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Investment Migration Reference
Restricted Nationalities by Investment Migration Programme
A reference matrix showing which nationalities currently face restrictions across the most active Citizenship by Investment and Golden Visa programmes worldwide. Restrictions stem from international sanctions, financial integrity standards, and bilateral policy. Most rules allow exceptions; the footnotes explain how individual cases are reviewed.
Restrictions Matrix
Tip: scroll horizontally on smaller screens to view all programmes.
| Nationality | Antigua and Barbuda(1) | Dominica(2) | St Kitts and Nevis | Grenada | St Lucia | Malta | Greece | Spain | Portugal(3) | Turkey(4) | Vanuatu(5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | · | · | Restricted |
| Armenia | · | · | · | · | · | Restricted | · | · | · | Restricted | · |
| Belarus | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | Restricted | Restricted | · |
| Cuba | · | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · |
| DR Congo | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| Iran | Restricted | · | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | · | Restricted |
| Iraq | · | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | Restricted |
| Israel | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| Nigeria | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| North Korea | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Palestine | · | · | · | · | · | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · |
| Russia | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | Restricted | · | · |
| Somalia | Restricted | · | · | · | · | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · |
| South Sudan | · | · | · | · | · | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · |
| Sudan | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | · | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · |
| Syria | Restricted | · | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | Restricted | Restricted |
| Ukraine | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| Venezuela | · | · | · | · | Restricted | Restricted | · | · | · | · | · |
| Yemen | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | · | Restricted | · | · | · | Restricted |
Footnotes and Exceptions
- (1.1) Antigua and Barbuda exception: applicants born in restricted countries may still qualify if they migrated before the age of majority and/or have maintained permanent lawful residence in any non restricted country for a period of no less than 10 years, and maintain no economic ties to any restricted country.
- (1.2) Antigua and Barbuda, Palestine and stateless applicants: current legislation does not preclude the processing of applications from Palestine or other jurisdictions whose nationals are deemed stateless. For the time being these files will be treated on a case by case basis, provided that the applicants are in possession of the passport of their own home country.
- (2) Dominica, Sudan, North Korea and Iraq: applicants from Sudan and North Korea must prove they have lived outside these territories for at least 10 years, hold no substantial assets there, and have not performed any business activity in that jurisdiction. Dominica has currently suspended applications from the following areas of Iraq: Kurdistan, Erbil, Amedi, Dahuk, Kirkuk, Lalish, Rainya, Soran, Sulaymaniyah and Zakho.
- (3) Portugal: Portuguese authorities may consider applications from restricted countries if the applicant can demonstrate residence outside those countries for a meaningful period; in such cases the application will be assessed on a case by case basis. Applicants who are nationals of countries on US and/or EU sanctions lists may face enhanced due diligence and review, which can lead to a rejection of the application.
- (4) Turkey: Armenian and Syrian nationals are not permitted to purchase property in Turkey. They may still pursue the Turkey CBI through the deposit option or through the purchase of governmental bonds in the amount of USD 500,000, but cannot use the USD 250,000 property purchase route.
- (5) Vanuatu: the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission may accept applications from restricted countries when the applicant demonstrates that (a) they have not resided in the restricted country for the past 5 years, and (b) provides evidence of permanent residency abroad.
How to Read This Page
A nationality marked as “Restricted” means that the corresponding programme imposes additional scrutiny, requires deeper due diligence, or, in some cases, will not accept applications at all. Restrictions are reviewed regularly by each jurisdiction and can change with little public notice, often in response to OFAC, EU, UK or UN sanctions updates. This page is reviewed periodically; for the most up to date status before submitting an application, request a personalised eligibility check.
Born in a restricted country, but residing elsewhere?
Many programmes (notably Antigua and Barbuda, Portugal and Vanuatu) allow case by case review for applicants who can prove long term residence outside the restricted jurisdiction, no economic ties, and a clean compliance profile. If this applies to you, the eligibility analysis often comes down to documentation strategy and timing.
Programmes with the broadest restriction lists
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programmes (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St Lucia) and Malta apply the widest nationality based exclusions, primarily aligned with US, EU, UK and UN sanctions. Greece, Spain and Portugal Golden Visa programmes generally apply fewer nationality based exclusions, but enhanced due diligence may still trigger rejection on a case by case basis.
Not sure where you stand?
Eligibility is rarely binary. If your nationality, residency history or family situation falls in a grey area, a focused 30 minute review will tell you exactly which programmes remain open to you and which require an alternative path.
Book a Confidential Eligibility ReviewInformation on this page is provided for general guidance only, current as of April 2026. It does not constitute legal advice. Programme rules, sanction lists and government policy can change at any time. Always verify your eligibility with a licensed adviser before submitting an application.