U.S. could join 10 lower ranked states to offer golden visas
The U.S. is ranked top of the heap for its economic power, and we are ranked at the top for both importing goods and exporting products.We are also ranked at the top for global economic influence, innovation and finance with a commanding position amongst the global markets.
Here are the significantly lower rankings of other countries who need to offer incentives for foreign investment.
Program: Permanent Residence Permit.
Investment: €250,000 ($262,800) in real estate.
Renewal: Every five years.
Economy: Greece has a diversified economy with a strong focus on tourism, shipping, and agriculture. It ranks as the 51st largest economy in the world by GDP.
Global ranking:
GDP: $327 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Greece's economy has been recovering since the financial crisis, showing positive growth rates in recent years.
International ranking: Greece ranks
30th in the world for tourism (important for its economy) and
22nd in global shipping.
Program: Citizenship.
Investment: €600,000 ($630,000) for 36 months of residence.
Benefit: Grants full citizenship.
Economy: Malta's economy is highly service-oriented, focusing on finance, tourism, and IT. It ranks as the 127th largest economy by GDP globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $17.6 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Malta has one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, driven by technology, tourism, and investment services.
International ranking: Malta is ranked 1st in Europe for its GDP growth rate in recent years.
Program: Investor Visa.
Investment: €250,000 to €2 million, depending on the type of investment.
Benefit: Visa-free access to Schengen Area.
Economy: Italy has a diverse and industrial economy, with significant sectors in manufacturing (especially luxury goods), automotive, and agriculture. It ranks as the 8th largest economy globally by GDP.
Global ranking:
GDP: $2.1 trillion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Italy's economy is large but faces long-term stagnation issues, particularly in southern regions.
International ranking: Italy is 4th in Europe for GDP and is a leading economy in the luxury and fashion industries.
Program: Golden Visa.
Investment: €300,000 ($315,000).
Benefit: Grants residence.
Economy: Cyprus's economy is driven by services, particularly financial services, tourism, and shipping. It ranks as the 118th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $27.4 billion (2023 estimate) .
Growth: Cyprus has experienced strong economic recovery post-2013, largely due to banking reforms and the expansion of its services sector.
International ranking: Cyprus is ranked as
22nd globally in shipping and
35th in financial services.
Program: UAE Golden Visa.
Investment: 2 million dirhams ($544,602).
Benefit: Grants a residence permit.
Economy: The UAE has a highly diversified economy, with oil, tourism, aviation, and real estate contributing significantly. It ranks as the 32nd largest economy globally by GDP.
Global ranking:
GDP: $501 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: The UAE economy is one of the fastest growing in the Gulf region, thanks to diversification efforts, particularly in tourism and real estate.
International ranking: UAE is ranked
1st in the Middle East for economic diversification and
16th globally for ease of doing business.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $200,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: Dominica's economy is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services. It ranks as the 165th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $0.6 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Dominica has been growing at a modest rate, with significant improvements in tourism and services.
International ranking: Dominica is ranked 5th in the Caribbean for tourism growth.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $235,000.
Benefit: Visa-free travel to Grenada, China, Russia, Singapore, Britain, and Schengen Area.
Economy: Grenada has a small, open economy, focused on agriculture (especially spices), tourism, and services. It ranks as the 170th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $1.3 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Tourism and agriculture are key sectors, with growth driven by these industries.
International ranking: Grenada is ranked 6th in the Caribbean for tourism and has access to significant markets like China and Russia.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $250,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: The economy relies on tourism, agriculture, and increasingly on financial services. It ranks as the 175th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $1.0 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Economic growth is driven by tourism, sugar, and increasing offshore financial services.
International ranking: St. Kitts is ranked 4th in the Caribbean for its banking and finance services.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $240,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: Dominated by tourism, agriculture, and services, Saint Lucia has a small but growing economy. It ranks as the 171st largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $2.2 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: The country has made strides in improving its tourism infrastructure.
International ranking: Saint Lucia is ranked 3rd in the Caribbean for tourism.
