U.S. could join 10 lower ranked states to offer golden visas

Yahoo

03-03-2025

HONOLULU (KHON2) — While the United States ranks at the top of the world for its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it has the largest economy in the world with the highest paid workers.
The U.S. is ranked top of the heap for its economic power, and we are ranked at the top for both importing goods and exporting products.We are also ranked at the top for global economic influence, innovation and finance with a commanding position amongst the global markets.
Here are the significantly lower rankings of other countries who need to offer incentives for foreign investment.
Program: Permanent Residence Permit.
Investment: €250,000 ($262,800) in real estate.
Renewal: Every five years.
Economy: Greece has a diversified economy with a strong focus on tourism, shipping, and agriculture. It ranks as the 51st largest economy in the world by GDP.
Global ranking:
GDP: $327 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Greece's economy has been recovering since the financial crisis, showing positive growth rates in recent years.
International ranking: Greece ranks
30th in the world for tourism (important for its economy) and
22nd in global shipping.
Program: Citizenship.
Investment: €600,000 ($630,000) for 36 months of residence.
Benefit: Grants full citizenship.
Economy: Malta's economy is highly service-oriented, focusing on finance, tourism, and IT. It ranks as the 127th largest economy by GDP globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $17.6 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Malta has one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, driven by technology, tourism, and investment services.
International ranking: Malta is ranked 1st in Europe for its GDP growth rate in recent years.
Program: Investor Visa.
Investment: €250,000 to €2 million, depending on the type of investment.
Benefit: Visa-free access to Schengen Area.
Economy: Italy has a diverse and industrial economy, with significant sectors in manufacturing (especially luxury goods), automotive, and agriculture. It ranks as the 8th largest economy globally by GDP.
Global ranking:
GDP: $2.1 trillion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Italy's economy is large but faces long-term stagnation issues, particularly in southern regions.
International ranking: Italy is 4th in Europe for GDP and is a leading economy in the luxury and fashion industries.
Program: Golden Visa.
Investment: €300,000 ($315,000).
Benefit: Grants residence.
Economy: Cyprus's economy is driven by services, particularly financial services, tourism, and shipping. It ranks as the 118th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $27.4 billion (2023 estimate) .
Growth: Cyprus has experienced strong economic recovery post-2013, largely due to banking reforms and the expansion of its services sector.
International ranking: Cyprus is ranked as
22nd globally in shipping and
35th in financial services.
Program: UAE Golden Visa.
Investment: 2 million dirhams ($544,602).
Benefit: Grants a residence permit.
Economy: The UAE has a highly diversified economy, with oil, tourism, aviation, and real estate contributing significantly. It ranks as the 32nd largest economy globally by GDP.
Global ranking:
GDP: $501 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: The UAE economy is one of the fastest growing in the Gulf region, thanks to diversification efforts, particularly in tourism and real estate.
International ranking: UAE is ranked
1st in the Middle East for economic diversification and
16th globally for ease of doing business.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $200,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: Dominica's economy is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services. It ranks as the 165th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $0.6 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Dominica has been growing at a modest rate, with significant improvements in tourism and services.
International ranking: Dominica is ranked 5th in the Caribbean for tourism growth.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $235,000.
Benefit: Visa-free travel to Grenada, China, Russia, Singapore, Britain, and Schengen Area.
Economy: Grenada has a small, open economy, focused on agriculture (especially spices), tourism, and services. It ranks as the 170th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $1.3 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Tourism and agriculture are key sectors, with growth driven by these industries.
International ranking: Grenada is ranked 6th in the Caribbean for tourism and has access to significant markets like China and Russia.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $250,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: The economy relies on tourism, agriculture, and increasingly on financial services. It ranks as the 175th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $1.0 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Economic growth is driven by tourism, sugar, and increasing offshore financial services.
International ranking: St. Kitts is ranked 4th in the Caribbean for its banking and finance services.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $240,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: Dominated by tourism, agriculture, and services, Saint Lucia has a small but growing economy. It ranks as the 171st largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $2.2 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: The country has made strides in improving its tourism infrastructure.
International ranking: Saint Lucia is ranked 3rd in the Caribbean for tourism.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $230,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: Antigua and Barbuda has a tourism-driven economy, supplemented by agriculture and financial services. It ranks as the 162nd largest economy globally.
Global Ranking:
GDP: $1.7 billion (2023 estimate) .
Growth: Economic growth is primarily driven by tourism and related services.
International ranking: Antigua is ranked 2nd in the Caribbean for its tourism growth.
Program: Thailand Privilege Residence Program.
Investment: 650,000 baht ($19,299).
Benefit: Residence for up to 20 years, access to privileged services.
Program: Long Term Residence Program.
Investment: 50,000 baht ($1,453).
Benefit: Residence and work for up to 10 years, reduced administrative requirements.
Economy: Thailand has a well-diversified economy, with strong sectors in manufacturing, agriculture, and services, including tourism. It ranks as the 26th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $568 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Thailand has a moderately growing economy, with manufacturing and tourism driving growth.
International ranking: Thailand is ranked
9th globally in automotive manufacturing and
is 1st in Southeast Asia for tourism.
Program: Long-Term Visa (Launched 2024).
Investment: Up to $10 million.
Benefit: 10-year visa and access to Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Economy: Indonesia's economy is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, with significant contributions from natural resources, manufacturing, and agriculture. It ranks as the 17th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $1.3 trillion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Indonesia's economy is growing steadily, with a booming middle class and strong export sectors.
International ranking: Indonesia is ranked
5th globally in production of palm oil and
1st in Southeast Asia for GDP.
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