In 2026 the ability to sponsor an unmarried partner under residence‑by‑investment or citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) schemes varies widely. Some jurisdictions accept proof of a shared life, others require a civil‑union or notarial agreement, and many still limit dependents to a legally married opposite‑sex spouse. Understanding which approach applies is essential for couples planning an application.
Where living together is enough
| Country / Region | Program | Partner eligibility | Key evidence required |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Active Investor Plus visa | Married, de facto or civil partner (any sex) | Minimum 12 months cohabitation; shared lease, bills, joint accounts |
| Australia | National Innovation Visa | Spouse, de facto or civil partner (any sex) | 12 months cohabitation; can be waived with registration in a state relationship register |
| Malta | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | De facto partnership recognized as equivalent to marriage | Adequate documentary evidence (e.g., joint tenancy, financial ties) |
| Portugal | Portugal Golden Visa | União de facto (any sex) – cohabitation > 2 years | Lease agreements, joint accounts, shared bills, sworn declaration |
| Spain (grandfathered permits) | Spanish Golden Visa (renewals) | Registered pareja de hecho or 12 months documented cohabitation | Documentation of cohabitation |
| Nauru | Citizenship‑by‑Investment (launched 2024) | Monogamous de facto partner (opposite‑sex only) | Listed as eligible dependent in licensed‑agent guidance |
| Other EU examples | – | – | – |
Where a notary decides
- Greece – Greece Golden Visa – Only a partner who signs a cohabitation agreement before a Greek notary and registers it locally can be added as a dependent. The agreement creates a legal family relationship under Greek law, affecting property, financial, and inheritance matters. Same‑sex couples have been able to use this route since 2015; same‑sex spouses married abroad qualify directly after the 2024 marriage‑equality law.
- Italy – Investor Visa – Accepts a spouse or a civil‑union partner. Civil unions are limited to same‑sex couples; opposite‑sex unmarried couples have no reunification route without marriage.
- Cyprus – Fast‑track Investor Permit – Recognizes civil unions (including same‑sex) as equivalent to marriage for dependents, provided the union is registered under Cyprus law or abroad. The terminology “civil union” must be used; “civil partnership” is not accepted. Same‑sex marriage is not recognized.
Marriage required, any valid marriage
- United States – EB‑5 Immigrant Investor Program – Only a legally valid marriage (any gender) qualifies a spouse as a derivative. No civil‑partner or common‑law recognition.
- Thailand – Long‑Term Resident (LTR) Visa – Since the Marriage Equality Act (effective 23 Jan 2025), same‑sex marriages are accepted as dependents. Unmarried partnerships remain ineligible.
- Panama – Qualified Investor Visa – Requires an apostilled marriage certificate. Panama does not recognize same‑sex marriage domestically, so foreign same‑sex certificates may not be accepted without local legal advice.
Where marriage means one man and one woman
- Caribbean CBI programs (St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda) – Only an opposite‑sex legally married spouse counts as a dependent. Same‑sex couples must submit separate applications and make separate qualifying contributions.
- Turkey – Citizenship‑by‑Investment – Accepts only spouses whose marriage is valid under Turkish conflict‑of‑laws; same‑sex marriages are not recognized.
- UAE – Golden Visa – Requires a marriage certificate legalized in the country of issue, then attested by the UAE embassy and foreign ministry. Cohabitation is legal but cannot be used for sponsorship.
- Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia (MM2H), Vanuatu, Indonesia – All require a legally married opposite‑sex spouse. Indonesia’s new Criminal Code (effective 2 Jan 2026) criminalizes cohabitation outside marriage (up to six months’ imprisonment).
Practical playbook for couples
- Married‑only jurisdictions – Marry before filing to convert an impossible dependent into a standard one and avoid duplicate investment contributions.
- Greece – Prioritize a notarial cohabitation agreement; file the investor’s application first, then add the partner under the open case.
- Same‑sex couples – Target programs that recognize any valid marriage (e.g., US EB‑5, Thailand LTR, Portugal Golden Visa, Malta MPRP). Avoid jurisdictions that restrict dependents to opposite‑sex spouses (most Caribbean CBI, Turkey, Gulf states, Malaysia).
- Fact‑based programs – Begin gathering joint documentation now: at least 12–24 months of shared leases, joint bank accounts, utility bills, and a sworn declaration. This reduces the risk of a request for additional evidence.
- Consider post‑naturalisation routes – In Caribbean CBI schemes, a later marriage can allow the new spouse to obtain citizenship through standard marriage‑based naturalisation, often cheaper than two simultaneous applications.
Because definitions can shift more frequently than investment thresholds, applicants should consult immigration professionals with experience in the specific program before finalising their strategy.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
