You’re exploring the idea of a second residency or citizenship, and you’ve realized something important: navigating these programs alone is complicated. That’s why many individuals turn to Global Residency Investment Services, which provide expert guidance and simplify the path toward securing a Golden Visa or second citizenship.
The right advisor can save you months of frustration and thousands in wasted application fees. The wrong one? That’s a different story entirely.
Here’s what makes this decision tricky. Every provider claims to be the best. They all promise seamless processes and guaranteed approvals. But the reality is far more nuanced.
After analyzing dozens of residency investment firms based on their track records, program coverage, and client outcomes, five providers consistently stand out in early 2026. Each brings something unique to the table.
Why Choosing the Right Residency Investment Advisor Matters
Getting this decision wrong costs more than money. A poorly prepared application can result in rejection, which then appears on your record for future attempts.
The best advisors distinguish themselves through three core pillars of service. Global Residency Investment Services should always begin with thorough pre-screening to identify potential issues before submission. Furthermore, top-tier firms maintain direct relationships with the government bodies handling applications and provide honest guidance—even if that means recommending a different program than you initially considered.
That last point matters more than most people realize. Some advisors push whatever program pays them the highest commission. The good ones tell you what actually fits your situation.
1. Henley & Partners: The Industry Pioneer
Henley & Partners has been in this business since 1997, which makes them one of the oldest players in investment migration. Christian Kälin founded the firm when he identified a gap in structured residence planning for wealthy individuals navigating globalization.
Their program coverage is extensive. They handle over 20 residence by investment programs including Greece’s Golden Visa at €250,000, Cyprus Permanent Residence, the UAE Golden Visa, and the US EB-5 at $800,000. They also work with Malta, Portugal (though that program has changed significantly), Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.
What sets them apart is their government relationships. They have direct ties with program administrators across multiple continents, from Australia and Austria to Canada and the Cayman Islands.
The downside? Their services come with premium pricing. They’re targeting high-net-worth individuals who want white-glove service and aren’t concerned about cost.
2. Global Residence Index: Client-Centric Expertise
Global Residency Investment Services takes a different approach than some larger firms. Founded around 2017 and headquartered in Dublin, the company has built its reputation on personalized advisory support rather than volume processing.
The numbers tell part of the story. They’ve served over 500 clients with a claimed 100% approval rate. Those figures are self-reported, but their 2024 merger with Vancis Capital added significant infrastructure and expanded their service network.
Their program coverage spans both citizenship and residency options. For residency, they handle EU Golden Visas in Greece and Portugal (adapted to current regulations), plus the UAE and Malaysia. On the citizenship side, they work with nine programs including Caribbean options, Malta, and Turkey.
What makes them noteworthy is their pre-screening process. They evaluate applications before submission to catch issues that could lead to rejection. This approach reduces the risk of wasted time and fees on applications that won’t succeed.
If you want to learn more from Global Residence Index about how they assess application viability, their consultation process walks through your specific circumstances before committing to any program.
3. Astons: Real Estate Investment Specialists
Astons carved out a specific niche in the residency investment space. They focus almost exclusively on real estate-linked programs, which has proven smart given recent regulatory changes.
Here’s why that matters. Several countries have tightened or eliminated their donation-based programs. Spain ended its residency by investment program in April 2025. The Netherlands shut down theirs in March 2024. Meanwhile, real estate programs in Greece, Turkey, the UAE, Cyprus, and Malta continue operating.
Their approach centers on tangible asset strategies. Instead of making donations to government funds, clients invest in property that retains value and can generate returns. This resonates with investors who want capital preservation alongside mobility benefits.
Astons also emphasizes family inclusion, offering Global Residency Investment Services that allow spouses and dependent children to gain residency through a single real estate purchase—a vital consideration for clients planning multi-generational moves.
The trade-off is narrower specialization. If you’re interested in citizenship programs or non-real-estate options, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
4. Harvey Law Corporation: Speed and Efficiency
Harvey Law Corporation has been in the investor immigration business for decades, with particular strength in Caribbean citizenship programs. Their focus on processing speed sets them apart.
Take St. Kitts & Nevis as an example. They handle applications with investment options starting at $325,000 for a condo or $600,000 for a single-family home. They compare programs by three key metrics: cost, timeline, and visa-free travel access.
That comparison approach helps clients make informed decisions. Some citizenship programs offer 150+ visa-free destinations. Others provide fewer travel benefits but faster processing or lower investment requirements.