Program: Citizenship by Investment.
Investment: $230,000.
Benefit: Full citizenship for the applicant and family.
Economy: Antigua and Barbuda has a tourism-driven economy, supplemented by agriculture and financial services. It ranks as the 162nd largest economy globally.
Global Ranking:
GDP: $1.7 billion (2023 estimate) .
Growth: Economic growth is primarily driven by tourism and related services.
International ranking: Antigua is ranked 2nd in the Caribbean for its tourism growth.
Program: Thailand Privilege Residence Program.
Investment: 650,000 baht ($19,299).
Benefit: Residence for up to 20 years, access to privileged services.
Program: Long Term Residence Program.
Investment: 50,000 baht ($1,453).
Benefit: Residence and work for up to 10 years, reduced administrative requirements.
Economy: Thailand has a well-diversified economy, with strong sectors in manufacturing, agriculture, and services, including tourism. It ranks as the 26th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $568 billion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Thailand has a moderately growing economy, with manufacturing and tourism driving growth.
International ranking: Thailand is ranked
9th globally in automotive manufacturing and
is 1st in Southeast Asia for tourism.
Program: Long-Term Visa (Launched 2024).
Investment: Up to $10 million.
Benefit: 10-year visa and access to Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Economy: Indonesia's economy is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, with significant contributions from natural resources, manufacturing, and agriculture. It ranks as the 17th largest economy globally.
Global ranking:
GDP: $1.3 trillion (2023 estimate).
Growth: Indonesia's economy is growing steadily, with a booming middle class and strong export sectors.
International ranking: Indonesia is ranked
5th globally in production of palm oil and
1st in Southeast Asia for GDP.
Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8
The era of golden visas is upon us.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
Millionaire migration is booming — these are the top 10 countries attracting the world's wealthy in 2025
The world's richest people are on the move — and they're heading for safe havens with tax perks, top-tier schools, and investor-friendly policies. According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, roughly 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate globally in 2025. The provisional net inflow figures are based on data and expert insights gathered between January and May, with final totals expected to be published next year once full-year data becomes available. The report — produced in partnership with global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth — reveals the top destination countries attracting high-net-worth individuals and the vast sums of investable wealth they bring with them. The analysis draws on a blend of data sources, including property and company registries, LinkedIn activity, family office locations, and Henley & Partners' own client base, to track the global movement of over 150,000 HNWIs. To estimate the total wealth migrating to each country, analysts multiply the number of incoming millionaires by the average net worth of HNWIs relocating there — a figure that varies significantly between markets. "2025 marks a pivotal moment," Dominic Volek, the head of private clients at Henley & Partners, an investment migration consultancy, told Business Insider. "A record-breaking 142,000 millionaires are projected to relocate internationally, and for the first time in a decade of tracking, a European country — the UK — leads the world in millionaire outflows," he said. "It reflects a deepening perception among the wealthy that greater opportunity, freedom, and stability lie elsewhere." The top 10 countries gaining the most millionaires in 2025 UAE United States Italy Switzerland Saudi Arabia Singapore Portugal Greece Canada Australia The United Arab Emirates tops the list, set to gain a net 9,800 millionaires, followed by the United States with 7,500 and Italy with 3,600. These countries are among the 10 projected to welcome the highest numbers of HNWIs in 2025 — a trend that could reshape real estate markets, entrepreneurship, and job creation in their economies. Each of these countries offers a unique mix of tax incentives, lifestyle perks, and residency-by-investment pathways. "The UAE has evolved from a regional hub to a global wealth nexus through comprehensive policy innovation," said Volek. Its "zero income tax, world-class infrastructure, political stability, and regulatory framework," and its 2019 Golden Visa program — refined in 2022 — "have created a compelling proposition." The program offers five- and ten-year visa options tied to property and business investments, making it one of the most flexible globally. In the US, despite economic headwinds and growing political uncertainty, opportunity remains the key draw. "The USA is still attracting record numbers of HNWIs in 2025," Volek said, "with strong inflows coming from Asia, Latin America, and the UK." He described Florida as "especially popular" and Silicon Valley as keeping the world's top spot for wealthy tech entrepreneurs. He added that while some older millionaires are leaving for retirement-friendly destinations, inbound interest far outweighs outflows. Italy, now a rising star in wealth migration, is proving popular with HNWIs from France, the UK, and Switzerland. " Italy has relatively competitive tax rates when compared to other major countries in Europe," especially in estate duties — just 4% compared to over 30% in countries like France, Germany, and Spain. Switzerland, ever-popular with the ultrawealthy, is seeing new inflows from the UK and Scandinavia. "Zug, Geneva, and Lugano all remain very popular destinations," Volek noted, "whilst Zurich seems to be losing its appeal." Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is the year's surprise breakout. The Gulf state is "boosted by strong inflows from the UK, North Africa, and the Middle East," particularly from Saudi-born HNWIs returning from the UK, Volek said. Singapore is seeing a smaller-than-usual inflow as wealthy expats increasingly opt for newer financial hubs. "Family office growth has slowed in Singapore over the past year," Volek said, adding that there is a trend of HNWIs leaving Singapore and moving to the UAE, especially in the financial services sector. Portugal and Greece continue their ascent, driven by lifestyle appeal, tax perks, and successful investment migration programs. "In Portugal, Lisbon and the Algarve are extremely popular," said Volek, while "the Athenian Riviera and the Greek Islands are tops in Greece." "Southern Europe is fast emerging as a new center of gravity for wealth migration in the region." Canada and Australia, while still in the top 10, are showing signs of saturation. These traditional safe havens are recording "the lowest inflows on record," said Volek. The UK and China are seeing the biggest millionaire outflows While some countries are booming, others are bleeding wealth. The UK is projected to see a net outflow of 16,500 millionaires — the largest of any country — followed by China and India, whose respective outflows stand at 7,800 and 3,500. " Several European countries are starting to lose large numbers of HNWIs to migration in 2025, led by the UK, France, and Spain," said Volek. "Also, Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden are all beginning to see significant wealth outflows in 2025, which is a worrying sign for Europe in general." "Millionaires are typically among the first to relocate when conditions deteriorate," the New World Wealth report states — making migration flows a leading indicator of future economic risks. Why millionaire migration matters HNWIs don't just bring wealth — they often create it. Many are entrepreneurs or investors who inject capital into local markets, buy property, and fund startups. According to New World Wealth, about 15% of migrating millionaires are founders, with the figure rising to over 60% among centi-millionaires and billionaires. "If one reviews the world's fastest-growing wealth markets over the past decade, it is noticeable that most of these countries have investment migration pathways and have been heavily aided by inward wealth migration," Volek said. But long-term success goes beyond visas, according to Volek; it's the combination of favorable tax policy, political stability, strong institutions, and quality of life that helps nations truly attract and retain global wealth. And what Volek called the "great wealth migration" is set to "accelerate," he said. "Its trajectory will be shaped by how effectively nations address the complex mix of economic, political, and lifestyle factors that drive these decisions, with investment migration serving as one element in broader competitive strategies for attracting and retaining global wealth."
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Entrepreneur
UAE Opens Golden Visa Path to Investors Without Sponsorship
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a significant move to attract global talent and long-term investment, the United Arab Emirates has simplified the process for investors to obtain the coveted Golden Visa—now available without the need for a local sponsor. The announcement, made by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), outlines a streamlined, eight-step application procedure aimed at facilitating business and economic growth. Previously, the 10-year Golden Residency Visa often required backing by a company or government entity. Under the new system, investors and business owners can apply independently, making the UAE even more attractive to international entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals seeking stability, access to regional markets, and tax advantages. Applicants must provide proof of a minimum AED 2 million investment in the country through real estate, business capital, or public projects. They are also required to submit supporting documents, such as audited financial statements and proof of income, alongside a valid passport. The revised pathway is part of the UAE's broader efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a global business hub. By removing barriers to long-term residency, authorities hope to retain top talent, boost local investment, and encourage innovation in sectors like technology, finance, and renewable energy. Since its inception in 2019, the Golden Visa has been a cornerstone of the UAE's residency reform strategy. Expanding eligibility and easing procedural constraints signals a deeper commitment to economic openness and global competitiveness. Investors can initiate their application online through the ICP portal, with most approvals expected within a few weeks, pending background and security checks. With this policy shift, the UAE reinforces its image not just as a transit economy—but as a destination for long-term investment and high-impact entrepreneurship.
