There is currently great dynamics in the market for residency by investment programs all over the world. To choose a residency program for a country located in Southeast Asia, Africa or Oceania, you need to be definitely interested in this particular region. These programs are unlikely to compete with each other on the international market in terms of their conditions. However, certain standards have been established for requirements and benefits for investors.
Southeast Asia, Vietnam
Vietnam will offer investors its Golden Visa program. Potential options: 10-year visa, 10-year visa with subsequent permanent residence, 5-year Talent Visa with simplified renewal procedure. Today, Vietnam already has a similar class of visas – DT. Visas require capital investments ranging from VND3 billion (US$120,000) for a one-year visa to VND100 billion (US$4 million) for a five-year renewable visa.
Unlike Golden Visas, which typically allow passive investment, DT visas require active involvement in business in Vietnam. Specific investment figures for the proposed Golden Visa have not yet been announced, but the initiative is clearly aimed at creating a more accessible route to long-term residency than the current DT visa system.
Southeast Asia, Malaysia
Malaysia’s MM2H Golden Visa program has raised US$102 million in 2024, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister told Parliament that the program has registered 782 approvals under new guidelines the government unveiled in June last year.
As of 31 December 2024, the total number of approvals under the MM2H program since its launch in 2002 has reached 58,468. Applicants can apply for a residence permit ranging from 5 years to permanent residence by depositing amounts between MYR 500,000 and MYR 5 million (1 MYR = 0.226706 USD) into Malaysian banks. Up to half of this deposit can be used by the applicant to purchase a house in Malaysia, pay for medical expenses or education.
Central Asia, Uzbekistan
Golden Visa Program from Uzbekistan. From June 1, 2025, foreign citizens and stateless persons will be issued a residence permit for a period of 5 years in a simplified manner through a donation to the state fund in the amount of US$250,000 for the main applicant and US$150,000 for each family member (spouse, child, parents).
Processing has not yet been determined, but the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan are working on it. By the beginning of June, they should approve the requirements for state forms, develop instructions for transferring funds to an account, and establish the process of passing Due Diligence.
Oceania, New Zealand
Changes to New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa program came into effect in April 2025. The program options have been narrowed to two categories with minimum investments of NZ$5 million and NZ$10 million, while investment options have been expanded. At the same time, the required period of stay in the country to maintain a residence permit has been reduced. The authorities have also abolished the requirement to pass an English language test.
Europe, Hungary
Hungary’s Golden Visa (Hungary Guest Investor program) has not lived up to expectations – as of the end of February 2025, only 25 investors had applied. Most of the applicants are citizens of China and Vietnam. One of the factors behind the low demand for the program is the government’s abolition of the option to buy real estate.
The housing issue is always a trigger for Hungary, as it is for many other European countries. The constitutional amendment proposed by the government in early March could lead to restrictions on foreigners buying houses or apartments.
The authorities justify such measures by saying that some cities are experiencing an influx of both Hungarians and foreigners looking for work, which is causing a sharp rise in housing prices. The “affected” regions include Budapest, Gyor and Debrecen.
The property market in these areas has seen an incredible price jump, especially in Budapest, where the average price for a modest resale home is approaching HUF 100 million (around €250,000). In February, the Hungarian capital saw the biggest price increase, according to real estate portal ingatlan.com, with a year-on-year increase of almost 17%.
Africa, Nigeria and Mauritius
Nigeria is considering introducing a citizenship by investment (CBI) program to attract foreign investors. A bill proposed by lawmakers has now passed its second reading. Specific details of Nigeria’s program have not yet been revealed, but experts speculate it could include investments in real estate, government bonds or key economic sectors such as oil, manufacturing and technology.
Currently, only two African countries – Egypt and Mauritius – offer such official investment schemes. We have written about Egypt more than once, moreover, the company APEX Capital Partners is the authorized agent of this CBI program.
Mauritius does not have a program with direct access to citizenship, but through a residence permit. First, you need to invest $375,000 in real estate to obtain a 20-year residence permit, and after five years you can become eligible to apply for citizenship. But this will require permanent residence.
