Passport Eligibility

Probably the most significant difference between residency and citizenship schemes is the ability to secure a passport.

Neither temporary or permanent residents can apply for a passport in their host country. However, once you become a citizen, you have the right to apply for a passport.

Residency Requirements

With most residency by investment programmes, there is a minimum stay requirement. This is the minimum period (in days) you must be in the country to maintain your residence status. However, for citizens, there are often no residency requirements.

Duration

Citizenship is a permanent status, meaning it is granted for life. It can also be inherited by future generations. Meanwhile, residency is usually temporary.

RBI programmes typically grant temporary residence permits. However, some do grant a permanent residence permit.

Temporary residence permits usually last either two or five years. After that time, they must be renewed.

Legal Status

The legal status that each type of investor visa grants is another stand-out difference between the two.

Citizenship is the highest level of legal status in a country. CBI schemes allow successful applicants to gain full citizenship rights. This includes the right to vote in elections.

The rules around voting rights differ from country to country. But in general, residents do not have the right to vote.