Immigrant InvestImmigrant Invest

About Us

Since 2006, Immigrant Invest has provided government-licensed citizenship and residency solutions for high-net-worth individuals and their families. Our expert team delivers compliance-first guidance across the EU, Caribbean, and other jurisdictions.

20 years

Experience

10,000+

Clients worldwide

99%

Success rate

​Our mission

We help accomplished individuals and their families become true cosmopolitans — people who see the world not as a set of borders, but as a landscape of opportunity.

Through tailored citizenship and residency solutions, we open doors to global freedom, security, and mobility. Our expert team guides clients at every step, combining in-depth legal knowledge with a highly personalised approach.

Still, our relationships don’t end there. Many clients return to us — even years later — for guidance as a real estate advisor and ongoing support, from renewing passports and extending residence permits to exploring new opportunities worldwide.

Elena Ruda

Elena Ruda,

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Our clients are successful individuals and families — businesspeople, investors, executives, and public figures — who value flexibility, security, and global mobility. 

Since 2006, we have provided our clients with the freedom to move beyond visa restrictions and currency controls and establish a second home — a place they have the right but not the obligation to live in.

​Our values

We build every client relationship on professionalism, transparency, and trust. These guiding principles shape how we work and the standard of service clients can expect throughout their entire journey.

Our Values
  • 1

    Compliance first

    We run strict Due Diligence to identify risks early and design strategies that protect you from avoidable refusals.

  • 2

    Licensed and accountable

    As a government-licensed agent, we ensure full accountability and strict adherence to international laws.

  • 3

    Privacy and trust

    We strictly safeguard your personal and financial data through rigorous protocols and signed agreements.

  • 4

    Honest guidance

    We recommend only official routes. If an option isn’t a fit, we tell you immediately and offer viable solutions.

  • 5

    Client-centric focus

    We build solutions around your family’s future, prioritising your specific goals over standard, off-the-shelf offers.

  • 6

    Commitment to excellence

    We prioritise accuracy in every document. Our attention to detail minimises delays and ensures a smooth, predictable process.

  • 7

    Forward-thinking expertise

    We constantly master changing global laws to ensure you always hold the most current and effective strategic advantages.

  • 8

    Decisive action

    We act with calculated speed to secure opportunities and ensure efficiency without compromising diligence.

  • 9

    Long-term partnership

    We support you and your family long after approval: from document renewals to tax residency planning, and more.

​Our licences

We operate as a government-licensed investment migration agent in the jurisdictions where licensing is required and work strictly within official legal rules. Our Compliance Department follows AML/KYC standards used by competent authorities and accredited Due Diligence agents.

These licenses are not just formalities — they are legal requirements for any company offering such services. 

Government licences

We are authorised to advise and file applications under relevant investment migration frameworks in the EU, the Caribbean, and Africa. Licences confirm that our procedures, document handling, and client communications meet statutory requirements.

What this means for you: Your file is prepared and submitted by an approved agent under the program’s legal standards.

dominica

Dominica

License IMA DM

saint-lucia

St Lucia

License IMA SL

antigua-and-barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda

License IMA AB

malta

Malta

Licence No. RES-IMIN

Vanuatu

Vanuatu

Letter of Representation

st-kitts-and-nevis

St Kitts & Nevis

License IMA

Sao Tome and Principe

São Tomé & Príncipe

Licence No. STP-26/27-35

grenada

Grenada

License № GCBI MA 0089

Investment Migration Council membership 

IMC is the industry’s professional body. Membership commits us to a code of ethics and continuous professional development across programs and jurisdictions.

What this means for you: Our advice reflects current best practices and regulatory expectations that correlate with the industry standards.

Certificate of Membership

Certificate of Membership

​How we work

We support our clients from the first free consultation to obtaining the desired passport or residence permit — and even after that.

  • 1

    Initial consultation

    During a 20—30-minute call or meeting at our office, we map your goals, family setup, timelines, and constraints, then outline suitable options.

  • 2

    Compliance pre-check

    An AML Compliance Officer screens risk and issues a tailored document checklist to flag any risk gaps early. If the check is passed, we agree on the jurisdiction and sign an agreement. In case of any risks, we offer an alternative solution.

