Latest news with #goldenvisa
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Golden Visa: Where You Can Buy Residence Permits
This illustration picture taken on June 11, 2025 shows a person looking at the new website for the ... More planned $5 million US residency permit on a smartphone and on a laptop in Los Angeles. President Donald Trump touted a new website for his planned $5 million US residency permit on June 11, saying the waiting list for the golden visa has opened on (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) After its unveiling in April and a highly popular waitlist launch in June, the Trump administration's proposed golden visa program seems to be stalling. Named 'the Gold Card' and later 'the Trump Card', it promises U.S. residency to wealthy individuals for a $5 million investment in the country. While Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the card would be made from real precious metal, all that glitters is not gold for the project that reportedly lacks legal grounding and faces an uncertain future. President Donald Trump said in April on board the Air Force One that a launch was less than two weeks away. However, by the end of July, no news on the topic has been shared and no law has been introduced in Congress despite almost 70,000 waitlist entries reportedly having been creating in less than a week after the launch of on June 11. Experts interviewed on the topic by CNBC have raised legal concerns surrounding the program. While Trump said he wanted to replace the current EB-5 program, which ties residency to the creation of an approximately $1 million new business, this would require unlikely Congressional approval. Another major issue is the U.S. tax code that taxes global income, which is not attractive for immigrant investors. Trump said he wants this changed, which again would be a major hurdle. This chart shows countries with residence-by-investment or similar schemes (as of Jul 2025). At the same time, interest in the U.S. golden visa is still very high as several similar programs in Europe have recently shut down in Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands while more were tightened amid government changes and criticism of the concept. The U.S. proposal has also supposedly received increased interest in light of Trump's threat to abolish birthright citizenship—yet another proposal marred in legal issues. Just this Thursday, a federal appeals court handed Trump a defeat in the matter, saying that the executive order on the topic was unconstitutional. Data by law firm Henley & Partners shows which golden visa or comparable schemes continue to exist for wealthy people around the world. Some of the most prolific include remaining ones inside the European Union, giving access to a Schengen visa. Countries currently offering golden visas in the EU include Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. The United Arab Emirates have also become a popular destination for wealthy immigrants and offer a similar program. As the data shows, countries in the English-speaking world, including the U.S. itself, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, have so far only offered more restrictive options, giving residency to certain high-profile business founders who want to start operations in critical sectors or can create a certain number of jobs. Investments Ranges Differ While types of investor visas differ, so do investment sums and how they are paid. Buying real estate is one popular option, but most golden visa countries offer several different options to secure a residence permit, including starting or investing in a business, investing in stocks or bonds locally or making a direct contribution to the government. In the EU, investment sums typically range between $250,000 and $500,000, with Latvia the outlier at just $60,000. Non-EU nations Serbia and Montenegro have been trying to get in on the southern European golden visa boom and are offering residency for any real estate purchase or if an applicant wants to start a business in the country and shell out the annual cost associated with it. Beyond Europe, investment sums can be lower starting at $50,000 in Mauritius, $100,000 in Panama and $150,000 in Costa Rica. Nations including Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, Monaco and Uruguay also allow financially independent people to live within their countries. Finally, some places including Switzerland and Thailand want immigrant investors to benefit them more directly. The Swiss visa is tied to a minimum $250,000 annual tax contribution, while Thailand charges directly for its so-called Privilege Residence Program, starting at $25,000 for five years. While the cost is low in comparison, the program is not directly tied to a permanent residency. Charted by Statista
