Citizenship by Investment Timeline — How Long Does It Take?

📅 March 25, 2026⏱ 6 min read✍️ CitizenshipByInvestmentPro

One of the most common questions from CBI applicants is how long the process takes from initial inquiry to receiving a passport in hand. The answer varies significantly by program, investment route, and how prepared your application is. Here is a realistic timeline breakdown for each major program.

For more on this topic, see our how the process works.

Fastest Programs

Vanuatu is the world's fastest CBI program, with processing times of 30 to 60 days for completed applications. The program uses a streamlined digital application system and dedicated processing team. Jordan also offers relatively fast processing at three to six months. Several Caribbean programs offer expedited processing options for additional fees.

Caribbean Program Timelines

Standard Caribbean CBI processing takes four to nine months depending on the program. St Lucia and Dominica typically process in three to six months. Grenada and Antigua take five to eight months on average. St Kitts and Nevis standard processing is six to nine months. Expedited processing is available in most Caribbean programs for an additional $10,000 to $25,000 fee.

European Program Timelines

European programs take significantly longer. Portugal golden visa residency takes 12 to 18 months initially with citizenship eligibility after five years. Spain and Greece golden visas follow similar timelines. Malta citizenship processing takes 12 to 36 months depending on which residency pathway is chosen. Austria and Switzerland can take several years.

How to Speed Up Processing

The single biggest factor in processing speed is document preparation. Applications with complete, properly certified, apostilled documents process significantly faster than incomplete submissions. Working with an experienced authorized agent who reviews your file thoroughly before submission is the most effective way to minimize processing time. Choose expedited processing if your timeline requires it.