Discover the Cheapest Golden Visa Countries for 2026

Golden visa programs can open doors, but the price tag varies a lot. For Indian students planning to study abroad, the cheapest golden visa countries aren’t just about the upfront investment—they’re about long-term value, travel access, and practical residency. Let’s zero in on affordable routes that still offer real upside.

What Are the Cheapest Golden Visa Countries?

Prices for golden visas vary widely. The cheapest options often combine lower minimum investment with reasonable living costs and a straightforward residency track. In Europe, Latvia’s Residence by Investment and Greece’s Golden Visa are frequently cited as more accessible entry points than high-ticket programs in some other countries. The Caribbean and Pacific routes, while fast, often lead to citizenship rather than long-term residency, which matters if you’re studying and want to stay put after graduation. For Indian students, the goal isn’t just getting a passport—it’s carving out a legitimate pathway that supports study, work flexibility, and travel. External program pages: Latvia Residence by Investment, Greece Golden Visa, Portugal Golden Visa.

External resources for program specifics:

• • Latvia: https://www.liaa.gov.lv/en/invest-in-latvia/residence-by-investment

• • Greece: https://www.mfa.gr/en/visa/residence-permit/golden-visa

• Portugal: https://www.portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt/en/visa/visa-for-investment-activity

For a country-by-country roadmap, see our internal reference: Golden Visa Guide for Indian Students. This guide helps map processing times, eligibility, and study‑friendly benefits so you can compare options side by side.

If you’re weighing student-friendly benefits, residency paths often offer travel perks within a region and work rights during your studies. Citizenship routes, while powerful, come with longer timelines and higher thresholds. The takeaway is practical: prioritize programs with transparent requirements, clear timelines, and real support for students—then balance that with how the investment funds your future education and mobility.

Bottom line: the cheapest golden visa countries aren’t just about a cheaper tag; they’re about a viable path that aligns with your study plans, visa needs, and long-term goals. Start with a shortlist, check official pages for the latest numbers, and map out how each option fits your student life.

Top 5 Cheapest Golden Visa Countries

Below are five programs that keep both the price tag and the paperwork under control. Each summary gives the cash figure, timeline, and one real-life perk Indian students actually use.

Bookmark this table—then dig into the first three, the true cheapest golden visa countries on the list.

Latvia

Cost: €50 000 (about ₹45 lakh)
What you get: A five-year residence card, renewable as long as you keep your investment active.

Investment routes:

• • Business investment in a Latvian company

• • Interest-free subordinated loan to a Latvian bank (no equity, so simpler exit)

Why students like it:

• • Residence card gives the same university tuition as EU citizens—often zero fees at public universities.

• • Schengen access means weekend trips to Berlin or Paris without extra visas.

Application at a glance:
1. Open a Latvian bank account remotely (takes 2–3 days).
2. Transfer €50 k and sign the subordinated-loan agreement.
3. Collect documents: passport, Indian police clearance, medical insurance.
4. Submit at the Latvian embassy in New Delhi; biometrics done there.
5. Card issued in 30–45 days; pick it up in Riga or via courier.

Hidden costs: Bank service fee (~€300), government filing fee (~€200), courier/notary (~€150). Budget an extra €700 on top of the €50 k.

Exit strategy: After five years you can either:

• • Renew the same loan, or

• • Sell and recover principal in full (loan is guaranteed by the bank).

For a full living-cost comparison once you move, see our post on the cheapest countries to live in 2025.

External program details: Latvian Investment and Development Agency.

Vanuatu

Cost: $130 000 (approx. ₹1.1 cr) donation to the Development Support Program
Outcome: Full citizenship + passport in 45–60 days—one of the fastest “passport-for-cash” deals on earth.

Why it’s popular:

• • No physical-residence requirement; you can stay in India while paperwork is processed.

• • Visa-free access to over 100 countries including the UK, Singapore, Russia.

• • Zero personal income, wealth, or inheritance tax.

Application flow:
1. Sign service agreement with a government-approved agent.
2. Pass due-diligence check (Interpol, AFP, and CIU Vanuatu).
3. Transfer donation to a government escrow account.
4. Citizenship commission issues certificate; passport printed and couriered.

Hidden costs: Due-diligence fee $5 k, passport fee $350, agent fee ~$15 k. Grand total ≈ $150 k.

Student angle:

 ~Strong passport for summer internships requiring global travel.

 ~No stay requirement means you can still study in Europe using a separate student visa, yet                             hold Vanuatu citizenship as backup.

  If you’re also eyeing Europe for study, skim our list of the cheapest European country to live in 2025.

