Mobility as a Strategic Asset for Investors and Entrepreneurs in 2026

Visa restrictions and tightened controls over financial flows have significantly complicated life for people with businesses in multiple countries. We explain how investors and entrepreneurs can build a sustainable migration strategy while maintaining access to global markets and infrastructure.

Migration Planning

In 2026 many countries are expanding or launching new immigration programs: investor visas, entrepreneur visas, visas for highly qualified professionals, talent visas, digital nomad visas, and visas for financially independent individuals. A second (or even third) residency or citizenship is increasingly becoming a strategic tool for managing capital and business. It directly affects access to banking and financial services, tax optimisation, legal protection of business interests, and the ability to move assets freely.

Within this landscape of opportunities and constraints, an investor or entrepreneur must identify an optimal strategy, preserve flexibility and mobility, and ensure legal and financial security for themselves and their family. The diversity of programs, varying visa durations, income requirements, tax residency conditions, renewal restrictions, the possibility of including family members, access to healthcare and education for children, and the specifics of financial and banking infrastructure — all of this demands careful analysis.

These are precisely the questions we discussed with Alexander Kozhevnikov, chairman of a bar association and owner of Status Group AE, based in Dubai. He spoke in detail about what to pay attention to when planning migration, which factors influence the quality of a visa and residency, and how to turn mobility into an effective tool for managing capital and business.

Is it fair to say that, due to visa restrictions, geopolitical risks, and general uncertainty, people are increasingly opting for visa models that provide a full legal status with a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship? And if so, where, in your view, should one begin when developing a personal migration strategy?

Over the past two years, we have observed a fundamental shift in client priorities. Where many previously settled for short-term solutions — tourist visas, business visas valid for a few months — the focus has now moved to long-term planning with a clear understanding of the end goal. People no longer want to live in a state of visa uncertainty, having to think about renewals every six months or search for new options.

When beginning work on a migration strategy, I always recommend that clients start not by choosing a country, but by conducting an honest audit of their own life and business situation. Several key questions need to be answered:

• Where are your principal assets?
• Where are your clients and business partners?
• Where do your children study, or where do they plan to study?
• What is the structure of your income — salary, dividends, capital gains?
• What restrictions do you face on the amount of time spent in any given jurisdiction?

Only after this analysis does it make sense to move on to selecting specific programs. There is no universal solution — what is ideal for an IT professional working remotely is entirely unsuitable for the owner of a manufacturing business or a real estate investor. Moreover, it is important to understand that a migration strategy is not a one-off action but a process that may span 5–10 years and requires regular adjustment in response to changes in legislation and personal circumstances.

Popular Immigration Programs in 2026

With so many migration program options available, the logical starting point is the central question: what exactly makes certain visas popular and others less so. Some countries attract with the prospect of fast long-term residency; others with favourable tax regimes or ease of status renewal. Some people choose solutions that not only open the door to living in a country or freedom of movement, but also provide a stable platform for doing business, managing capital, and legalising their family’s status.

Which immigration programs are currently the most popular among your clients, and for what reasons do people prefer these particular options?

In our practice, three directions lead, and each addresses different client needs.

The first is talent programs in European countries, primarily the French Carte de Talent. It is especially popular among entrepreneurs, IT professionals, and company executives. This is not merely a residence permit for one to four years with the possibility of renewal, but a clear pathway to permanent residency and citizenship after five years. At the same time, the program does not require enormous investment — it is sufficient to demonstrate a stable income and maintain active professional engagement. For many, this represents the optimal balance between accessibility, quality of life, and the prospect of obtaining a European passport.

The second direction is the UAE, where we assist with various types of residency: from golden visas for investors to freelancer and remote worker visas. Dubai attracts not only with zero personal income tax, but also with its developed infrastructure, security, and — critically — the absence of visa restrictions for Russian citizens. This makes the UAE the primary starting point for those who wish to maintain mobility and continue conducting international business.

The third is investment programs in Southern European countries: Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus. These programs require more substantial capital commitments, typically from €250,000 to €500,000 in real estate or the country’s economy, but in return grant immediate long-term or permanent resident status with freedom of movement. These programs are chosen by clients who view real estate as a portfolio diversification asset while simultaneously seeking to provide their families with access to European education and healthcare.

It is important to understand that the choice of program always depends on the individual circumstances of the client. We do not sell visas — we design migration strategies that must work for years and adapt to changes both in the client’s life and in international legislation.

Digital Nomad Visas

The terms of digital nomad programs, which exist in many countries, can vary considerably. Residing under such programs does not always lead to citizenship. Some of them count towards permanent residency, while others function almost like guest visas: they have a limited validity period, can only be renewed once, and do not always permit the inclusion of family members.

In Hungary, for example, the so-called “white card” grants the right to one year of residence with the possibility of a single renewal, but does not allow the inclusion of family members and does not lead to permanent residency. In Croatia, even if you reside in the country for more than 183 days, tax residency does not arise; however, the visa can only be extended for six months.