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amid High Housing Costs, 40% Of Wealthy Americans Are Buying Second Homes Overseas
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. About 40% of high‑net‑worth Americans plan to purchase a second home abroad within the next year, and two-thirds within the next five years. Skyrocketing housing costs in the U.S. have prompted a growing number of affluent buyers to look overseas, according to a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury survey. The availability of so-called 'golden visas' for high-net-worth investors seeking to purchase real estate overseas amid political and economic uncertainty in the U.S. has been a significant factor in attracting U.S. citizens who can file for residency and even citizenship once they relocate, the report says. Don't Miss: Accredited investors can —with up to 120% bonus shares—before this Uber-style disruption hits the public markets Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — The Appeal Of Spain Spain has been particularly appealing to U.S. citizens recently, Reuters reports. American buyers paid more per square meter there than any other foreign nationality in 2024—around €3,390 ($4,000)—marking a fourfold increase in purchase volume over the past five years. Spain's housing market itself climbed 11% in price last year, placing it just behind Portugal at the top of EU increases. Generating An Income In Italy Some U.S. expats use their overseas move as an opportunity to generate an income from their new homes. American investor Laurie DeRiu purchased a three-bedroom apartment in Sardinia for €405,000, which she then listed for rent. 'It's a totally different quality of life there ... not at all the hustle and bustle,'she told Business Insider. Another buyer, Melina Manasse, purchased in Lecce for $278,000 and is now earning 'about $3,000 monthly' in rental income, according to the outlet. Trending: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Here's , starting today. The United Arab Emirates and Asia Dubai has always carried an international appeal and experienced a 47% year-on-year jump in residential transactions in 2024, according to U.K. real estate brokerage Savills, which reported that luxury beachfront towers are in high demand. 'Dubai's residential market continues to grow from strength to strength, driven by a steady stream of international investors, end-users, and a strong pipeline of high-quality projects. The emirate has cemented its reputation as a global hub for luxury living and investment opportunities, catering to a wide spectrum of buyer profiles,' according to Andrew Cummings, head of residential Agency at Savills Middle East. There's plenty of appeal for tech's wealthy to buy in Dubai. Property prices have been soaring in recent years, and investors can obtain a 10-year Golden Visa with an investment of approximately $545,000. Tech executives have been particularly bullish on the United Arab Emirates recently, following President Donald Trump's commitment to AI investment in the country. That was followed by investments from a number of Big Tech companies. Turks and Caicos The Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos has been attracting an increasing number of U.S. and Canadian investors recently with direct flights from major East Coast U.S. cities. 'Overall, Turks and Caicos offers a combination of natural beauty, tax advantages, tourism appeal, political stability, and infrastructure development that makes it an attractive option for Americans considering a real estate investment in the Caribbean,' Mauricio Umansky, CEO and founder of global real estate brokerage, The Agency told House Portugal is another country firmly affixed to the expat map. Demand from U.S. citizens has remained high in the country, where a minimum of €500,000 is required to be deposited into eligible funds to obtain a 'golden visa,' which would set them on a path to citizenship after seven to 10 years. 'They're still falling in love with Portugal and buying property in Portugal, which makes the prices in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve significantly higher, and the expat community keeps on increasing,' Mohr-Elzek, managing director and head of private clients at Henley & Partners, a firm specializing in residence and citizenship by investment, told Central America The Central American nations of Panama and Costa Rica have been attracting U.S. citizens in droves. According to U.S. Department of State figures, approximately 120,000 private U.S. citizens, including many retirees, reside in Costa Rica, which welcomes around 1.5 million U.S. tourists each year. Costa Rica is projected to attract 350 millionaires with a cumulative wealth of $2.8 billion by the end of this year, according to Henley & Partners' latest wealth migration report. Meanwhile, Panama has been on a tear. Residency permit applications from U.S. citizens in Q1 2025 rose by 78.9% compared to the 2024 quarterly average and by 114% over the 2023–2024 quarterly trend, according to Panama's National Migration Service, cited by Panama Sovereign Realty. 'Living in Panama has been absolutely worth it... the lifestyle I have here would've been completely out of reach for me in the U.S. I feel like I'm living a dream,' Kimberly Kelley, a retired hypnotherapist, told Business Insider. Read Next: With Point, you can Image: Shutterstock This article Amid High Housing Costs, 40% Of Wealthy Americans Are Buying Second Homes Overseas originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Times
