Programme updates
Routes that are paused or whose rules materially changed. Everything else in the library is open and unchanged as of the review date below.
- Rules changedEffective: 2027-01-01Route data reviewed: 2026-09
USA EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
United States
The minimum investments (US$800,000 in a targeted employment area, US$1,050,000 otherwise) receive their first inflation adjustment on 1 January 2027, with projections near US$900,000 and US$1.2 million. Confirm the amount and filing deadline for your case before committing capital.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026-10-15Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Panama Friendly Nations / Investor Pathway
Panama
The US$300,000 real-estate option for the Qualified Investor Visa ends on 15 October 2026; after that the minimum is US$500,000.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026-08-31Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Thailand DTV / Long Stay
Thailand
From 31 August 2026 you must apply at the Thai mission covering your nationality or permanent residence — no more choosing a convenient embassy — and file a criminal record certificate plus proof of permanent residence.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026-04-28Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Paraguay Residence
Paraguay
Since 28 April 2026 the Paraguay Investor Pass adds real estate (US$200,000), financial instruments (US$200,000, two-year hold) and tourism (US$150,000) alongside the US$70,000 SUACE business track.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026-01-01Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Commonwealth of Dominica
Since 1 January 2026 the United States has partly suspended visas for Dominican nationals — immigrant visas and B, F, M and J visas — citing the citizenship-by-investment programme. This directly limits the passport's US travel value.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026-01-01Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Antigua and Barbuda
Since 1 January 2026 the United States has partly suspended visas for Antiguan nationals — immigrant visas and B, F, M and J visas — citing the citizenship-by-investment programme. This directly limits the passport's US travel value.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-07-22Route data reviewed: 2026-09
UK Skilled Worker Visa
United Kingdom
Since 22 July 2025 most new applications need a degree-level (RQF 6) role and a salary of at least £41,700 or the going rate; about 180 occupations dropped out, and Temporary Shortage List roles cannot bring dependants.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-05Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Spain Digital Nomad / Non-Lucrative Pathway
Spain
The non-lucrative permit now expressly requires more than 183 days of actual residence in Spain to renew, and consulates have tightened against remote workers using it instead of the digital nomad visa.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-04Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Malta
Malta's separate citizenship-by-investment scheme ended after the April 2025 EU Court ruling, so this route leads to residence only; the MPRP's own fee and process rules were also restructured in 2025.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-03-25Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker / Canadian Experience Class)
Canada
A Canadian job offer no longer earns CRS points (since 25 March 2025), and much of the selection now runs through category-based draws — French, healthcare, STEM, trades, education — whose cut-offs can be far below general draws.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-01-15Route data reviewed: 2026-09
USA EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
United States
USCIS tightened its national-interest-waiver guidance in January 2025 and approval rates fell sharply before partially recovering in 2026; EB-2 India has been unavailable for much of fiscal 2026.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-01Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Hungary Guest Investor Program (Golden Visa)
Hungary
The direct property-purchase option was withdrawn from January 2025. The live pathways are an approved real-estate fund (from €250,000) and a large higher-education donation.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2024-12-06Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Australia National Innovation Visa (subclass 858, formerly Global Talent)
Australia
Replaced on 6 December 2024 by the National Innovation Visa (still subclass 858): invitation-only, excellence-based, focused on priority sectors, with few invitations relative to interest.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2024-08-31Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Greece Golden Visa
Greece
Zone pricing since 31 August 2024: about €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands (one property, at least 120 m²), €400,000 elsewhere, and €250,000 only for commercial-to-residential conversions or listed-building restorations. The permit also does not give the right to take salaried employment with a Greek employer.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2022-12Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Grenada Citizenship by Investment (US E-2 Access)
Grenada
Grenada is still marketed on US E-2 access, but people who gained citizenship by investment generally need three years' domicile in Grenada before applying for an E-2 visa.
View the full route - Rules changedRoute data reviewed: 2026-09
USA EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card
United States
Still open, but the queue binds: as of the September 2026 bulletin EB-1 China sits at a 1 July 2023 final action date and India retrogressed repeatedly during 2026. A 2026 USCIS policy update also clarified the evidence (team awards and past memberships can count).
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026-05-19Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Portugal D7 / D8 / D2 Pathway
Portugal
Nationality law change (in force 19 May 2026): naturalisation now needs 10 years of residence (7 for EU/CPLP nationals), counted from the residence permit's issuance — applications filed by 18 May 2026 stay under the old 5-year rule.
View the full route - PausedEffective: 2026-01Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Canada Start-up Visa (SUV)
Canada
Paused to new applicants as of early 2026 — commitment certificates stopped after 2025; a replacement pilot is announced but undetailed.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2026Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (Development Support Programme)
Vanuatu
The EU permanently removed Schengen visa-free access (the UK and Ireland too), so the passport's travel value is far narrower than older promotions suggest.
View the full route - Rules changedEffective: 2025-10-16Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Japan Business Manager Visa
Japan
Since 16 Oct 2025: ~¥30,000,000 capital (from ¥5M), a real office, a full-time Japanese or permanent-resident employee, B2-level Japanese from you or that employee, and three years' management experience or a master's degree. Existing holders renew under the old rules until 15 Oct 2028.
View the full route
Route data reviewed: 2026-09
Programme rules change without notice and this page reflects our last review, not a live government feed. Always confirm current requirements before acting.
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