Their service model combines legal expertise with corporate structuring advice. They help clients understand not just immigration pathways but also tax implications and business setup considerations in their target countries.
The limitation is geographic focus. While they handle EU, North America, and Asia options including the EB-5, their primary strength remains Caribbean citizenship programs. If that’s your target region, they’re worth considering. For other areas, their depth of expertise varies.
5. Get Golden Visa: Digital-First Platform
Unlike traditional consultancies, Get Golden Visa established itself as an educational platform covering over 20 programs before providing Global Residency Investment Services.
Their program listings span Malta, Singapore, the UK, Greece, and Portugal among others. The platform’s strength lies in comprehensive comparisons that help prospects understand program requirements, timelines, and benefits before engaging an advisor.
This digital-first approach makes them accessible. Someone in the early research phase can explore options without immediately committing to consultations or fees. They’ve positioned themselves as the starting point for Golden Visa research.
The challenge is distinguishing their advisory depth from their informational content. The platform excels at explaining programs, but the hands-on service component is less established than firms that have focused solely on client representation for decades.
How to Choose the Right Provider for Your Needs?
Your choice shouldn’t be based on marketing alone. Here are the factors that actually matter.
Focusing on Global Residency Investment Services requires a specialized approach. If you are targeting a specific country or a particular program type, it is essential to select a provider with proven experience in that niche. A firm with deep expertise in the Portugal Golden Visa may not necessarily offer the same level of proficiency regarding Caribbean citizenship programs.
Government relationships make a tangible difference. Providers with direct connections to program administrators can often expedite processing or get clarity on unusual situations that would stall other applications.
Pre-screening processes protect your investment. The best providers evaluate your application before submission to identify issues. This matters because a rejection can affect future applications across multiple countries.
Service model preferences vary by client. Some people want white-glove, high-touch service with frequent communication. Others prefer efficient, process-driven support. Make sure the provider’s approach matches your expectations.
Track record verification is challenging because many firms don’t publish detailed success metrics. Look for specific client numbers, approval rates, and years in business rather than vague claims of excellence.
Current Market Trends in 2026
The residency investment landscape is shifting rapidly. Understanding current trends helps you make better decisions about timing and program selection.
Real estate programs are gaining ground as donation schemes face scrutiny. Greece’s Golden Visa continues attracting investment despite raising minimum thresholds in some areas. Cyprus and Malta maintain permanent residence options tied to property purchases.
The UAE and Turkey are seeing significant growth. Turkey issued over 1.17 million residence permits through investment in recent years. The UAE’s Golden Visa program expanded eligibility categories beyond just investors to include skilled professionals and exceptional students.
Regulatory tightening continues across Europe. Spain and the Netherlands shut down their programs. Portugal made significant changes to its once-popular Golden Visa. The trend suggests more countries may revise or eliminate programs that generate local opposition.
Technology adoption is improving the application experience. Digital document submission, application tracking portals, and online consultations are becoming standard rather than premium features.
The ongoing industry consolidation is giving rise to larger, more capable firms, often driven by the expansion of Global Residency Investment Services. The 2024 merger between Global Residence Index and Vancis Capital exemplifies this trend toward greater scale. As boutique firms seek broader reach and larger players pursue specialized expertise, the market expects a continued surge in mergers and acquisitions within the sector.
Final Thoughts
The right residency investment advisor becomes your partner in a multi-year journey. Citizenship by investment programs typically take several months to over a year. Residency programs might process faster but often require maintaining the residence for years before citizenship eligibility.
Choosing the right Global Residency Investment Services requires understanding how each provider aligns with your specific goals. Henley & Partners offers the broadest program coverage paired with premium service, while Global Residence Index and Vancis Capital emphasize personalized advisory with strong approval track records.
For those focused on asset preservation, Astons specializes in real estate programs; meanwhile, Harvey Law Corporation prioritizes speed for Caribbean citizenship. Finally, Get Golden Visa rounds out the field by providing accessible educational resources alongside their emerging advisory services.
Your specific situation determines the best fit. Program target, investment budget, timeline urgency, and service preferences all factor into the decision.
Don’t rush this choice. Schedule consultations with multiple providers. Ask about their pre-screening process, government relationships, and specific experience with your target program. Request references from clients with similar profiles.
Choosing the right partner for your future is a significant decision. The investment you make in Global Residency Investment Services pays dividends through smoother processing, fewer surprises, and ultimately, the successful approval of your second residency or citizenship.