Golden visas can be a force for good if they create jobs
Golden visas have long been viewed with a mix of admiration and suspicion. Admiration for how they invite capital and talent into countries eager for investment; suspicion for how they've sometimes allowed bad actors to gain residency with minimal scrutiny. Donald Trump's proposed 'Trump Card' is proving to be polarising. If it goes ahead as planned, it would offer a fast track to legal status for wealthy immigrants investing $5 million and exempt card holders from federal income tax on foreign earnings. Colloquially known as a golden visa, these programs are more correctly referred to as 'residency by investment' visas. In simple terms, if one invests enough in an economy, they are offered a residency visa. The theory is that the investment will lead to greater economic output and more jobs — and the impact on the economy and standard of living in that country will be positive. • The end of Spain's golden visa: winners, losers and how to move now Golden visas can deliver meaningful benefits to countries, economies and citizens if administered correctly. I advise people on how to get a visa in New Zealand through my company Greener Pastures New Zealand, and the visa program there requires applicants to directly invest in New Zealand-managed funds or operating businesses. This is not a buy-a-passport scheme; it's an invitation to help to build a country that prizes innovation, transparency and long-term growth. • Read more expert advice on property, interiors and home improvement We work directly with high-net-worth individuals and families navigating this new landscape. We've seen growing demand from British and American citizens seeking not only lifestyle and economic opportunity, but geopolitical stability and alignment with their values. In today's world, people are looking for lifestyle, safety, political and economic stability. Much like diversifying one's investment portfolio, obtaining dual residency is a valid way to manage risk. Demand for these visas is increasing worldwide. It is estimated that more than 120,000 golden visas are issued annually globally and that number is rising. Theory does not always match reality, however. Around the world we have seen examples of governments that have administered the visa in a way that seeks to maximise the total investment balances raised, with little benefit. Examples of this include allowing the visa applicant to place funds in fixed-term deposits, or government bonds. Is the investment valid? Yes. Has the investment helped improve the economy and create jobs? No. • Spain doesn't want you? Here are the overseas places to buy a home in 2025 Any world leader looking at drawing up a golden visa programme should be asking themselves whether it aligns with national priorities. It shouldn't be about selling access, but encouraging investments that create jobs and drive innovation. The best programmes ask what the investor can do and whether the country fits them long term, rather than simply 'selling' a visa. Governments must design programmes built for permanence, not loopholes. Doing so allows the visa to be mutually beneficial for both the applicant and the offering country. The result is a visa that serves the nation. Dominic Jones is managing director of Greener Pastures New Zealand, a residency through investment adviser
Bloomberg
17-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Thaksin Touts Golden Visa, Higher Travel Fees to Boost Thailand
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested the country create a golden visa scheme for wealthy foreigners to become long-term residents and called on Airports of Thailand Pcl to hike passenger service fees to boost the sluggish economy. The golden visa scheme could potentially bring in the equivalent of Thailand's $500 billion economy, Thaksin said in a speech at the 'Unlocking Thailand's Future' conference in Bangkok on Thursday evening. He suggested the country could attract 600,000 people who would deposit $1 million apiece for the visa. In return, they'd get rights to buy property in Thailand, helping the real estate sector, with the proceeds to fund education for Thai people.
