U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, February 25, proposed a new “gold card” visa for foreign investors, which could be purchased for $5 million (approximately S$6.7 million). This new visa would provide a pathway to American citizenship. Trump’s proposal aims to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which currently requires a minimum investment of $800,000 to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Often referred to as “residence by investment” or “golden visas,” such programs allow high-net-worth individuals to secure temporary or permanent residency in a foreign country in exchange for investment. Trump’s proposal, which would significantly raise the threshold for investment, is seen as a move to attract wealthy investors while potentially tightening immigration regulations.
In the broader context, several countries have similar programs designed to entice foreign investments from affluent individuals. Below is a list of countries that currently offer golden visas:
European Union
• Greece: Offers permanent residence permits to foreign individuals with a minimum real estate investment of 250,000 euros (approximately S$350,850), which must be renewed every five years.
• Malta: Grants citizenship to foreign nationals who contribute at least 600,000 euros to the country’s economic development, after a minimum residence period of 36 months.
• Italy: Provides a residence scheme for foreign investors making significant economic contributions, with investments ranging from 250,000 to two million euros depending on the investment type.
• Cyprus: Requires a minimum investment of 300,000 euros for foreign nationals to gain a golden visa.
Middle East
• United Arab Emirates: Allows foreign nationals to invest a minimum of two million dirhams (S$729,600) to apply for a residence permit, known as the UAE golden visa.
Caribbean
• Dominica: Offers citizenship to those making a minimum contribution of $200,000 to the country’s economy.
• Grenada: Requires a minimum economic contribution of $235,000, with benefits including visa-free travel to several countries, including China, Russia, and the European Union.
• St Kitts and Nevis: Requires a minimum contribution of $250,000, granting full citizenship to applicants and their families.
• Saint Lucia: Offers full citizenship to applicants who contribute a minimum of $240,000 to the country’s economic development.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Requires applicants to make a minimum contribution of $230,000 to qualify for citizenship.
Other Countries
• Thailand: The Thailand Privilege Residence Programme offers residence for up to 20 years with a minimum investment of 650,000 baht (S$25,727), along with privileged services and benefits. Additionally, a 50,000 baht investment allows for long-term residence with tax benefits.
• Indonesia: In 2024, Indonesia introduced a long-term visa scheme for foreign investors contributing up to $10 million, providing a 10-year visa and access to Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Trump’s proposed $5 million golden card visa would place the U.S. at the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to investment requirements for residency. The proposal is still in its early stages, but it signals a shift towards attracting high-net-worth individuals willing to make significant investments in exchange for American citizenship.
