What is a Golden Visa and Where Can You Still Get One?

A Golden visa is typically a residence permit offered by various countries for foreigners who make a significant investment. Citizens of countries such as China, Russia, and the Middle East often choose a Golden visa to migrate to countries such as US or Europe. Although governments impose different rules and regulations to control illegal immigration, many countries, such as US allow wealthy people to have residency and sometimes even citizenship by purchasing the ‘Golden Visa’.

This Story also Contains

1. What is a Golden Visa?
2. Which Countries Offer the Golden Visa Program?
3. How to Apply for a Golden Visa?
4. What are the Benefits of a Golden Visa?
5. Why is the Golden Visa Popular Now in 2025?

The cost of purchasing a golden visa might vary depending on the country; however, obtaining a golden visa requires the investment of hefty amounts, which eventually allow visa holders to live, work, and study in the host country. For instance, Trump has proposed a $5 million "gold card" in US. Also, other countries, including New Zealand, have revamped their visa policies in 2025 to attract wealthy individuals who can obtain legal residency status, allowing them to live, pursue employment, education and access in exchange for heavy investment, particularly in real estate or other business ventures.

With time, purchasing a golden visa is consistently becoming challenging for prospective foreigners who seek to live in Western Europe or the US. One of the major concerns raised by the authorities is related to the misuse of Golden visa programs through corruption and fraudulent activities. It is often debated that selling residency or citizenship through Golden cards questions fairness and favors wealthy individuals.

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What is a Golden Visa?

A Golden visa, which is also termed residence by investment, is one of the simplest paths for wealthy individuals to gain either residency or citizenship in a foreign country. It allows the gold cardholders to freely live and work there. Here, financial investment might be related to real estate (buying houses or buildings) or investing in a business. The highest number of golden visas are often obtained by the citizens of China, Russia, and Middle Eastern countries seeking migration in US and other Western European countries.

Recently, the US has also announced the golden visas for wealthy individuals who want to live in US. According to Trump's latest plan, a gold card offers residency and citizenship in US in exchange for an investment of $5 million in the country. Now that we know what is Golden Visa, it's time to decide which country is suitable and where to invest.

Which Countries Offer the Golden Visa Program?

There are Numerous countries that offer Golden visa programs for willing individuals who are seeking migration. Portugal, Greece, US, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, and Italy have among the most popular golden visa programs. The cost of obtaining a golden visa might vary from country to country. Here are the popular countries which offer the golden visa for foreigners:

Golden Visa Countries

• USA

• Greece

• Italy

• Dominica

• Citizenship

• UAE/Dubai

• Malta

• Cyprus

• Spain

• Turkey

• Malaysia

• Mauritius

• Canada

• Costa Rica

• Hungary

• Latvia

How to Apply for a Golden Visa?

Obtaining a golden visa is quite easy for individuals who are eligible as per the required terms and conditions. Individuals are required to follow simple steps in order to complete the golden visa application process. Although the steps involved to apply for a golden visa vary as per the country, here are the common instructions for aspirants:

Golden Visa Application Process

• Select a country that offers the golden visa program for foreigners. You must explore the chosen country's jurisdiction and social security as well as other important factors before investing in its economy.

• Check the golden visa requirements in the chosen country and gather out necessary documents for the application, including a valid passport, birth certificate, proof of income, bank statements, health certificate, character certificate, etc

• Carry out the investment. There are many financial investment options available which can help you obtain a golden visa, such as buying a property comma supporting the National Development fund, investing in a business, etc.

• Fill out the golden visa application form and pay any related fees.

• Go for the biometric appointment and interviews as per the scheduled date. Your documents are also verified at this time.

• Receive your approved Golden visa program receipt and plan your travel accordingly. The approved Golden visa serves as a residence permit after entering the country.

Note: After completing the golden visa application process, the concerned authorities might take a couple of months to approve it. The Gold card processing time may differ as on the chosen country.

Related Reads: Top 5 Countries with Easiest Student Visa Process

What are the Benefits of a Golden Visa?

A few of the benefits of obtaining a golden visa for foreign individuals include the following:

• Permanent residency or citizenship allows them to legally live and work in that country.

• It is the simplest gateway to citizenship

• Golden visa holders are offered access to public health care and educational facilities.

• Purchasing a golden card offers individuals the benefit of traveling in and out of the country without a visa.

Also Read: How Trump's 'Gold Card' Impacts American Dream

Why is the Golden Visa Popular Now in 2025?

Over the years, golden visas have consistently emerged as a popular pathway to obtain a residency among the top one per cent in the world. It gives them an option to live and work in that country by investing in real estate, contributing to the economy, or by making huge donations to their government. This shows that golden visas remain popular in 2025 due to the investment. A few reasons why golden visas are still in demand include the following:

• Different countries, including Greece, Malta, UAE, etc, have enhanced their Golden Visa programs, attracting global investors.

• Purchasing a golden visa offers various benefits to its holders, including visa-free travel, potential tax benefits, access to healthcare and education, and more.

• Often, the countries that offer Golden Visa programs have high political and economic stability, which attracts high net worth individuals who are looking for global investment opportunities and mobility.

Related Reads: Countries With High Student Visa Acceptance Rates