Guide
Families and dependants
Reviewed 7 Oct 2026 · 5 min read ·
Every program defines the family differently. Some include parents and siblings; some stop at a spouse and young children. The definition, the age test and the price per person can decide the choice.
Who counts
- Portugal Golden Visa. A spouse or proven de facto partner, minor or incapacitated children, dependent unmarried adult children who are studying, dependent parents of the investor or spouse, and minor siblings under the investor's guardianship. AIMA limits student children to ages 18 to 25.
- Malta citizenship by merit. A spouse or equivalent partner; children under 18; unmarried children aged 18 to 28 wholly or largely maintained by the main applicant; adult children with a disability. Parents are not listed.
- USA EB-5. You and your qualifying derivative family members receive conditional residence together.
When age is tested
Malta tests ages at the proposal-letter stage. Other programs set their own test dates; check each program page. Ask early if a child is close to a cut-off.
What each family member costs
| Program | Main applicant covers | Each extra family member |
|---|---|---|
| St Kitts and Nevis | US$250,000 for a family of up to four (contribution route) | US$25,000 under 18; US$50,000 aged 18 or over |
| Grenada | US$235,000 for the main applicant and up to 3 dependants | US$25,000 or US$50,000; US$75,000 per sibling |
| St Lucia | US$240,000 for the applicant and up to 3 dependants | US$10,000 under 18; US$20,000 aged 18 or over |
| Malta Permanent Residence | €37,000 contribution plus a €60,000 administration fee | €7,500 per additional adult dependant other than a spouse |
| US Gold Card | US$1,000,000 gift | US$1,000,000 gift for each spouse or child requesting a card |
Due diligence and government fees are charged per person on top. St Kitts charges US$7,500 due diligence for each dependant aged 16 or over.
Due diligence covers everyone
In Malta, one dependant's sanctions listing, or a charge while the file is pending, sinks the whole file. Caribbean programs check each adult dependant too. Collect records for every family member before you file.
Joining later
Portugal requires most residents to hold a permit for two years before family reunification, but Golden Visa families are exempt.
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