That said, there are countries where digital nomad visas are effectively integrated into fully-fledged immigration regimes. In Spain and Portugal, for instance, there are remote worker visa options that may count towards a subsequent application for permanent residency. But these are exceptions rather than the rule: in most countries, digital nomad visas remain a temporary solution.

Digital nomad visas that do not lead to permanent residency are often chosen for their lack of taxation, the freedom to move between countries, and minimal administrative requirements. For whom are such programs most suitable, and for whom are they, on the contrary, too limited?

Digital nomad visas have a very narrow scope of application. I would say they are ideally suited to young professionals without families who genuinely lead a mobile lifestyle, frequently change locations, and do not plan to settle in one place for long. These are freelancers, remote employees of international companies, and digital entrepreneurs at the early stages of business development.

The main advantage of such visas is minimal bureaucracy and, in most cases, the absence of tax obligations in the country of stay. But herein lies the principal problem as well: these visas do not create legal certainty. You do not accumulate qualifying time towards permanent residency, cannot count on social guarantees, and cannot always open a full bank account. And most importantly, the majority of such visas do not allow the inclusion of family members or offer very limited options for doing so.

For whom is this categorically unsuitable? For families with school-age children, for entrepreneurs who need a stable jurisdiction for running a business, and for those who wish eventually to obtain a European passport. In such cases, it is better from the outset to choose programs that confer a full resident status.

Investment Programs for Obtaining Residence Permits and Citizenship: Real Estate, Business Projects, and Funds

For high-net-worth investors, programs offering permanent residence through investment in a country’s economy — most commonly the purchase of real estate — are also available. Such solutions provide a substantial set of rights (long-term residence, inclusion of family members, accelerated citizenship by naturalisation), but they also carry important limitations and risks. Not all programs are equally open to citizens of all countries, and not all grant the right to employment or visa-free freedom of movement.

One of the most sought-after European programs remains the Residency by Investment program of the Republic of Cyprus. The minimum investment amount is €300,000 plus VAT in residential or commercial real estate, or investment in a Cypriot company or regulated fund. In addition, applicants must demonstrate a stable income from abroad. The application may include a spouse and minor children. The status is granted immediately as permanent residence, and after five years of continuous residence, an application for citizenship by naturalisation may be submitted. Physical residence in Cyprus is not required to maintain the permanent residence status — it is sufficient to visit the country once every two years.

However, alongside the obvious advantages, there are important practical nuances: the status does not confer the right to work in Cyprus as an employee and does not provide visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

In 2025, the Cypriot authorities promised the country’s imminent accession to the Schengen Area. Those who have lived on the island for a long time met the announcement with customary scepticism. Estate agents, on the other hand, greeted it with genuine enthusiasm: the market in 2025 was literally riding the hype of “visa-free access is just around the corner.” In the end, expectations were not met — the timeline has been pushed back to 2026 or, according to some forecasts, even 2027.

Recently, the Cypriot authorities announced the criminalisation of sanctions evasion. For some investors, this came as an unpleasant surprise: people who had invested substantial sums and expected to live peacefully on the island while continuing to work with Russian businesses or IT companies suddenly found themselves facing real risks of criminal prosecution.

How much demand do you see in your practice for investment programs granting permanent residency or citizenship through investment, compared with talent visas, entrepreneur schemes, and nomad visas? What advantages and limitations of each approach would you highlight in terms of doing business, tax burden, processing time, and procedural complexity?

Investment programs continue to account for a significant share of our practice. I would estimate them at approximately 40% of all cases. But it is important to understand that this is an entirely different category of client compared with those who opt for talent or digital nomad visas.

Investment programs are a solution for those with capital of €250,000 and above. The main advantage is that you obtain the status virtually guaranteed and quickly, usually within 3–6 months. There is no need to prove your professional qualifications, confirm work experience, or attend interviews. You make an investment — you receive residency. At the same time, most such programs grant status for five years or even permanent residency straight away, include the entire family, and do not require physical presence in the country.

However, there are significant limitations. First, the substantial financial outlay, which is often frozen for 5–7 years — you cannot simply sell the property or withdraw the investment without losing your status. Second, many programs do not grant the right to employment. Third, from a tax perspective, you often receive no advantages whatsoever — you simply become a tax resident on general terms.

Talent visas and entrepreneur programs are an entirely different story. Here, the financial entry threshold is significantly lower, sometimes non-existent altogether. But serious preparation is required: a business plan, proof of qualifications, a portfolio, references. The processing time can range from two to six months, and there is an element of subjective assessment by the immigration authorities.

The main advantage is that you receive a full right to work and conduct business, access to social programs, and — most importantly — every year of residence counts towards citizenship. At the same time, many countries offer tax incentives for new residents. In France, for example, it is possible during the first few years to pay no tax on foreign income.

The limitation is that you must actually live and work in the country. You cannot simply obtain a visa and forget about it: physical presence for a minimum of 183 days per year is required to maintain the status and tax residency.

