As iran war spreads the Gulf region, flight services has been disrupted in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and other countries. Please see below important updates on citizenship by investment and golden visa programs for 2026.
1. UK Revokes Visa Free Access
UK revokes visa free access (ETA canceled) to St Lucia and Botswana citizens and imposes Air transit visa requirement.
2. Botswana Prepares for New CBI
The African nation of Botswana is preparing to launch economic citizenship program in 2026 starting $75,000 to $90,000 to offset declining diamond revenues.
3. US Visa Restrictions Playing Havoc
US has imposed full and partial visa restrictions for countries running CBI program. US visa bonds ($15,000) to secure non immigrant visas for nationals of Grenada, Antigua and Dominica. Immigrant visas suspended for all caribbean CBI countries. Non-immigrant visas B1, B2, F, M, J student visas suspended for Dominica and Antigua. Lawful permanent residents and dual nationals not affected. Turkey, Nauru unaffected by US visa restrictions eligible for all US visas.
4. All Eyes on Argentina’s New CBI Launch
Argentina preparing legal frameworks to launch new economic citizenship programs in their countries. Master agents have been appointed. Argentina has made changes to economic citizenship act, exempting investors from automatic tax residency. By default Argentina automatically considers tax resident of all its citizens and permanent residents.
5. St.Kitts Biometrics Collection
St.Kitts commences biometrics collection for passport upgrade from April 14. All citizens who invested in citizenship by investment program are mandated to provide biometrics. Last date is July 2027. All old passports will be canceled and reissued. This does not apply for native born citizens.
6. Caribbean ECCIRA Authority
The Eastern Caribbean CIP countries set to impose 30 day structured residence requirement with genuine link to country on all new applicants by mid 2026. The Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) will commence its work by mid-2026.
7. Turkey Same Day Biometrics
Turkey introduced same-day biometric and fingerprinting in Istanbul for Citizenship by Investment (CBI) applicants, allowing residence permit approval and citizenship submission starting February 9, 2026,
8. Portugal Becoming Cheaper and Faster
Portugal has suspended making changes law amending citizenship time from 5 years to 10 years. The government will start the discussions on nationality law amendments backed by new president. AIMA has increased the speed of processing applications in 2026, new GV applicants receive biometrics appointments much faster in 6 months. Portugal government is set to allocate more resources to clear citizenship and residence permit backlogs accumulated over the years. For those interested in Portugal, we have introduced EUR 200k investment fund donation option instead of committing EUR 500k investment.
9. Hungary Guest Investor Program
Hungary abolished €500,000 direct real estate route was abolished in January 2025 over housing price concerns. As of 2026, two investment funds are approved by government under Guest investor program.
10. Nauru Limited Time Offer
Nauru introduced an individual fee model and a special limited-time offer of $90,000 (instead of $115,000) valid until June 30, 2026, while removing age and dependency limits for family members. Processing times are very fast completed in 3 months.
10. Sao Tome’s Budget Friendly Passport
Sao Tome and Principe launched brand new citizenship by investment program in 2025. It remains the cheapest citizenship program in 2026 for budget conscious investors starting $90,000 plus fees donated to government. Newly amended legislation now permits same sex couples and unmarried partners and siblings. Sao Tome does not have real estate investment option.
11. New CBI in St.Vincent on the Horizon
St.Vincent is expected to launch its citizenship investment program in mid or late 2026 with a residency condition, joining other caribbean countries.
12. Malta’s Citizenship by Merit
Malta has launched citizenship by merit program to attract skilled persons in the country including entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers who made signficant contribution to Malta. They must have resided for 8 months and own a property to apply. This program should not be confused with Malta CBI program which was terminated post EU judgment.
13. Latvia’s Golden Visa Gains Popularity
Latvia remains the cheapest low entry golden visa program for indians in 2026. The 50k euro company share options remains very attractive for foreigners. Residence permits in Latvia issued for 1 year and renewable. A five year residence permit issued for EUR 250,000 invested in Latvian securities or real estate owners.
14. Vanuatu Restarts REO and CIIP options
Vanuatu has reopened REO and CIIP programs in 2026 lifting temporary suspensions. Processing times have increased due to National Bank of Vanuatu losing its correspondent bank relationships in Australia banks.