  • 3

    Strategy outline

    We agree on the sequencing with a single option or parallel tracks and assign your named advisor.

  • 4

    Document build-out

    The Legal Department assembles a coherent source-of-Funds record, coordinates certifications and sworn translations, and prepares you for possible interviews, if needed.

  • 5

    Filing and follow-up

    We submit the application, monitor progress, and respond to authority requests within stated windows. You receive status updates on a defined schedule.

  • 6

    Post-approval care

    We handle document renewals and replacements and can assist with banking, property, and relocation logistics so continuity is preserved.

Vladlena Baranova

Vladlena Baranova,

Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, CAMS, IMCM

Due Diligence is a critical stage in any citizenship or residence by investment program — it protects our clients and safeguards their future status. As one of the few companies with an in-house compliance department, we conduct a thorough review before submitting any application, reducing the risk of rejection to just 1%.

As a government-licensed agent, we fully comply with the European Union’s 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive and are held directly accountable for every application we submit. That’s why your success is not just important to us — it’s essential. 

We don’t just support your application; we stand behind it with our reputation and our licenses.

​Our team

Every case is led by a named advisor and delivered by a multidisciplinary team across compliance, legal, and client strategy. Therefore, there are fewer surprises and risks, faster resolutions, and a clean audit trail if authorities ask questions. The same team supports renewals and replacements to keep continuity.

We include members of the Investment Migration Council and certified AML Compliance Officers, ensuring robust integrity throughout the process.

Elena Ruda

Elena Ruda

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Zlata Erlach

Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

Ferenc Tihánszky

Ferenc Tihánszky

Head of the Hungarian office

Pavel Reshetnikov

Pavel Reshetnikov

Consultant, Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer, certified CAMS

Frederick Ellul

Frederick Ellul

Lawyer and Immigrant Invest's partner in Malta

Anna Semenyuk

Anna Semenyuk

Acting Client Manager Director

Vladlena Baranova

Vladlena Baranova

Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, CAMS, IMCM

Lyle Julien

Lyle Julien

Investment programmes expert

​Our case studies

Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of families secure brighter futures for their children, gain peace of mind through safe havens, and enjoy the freedom of visa-free travel. Every case is unique — and your success story could be the next.

​Our worldwide offices

We support clients worldwide, including in-person assistance through local offices and teams. This lets us coordinate documents, sworn translations, and filings in the jurisdictions where investment-migration work actually happens, while keeping one point of accountability for your case.

  • Malta

    St Julian's
    8/2, Portomaso Business Tower, 1 Church Street, STJ 4011

    +356-9994-99-61

    Send enquiry

  • Portugal

    Lisbon
    Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo 25, 3 Esq 1050‑116

    +351-963-996-406

    Send enquiry

  • Hungary

    Budapest
    Szervita square 8, 1052

    +36-30-880-86-64

    Send enquiry

  • Greece

    Athens
    91 Alexandras Ave 114 74

    Send enquiry

  • Austria

    Vienna
    Rathausplatz 8, office 7, 1010

    +43-650-540-49-79

    Send enquiry

  • Türkiye

    Istanbul
    Suadiye Mahallesi
    Bagdat Caddesi No: 399/B
    34740 Kadikoy

    Send enquiry

  • St Kitts and Nevis

    St Peters
    Gillards Housing Development

    Send enquiry

  • Grenada

    Grenville

    Victoria Street, Grenville, St. Andrew Grenada, West Indies

    Send enquiry

  • Cyprus

    Paphos
    Tryfonos Court, Nikolaou I. Nikolaidi Ave 16-3rd Floor, 8010

    +357-22-232-044

    Send enquiry

  • Kazakhstan

    Astana
    D. Kunaeva St, 29/1, BC Diplomat

    Send enquiry

​Reviews from our clients

All reviews

From our clients who have received second citizenships or residence permits through Immigrant Invest

Angela Curry

Client of Immigrant Invest

Angela Curryus-flag

My process turned out to be more complicated than I expected but the support and due diligence by Immigrant Invest was there 100%. The additional issues I had came from my lack of understanding of the Schengen, and how things work in Malta. As an American we tend to be a bit ignorant to how things work in other parts of the world. So although I’ve traveled a bit over my lifetime, things have changed, and I admittedly made some assumptions based on past experiences that I shouldn’t have. All that said, each issue I created was resolved by the experts at Immigrant Invest. I would never have gotten through this process without them and most certainly would have given up. Should I decided to take advantage of my options to extend my visa, they will be my first call.

