One of the biggest myths I hear from entrepreneurs and middle-income families is this: “I’ll start thinking about international diversification once I have millions.”

That belief is the reason so many people never act. They think that second residencies and citizenships are reserved only for the ultra-wealthy.

That is a trap: you don’t need millions to start. What you really need is time. Because if you wait until you feel ready — or worse, until you need a second residency or passport — it’s already too late. Those residency and citizenship programs take months — often years — to complete. And the one thing you can’t recover is time.

The Myth: You Need Millions for International Diversification

When I first started exploring international diversification for my family, I assumed every pathway required six- or seven-figure capital. It could, but it doesn’t have to unless you are going for golden visas, real estate or investment based options.

Many simple residency options with low upkeep don’t demand massive capital or even work — they demand vision and action.

For example:
– Mexico Temporary Residency — approved based on income or savings, often within months.
– Panama Friendly Nations Visa — relatively straightforward, minimal maintenance once approved.
– Portugal D7 Visa — often accessible to entrepreneurs with foreign or online income.

These are accessible residency programs for most households and situations, not just the ultra-wealth. It’s important to note that they’ve already been revised many times due to their popularity.

Time Becomes Your Real Barrier

Governments don’t wait. What’s simple and accessible today may vanish tomorrow: programs shutter, minimum requirements increase, or new bureaucracy emerges.

Having done most of these options in the past — had I hesitated, the difference would’ve been years or hundreds of thousands.

Programs change all the time, and almost never becoming simpler.

Anytime I can “double dip on time” without additional headaches — as in, letting the clock run on multiple programs simultaneously — I do it without hesitation. While I spend time in one location, another one might already be accruing time toward citizenship. Time compounds — but only if you start early.

How to Begin International Passive Income Without Millions

Just like residency, diversifying your income streams internationally doesn’t require massive capital. You can begin with small, scalable steps:
– Acquire a modest rental in a growth market, maybe doubling as a vacation home for you
– Build an online business serving clients remotely that don’t take much time
– Open a foreign brokerage account to invest in dividend-paying stocks that you would’ve bought anyways in your home country

These are not reserved for the ultra-rich — it’s just being crafty and resourceful. Time will pass anyways, and the earlier you begin, the more choices you’ll collect in your favor, over time.

Don’t Wait for the “Right Time”

The best time was yesterday, before changes took place. The second best is today.

Waiting until urgency hits forces you into sub-optimal choices. By then, you’ll be stuck waiting months or years for something you could’ve started already.

So take the first step: apply for those second residencies applicable in your scenario, open that foreign account in the right jurisdiction, or launch one small overseas income stream in a location that makes sense for you.

Don’t let this myth of “you need millions to diversify internationally” hold you back, especially from people that haven’t done it themselves.