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Programme guides · US EB-5 Investor Immigration · St Lucia Citizenship by Investment · Turkey Citizenship by Investment · Taiwan Investment Permanent Residency for Foreign Nationals · Greece Golden Visa · Portugal Golden Visa (Fund Investment)

Can You Get Your Immigration Investment Back? Recoverable and Non-Recoverable Programmes

Global Immigrate consultants · Published

Written by Global Immigrate consultants · Reviewed by Oscar Yip, Founder & Managing Director

Summary

Immigration investments are either recoverable (EB-5, property, funds, government bonds) or not (donations, government fees). We summarise each programme’s investment type, holding period and conditions for getting funds back.

Short answer: immigration investments fall into two groups: recoverable investments (EB-5, property, funds and government bonds) and non-recoverable donations or fees (such as most citizenship-by-investment donations). Recoverable doesn’t mean guaranteed — it depends on performance and terms.

Recoverable investments

Programme Investment type Holding period / recovery
US EB-5 Project investment Exit under project terms; capital at risk
Greece Golden Visa Property Selling affects residence; follow the rules
Portugal Golden Visa Fund Per the fund’s term and exit
Turkey CBI Property Can be sold after three years
St Lucia CBI Government bonds Recovered after five years, plus an admin fee
Taiwan APRC Business or bonds Investment maintained for three years

Non-recoverable

Programme What it is
Caribbean CBI (donation route) Contribution to a government fund
Vanuatu CBI Donation
Saudi Premium Residency One-time or annual fee
Malta PR Government fees and donation

How to choose

  • Getting funds back matters: property, funds, bonds or EB-5 — but assess risk and liquidity.
  • Lower total cost matters: donations are smaller but a one-off expense.
  • When comparing, include: opportunity cost while held, taxes and management fees.

Investments involve risk; this is not investment advice.

FAQ

Can CBI donations be recovered?

No — they’re a one-off expense.

Is EB-5 capital guaranteed back?

No — it’s at risk and exits under project terms.

Which CBI routes are recoverable?

e.g. St Lucia bonds (five years) and Turkish property (sellable after three years).

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