Source: FE
Context: The US is set to reintroduce its EB-5 visa program as the “Gold Card” visa, requiring a $5 million investment for a green card and path to citizenship.
About Gold Card Visa/Investment Visa:
- What is an Investment Visa?
-
- An investment visa allows individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a foreign country by making financial investments.
- These visas are commonly referred to as Golden Visas, offering long-term residency, tax benefits, and business opportunities.
- Eligibility Criteria:
-
- Minimum Investment Requirement: Varies by country, typically ranging from $200,000 to $5 million.
- Type of Investment: Real estate, business capital, government bonds, or economic development funds.
- Minimum Stay Requirement: Some countries mandate a specific number of days of residence per year.
- Countries Offering Golden Visas:
-
- UAE: Requires an AED 2 million investment for 10-year residency.
- Portugal: Investment in funds (€500,000) or job creation (real estate option removed).
- New Zealand: Relaxed requirements to attract wealthy investors post-recession.
- Procedure & How It Works:
-
- Application Submission: Investor submits financial documents, proof of funds, and investment plans.
- Background Check: Government conducts due diligence and verifies source of funds.
- Investment Confirmation: Investor transfers the required funds into an approved investment channel.
- Residency Approval: If all conditions are met, a residency permit is granted.
- Path to Citizenship: Some countries offer citizenship after 5-10 years of continuous residency.
