citizenship is tied to business performance, job creation, or high-value asset allocation rather than simple contributions.

For Canada and the US, both programmes link residency to active business creation, North American market access, and long-term human capital benefits such as education and global mobility pathways.

According to Hanley, “A family may first explore Canada for stability and long-term security, then consider the United States for education opportunities through the EB-5 visa. After that, they may look towards Europe-Portugal and Greece, which offer residence and eventual pathways to EU citizenship, providing access to a large economic bloc. The UAE, meanwhile, offers a low-tax, business-friendly environment with significant investment potential.”

Below is a breakdown of each programme across countries in details:

Nauru citizenship by investment -from $90,000

This is one of the lowest-cost entry points globally, structured as a contribution towards climate resilience.

While the base contribution starts at $90,000 (under a limited offer), applicants should factor in additional fees, including a $5,000 application charge and extra costs for dependants.

The appeal lies in its simplicity, no residency requirement and broad family inclusion, but it remains a donation-based model with no financial return.

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment- from $90,000

This programme requires a non-refundable donation to a national development fund.

For a single applicant, costs begin at $90,000, rising to $95,000 for a small family, with additional fees per dependant.

Its key advantage is cost efficiency and a fully remote process, although, like Nauru, it does not provide investment returns.

Canada start-up visa-from $185,000 (CAD 250,000)

Canada’s route is less about passive investment and more about business creation.

Applicants are required to invest around CAD 250,000, alongside legal and operational costs, and must demonstrate a minimum net worth of $500,000.

The real cost lies in building and sustaining a viable business. However, long-term savings, particularly in education, where residents pay significantly reduced tuition can offset initial expenses.

For Canada, interest is driven by its access to wider markets and business-friendly environment. Rhy Guy, regional director and programme manager at Startup Visa Services Canada, pointed to the country’s “triple-A stable economy” and the cost advantage in education for resident families. “World-class education that’s free and you pay local tuition,” he said, adding that costs could fall to about $5,000 annually, compared with $50,000 to $100,000 typically paid by international students.

Dominica citizenship by investment- from $200,000

Dominica offers a step up in cost, starting at $200,000 for a donation, or the same amount for a real estate investment.

The property route introduces a potential resale opportunity after three to five years, making it one of the more financially balanced Caribbean options.

However, investors must still account for government and due diligence fees beyond the base figure.

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment- from $230,000

This programme offers multiple investment routes, with the most common being a $230,000 contribution to a national fund.

Higher-cost options include real estate purchases (from $300,000) or business investments reaching up to $1.5 million.

Its flexibility is a major draw, although total costs can rise significantly depending on the chosen pathway.

Grenada citizenship by investment-from $235,000

Grenada combines a moderate entry cost with strategic benefits, including eligibility for the US E-2 investor visa.

The $235,000 donation option is the most accessible, while the real estate route requires at least $270,000 plus additional contributions.

For investors targeting the United States market indirectly, this programme often carries added strategic value.

St Lucia citizenship by investment- from $240,000

St Lucia’s programme starts at $240,000 for a government contribution covering a family of up to four.

Alternative routes include enterprise investments or real estate purchases starting from $300,000.

While costs are slightly higher than peers, the programme is known for its structured options and relatively efficient processing.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment-from $250,000

One of the oldest programmes in the market, St Kitts and Nevis requires a minimum contribution of $250,000.

Real estate options start from $325,000, with longer holding periods of up to seven years.

Its established reputation and global recognition often justify the higher entry cost for some investors.

Egypt citizenship by investment- from $250,000

Egypt offers citizenship through a minimum donation of $250,000 which is the simplest route. Other options such are real estate or business investment, which can reach $350,000 or more.

Notably, some routes allow partial capital recovery, making it more investment-oriented than pure donation schemes.

Greece golden visa- from $294,137 (€250,000)

Greece offers one of the most affordable entry points into Europe through property investment.

Evans Ahanaonu, sales & business development manager at MIBS Group highlighted the resurgence of the Greek economy and the benefits of its “Golden Visa” programme.

“Greece has recovered strongly from its past financial crisis, with steady economic growth of over 2.3 percent and a stable BBB market rating”. The country offers one of the lowest property transaction taxes in Europe at around 3.09 percent, with no capital gains or appreciation tax, and no VAT on qualifying property transactions. This makes the market more cost-efficient compared to many European alternatives”, he noted.

The programme requires a minimum real estate purchase of €250,000 ($294,137), excluding legal, processing and transaction fees. While this is a relatively low threshold compared to other EU countries, investors must commit to holding property and factor in maintenance costs.

Notably, the investment is asset-backed, meaning it can appreciate, reportedly by 5 to 7 per cent annually in recent years, making it one of the few lower-cost options with potential financial upside.

He also noted that the Greek programme is uniquely suited to multi-generational families, including parents and in-laws in a single application.

Türkiye citizenship by investment- from $400,000

Türkiye’s programme is heavily investment-driven, with a minimum real estate purchase of $400,000.

Other routes, including bank deposits or capital investments, start at $500,000.

Unlike donation-based schemes, this option offers clearer asset-backed value, though it requires active financial commitment and compliance.

Portugal golden visa- from $588,342 (€500,000)

Portugal sits in the mid-to-high range, requiring a $588,342 (€500,000) commitment, typically into private equity funds.

Unlike donation-based schemes, this investment may be recoverable after a five-year holding period, depending on fund performance and exit terms. Some structured options even include buyback arrangements.

Nuno Oliveira, business development manager, Mercan Group, noted “You are not just buying residency. You are investing in a structured fund that combines real estate, hospitality, and migration benefits.”

“There is a financial return built into this structure, and your capital is protected through a guaranteed exit option. You are not locking your money away permanently. This structure is designed to be tax efficient and to help you preserve and structure your wealth globally.

UAE golden visa- from $544,000 (AED 2 million)

The UAE programme is driven by real estate acquisition, with a minimum investment of AED 2 million (approximately $544,000).

While the property remains an asset that can generate rental income or capital gains, the high entry cost is compounded by additional expenses such as service charges and transaction fees.

Premium developments can push investment levels significantly higher up to several million dollars; making this a capital-intensive option aimed at high-net-worth individuals.

Jordan citizenship by investment- from $500,000+

Jordan’s programme is structured around business and job creation.

Headline figures suggest around $500,000, most routes, particularly those involving company shares or employment thresholds, require investments of $1 million or more.

This makes it more suitable for established investors seeking commercial expansion rather than simple mobility.

United states EB-5 immigrant investor program-from $800,000

The US EB-5 visa is the most capital-intensive option.

It requires a minimum investment of $800,000, typically structured as a loan to a government-approved project. Unlike property-based routes, the funds are “at risk” for at least two years, with no guaranteed returns.

However, for many investors, the financial commitment is justified by access to permanent residency through a Green Card, and long-term opportunities in the United States.