What Is Golden Visa? Which Countries Issue It? Know How You Can Get Citizenship Or Residency Via Investment In US, European Countries

A golden visa is an immigration program some countries offer that enables people to get citizenship or residency in such nations in exchange for substantial financial contributions or donations. The golden visa is a permit that grants citizens and their dependent family members the right to permanent residence in a nation. The most common foundations for Golden Visa schemes are real estate acquisition, investment fund subscription, capital transfer, or donation.

Having a golden visa comes with many benefits, including a wider range of commercial interests, opportunities for international investment, and a more extensive network of business contacts. It facilitates links, collaborations, and the growth of multinational businesses by giving access to a wider global network. The top nations that provide the Golden Visa are listed below.

The UAE's Dubai Golden Visa plan offers a 5-year residency program with a minimum investment of AED 5 million and a 10-year residency program with a minimum investment of AED 10 million.

Singapore Golden Visa applicants can qualify if they invest at least SGD 2.5 million in new or existing businesses, single-family offices, or approved funds in Singapore.

Investors can apply for a Tier-1 visa in the UK, the minimum investment for which is £2000,000. Investors can then apply for British citizenship after a few years.

One must contribute a minimum of CAD 1.2 million to bonds through Canada's well-known Quebec Immigrant Investor Program to be eligible, and after three years, one may seek citizenship.

Investors must make a direct investment in the nation to qualify for the visa; that is, they must put €10 million into a business or €3 million into a government fund.

Anyone who can show documentation of annual tax payments between CHF 150,000 and CHF 1 million is eligible for Switzerland's golden visa program. 

To get an Italian Golden Visa, you can investment in €250,000 in an innovative start-up, €500,000 in a limited company, €2,000,000 in government bonds, or €1,000,000 in philanthropic donation.

Applying for a Bulgarian Golden Visa requires purchasing bonds worth at least €512,000. After that, to obtain citizenship, one must double their investment within 18 months.