New Citizenship & Residency Programs Launching in 2026: Argentina, SVG, Maldives & More

Last updated: March 2026

The investment migration landscape is transforming in 2026. While established programmes in the Caribbean and Europe continue to evolve, several countries are entering the sector for the first time — opening new pathways for investors seeking second citizenship or alternative residency. From Latin America's first major CBI programme to a luxury island residency in the Indian Ocean, here is everything you need to know about the new opportunities emerging this year. Mirabello Consultancy tracks every programme launch and regulatory change in real time. If any of these new routes interest you, we can assess your eligibility before a programme officially opens to ensure you are first in line.

Why New Citizenship Programs Matter for Global Investors in 2026

The global investment migration sector is no longer the exclusive domain of a handful of Caribbean islands and a few European residency routes. In 2026, the map of available new citizenship programmes and residency-by-investment schemes is expanding faster than at any point in the previous decade. Geopolitical uncertainty, evolving tax environments, and a post-pandemic reassessment of personal mobility have all contributed to a surge in demand — and sovereign nations have taken notice.

For high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth investors, programme diversification matters. New entrants frequently offer more competitive investment thresholds, faster processing, or uniquely attractive passport strengths. Early movers who engage professional guidance before or immediately after a programme launches often benefit from favourable introductory terms and reduced due diligence backlogs.

Whether you are seeking a second passport for expanded visa-free access, a safe-haven residency for your family, or a strategic tax planning tool, understanding which new programmes are credible — and which are still at concept stage — is essential. Our overview of the best citizenship by investment programmes provides an authoritative benchmark against which these new entrants can be assessed.

Argentina Citizenship by Investment: Latin America's New CBI Frontier

What is the Argentina citizenship by investment programme? Argentina's proposed CBI scheme would allow qualifying foreign nationals to obtain Argentine citizenship through a defined investment route, bypassing the traditional two-year residency requirement that currently governs naturalisation. Backed by a broader economic liberalisation agenda, the programme is designed to attract foreign direct investment into real estate, technology, and agribusiness sectors.

Argentina represents a landmark development: if launched as expected in mid-2026, it would become the first country in Latin America to offer a formal, government-regulated citizenship by investment pathway. This is significant not only for the programme itself, but for the signal it sends to the wider region.

Expected Investment Options

• Real estate investment: Minimum of USD 200,000 in approved residential or commercial property in designated economic zones.
• Business investment: A capital contribution of USD 350,000 or more into a registered Argentine business, with job-creation requirements attached.
• Government bond subscription: Investment of USD 250,000 in sovereign development bonds with a five-year lock-in period.

Key Benefits of Argentine Citizenship

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 170 destinations, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
• Access to Mercosur free movement provisions across South America.
• No mandatory physical residency requirement anticipated under the investment route.
• Processing times projected at 12–18 months from application submission.

Argentina's passport currently ranks among the stronger travel documents in Latin America. Combined with an investment entry point that compares favourably with Caribbean alternatives, this programme warrants close monitoring. Contact our team to register your interest and receive programme updates as they are published.

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) CBI Programme: A Caribbean New Entrant

What is the SVG citizenship by investment programme? St Vincent and the Grenadines is in the final stages of establishing a formal citizenship by investment programme, modelled in part on the successful frameworks of its CARICOM neighbours — Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, and St Lucia. The SVG programme is expected to be administered by a dedicated Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) and regulated under new legislation currently before the National Assembly.

SVG offers one of the most scenic and unspoilt environments in the Eastern Caribbean, making it a compelling destination for both lifestyle investment and programme positioning. Its existing strong diplomatic relationships and established regional travel infrastructure lend credibility to the emerging scheme.

Expected Investment Options

• National Development Fund (NDF) contribution: A non-refundable donation of approximately USD 130,000 for a single applicant, with family pricing under review.
• Approved real estate investment: Minimum of USD 200,000 in government-approved resort or residential developments, with a five-year hold period.

SVG Passport Travel Access

As a Commonwealth member and CARICOM nation, an SVG passport is expected to provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 150+ countries, including the United Kingdom (under CARICOM provisions), the Schengen Area, and Hong Kong. Processing times are projected at 3–6 months, in line with comparable Caribbean programmes.

For investors already familiar with Caribbean CBI and seeking to diversify their portfolio of second citizenships, SVG presents a potentially cost-effective complement to existing Caribbean passports. View our analysis of the top Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes for a comparative overview.

Maldives Residency by Investment: Premium Indian Ocean Access

What is the Maldives residency by investment programme? The Maldives is developing a structured residency by investment (RBI) scheme targeted specifically at UHNW individuals seeking a prestigious, low-tax domicile in one of the world's most exclusive island destinations. Unlike traditional citizenship-by-investment models, the Maldives scheme is anticipated to offer long-term renewable residency with a pathway to permanent residency after five years of qualifying investment.

The Maldives has historically relied on tourism as its primary economic driver. The introduction of an investment migration programme reflects a strategic ambition to attract a class of long-term resident investors who can contribute to the islands' sustainable development, luxury real estate sector, and private marine economy.

Expected Investment Thresholds

• Luxury real estate: Minimum investment of USD 500,000 in government-approved leasehold residential property on designated private or resort islands.
• Business or enterprise investment: USD 350,000 minimum in a Maldivian-registered company operating in approved sectors including marine tourism, renewable energy, or technology.
• Sovereign wealth contribution: A contribution model of USD 250,000 into a dedicated national development fund is under legislative review.

