The World’s Ten Most Expensive Golden Visas

Recently, Donald Trump announced his plan for a Gold Card program requiring a minimum donation of $5 million, which would dwarf the $800,000 + administrative costs of an EB-5 Visa (regional center option). That price tag seemed bewildering to many, with Kristin Surak noting this to be the “most expensive Golden Visa option in the world.”

That begs the question: Where would Donald Trump’s Gold Card rank among the world’s biggest investment migration programs?

The World’s Top Ten Most Expensive Investment Migration Programs (in USD)

Number 10: Québec Immigrant Investor Program – $871,000

Québec reopened the immigrant investor program in January 2023 after suspension from 2019. This program runs an investment of a total of $871,000, only $725,000 being the investment to Investissement Québec for five years at 0% interest and the remaining $146,000 as a fee through a financial intermediary.

Applicants are required to work through approved financial intermediaries, which have a great variance in the actual upfront outlay; but this article attempts to reference the upfront investment sums. Québec’s program beats out the EB-5 visa ($800,000) by only about $70,000 to make it the world’s tenth most expensive investor citizenship-by-investment program.

The program now has more selective requirements:

1. Level 7 proficiency in the French language
2. Secondary-school-level education
3. Twelve months of residency in Québec in the span of two years after getting a work permit

Number 9: Seychelles Investor Permanent Residence Program – $1 million

The Seychelles will grant permanent residency to individuals investing a minimum of $1 million in any new or pre-existing local practice. The applicants require at least five years of business connection with Seychelles and at least a five-year life within this country under a valid permit.

Investors are obliged to maintain their original capital during the period they hold the title and extend evidence of business expenditure to the government. Once issued the Permanent Residence Permit, the applicants must stand financial independence for one year. Residing individuals may seek approval for citizenship after 11 consecutive years.

Number 8: El Salvador Freedom Passport Program – $1 million

The Freedom Passport program opens one avenue in El Salvador for obtaining citizenship, requiring a one-time payment worth $1 million in either USD or Bitcoin. The program is open to selected sectors within the application guidelines, which limit the annual count to 1000 beneficiaries and promises to process applications within an interval of four to six weeks.

Program applicants constitute mainly members of the Bitcoin community and others in the entrepreneurial world and serve to inform the country’s commitment to the first-ever official integration of Bitcoin as a legal tender. The applicants are asked to pay an initial non-refundable application fee of $999 and an extra $999 per family member for family applications, which includes a background check. There are no residency requirements in the program.

Number 7: Saudi Arabia Premium Residency – $1.1 million

Surely deserving recognition: Saudi Arabia has stepped onto the GCC Golden Visa bandwagon and, in a matter of no time, immediately offers permanent residence through its Premium Residency Investor Visa program.

Investors are given two specific pathways to citizenship:

1. Purchasing residential real estate worth SAR 4 million ($1.1 million)
2. Investing SAR 7 million ($1.9 million) in Saudi business activities

Under the real estate route, applicants have the option of investing in existing properties free and clear of all mortgages or financing. The value must be certified by a Saudi appraiser. As for the business investment route, licensing requirements necessitate an investment license as well as the employment of at least ten people in Saudi Arabia.

Applicants are not required to physically reside in the country and can obtain residency rights in about one month.

Number 6: Citizenship by Investment Program in Samoa – $1.42 million

Samoa offers citizenship to applicants who are willing to invest SAT$4 million ($1.42m) over a three-year term in qualifying sectors. To apply, one must show a net worth of SAT$2.5 million and spend at least 15 days per year in the country.

Available investment sectors include:

1. Tourism
2. Agriculture
3. Fish processing
4. Information technology
5. Renewable energy
6. Government sector development

Samoa looks at applications within two to three months and grants immediate permanent residency upon approval.

Number 5: Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate Program – $2.5 million

Bermuda stipulates that a minimum of $2.5 million should be placed in qualifying investments to receive a five-year provisional permit for residency.

Investment options:

1. Licensed residential or commercial real estate
2. Bermuda government bonds
3. The Bermuda Sinking Fund
4. Local charities
5. New or existing businesses in Bermuda

Applicants must be physically present for a minimum of 90 days a year and are entitled to apply for British Overseas Territories citizenship after five years.

Number 4: New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa – $2.85 million

New Zealand has transformed its immigration system and investor visa, which now offers four investment options, with an investment of $2.85 million for direct investments or managed funds.

The key change is that investors need to spend only 21 days per annum in New Zealand to retain their residency status. The government has also removed the English language requirement.

Number 3: Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme – $3.84 million

Applicants must invest an actual investment of HK$30 million ($3.84 million) into Hong Kong before obtaining residency, with a pathway to permanent status after seven years.

Investment breakdown:

1. HK$10 million to the government-managed portfolio
2. HK$27 million in qualifying investment assets

Number 2: US Gold Card (Proposed) – $5 million

Trump’s proposed Gold Card assures US residency with a potential path to citizenship, circumventing Congress by framing it as an immigration visa rather than direct citizenship. Experts debate its feasibility, but if implemented, it would be the second most expensive Golden Visa in the world.

Number 1: Singapore Global Investor Plan (GIP) – $7.78 million

Singapore’s GIP requires investors to:

1. Hold shares worth at least $7.78 million in a business
2. Invest $19.4 million in an approved GIP fund
3. Set up a Single-Family Office with $155.6 million in assets and invest $38.9 million

Permanent residency is granted within six months, and investors can apply for citizenship after two years, though dual citizenship is not allowed.

Conclusion

The resilience of these programs speaks for themselves, given the high cost, against the backdrop of the world’s wealthy, ever-persistent pursuit of mobility.

Singapore remains the most expensive, valuing financial stability and governance at a premium. Meanwhile, Trump’s Gold Card program positions America as an expensive but potentially lucrative option for global investors.