Low-Cost Countries Where Indians Can Get Permanent Residency After UAE Golden Visa

The ultra-rich Indian industrialists, the film stars or the unicorn startups could only afford to park their wealth in project their longtime dream of permanent residency in a foreign country: Dubai, London or New York. To an average comparatively high-income professional or small business person, the prospect of having a second house in a foreign country merely implied going through cumbersome, prohibitive, or costly immigration regimes.

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a lifetime golden visa to Indian nationals at a single payment of AED 100,000 which is approximately INR 23.4 lakh. It is nomination in nature and has not limit on salary.

There is no need to purchase a villa. There is no necessity to open a company. Only a meritical nomination and a clean background. This is a brutal departure of the previous investment-based residency systems in the UAE. Earlier, the candidates were required to invest no less than AED 2 million (INR 4.6 crore) in property to get qualified. But now under the new channel there are other considerations than capital, talent and merit are the main factors.

The visa is family inclusive and permanent and gives those holding it an opportunity to live, work, business establishment, and to act as sponsor of dependants. It remains valid even after the change of jobs or property sales by the holder. It is assumed that more than 5000 Indians will apply within the first few months and many of them call it the most open high-value residence program in the world.

This project is piloted in India and Bangladesh via Rayad Group which will handle the process in collaboration with VFS Global and One Vasco. Applicants have to undergo regular background screening checks and they are not required to be persons of high-net-worth. This marks an overall change in the Gulf migration policy towards abandoning wealth mode models in favor of skilled and strategic nature of talent finding.

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Permanent residency program options to Indians at affordable cost

The new model of the UAE is in the news, however, it is not the only one. Various countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia have made affordable permanent residency programmes which costs in the range of INR 1crore or even less INR 5lakh. Others are lifetime residence; others can result to citizenship. As the migration pathways to the West have been becoming narrower, a number of countries have open permanent residency or citizenship schemes targeted to the professionals, remote workers or investors, which aim much more easily than western equivalents such as the US, UK or Canada.

Paraguay: One of the most inexpensive PR channels of the world

Earlier, Paraguay used to give permanent residency to Indians, on depositing USD 5,000 (INR 4.25 lakh) in a local bank. However, such requirement has been eliminated. In the new regulation, the deposit will not be required. The Indian national will be able to apply as a temporary resident and eventually upgrade to permanent status in slightly less than two years of time.

Upon obtaining this, the PR lasts forever and after three years the applicant can apply to become a citizen though he or she must have knowledge in Spanish language and to a certain extent assimilation.

Less concerned about government response, early retirees or any other person willing to establish a long-term base in a foreign country but who is not ready to spend big bucks to do so, Paraguay cannot be matched in terms of affordability as well.

Panama: PR by depositing funds in bank or working remotely

Panama has the flexibility of PR through remote working, through economic relation or by the registration of the local company. The easiest path is a USD 5,000 (INR 4.25 lakh) deposit of the primary applicant and USD 2,000 per dependant.

The deposit is quite small, but the overall deposits, not counting legal fees and processing fees, will be anywhere between INR 15-20 lakh.

PR holders can sponsor family members and live freely in Panama. After five years, they can apply for citizenship, provided they meet basic Spanish language and residency requirements. Panama offers one of the most affordable and flexible permanent residency routes in the world for location-independent professionals, small entrepreneurs and retirees.

Uruguay: PR with proof of income, no investment required

Uruguay has a low-cost permanent residency pathway that does not require an investment. However, the applicant must provide verification of consistent, monthly income of USD1,500-2,000 (USD0.005-0.006 million), from retirement pensions, profits of a business or remote work.

Once approved for permanent residency, you will be able to sponsor your family, will have access to public services and can apply for citizenship after being in the country for a minimum of three years and max of five years, depending on how long you actually spent living in the country. Language and integration tests do apply. Uruguay is perfect for self-employed professionals, retirees or entrepreneurs that want to secure residence in a first-world country without financial ruin.

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Portugal: D7 passive income visa

Of the EU and Schengen members, Portugal is still one of the easier options for Indians. If you are financially independent, by applying for the D7, you will be able to gain permanent residency with annual income of around EUR 10,440 and a lease of a long-term property or -like in our case- a house in Portugal to live.

D7 visa holders would need to spend at least 183 days per calendar year in Portugal, and after five years, apply for permanent residency and citizenship.

There are no property purchase obligations, although some Golden Visa investment options still exist in low-density areas (starting at EUR 280,000) or in venture funds.

Greece: Golden Visa with real estate

Greece's Golden Visa provides 5-year renewable PR for foreign nationals making minimum EUR 250,000 (around INR 2.25 crore) property investments, mostly in smaller towns or outlying suburbs of cities.

Indians can add family with no minimum stay requirement, as long as the property is held. You may obtain citizenship after maintaining continuous residence for 7 years, and meeting integration requirements. This is one of the most popular pathways for Indians seeking a European base with access along the Schengen route.

Thailand: Long-stay Elite Visa starting at INR 15 lakh (up to 20 years)

Thailand does not allow permanent residence with its Elite Visa, but it does provide long-term residence options ranging from 5 to 20 years.

For Indians, the minimum starting tier is THB 600,000 (INR 15 lakh) for a 5-year visa. A 10-year visa, will cost THB 1 million (INR 26 lakh). Higher packages come with additional privileges such as VIP Airport and expedite Government concierge and family services.

While work is not permitted under the Elite Visa, it is ideal for retirees, frequent travelers or high-income earners that want a hassle-free base in Asia.

What this means for Indians

Countries in the West are tightening borders on immigration, while nations throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America are getting in the game to compete for global talent. This is a good time for Indian professionals and mid-size investors to secure a resident status, without the crores. There are options from Paraguay where there is a zero-deposit for PR to less investment, and the passive income route in Portugal or a lifetime visa in the UAE. There are increasing options available for those who qualify by merit, skill or for fairly modest financial means.

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