Latest news with #goldenvisa
Bloomberg
6 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Portugal Considers Sweetening Incentives for Golden Visa Program
Less than two months after Spain scrapped its golden visa due to concerns about its effect on the housing market, Portugal is considering whether to sweeten its golden visa program and make a special tax regime for expatriates even more attractive. Minister of the Presidency Antonio Leitao Amaro said in an interview that the measures being discussed would aim to bolster foreign investment and lure global talent to Portugal's economy.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Why Golden Visas Are Quietly Making a Comeback
Never miss an episode. Follow The Bloomberg Australia Podcast today. Australia scrapped its version of the golden visa last year, after concerns the scheme was being rorted. Meanwhile, New Zealand has just revamped its own system, and is preparing to welcome wealthy expats with open arms. This week on the podcast, Rebecca Jones speaks to wealth editor Ainsley Thomson in Wellington about why golden visas are making a comeback in some parts of the world and where you can still get one.
Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Times
The end of Spain's golden visa: winners, losers and how to move now
Kelly Scales from East Sussex discovered that she'd been granted a Spanish golden visa just six days after the country's residency-by-investment scheme ended on April 3. Although she had dreamt of moving to Spain for nine years, it was only after selling her short-term rentals business last year that she was able to purchase a property over the €500,000 minimum investment — but it was a rush to beat the deadline. 'In my wildest imagination I never dreamt that I might buy a house on January 1, complete on February 20 and then get my visa in three weeks,' says Scales, 54, whose three-bedroom property is in Competa, a quintessential white village in the mountains, half an hour from the Andalusian coast. 'I've been navigating
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Vietnam To Launch Ten-Year Golden Visa
Sapa, Vietnam. The new Vietnam golden visa program would let travelers stay in the country for up to ten years. getty Vietnam plans to launch a ten-year golden visa program to attract wealthy investors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals to stay in the country. Here's what you need to know about the Vietnam Golden Visa program. Many countries operate golden visa and golden passport programs to increase investment and boost the tourist economy. The distinction between a golden passport and a golden visa lies in their outcomes: passport programs grant immediate citizenship. At the same time, most European Union countries, in particular, primarily offer golden visas that only grant residency, which could lead to citizenship after a few years. A golden passport program refers to Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) initiatives that provide wealthy individuals from third countries a swift route to residency or citizenship in a host nation through financial investment. The required investment varies by country. Golden passports are becoming less common in Europe, particularly after the recent ruling by the EU courts that the Malta golden visa program is illegal. The trend in the EU is to close golden visa programs–Spain recently closed its golden visa program because it was linked to an increase in house prices for locals in large Spanish cities. However, Greece and Portugal are incredibly popular for U.S. travelers looking to live and work long-term in Europe. Many countries are opening their visa offerings in other parts of the world, such as New Zealand and Nauru. The intended golden visa in Vietnam aligns with its broader strategy to boost foreign investment and economic growth, aligning with its rapid development as a global financial hub. Vietnam has a big goal to bring in 23 million tourists in 2025, which could be improved by having more visa choices–its fellow Asian neighbors, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia already have long-stay visa programs. Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors in 2024, but Thailand and Malaysia aim for much higher numbers; Thailand has a 40 million target, and Malaysia saw 26.1 million visitors pre-pandemic, so it is not far off hitting this target again in 2025. Moreover, Thailand and Malaysia are more open to travelers without visas than Vietnam. Vietnam offers visa-free travel to 30 countries, but Thailand offers it to citizens of 93 countries and Malaysia, 158. In March, Vietnam expanded visa-free stays to 45 days for Polish, Czech, and Swiss travelers and extended visa exemptions until 2028 for 12 major markets, such as Japan and South Korea. The results look promising. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, from January to March 2025, the country welcomed over 7.67 million travelers, more than any other quarter on record and 30% above 2024. Most of the country's tourism comes from China, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S., and Japan, but the number of European visitors is growing, mainly from the U.K., France, and Germany. Some see Vietnam's current investor visa program as too restrictive, so the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board is recommending that the government apply the new golden visa program in three kinds of situations: Applications are not yet open, and exact eligibility is not yet finalised. The government expects to pilot the program in larger cities accustomed to receiving foreign travelers, such as Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Industry specialists believe the application process would be entirely digital. The Vietnam golden visa program is a step toward transforming the country into a global hub for investment and tourism by offering long-term residency and simplified application processes. It could be your chance to explore one of Asia's most popular travel destinations as a resident for a prolonged period.
Condé Nast Traveler
15-05-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Vietnam Is Introducing a 10-Year Golden Visa
Travelers who are interested in living among Vietnam's tropical rainforests, bustling street food scenes, and ornate pagodas will be glad to know the Southeast Asian nation is introducing a new golden visa program. The Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board has made a recommendation to the government that the new program have three tiers, according to a report in Financial Express. The first tier is a golden visa, offering a stay of 5 to 10 years with the possibility to then extend for a longer period. The second option is an investor visa, also valid for 10 years, with the option to start the process of becoming a permanent resident after 5 years. The third is a talent visa, which is aimed toward professionals in specific fields and lasts five years with an easy renewal process. The exact eligibility requirements for each of the three new visas have yet to be released. And although applications haven't opened yet, the entire process is expected to be digital, simplifying the paperwork and eliminating the need to visit an embassy in person. Golden visa programs are typically launched to bring more investors and professional expertise to a nation's borders in order to stimulate its economy. Currently, Vietnam has a strong and fast-growing economy, one it is looking to expand even further. The nation has transformed 'from one of the world's poorest countries to a middle-income economy in a single generation,' according to the World Bank. This means it's an attractive place for high-net-worth investors. The country also 'aspires to become a high-income country by 2045,' the World Bank says.