Funda Taboglu

Client of Immigrant Invest

Funda Taboglu

Our experience with Immigrant Invest exceeded our expectations. From the very beginning, everything was structured, clear, and well organized.

Elena and Darya were outstanding. They were always available, proactive, and extremely knowledgeable. They guided us step by step, paid attention to every detail, and made sure we felt confident at every stage of the process.

We are very grateful for their professionalism and support and highly recommend working with them.

Uduak Essien

Client of Immigrant Invest

Uduak Essienpt-flag

Immigrant Invest is highly professional and well organized. I almost gave them 5 stars — the only reason I didn’t is because the beginning of my process felt a bit rushed, with some important information only shared at the last minute.

That said, once Eunice took over as my handler, the experience became excellent. She was proactive, detail-oriented, and always made sure my documents were complete and submitted on time. She clearly outlined everything by email and sent regular reminders through the WhatsApp group chat, which kept me on track and stress-free.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the service. The start could have been smoother, but the professionalism and support I received in the later stages more than made up for it.

Andrew Gomes

Client of Immigrant Invest

Andrew Gomes

Maltese investment processes are known to be doozy (not the most fast or simple) — trust me on that, I've been in the field myself. Immigrant Invest knows those intricacies like probably no one else in the field. I've used their services myself, and so did several people I trust, and the outcomes were delivered in an equally quality manner.

Margo

Client of Immigrant Invest

Margous-flag

As a freelancer based abroad, I have had my fair share of interactions with immigration lawyers. Among them, Immigrant Invest immediately stood out to me. They did not demand large upfront fees, which was a relief. Their team was responsive, transparent, and direct in answering my questions without making unrealistic promises. They kept me updated about my application at every stage. Lyle in particular was incredibly supportive, patiently guiding me through the intricacies of the Portuguese legal system. I would highly recommend Immigrant Invest due to their professionalism and dedication to their clients.

John M

Client of Immigrant Invest

John M

I had a very positive experience with Immigrant Invest who handled my Permanent Residency process in Malta. The assistance provided by the firm was invaluable in navigating through the complexities of the immigration procedure. They guided me effectively, showcasing professionalism and expertise in handling such important matters.

There was a delay from the government side during the Due Diligence phase. This was a bit frustrating, as it was beyond the law firm's control. But Imin maintained transparency throughout the process. They managed my expectations well and ensured that I was informed every step of the way, despite the unforeseen delays from the government.

In conclusion, the fact that the Immigration Invest (Malta office) successfully guided me through the Permanent Residency process speaks volumes about their dedication to their clients. Their guidance, support, and professionalism made a positive impact on my journey towards obtaining Permanent Residency in Malta. It was wonderful to know that I was in good hands during what can be a challenging process for many.

Alon

Owner of a chain of supermarkets

Alonil-flag

We were in discussion with Immigrant Invest for several months before signing the contract. Zlata was very attentive and patient with us. She did not put any pressure on us to sign the contract quickly.

Before signing, Zlata provided us with all of Immigrant Invest’s relevant certificates to be confident that the company was reliable and its staff were well-qualified and competent.

As a result of our mutual understanding, we were able to work quickly and effectively. We managed to gather all the necessary documents within a week.

Belkacem

An investor from Algeria

Belkacemdz-flag

I received my St. Kitts and Nevis passport 9 months after my first consultation with Immigrant Invest. This was especially impressive considering that my application was made at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant travel restrictions.

I came to Immigrant Invest's office just three times: for a consultation, to sign my contract, to submit the application and the required documents, and to collect my new passport.

The most challenging stage - gathering all the required documents - took two weeks. After that, my role was reduced to simply making the investment and waiting for my passport.

Immigrant Invest took over the rest of the tasks. It carried out its own preliminary Due Diligence check, specified which documents were required, kept me informed about the results of each stage, sent me reports and invoices, and answered all my questions.

Thanks to Immigrant Invest, I now have my St. Kitts and Nevis passport and naturalisation certificate.

