Goodlife Investor: Paper Residency + Easy Citizenship (Safest Country in Each Continent)

A growing number of investors are looking for “second‑city” solutions that combine a stable residence permit or passport with low tax exposure and the ability to work remotely. Below is a concise overview of the most‑promoted programs across the five continents, focusing on the concrete requirements, costs, timelines and the mobility they provide.

Africa – Mauritius (referred to as “Maitius”)

Residency options

• The residency card is issued for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
• Most paperwork can be handled remotely; a local team assists with company formation, bank account opening and medical clearance.

Latin America – Uruguay (referred to as “Oroku/Urkquai”)

Key features

• Direct permanent residency with a pathway to citizenship in as little as 3 years.
• Full citizenship (passport) can be obtained in 6‑12 months after applying.
• The program is marketed as a “hidden gem” with strong visa‑free access (often compared to Switzerland in the region).

Note: The transcript also mentions Panama, where the required bank‑deposit for residency has risen from US $5,000 to US $300,000.

Europe – Portugal Golden Visa

Investment routes

1. Mutual‑fund route – €500,000 placed in an approved fund.

   • Funds are guaranteed after 5 years; the principal plus returns are returned when the residency is converted to citizenship.

2. Hospitality‑fund route – €325,000 into a qualifying hotel project, with the developer contributing an additional €175,000 to meet the €500,000 threshold.

   • After 5 years the investor receives back the €325,000 plus an additional €50,000 (total €375,000).

• Minimum physical presence: 7 days per year (paper residency).
• After five years of holding the residency, applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship and obtain an EU passport, granting freedom of movement across 28 European countries.

Asia – Malaysia MM2 Programme

Requirements

• Bank‑deposit component: MYR 150,000 (≈ US $150,000).

• Property component: MYR 150,000 (≈ US $150,000) in approved real‑estate.

• The MM2 scheme is a “semi‑paper” residency: a short on‑site stay (a few months) is required, after which the permit can be renewed.

• The investment can be split among family members, allowing multiple relatives to obtain residency simultaneously.

Oceania – Vanuatu

Direct passport / remote residency

• Citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) programme – cost ≈ US $115,000 after government rebates.
• Processing time: 5‑10 days for a full passport or a 100 % remote permanent residency.
• The passport provides visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to most Oceania nations, Australia and New Zealand, and serves as an “insurance policy” for global mobility.