How long does the visa process take?
The Short Answer: Visa processing times vary dramatically by type: 30 days to over 2 years depending on your chosen pathway.
Specific Timelines:
Pensionado Visa: Approximately 6 months for permanent residency
- Fastest traditional route to permanent status
- Requires lifetime pension of $1,000+ monthly
- Most straightforward documentation process
Friendly Nations Visa: Just over 2 years total
- Temporary residency granted first
- Must maintain qualifying criteria (job, investment, or bank deposit) throughout
- Permanent residency application submitted after temporary period
Qualified Investor Visa: 30 days for permanent residency
- Fastest option available
- Requires $300,000+ investment (increasing to $500,000+ in October 2024)
- Only visa that doesn’t require physical presence during processing
Factors Affecting Timeline:
- Documentation Preparation: 2-4 months before application submission
- Legal Representation Quality: Experienced lawyers expedite the process significantly
- Document Complexity: Apostilled background checks and pension verification can add weeks
- Government Processing Backlogs: Can extend timelines during busy periods
Process Steps:
- Document Gathering: 30-90 days (background checks, apostilles, translations)
- Application Submission: 1-2 weeks with lawyer
- Government Review: Varies by visa type
- Interview/Final Steps: 2-4 weeks
- Card Issuance: 2-8 weeks after approval
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