Imagine being able to travel to Greece without worrying about getting a Schengen visa, or heading to New York without the year-long US visa wait time. Select individuals around the world enjoy this enviable access, all thanks to their golden visas, which offer either citizenship or residency by investment. This is a visa that’s offered to vetted, qualified individuals—typically high-net-worth individuals like investors, entrepreneurs or people with specialised talents, as defined by the host country—in return for a specific amount of investment in the host country. People who hold this visa can then relocate to the host country and enjoy all the legal rights that a resident of the country would.
While some countries, like Portugal, Ireland and Cyprus, have suspended their Golden Visa programs over concerns of an increased risk of money laundering and criminal activity, others continue to offer the privileged visa. Over time, golden visas have become something of a status symbol, given the access and mobility they allow the ultra-rich. The European archipelago of Malta is among the most popular and most expensive golden visa destinations, with a minimum investment requirement of 738,000 euros (about 6.5 crores). The list also includes countries like Greece and Italy, as well as Türkiye and the UAE—the latter featuring Indian takers like Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and Odisha-born artist Mona Biswarupa Mohanty. Here’s a list of 20 major countries offering golden visas:
Austria
Citizenship by investment:
Investment: No specified minimum investment, you must make a “substantial contribution to the Austrian economy”
What you get: EU citizenship
Residence by investment:
Investment: EUR 40,000 (about Rs35.5 lakhs) in liquid funds
What you get: The right of free movement to Austria, the rest of the EU, and Europe’s Schengen Area
Malta
Investment: EUR 738,000 (about Rs6.5 crores)
What you get: The right to live and own a home in Malta
Türkiye
Investment: $400,000 (about Rs3.2 crores)
What you get: Free movement to Türkiye, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore
Greece
Investment: EUR 250,000 (about Rs2.2 crores)
What you get: Free movement to Greece and Europe’s Schengen Area
Italy
Investment: EUR 250,000 (about Rs2.2 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in Italy
Netherlands
Investment: EUR 1.25 million (about Rs11 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in the Netherlands
Spain
Investment: EUR 500,000 (about Rs4.4 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study in Spain, and free movement to the EU and Europe’s Schengen Area
Switzerland
Investment: CHF 250,000 in annual taxes (Rs2.2 crores)
What you get: The right to live and study in Switzerland
United Kingdom
Investment: Demonstrate sufficient investment funds to start and grow their business and have a business plan that has been endorsed and approved by the Home Office.
What you get: The right to live, work, and study anywhere in the United Kingdom
Australia
Investment: AUD 2.5 million (about Rs13 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in Australia
Hong Kong
Investment: Applicants must complete a points-based test under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
What you get: Eligible to apply for permanent residence after seven years
Malaysia
Investment: MYR 1 million (about Rs1.7 crores)
What you get: Long-term multiple-entry visas enabling the applicants and their families to live in Malaysia
New Zealand
Investment: NZD 5 million (about Rs25 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in New Zealand
Singapore
Investment: SGD 10 million (about Rs60 crores)
What you get: Eligibility for citizenship after two years of permanent residence
Thailand
Investment: THB 600,000 (about Rs13.2 lakhs)
What you get: Long-term, privilege multiple-entry permit and complimentary services like a personal assistant for international flights and lounge access
USA
Investment: USD 800,000 (about Rs6.5 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in the USA
Canada
Investment: Propose an innovative, scaling start-up business, approved by a designated organisation
What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in Canada
Mauritius
Investment: USD 375,000 (about Rs3 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and retire in Mauritius
UAE
Investment: AED 2 million (about Rs4.45 crores)
What you get: The right to live in any of the seven Emirates of the UAE
Jordan
Investment: USD 750,000 (about Rs6 crores)
What you get: The right to live, work, and study in Jordan