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:

1. Document Gathering: 30-90 days (background checks, apostilles, translations)
2. Application Submission: 1-2 weeks with lawyer
3. Government Review: Varies by visa type
4. Interview/Final Steps: 2-4 weeks
5. Card Issuance: 2-8 weeks after approval