Direct answer: The tourism route starts at USD 150,000 and is aimed at developing the national tourism sector. The MIC states a requirement for a business plan and technical follow-up. So informally buying a hotel unit or declaring a tourism intention is not enough: the project, the budget, the execution and the documentation must support the CIE.
Why the smaller ticket does not mean a simple process
The tourism route sits below the USD 200,000 required for real estate or financial instruments, but it approaches project logic. The authority wants to identify how the capital will be applied to tourism activity, what development will be delivered and how the execution can be followed.
Hotels, lodging, ecotourism, destination-linked gastronomy or infrastructure may seem natural candidates, but the concrete classification must be confirmed before the contribution. The seller's marketing does not replace SUACE acceptance.
Components of a defensible plan
- Description of the project, location and target audience.
- Legal structure, those responsible and the operator's experience.
- Detailed budget, disbursement schedule and sources of capital.
- Projections with assumptions on occupancy, price, seasonality and costs.
- Licenses, land use, environmental requirements and sector registrations.
- Indicators that allow technical follow-up and proof of execution.
Investing in your own project or a third party's
In your own project, the investor controls the decisions but takes on licenses, construction, staff and operation. In a third party's project, they must understand what economic right they receive, how the capital will be protected and who is liable if the execution is delayed. In both cases, the contract and structure must align with the tourism form.
Beware of the word “guaranteed”: immigration approval, financial return, opening date and asset buyback are different risks. None should be promised simply because the project uses the Investor Pass brand.
Project due diligence
| Area | Minimum check |
|---|---|
| Land/property | Ownership, liens, zoning and access |
| Operator | Track record, contracts, statements and conflicts |
| Licenses | Municipal, environmental, construction and tourism |
| Financial | Budget, contingency, total capital and cash flow |
| CIE | Documents and execution milestones accepted by SUACE |
| Exit | Liquidity, transfer, maintenance and immigration consequences |
The right profile
The category can suit those who accept business or development risk and have genuine interest in the sector. Those seeking only to preserve capital with low operational involvement should compare it with the financial or real-estate route, remembering that each has its own amount and restrictions.
The plan must survive even without the immigration benefit: an economically weak project does not become good because it helps with residency. An independent technical and legal assessment is essential before the transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Does the tourism route cost USD 150,000?
That is the minimum investment published by the MIC. Immigration fees, documentation, the project and professional costs are additional.
Do I need a business plan?
Yes. The MIC describes a business plan and technical follow-up for the tourism route.
Does buying a hotel room guarantee the CIE?
No. The concrete structure must be accepted by SUACE and documented as a qualifying tourism project.
Primary sources
Conditions can change. Always confirm the current form and fee before filing or transferring funds.