Golden Visas Around th e World
WHAT IS A GOLDEN VISA?
UNITED KINGDOM
EUROPEAN UNION
A golden visa is issued to individuals
The Tier 1 Investment Visa allows the
Golden visas are handled by EU member
who invest a certain amount of money
recipient to obtain temporary residency
states, but residency in an EU member
in the issuing country. The visa can be a
in the UK, for the investor and his or her
country allows one to travel across much
temporary or a permanent residency visa.
immediate family. The UK provides no
of the union without any additional
The most common means of gaining a
direct path to permanent citizenship. The
documentation. Citizenship enables one
golden visa is through the purchase of real
temporary residency lasts three years and
to work or travel within the EU, and even
estate.
four months. Applicants can apply to get
to non-EU countries which have visa-free
this residency extended an additional two
agreements with EU member countries.
The origins of golden visas go back to
years. After five years, investors can apply
Here is a sampling of some of the best
tax havens in the Pacific and Caribbean,
for indefinite leave. This can be shortened
golden visas in the EU:
which initiated investment programmes
with more investment. After six years, a
that allowed for tax advantages and
recipient can apply for British citizenship.
PORTUGAL
visa-free travel. In the early 21st century,
The Tier 1 Investment Visa requires a
Portugal has one of the best golden visa
the number of immigrant investor
minimum investment of £2 000 000.
programmes. It is the original “Golden
programmes has accelerated, with about a quarter of all countries offering these visas.
UNITED STATES
Visa” programme and is actually where Until March 2019, the UK offered the Tier
the name came from! It was launched in
1 UK Entrepreneur Visa. But at that time,
2012 to help bolster the Portuguese real
it was replaced with the Innovator Visa
estate market.
The United States grants permanent
and the Startup Visa. Unlike the previous
U.S. residency through the EB-5 visa to
entrepreneur visa, an applicant must now
A real estate investment of €350 000 is
investors of certain government-approved
provide an original business plan that
required to obtain a residency permit
projects in the U.S. This visa gives a
meets new or existing market needs. The
that allows for a spouse and dependent
recipient the right to live, work, study
applicant must also show they have the
children. You can apply for European
or retire in the U.S. Once the project is
necessary skills, knowledge and market
citizenship after five years. The visa can
complete, the recipient can receive their
experience to be able to run the business.
be renewed every two years as long as the
entire investment back. The visa allows not
applicant spends two weeks in Portugal
only for the residency of the investor but
For a startup visa, no funds are required
every two years. This visa also allows
also their spouse and any children under
to qualify. Recipients can live in the UK
travel to all 26 countries in the Schengen
the age of 21. The required investment for
with their families for two years. The sole
Borders Agreement.
obtaining an EB-5 is $900 000.
focus of the recipient during that time is developing their business. After these
SPAIN
The E2 visa is an alternative to the EB-5
two years are up, a startup visa holder can
Spain began its golden visa programme in
and can be obtained through certain
apply for an innovator visa.
2013. In order to gain residency for a family,
countries which have an E2 treaty with the
a real estate investment of
U.S. The required investment is $500 000,
The innovator visa requires a minimum
€500 000 is required. The visa can be
making it significantly cheaper than an
investment of £50 000. Recipients and
renewed every two years. An applicant
EB-5. An E2 visa can also be faster than an
their families can reside in the UK for
can apply for permanent residency after
EB-5. However, the E2 is a non-immigrant
three years. During these three years, the
five years and citizenship after ten years.
visa so in contrast with the EB-5, obtaining
recipients will be required to focus solely
There is no requirement to live in Spain
an E2 cannot lead to getting a Green Card.
on developing their business. Once the
to retain or renew the residency permit
three years are up, the applicant can apply
but applying for permanent residency or
for an extension to stay another three
citizenship requires you to have actually
years or to take up permanent residence
resided in Spain for five and ten years,
in the UK.
respectively. Like the Portuguese golden visa, with the Spanish golden visa, you can visit all 26 countries in the Schengen Borders Agreement.
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