External official page: Vanuatu Citizenship Commission.

Dominica

Cost: $100 000 (₹83 lakh) non-refundable donation to the Economic Diversification Fund
Alternative: $200 k in approved real estate (hotel shares, eco-resorts)
Outcome: Lifetime citizenship for you and descendants.

Benefits vs. Latvia/Vanuatu:

• • Citizenship, not residence—no renewals and no minimum-stay rule.

• • Passport ships in about 90 days.

• • No tax on worldwide income, capital gains, or inheritance.

• • Visa-free to 140+ countries including the EU Schengen area and China.

Real-life scenario:
An Indian undergrad bound for Germany uses a Dominica passport to skip the Schengen-student visa queue altogether, saving both time and paperwork.

Application checklist:

• • Current passport (valid ≥6 months)

• • Indian police clearance + fingerprints

• • Medical exam & HIV test

• • Bank reference letter

• • Professional reference letter

• • Proof of donation funds (bank statements)

Hidden costs:

• • Due diligence: $7 500 main applicant + $4 000 per dependant

• • Government processing: $1 000

• • Passport & certificate: $1 200

• • Agent/professional fee: ~$15 000

So budget about $125 k total for a single applicant.

ROI snapshot:

• • Zero physical-residence requirement—keep studying or working in India.

• • Dominica citizenship can be passed to children, giving long-term mobility insurance.

• Real-estate option lets you exit after 3 years; many investors sell the share to the next buyer and recoup capital.

External program page: Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Quick comparison recap

Latvia wins on cost and EU mobility, Vanuatu on speed and tax freedom, Dominica on passport power and legacy planning. Choose the mix that matches your budget, timeline, and long-term mobility goals—and you’ll hold one of the genuinely cheapest golden visa countries on the market today.

FAQ for Cheapest Golden Visa Countries

 When you compare the cheapest golden visa countries, price is only part of the story. Indian students look for options that blend low upfront costs with real study access and travel freedom. For context on study mobility, check our guide on affordable study options.

This FAQ covers the core questions—requirements, processing times, whether you can study in the EU under these programs, and where hidden costs sneak in. It’s written in plain language to help you compare options without getting lost in jargon. By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of which path aligns with your studies and plans among the cheapest golden visa countries.

What are the requirements for a golden visa?

Requirements vary by country, but you’ll typically need a legal investment or donation, a clear source-of-funds trail, and strict due diligence. Common items include a passport, birth certificate, police clearance, medical exam, and proof of funds. You’ll submit a business plan or investment agreement, plus pay government and legal fees. Countries like Latvia, Vanuatu, and Dominica outline concrete thresholds (for example, Latvia’s €50k route, Vanuatu’s $130k donation, Dominica’s $100k donation or $200k real estate path). Always check the official program page to confirm current numbers and steps: Latvia, Vanuatu, Dominica.

How long is the processing time for golden visas?

Processing times vary but are typically measured in weeks, not years. Latvia’s routes often land in about 1–2 months, while Vanuatu averages 1.5–2 months. Dominica’s program can run around 3 months, depending on due diligence and document speed. Real-world timelines depend on document accuracy, country backlogs, and the agent or lawyer you hire. For a quick sense of pace, see the official timelines on the programs above.

Can I study in the EU with a golden visa?

A residency-based golden visa may grant easier travel within the EU, but it is not the same as a student visa. You’ll usually still need a separate study permit or student visa to enroll in universities. Some programs offer Schengen travel benefits or regional mobility, which helps for weekend studies or research trips. If your goal is study-first mobility, prioritize programs that explicitly support student access and consult the official study and visa rules for your chosen country.

What hidden costs should I consider?

Hidden costs show up after the headline price. Expect due-diligence fees, government fees, attorney or agent fees, medical exams, and translation costs. Some programs also require ongoing maintenance payments, bank fees, or annual renewal costs. For Latvia, you may see bank service charges; for Dominica or Vanuatu, there are passport or processing fees beyond the main donation. Build a buffer for these extras when budgeting.

Document Checklist for Applicants

• Valid passport (photocopies and scans)
• Birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Police clearance certificate from India (apostilled)
• Medical exam report and HIV test
• Proof of funds (bank statements, source-of-funds explanation)
• Investment or donation documents (agreements, receipts)
• Letters of reference and employment proof (if required)
• Professional translations and apostilles where needed
• Passport-sized photos and copies of academic records
• Appointments or visa application forms as required by the country

If you’re aiming for a student-friendly route, this checklist pairs well with our guide on affordable study abroad options for Indians.