Most investment‑migration schemes treat a parent or grandparent only as a dependent of the main applicant, never as a primary applicant. Eligibility hinges on the program’s definition of “dependent,” any age floor, and the required proof of support.
What the programs have in common
- Dependents are priced per head and screened as adults.
- In the Caribbean, the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship‑by‑Investment Regulatory Authority Agreement Bill 2025 requires an interview for any dependent ≥ 18 years; a waiver is possible only for “exceptional circumstances” such as mental incapacity or other medical conditions.
Programs that do not admit a parent at all
| Program | Legal basis | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Article 12(1)(b) of Citizenship Law No. 5901 | Dependent clause lists only “spouse and under‑age dependent children.” |
| U.S. EB‑5 | 8 U.S.C. 1153(d) | Derivative status extends only to spouse or child as defined in § 1101(b)(1). |
| Cyprus | Migration Department criteria (May 2023 revision) | Dependent persons are “spouse and children under 18” (and unmarried children 18‑25 in tertiary education). No mention of ascendants. |
Programs that admit parents but not grandparents
| Program | Eligibility wording | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | “Ascendants in the first degree … provided they are dependent” (Art. 99 Law 23/2007) | Only first‑degree ascendants (parents). No age requirement. |
| Italy | Dependent parents if no other children remain in the country of origin; or parents > 65 with documented health‑related inability of siblings to support them (Legislative Decree 286/1998). | Requires either sole‑child status abroad or medical evidence. |
| Saint Lucia | Parent ≥ 55 years fully supported, or any age parent with physical/mental disability fully supported. | No grandparent category. |
| Hungary | “Dependent parent of a sponsor or his/her spouse” (family‑reunification law). Grandparents fall under a separate, health‑based category. | No age floor. |
| Jordan (reported) | Investor’s spouse, dependent daughters, unmarried sons < 24, and dependent parents. | Not yet published in official regulation. |
Programs that admit parents and grandparents – age thresholds apply
| Program | Age floor | Dependency requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | ≥ 65 | “Substantially supported” by the applicant. No co‑habitation required. | |
| Antigua & Barbuda | ≥ 55 | “Financially dependent” on the principal applicant. | |
| Saint Kitts & Nevis | ≥ 55 (official pages conflict) | One page: parents ≥ 55, living with and fully supported. Another page adds grandparents ≥ 55. | |
| Nauru | ≥ 55 (as per 2024 Act) | “Fully supported” by the principal applicant. 2026 amendment may have changed the floor – confirm with authorities. | |
| São Tomé & Príncipe | ≥ 55 | “Parents/grandparents from 55 years old.” | |
| Grenada | No age floor (Amendment 2019) | Two clauses: (e) parents/grandparents ≥ 55 fully supported; (f) parents/grandparents ≤ 55 fully supported. Eligibility is unrestricted; age only affects fee bands. | |
| Malta (MPRP) | None | “Principally dependent” – applicant must prove dependency via affidavit and birth‑certificate chain. | |
| Greece | None | Direct ascendants of spouses/partners are eligible with no age or dependency test (Article 95(2) of the Migration Code). |
Programs where the market and the government disagree
- Vanuatu – marketed as allowing parents ≥ 50, but the official fee schedule lists only applicant, spouse, and one child < 18; no parent/grandparent category appears.
- United Arab Emirates – Golden‑Visa guidance mentions spouse and children of any age; parents are not listed, and no official text confirms eligibility.
The dependency test – the real gatekeeper
| Phrase used | Typical documentation required |
|---|---|
| Fully supported (Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis) | Bank transfers, remittance records, sponsor’s income proof, affidavit of support. |
| Substantially supported (Dominica) | Similar to “fully supported” but may accept a lower support level; still needs proof of regular transfers or income. |
| Financially dependent (Antigua & Barbuda) | Evidence that the dependent has no independent income or assets sufficient for self‑support. |
| Principally dependent (Malta) | Affidavit, birth certificates tracing lineage, and proof that the dependent relies on the applicant for the majority of living expenses. |
| No test (Greece) | No documentary dependency proof required; only relationship proof. |
A parent who receives a pension, rents property, or runs a business may fail the dependency test even where age alone would qualify.
Cost implications (selected programs)
- Dominica – US $40,000 for any additional dependent ≥ 18 at application (plus US $4,000 due‑diligence). Adding the same parent after citizenship costs US $50,000 (or US $25,000 if added within one year).
- Antigua & Barbuda – US $4,000 due‑diligence for a parent ≥ 55; US $50,000 to add a dependent ≥ 18 after approval.
- Saint Kitts & Nevis – US $7,500 due‑diligence per dependent ≥ 16; US $30,000 to add a qualified dependent after approval in principle.
- Saint Lucia – US $25,000 for a qualifying dependent of a citizen (non‑spouse).
- Malta (MPRP) – €7,500 per parent or grandparent (additional fee).
- Grenada – Flat family contribution applies except for siblings, parents, and grandparents ≤ 55 years; otherwise US $25,000/US $50,000 per additional dependent after the third.
Practical take‑aways
- Read the primary legislation, not just marketing brochures. Grenada’s 2019 amendment removed the age floor, but its fee schedule still distinguishes by age.
- Determine the main applicant early. In Greece, choosing an adult child as the primary applicant extends coverage to both spouses’ direct ascendants without age or dependency limits.
- Gather dependency evidence well before filing. A pension‑receiving parent may be rejected in Malta, Portugal, or Italy despite meeting the age requirement.
- Budget for fees and ongoing costs. Residence programmes (e.g., Greece) add government fees, mandatory health insurance, and renewal expenses for each dependent.
- Confirm ambiguous policies in writing. Saint Kitts & Nevis and Vanuatu have contradictory or unclear public statements; obtain a written clarification from the program authority before proceeding.
These points help investors decide whether a parent or grandparent can be included in a citizenship‑by‑investment or golden‑visa application and what the financial and documentary hurdles will be.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
