Golden Visa Programmes for Indians

Golden visa programs have become a trend in investment immigration. Though immigration policies across the world become stringent, these programs serve the purpose for its investors by providing either residency or citizenship in exchange for financial investments. Originally appealing to investors from China and Russia, as well as the Middle East, golden visas have now found acceptance among people from all over the world.

Residency by investment schemes offer temporary or permanent residency to successful applicants. In return for the so-defined financial requirements, they may buy property, invest in some business, or deposit funds with the state. Such generous conditions of residence become a focus for those desiring global mobility and another life alternative.

What is a Golden Visa?

Golden visas are programs that allow residency rights in a foreign place in exchange for a comprehensive set of financial investments. In other words, full citizenship is available through citizenship-by-investment schemes, even though golden visa schemes only allow residency. Investors getting golden visas can reside in, work, study, and have access to healthcare facilities in their selected destination. 

Several countries offer golden visa programs as part of their investment-based permanent residency and citizenship initiatives, with different investment opportunities meant to suit the various family and financial contingencies present.

So, how much is the minimum capital requirement for golden visa programs in various countries? Henley & Partners has produced a directory of investment migration programs, including minimum capital requirements:

European Residence by Investment Programs 

American Residence by Investment Programs 

Asian Residence by Investment Programs

Oceanian Residence by Investment Program 

African Residence by Investment Program 

Middle Easter Residence by Investment Program 

Golden passports entail citizenship by investment, thereby conferring full citizenship rights and, frequently, access to regional economic zones. For the European Union, Malta’s scheme grants investors mobility to all EU member states in relation to residence, work, and study. By contrast, in the Caribbean, competitors such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada are offering investment options starting from about $200,000.

European Citizenship by Investment Programs 

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs 

Oceanian Citizenship by Investment Program

African Citizenship by Investment Program

Middle Eastern Citizenship by Investment Program

Golden Visa Benefits

Unpredictable and rapidly changing world events develop in getting the most rationally wealthy people to make such arrangements for themselves and their families that would secure them in times of uncertainty. However, at the same time expand their horizons when it comes to international businesses or lifestyle options. 

For wealthy individuals seeking to safeguard their wealth and increase their global mobility, gold visa programs act as an escape route. Such schemes provide protection against economic and political vulnerability and thus serve as viable options in these uncertain times.

Through a golden visa, then, such high net worths become residents of economically advantageous jurisdictions with full residential rights to matters such as employment, education, and healthcare in the particular country where he is.

Some Available Golden Visa Programmes for Indians

ET reports that despite really stringent regulations, several golden visa schemes are still available to Indian investors:

1. Portugal still offers residency for investments in qualified funds, research projects in science, or business development initiatives.
2. The minimum real estate investment threshold in Greece has increased to €400,000 in its national upgrading program. An alternative would allow interested applicants to invest in local startups with a minimum amount of €250,000.
3. Spain’s golden visa remains valid for earlier investors with applications submitted before the end of 2025, despite plans to discontinue the scheme.
4. Malta continues to provide a citizenship-by-investment option, subject to a thorough background check.
5. Passports-there are about eight Caribbean countries, such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Saint Lucia, which allow you to earn these great investments starting at $200,000.
6. India continues to have the opportunity to benefit from the UAE’s golden visa program, which allows professionals in the aforementioned sectors, such as health care, technology, and business, to apply.
7. Singapore has a globally recognized investment program for global investors. Though it is notably not a golden visa program, it awards permanent residence status through considerable investments in local businesses.

Trump’s Gold Card

As an alternate proposal to the existing EB-5 visa scheme, former U.S. President Donald Trump has envisioned something he calls the “gold card” program. Under this plan, residency rights alongside possible citizenship would be granted in exchange for a $5 million investment.

Unlike the current EB-5 program, the proposed scheme involves direct payments to the U.S. government to help address the national debt. This would be an option for Indian investors stuck in decades-long queues for an employment-based green card.