A Golden Visa is an investment visa or residence permit granted by certain countries to attract foreign direct investment and wealthy individuals.
Criteria for Approval:
- Applicants must make substantial real estate or other financial investments in the host country, typically €500,000-2,000,000.
- Property purchase, company shareholder status, deposit accounts, investment funds are common qualifying investment avenues.
Benefits:
Visa holders gain residency rights and can reside long-term or permanently. Dependents are also covered. Some programs provide citizenship paths after years of residency.
Participating Nations:
Countries including Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, and some Eastern European and Caribbean nations operate Golden Visa initiatives to stimulate their economies.
Example Impact:
By obtaining a Portuguese Golden Visa, the Hong Kong businessman acceded to EU travel freedoms and tax advantages while diversifying business interests across borders through new property acquisitions.