FAQs

Greek Residency

What are the Greek Permanent Residence Permit Requirements?

We mentioned about purchasing property in Greece to get a permanent residence permit, but there are also some other methods to get it.

 

As a non-EU investor, you should fulfill one or more of the following conditions to receive a Permanent Residence Permit in Greece (Golden Visa):

  • Purchase of a property in Greece with a minimum value of 250.000 Euro

 

  • Purchase of more than one properties with a total minimum value of 250.000 Euro

 

  • The Real Estate Property must be owned by and be in possession of its owners

 

In cases of joint ownership, where the value of the property is €250.000, the Residency Permit is only granted if the owners are spouses with undivided ownership of the property. In all other cases of joint ownership, the residence permit is only granted if the amount invested by each of the joint owners is at least €250.000

 

  • If the owner has acquired the property through a legal entity, the applicant must own 100% of the company shares

 

  • The Residency Permit is also granted in cases where the non-EU citizen is the owner through one or more legal entities where he is the sole owner or shareholder of those entities

Who deals with authorities in order to issue the residency permit?

We do. It is part of our services portfolio to handle all the necessary paperwork on behalf of the applicant:

– The application process for the initial residence permit,

– the submission of any additional required documentation

– and finally the collection of the receipt of the residence permit.

We also deal with all aspects regarding the purchase of the property.

As soon as you submit the residency application you will receive a confirmation receipt that serves as a one year provisional residency permit. You can reside legally in the country for the duration of the confirmation receipt (one year) and you are entitled to all the benefits of the final permit. In the mean time (two to four months) you will receive the final residency permit certificate.

Does the residence permit allow me to apply for citizenship?

Yes. After seven years of continuous residency the permit holders may apply for Greek citizenship.

[law No. 4332/2015, Greek Government Gazette Number 76 A’, July 2015]

For the citizenship eligibility there are certain criteria to be met :

– Knowledge of Greek language. Knowledge of Greek history and elements of civilisation.

– The applicant must live in Greece for most of the time before the application.

With the approval of the application the investor receives:

– Greek – European Union

What about access to education and health services?

The holders of the residence permit have access to public education, in the same way as Greek citizens.

There is a variety of state and private schools and universities with multilingual syllabus.

They have also access to the Greek public health system.

Residence permit holders and their family members, must also have private insurance policies that covers their healthcare and medical care expenses.

Can i use the residency permit to travel to other EU countries?

You may travel with your passport and the residency permit to all countries that are part of the European Union and belong to the Schengen Area:

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Finland.

You may also travel to these Non-EU countries that belong to the Schengen Area:

Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Please note that after the residence permit has been issued, you may also travel to any Schengen country directly from your country. You do not need to go through Greece first.

Setting up a company in the UAE

Is it mandatory to have a local office to set up a business in UAE?

Yes, a physical office is required for a company to be set up in the UAE.

Is a local sponsor mandatory for setting up a company in the UAE?

For setting up a company in the UAE mainland, a local sponsor (who must be a UAE national) to act as your company agent. In a free zone, however, there is no such prerequisite.

Which Emirate to choose?

As you are aware there are 7 emirates in the UAE. And each one has its free zones. Thus the logical question arises – which emirates to choose.

 

The key to the right answer to this question is putting together: company activity + requirements on company location + requirements on facilities + costs.

 

Each emirate has some certain specifics and particulars. Putting the clear points on the elements above gives the option of identifying a couple of options and deciding which one is preferable for you.

EB-5 Visa United States of America

Must I speak English?

No. However, do try to learn English as it will help in an immigration interview.

What is a ‘Conditional’ Green Card?

A conditional Green Card is a temporary Green Card valid for two years. One year and nine months after it is issued, a three-month window opens up during which an individual must file another application (I-829) with the CIS to verify that all of the funds have been invested and employment created, in a regional center whether directly or indirectly. When the conditional resident status has been lifted, full resident status is granted and a permanent Green Card is issued.

What issue has caused the most problems when applying for an EB-5 visa?

The most common problem area has been insufficient documentation of the source of funds. Many people try to disclose the least possible information only to have the file returned with a request for further information. It is better to provide too much information rather than too little information. USCIS case examiners require a well-documented source of funds application. Professional assistance from a certified public accountant or tax attorney is recommended.

How long must I remain in the United States each year?

The first requirement of any investor after they receive the visa at the United States overseas consular office is to enter into the United States within 180 days of visa issuance from the consulate.

The investor must then establish residency in the United States. Evidence of intent to reside includes opening bank accounts, obtaining a driver’s license or social security number, paying state and federal income taxes, renting or buying a home.

All permanent residents must remain in the US for more than 6 months each year, or they may be deemed to have abandoned their permanent residence status.