Forbes
25-07-2025
- Forbes
Golden Visa: Where You Can Buy Residence Permits
This illustration picture taken on June 11, 2025 shows a person looking at the new website for the ... More planned $5 million US residency permit on a smartphone and on a laptop in Los Angeles. President Donald Trump touted a new website for his planned $5 million US residency permit on June 11, saying the waiting list for the golden visa has opened on (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) After its unveiling in April and a highly popular waitlist launch in June, the Trump administration's proposed golden visa program seems to be stalling. Named 'the Gold Card' and later 'the Trump Card', it promises U.S. residency to wealthy individuals for a $5 million investment in the country. While Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the card would be made from real precious metal, all that glitters is not gold for the project that reportedly lacks legal grounding and faces an uncertain future. President Donald Trump said in April on board the Air Force One that a launch was less than two weeks away. However, by the end of July, no news on the topic has been shared and no law has been introduced in Congress despite almost 70,000 waitlist entries reportedly having been creating in less than a week after the launch of on June 11. Experts interviewed on the topic by CNBC have raised legal concerns surrounding the program. While Trump said he wanted to replace the current EB-5 program, which ties residency to the creation of an approximately $1 million new business, this would require unlikely Congressional approval. Another major issue is the U.S. tax code that taxes global income, which is not attractive for immigrant investors. Trump said he wants this changed, which again would be a major hurdle. This chart shows countries with residence-by-investment or similar schemes (as of Jul 2025). At the same time, interest in the U.S. golden visa is still very high as several similar programs in Europe have recently shut down in Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands while more were tightened amid government changes and criticism of the concept. The U.S. proposal has also supposedly received increased interest in light of Trump's threat to abolish birthright citizenship—yet another proposal marred in legal issues. Just this Thursday, a federal appeals court handed Trump a defeat in the matter, saying that the executive order on the topic was unconstitutional. Data by law firm Henley & Partners shows which golden visa or comparable schemes continue to exist for wealthy people around the world. Some of the most prolific include remaining ones inside the European Union, giving access to a Schengen visa. Countries currently offering golden visas in the EU include Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. The United Arab Emirates have also become a popular destination for wealthy immigrants and offer a similar program. As the data shows, countries in the English-speaking world, including the U.S. itself, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, have so far only offered more restrictive options, giving residency to certain high-profile business founders who want to start operations in critical sectors or can create a certain number of jobs. Investments Ranges Differ While types of investor visas differ, so do investment sums and how they are paid. Buying real estate is one popular option, but most golden visa countries offer several different options to secure a residence permit, including starting or investing in a business, investing in stocks or bonds locally or making a direct contribution to the government. In the EU, investment sums typically range between $250,000 and $500,000, with Latvia the outlier at just $60,000. Non-EU nations Serbia and Montenegro have been trying to get in on the southern European golden visa boom and are offering residency for any real estate purchase or if an applicant wants to start a business in the country and shell out the annual cost associated with it. Beyond Europe, investment sums can be lower starting at $50,000 in Mauritius, $100,000 in Panama and $150,000 in Costa Rica. Nations including Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, Monaco and Uruguay also allow financially independent people to live within their countries. Finally, some places including Switzerland and Thailand want immigrant investors to benefit them more directly. The Swiss visa is tied to a minimum $250,000 annual tax contribution, while Thailand charges directly for its so-called Privilege Residence Program, starting at $25,000 for five years. While the cost is low in comparison, the program is not directly tied to a permanent residency. Charted by Statista