To summarise: for high-net-worth investors who need a guarantee and who are unable or unwilling to live in the country permanently, investment programs are the right fit. For professionals and entrepreneurs ready to relocate and integrate, talent visas are the answer. For a temporary solution or for young professionals, nomad visas serve the purpose. But the most effective approach is often a combination. For example, a nomad visa first for adaptation, followed by an entrepreneur or talent visa for a full status.

Sanctions, Legal, and Tax Risks

Migration through obtaining a residence permit or other visa status does not exempt one from global risks, especially if you have a complex international business structure. In many countries, scrutiny of financial flows has intensified, and sanctions regimes make transactions involving certain jurisdictions risky. It is particularly important to correctly determine tax residency: not merely residence permit status, but actual physical presence, the centre of economic interests, and the structure of assets. Mistakes in this area can lead to significant financial losses — overpayment of taxes, fines, or refusals of status renewal. A migration strategy must therefore be closely linked to tax planning and legal support.

What typical mistakes do investors and entrepreneurs make when planning migration, due to an incorrect assessment of the consequences of non-compliance with international tax and compliance requirements?

This is perhaps the most important question, because it is here that the most serious risks and the most painful mistakes lie. I regularly advise clients who have already found themselves in difficult situations due to poor planning, and believe me, correcting mistakes is always more expensive and more difficult than doing things properly from the outset.

Mistake number one — a failure to understand the difference between formal resident status and tax residency. Many people think: I have obtained a residence permit in Portugal or Cyprus, so I have automatically become a tax resident there. Or conversely: I have a residence permit, but I don’t live there, so I am not a tax resident. Both positions are fundamentally incorrect.

Tax residency is determined not by the possession of a residence permit, but by a combination of factors:

• Where you physically spend more than 183 days per year
• Where the centre of your vital interests is located
• Where your family is, where your business is registered
• Where your principal income originates

And if these factors point to different countries, a situation of dual tax residency may arise or, worse still, claims from the tax authorities of several countries simultaneously.

I worked with a client who held a residence permit in Cyprus, lived in the UAE, but continued to manage a Russian company and receive dividends. He ultimately found himself in a situation where Russia considered him a tax resident on account of his management of the company, Cyprus demanded tax payments on the basis of his formal residence permit, and the UAE did not recognise him as a resident because he lacked sufficient presence there. Resolving this problem took a year and a half and required substantial legal expenditure.

The second critical mistake — ignoring the requirements of CRS (Common Reporting Standard — the global standard for the automatic exchange of financial information between countries). From 2025, virtually all financial jurisdictions of significance for Russian nationals, including the UAE and Armenia, participate in automatic data exchange. This means that information about your accounts, assets, and financial transactions is automatically transmitted to the tax authorities of your country of tax residency.

Many people still harbour the illusion that if you open an account in one country and live in another, the tax authorities will never find out. This is a dangerous misconception. Banks are obliged to determine their clients’ tax residency and transmit information to the relevant authorities. And if you have failed to declare foreign accounts and income, this already constitutes a serious tax offence carrying corresponding penalties.

The third mistake — underestimating sanctions risks. This has become especially pertinent since Cyprus criminalised sanctions evasion. I know of cases where people holding Cypriot residence permits continued to provide consulting or IT services to Russian companies without even realising that this could be classified as aiding sanctions evasion, carrying criminal liability of up to five years’ imprisonment.

It is critically important to audit the entire structure of your business, income sources, and counterparties. If you obtain a residence permit in an EU country but continue to work with Russian or Belarusian companies subject to sanctions, this is a direct path to problems. Moreover, liability may arise not only for the individual but also for the banks servicing your accounts, leading to the freezing of assets.

The fourth mistake — an incorrect asset ownership structure. Many people create offshore companies, trusts, and foundations, believing this automatically resolves all tax questions. But if you are the true beneficial owner and control these structures from a country where you are a tax resident, they may be deemed tax residents of that country, with all the ensuing consequences.

The fifth mistake — the absence of documentary proof of the source of funds. When opening bank accounts, purchasing real estate, or applying for residency, virtually all jurisdictions require proof of the legitimate origin of funds. And this is where many encounter a problem: the money was earned legally, but there are no documents to prove it.

This is especially relevant for those who sold a business several years ago, received dividends, or had investment income. If you do not have a complete set of documents — tax returns, sale and purchase agreements, bank statements confirming the flow of funds — serious difficulties may arise. Banks will refuse to open an account, immigration authorities may refuse to issue a visa, and when purchasing real estate the transaction may be blocked.

And finally, the sixth mistake — attempting to economise on professional support. The desire to independently navigate international tax law, the immigration legislation of multiple countries, and banking compliance requirements is a virtually guaranteed path to mistakes.

The cost of correcting mistakes always exceeds the cost of proper planning by a factor of several times. I have seen cases where clients tried to save €5,000–10,000 on legal and tax advisory support, only to end up losing hundreds of thousands in fines, tax reassessments, or forced business restructuring.

I recommend conducting a comprehensive audit before any migration step: tax, legal, and reputational. Understand what risks exist, how to minimise them, and what asset and business structure needs to be put in place. Only then should you make a decision about the choice of jurisdiction and residency program.