Key Features of Maldives Residency

• No personal income tax in the Maldives, making it an attractive domicile for internationally mobile investors.
• Long-term renewable residency visa, expected to be issued for 10-year periods.
• Family inclusion covering spouse and dependent children under 25.
• Processing timeline estimated at 6–9 months from submission.
• No mandatory physical residency minimum anticipated in the first iteration of the programme.

For more information on comparable premium residency options in the region, explore our guide to the best golden visa investment programmes globally.

Other New Citizenship & Residency Programmes to Watch in 2026

Beyond the headline launches, several other jurisdictions are at advanced stages of programme development. While none has yet formally published final legislation, Mirabello Consultancy is actively monitoring all of the following:

Rwanda Residency by Investment

Rwanda, long recognised as one of Africa's most stable and fastest-growing economies, is developing a formal investor residency route. Indicative investment thresholds are expected to start from USD 150,000 in priority sectors including agri-tech, tourism infrastructure, and financial services. Rwanda's "Kigali International Financial Centre" positioning and its existing ten-year investor visa make it a credible candidate for a structured RBI programme. Processing times for the existing investor visa currently run at 4–8 weeks, suggesting administrative infrastructure is well-placed for a formal programme launch.

Bahrain Premium Residency Expansion

Bahrain's existing Golden Residency programme is expected to be substantially upgraded in 2026, with new real estate and business investment tiers, a clearer pathway to permanent residency, and enhanced family inclusion provisions. The minimum qualifying real estate investment is likely to increase from BHD 200,000 (approximately USD 530,000) to reflect Bahrain's premium market positioning within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) investment migration landscape.

Kenya Investor Residency

Kenya is in consultation on an investor residency framework that would complement its existing "Class G" investor permit. The proposed scheme targets investment of USD 100,000 or more in Kenyan enterprise, with a focus on East Africa's growing technology and green energy sectors. Given Kenya's position as a regional hub and its strong English-language legal system, this programme has attracted significant interest from South Asian and European investors.

Eligibility Criteria Across New Citizenship Programs

While each programme will publish its own specific eligibility framework, new citizenship programmes and residency schemes launching in 2026 are broadly expected to share the following qualifying criteria:

• Age: Principal applicant must be 18 years of age or older.
• Clean criminal record: All adult applicants (typically 16+) must provide police clearance certificates from all countries of residence in the preceding ten years.
• Source of funds: Applicants must demonstrate the lawful origin of all investment funds through financial documentation, tax records, and audited statements where applicable.
• Health requirements: A medical examination is typically required; certain communicable diseases may represent a ground for refusal.
• No adverse visa or immigration history: Prior visa refusals from key partner countries (particularly the EU, UK, or USA) may trigger additional scrutiny in due diligence.
• Minimum net worth: Several new programmes are expected to require evidence of minimum liquid net worth of USD 1,000,000 or above, separate from the programme investment itself.

Professional due diligence preparation is essential. At Mirabello Consultancy, our pre-application eligibility review identifies any potential issues before you submit, protecting both your investment and your time. Request your free eligibility assessment today.

How to Apply: The Process for New Programme Launches

Applying through a newly launched investment migration programme requires a slightly different approach from applying to an established scheme. Here is the general process our clients follow when engaging with a programme at or shortly after launch:

1. Eligibility assessment (Weeks 1–2): Our team conducts a full review of your background, investment capacity, family composition, and travel document history to identify the most suitable programme.
2. Programme registration / expression of interest (Weeks 2–4): Many new programmes operate a pre-registration or queue system ahead of formal launch. We register your interest with the relevant government authority or designated representative.
3. Document preparation (Weeks 4–12): We compile your full due diligence file — including source of funds, police clearances, medical certificates, and certified identity documents — in advance of the application window opening.
4. Investment execution (upon programme launch): Once the programme is officially open, we coordinate the investment transaction with your legal and financial advisers, ensuring full compliance with programme rules.
5. Application submission and government processing: Your formal application is submitted to the relevant Citizenship by Investment Unit or government authority. Processing times for new programmes typically run between 3 and 18 months depending on the jurisdiction.
6. Oath of allegiance / residency card issuance: Upon approval, you will be invited to complete any final formalities — which may include an in-person appointment or a virtual ceremony — before your citizenship certificate or residency visa is issued.

For context on how this process compares with established programmes, visit our dedicated page on the Caribbean citizenship by investment application process.

Family Inclusion in New 2026 Programmes

One of the most compelling aspects of investment migration — whether citizenship or residency — is the ability to extend benefits to your immediate family. All of the new programmes launching in 2026 are expected to include provisions for:

• Spouse or legal partner: Included as a dependent applicant upon payment of a dependent fee, typically ranging from USD 25,000 to USD 75,000 depending on the programme tier.
• Minor children (typically under 18): Included at a reduced dependent fee, often USD 10,000–USD 25,000 per child.
• Dependent children aged 18–25: Includable as dependents if enrolled in full-time education and financially dependent on the principal applicant.
• Dependent parents and parents-in-law: Several programmes — including the anticipated Argentina scheme — are expected to allow inclusion of financially dependent parents over the age of 55, subject to an additional government fee and enhanced medical clearance.

Family structuring strategy is a core part of the advice Mirabello Consultancy provides. The right programme for a single investor may differ significantly from the optimal choice for a family of five. Our consultants will model the total cost of your preferred programme — investment plus all government fees — so there are no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Citizenship Programs in 2026