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Jacinda Ardern forced out wealthy foreigners. Now New Zealand is desperate to win them back
New Zealand had long lured wealthy foreigners with its golden visas. The hurdles were low: applicants needed to maintain an investment of NZD$10 million (£4.4m) in the country for three years, and spend just six weeks a year there. No English language skills or business experience was required, and the money could sit quietly in an investment fund overseen by Kiwi managers. It opened a pathway to permanent residency and the lifelong right to stay in the Pacific nation. But in 2022, New Zealand's leadership – under its then-prime minister Jacinda Ardern – tore up the scheme. The result was an approximately NZD$1.5bn hit to the country's economy as investment collapsed and wealthy people snubbed a stricter replacement visa scheme. Now, the Kiwi government is desperate to win back these people – and their money. It has reversed course and made its golden visa rules more attractive than ever before. Wealthy investors snub New Zealand As New Zealand emerged from the pandemic, Ardern restricted its golden visa programme ostensibly to promote investments in businesses and infrastructure. But the move came amid a slew of isolationist policies under the Ardern government, which included banning foreigners from buying residential property in 2018. A long-term stagnation in foreign direct investment, vital to New Zealand's geographically remote economy, followed. This was compounded when the country became one of the first outside China to impose a Covid lockdown, sealing its borders. Troy Hanley, of migration consultancy Henley & Partners, says: 'During Covid, the foreign direct investment into New Zealand really plummeted which had a massive impact on a country that [already] is quite isolated. The government also changed the investor visa rules and increased the price.' Applicants for the new Active Investor Plus visa had to have at least NZD$15m, speak English and spend 117 days over four years in the country. They could no longer park their investments purely in bonds, property and investment funds, and a weighted system incentivised them to put their money into New Zealand's businesses. The new scheme received just 61 applications in its first two years compared with 145 under its predecessor, official figures show. It also brought in far less money. In the years prior to the Covid pandemic, the old scheme's rules attracted NZD$2.2bn in investments, while the new scheme saw just NZD$70m. The government later accepted changes to the scheme 'had the effect of discouraging potential investors from seeking New Zealand residence'. 'We should be rolling out the welcome mat' A new Right-wing coalition government has attempted to revive New Zealand's economic fortunes after it only recently emerged from a technical recession last year. In February this year, the country unveiled a new 'growth' visa that is even more generous than the older scheme, in an attempt to encourage investment. It is one of a number of policies introduced by Ardern that are now being rolled back. The country's new government has also relaxed visa rules for so-called 'digital nomads' – people who typically use freelance remote work to fund travel – and will allow them to work remotely for an overseas employer for 90 days while visiting. Nicola Willis, the country's economic growth minister, said at the time: 'We should be rolling out the welcome mat and encouraging investor migrants to choose New Zealand as a destination for their capital.' Just NZD$5m was required as a minimum investment to qualify, while the requirement to be physically present in New Zealand dropped to just 21 days over a three-year period, about a week every year. To be approved for this scheme, applicants must invest in New Zealand-based funds or put their money directly into the country's businesses. A further 'balanced' visa was also introduced, and is similar to the old scheme with a minimum NZD$10m investment required over five years. For a higher price, applicants have a wider choice of investment options including bonds, shares in companies, property development and charitable donations. They must also spend 105 days across five years in New Zealand. Hanley says: 'The price is now more reasonable and more accessible to a larger number of high-net worth people.' Ardern also imposed a ban on foreign buyers of property in the country, though this remains in place. Foreigners are still banned from buying property for personal use in New Zealand, however, and golden visa applicants are encouraged to invest in the construction of new housing to increase overall housing stock, which has failed to keep pace with demand in recent years. This is something New Zealand has sought to address through its golden visa programme. A qualifying investment for applicants to the 'balanced' visa can be in property development if it is judged to expand housing stock in the country. Once approved for permanent residency in New Zealand, which is typically possible after the investment visa period ends, investors become eligible to buy housing to live in. But, they must pay taxes in the country and have lived there for at least the last 12 months. A 'bolthole' in an unstable world The new scheme has succeeded in attracting significant interest, says Hanley. 'It has really changed the types of people who are looking at New Zealand. Previously, it was dependent on people who wanted to spend quite a bit of time down there but now you just have to get a few flights down there.' This is combined with a relatively light tax burden in New Zealand. The top rate of income tax is 39pc for incomes of more than NZD$180,001. The country also abolished inheritance tax in 1993. While Hanley says he has seen interest in New Zealand from British clients, most prospective applicants he has worked with are from China. 'There's also no English language requirement and we are seeing a lot of interest in China now that requirement has gone. 'In China, and this has been quite longstanding, the government has targeted wealthy people and entrepreneurs and [Chinese parents have] always had that mindset of getting your kids educated overseas.' Americans are also increasingly seeking alternative residency abroad as the country's politics become more fraught. The low requirements to be physically present are particularly attractive to American applicants. 'You can do it while you are based in Los Angeles and do three trips a year and you get permanent residency for life.' He says US clients 'love the idea' that New Zealand could function as a safe haven in the event of a global conflict in the future. 'Even if there was a conflict in the South China Sea, New Zealand is a 12-hour flight from there. It's a bolthole.'
