Demand for golden visas by wealthy Americans are in high demand: “The vast majority are from the U.S.”

Countries around the world offering ‘Golden Visas’—which allow prospective residents and citizens to buy their way in—are seeing a sharp rise in applications from U.S. citizens. These permits refer to a type of visa that grants foreigners the possibility of residing and working in a country in exchange for an economic investment.

Though the presidency of Donald Trump may help explain some of the recent interest in obtaining foreign passports, the surge in applications began well before his re-election in 2024.

While the concept of a Golden Visa has been active in several countries over the past decade, some Caribbean islands are now launching their own programs—including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia. Given their geographic proximity to the U.S., prospective citizens may feel they’re getting more value for their investment. These locations offer easier travel access and the potential for their dollars to stretch further than they might in Europe or New Zealand.

Some countries push to end their golden visa programs

Spain launched its Golden Visa program in 2013, offering residency to non-EU nationals who made significant investments in the country. To qualify, applicants could purchase property worth at least €500,000, deposit €1 million in a Spanish bank, or invest €1 million in shares of Spanish companies. Since its inception, over 15,000 Golden Visas have been issued.

However, the program has faced growing criticism from progressive political parties in Spain. Critics argue that it contributed to rising housing costs, pricing out local residents and exacerbating the housing crisis in cities across the country. In response, the Spanish government officially ended the Golden Visa program on April 3, 2025.

Ireland and Portugal have taken steps to end their golden visa programs, and now political leaders across the Spanish state are coming together to do the same.

Which countries of the European Union grant golden visas?

The only remaining countries in the European Union where similar programs still exist are Italy, Malta, and Greece.

In Malta, a minimum investment of €690,000 can lead to citizenship within twelve to thirty-six months.

Italy is another popular destination for those seeking residency through investment. Since 2017, its Golden Visa program has granted non-EU citizens a two-year residence permit in exchange for an investment of at least €500,000.

Greece also stands out, offering one of the fastest processes for obtaining residency and one of the lowest investment thresholds (€500,000). Eligible foreigners can receive their permit within 60 days of submitting their application.

Countries decrease standards to obtain a golden visa

New Zealand is reportedly seeing a surge in applicants for its new foreign investor migrant visa scheme—the Active Investor Plus visa—which aims to attract more high-net-worth individuals to the country.

Earlier this summer, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said there had been “a flood of formal interest in the new ‘golden’ visa,” adding: “New applications under the scheme represent a potential NZ$845 million (USD $503 million) of new investment in New Zealand business.”

The visa requires immigrants to invest at least NZ$5 million (USD $3 million) in high-risk ventures. While that price tag may seem steep, the regulations were actually loosened earlier this year—a move credited with sparking the influx of new applicants.

Previously, the threshold was NZ$15 million (USD $9 million), and the scheme included an English language requirement. Since those rules were relaxed in April, Stanford reported 189 applications in under three months—surpassing the 116 submissions received over the previous two-and-a-half years. The United States was the leading source of applications, accounting for 85 of the recent batch; followed by China and Hong Kong.

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