1 / 12US President Donald Trump recently suggested the possibility of substituting a current visa program for foreign investors with a “gold card” that could be purchased for $5 million nearly ₹44 crore, which will offer high-net-worth Individuals (HNIs) a pathway to American citizenship. While its unsure, reports suggest that Trump may replace the current “EB-5” immigrant investor programme, which mandates a minimum investment of $800,000 (around ₹7 crore) for obtaining “residence by investment”. Similar “Golden Visas” are offered by multiple countries that provide residency to individuals who can invest large sums to acquire temporary or permanent residency. Here is a list of major countries that offer similar golden visas to attract investments from wealthy individuals and check how much it costs. (Image: Reuters)
2 / 12Country: Greece | Visa type: Residency by real estate investment | Cost: $262,800 (₹7.3 crore) | In the European Union, Greece Introduced a programme in 2013 that allows foreign individuals to obtain permanent residence permits in Greece. These permits require a minimum real estate investment and must be renewed every five years.(Image: Reuters)
3 / 12Country: Malta | Visa type: Visa by investments: Cost: $6,230,000 (₹5.45 crore) | Malta Grants citizenship to foreign individuals who contribute to the country’s economic development. It Requires individuals to contribute at least 600,000 euros for a minimum residence period of 36 months.
4 / 12Country: Italy | Visa type: Residency by investments | Cost: Depends between $260,000 to $2.3 million (₹2.7 crore to ₹17 crore) | The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the country’s economy, granting them Italian residence and visa-free access to Europe’s open-border Schengen area. It requires a minimum investment ranging from $260,000 to $2.3 million, depending on the risk associated with the investment.(Image: Shutterstock)
5 / 12Country: Cyprus | Visa type: Golden visa by investments | Cost: $310,000 (₹2.7 crore) | The golden visas is offered to foreign nationals who have invested a minimum of $310,000. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 12Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Visa type: Residency by investment | Cost: $544,602 (₹4.7 crore) | The UAE allows foreign nationals to make a minimum investment of 2 million dirhams ($544,602) into the Gulf country and apply for a residence permit, also known as a UAE golden visa. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
7 / 12Country: Dominica | Visa type: Residency by investment | Cost: $200,000 (₹1.7 crore) | Located in the Caribbean, Dominica requires individuals to make a minimum economic contribution of $200,000 to the country. In exchange, applicants and their families are granted full citizenship. (Image: Reuters)
8 / 12Country: Grenada | Visa type: Residency by investment | Cost: $235,000 (around ₹2 crore) | Another country in the Caribbean, Grenada requires applicants to make a minimum economic contribution of $235,000 (around ₹2 crore) to the country. It visa individuals to travel to Grenada, China, Russia, Singapore, Britain and Europe’s Schengen Area, among others. (Image: Reuters)
9 / 12Country: St Kitts and Nevis | Visa type: Citizenship by investment | Cost: $250,000 (₹2.18 crore) | Established in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation requires applicants to make a minimum economic contribution of $250,000 to the country. In exchange, they and their families are granted full citizenship. (Image: Reuters)
10 / 12Country: Saint Lucia | Visa type: Citizenship by Investment | Cost: $240,000 (around ₹2 crore | Under the programme applicants are required to make a minimum economic contribution of $240,000 (around ₹2 crore to the country. In exchange, and subject to a stringent application process and due diligence checks, the applicants and their families are granted full citizenship. (Image: Reuters)
11 / 12Country: Antigua and Barbuda | Visa type: Citizenship by investments | Cost: $230,000 | To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age and have made a minimum contribution of $230,000. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
12 / 12Country: Thailand | Visa type: Privilege Residence | Thailand grants applicants the right to residence for up to 20 years and access to privileged services and benefits with a minimum investment of 650,000 baht ($19,299). Additionally, for a minimum investment of 50,000 baht, it offers the Long Term Residence Program which allows individuals to live and work in the country for up to 10 years with reduced administrative requirements and tax benefits. (Image: Shutterstock)