Bimpe

Housewife

Bimpeng-flag

You had the most competent and customer-oriented approach among the three companies that I approached. That's why I chose to get my second passport through you.

Lance

Entrepreneur and property investor from the US

Lanceus-flag

The head of Immigrant Invest’s legal department handled my application. I want to thank her in particular because I could turn to her for any question or advice, even outside office hours, including on weekends. Moreover, all issues that arose were always resolved promptly.

I also appreciated the convenience of being able to prepare and submit my application online without having to travel to different offices and government departments. In the end, my second passport was sent to me by DHL within just two months.

Margot

Commercial artist and surfer from Australia

Margotau-flag

I do not often meet people with such high responsibility and professionalism as your staff and managers.

Ngala

Real estate investor

Ngalazm-flag

The service and support given to me at Immigrant Invest have left me only with positive impressions and pleasant memories. In particular, I would like to thank your lawyer Vladlena Baranova, who resolved every issue. She saved our time and energy, listened to and understood all our requests and wishes, and handled our application perfectly. There were no problems that she could not solve. I would be too happy to use your company's services and Olga's lawyer again.

Oliver

Company shareholder from London

Olivergb-flag

I have got my Dominica passport. Many thanks for your professional approach and for helping me get my passport so quickly! I will not hesitate to contact your company for support in the future!

Tigran

The director of a major French retailer’s branch

Tigranam-flag

I would like to thank Immigrant Invest’s lawyers in Malta, including their local lawyer.

Immigrant Invest has all the necessary resources to support their clients. Their professional, competent, and helpful managers ensure the smoothness of the application process. Everything was taken care of. I didn't have to worry about anything.

Tyler

Retiree from the USA

Tylerus-flag

Thank you very much for your professionalism and patience with me during my application!

You were always available to me and helped me with many issues.

I felt secure knowing that a professional lawyer protected my interests and that everything would work out in the end! Great job!

All reviews

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Invest in Your Future: Connect with Us

We specialize in tailoring individual solutions and selecting the most suitable country and status to align with your goals.

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Our lawyers and analysts are regularly quoted and invited for expert commentary on investment migration, Due Diligence, and regulatory updates. Selected appearances include Forbes, Yeni Şafak, Newsweek, The Guardian, NorthWalesLive, Business Standard, The Week.

washingtontimes
usatoday
tagesspiegel
iamexpat

​Industry events

We actively engage in key investment migration events worldwide, sharing expertise and keeping ahead of regulatory developments. This involvement strengthens our partnerships and ensures clients benefit from the most current insights and best practices.

​Frequently asked questions

  • What does “government-licensed agent” mean for me?

    Your application is prepared and filed by an authorised adviser that works under official legal rules. It means recognised procedures, compliant document handling, predictable communication with authorities, and better chances of approval. 

    In many countries, applications are only accepted from licensed agents; direct applications are automatically declined.

  • What happens during the compliance pre-check?

    An AML Compliance Officer screens identity, namesakes, prior refusals, and high-level source of wealth. You receive a tailored document checklist and early risk notes so we can fix gaps before filing.

  • Which documents do clients usually prepare first?

    The standard list includes:

    • valid passports;
    • marriage status records;
    • police certificates;
    • bank statements;
    • tax returns;
    • employment or corporate documents;
    • evidence for Source of Funds/Source of Wealth report, e.g. contracts, sale proceeds, dividends. 

    The exact list of documents depends on the chosen country and citizenship or residency option. In any case, we also specify format, certification, and sworn translations where required.

  • How long does the process of obtaining citizenship or residency take?

    Timelines vary by jurisdiction and risk profile. Expect several weeks to months in total; the government review alone can run from a few weeks up to 6 months. We provide status updates on a defined schedule.

  • Will there be an interview or requests for further information?

    Some programs prescribe interviews, for example, it is required for Caribbean citizenship applicants. Requests for further information are common when documents leave gaps. 

    We prepare you in advance and draft structured responses, referencing dates, amounts, counterparties, and supporting exhibits.

  • How is my data protected?

    We apply need-to-know access, encrypted storage and transfer, vendor NDAs, and a documented chain of custody for originals and certified copies. We work only with traceable client funds and do not use “financial options.”

Schedule a meeting

Let's discuss the details

We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.

Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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