Golden Visa 2025: Policy Updates, Trends

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The Golden Visa is often described as a “VIP pass” that allows foreign investors to quickly realize their dream of residency. With a legal investment, you not only gain long-term residency or citizenship but also unlock numerous attractive privileges: global mobility, property ownership rights, international business opportunities, and access to top-quality healthcare and education like a local citizen. Let’s explore with iVISA the specific benefits this “VIP ticket” offers to investors and for immigration purposes.

What is a Golden Visa?

The concept of the Golden Visa emerged in the late 1980s when Portugal and several European countries launched it to attract international capital after economic crises. Since then, this model has spread to the United States, UAE, New Zealand, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and many Asian countries.

The main beneficiaries are investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, and families seeking better living and education environments. By 2025, Golden Visas have become a global trend, shaping migration flows and wealth redistribution among the elite, especially in Europe, the Middle East, and the US.

Outstanding Benefits of Holding a Golden Visa

Owning a Golden Visa is not just about having another type of visa. It serves as a gateway to a range of privileges in residency, education, business, and international mobility. For investors, entrepreneurs, and families, the program opens opportunities to live, study, and grow in a highly globalized environment.

Residency and freedom of movement

Having a Golden Visa means you are granted long-term residency, typically lasting 5–10 years, with the possibility of renewal or eventual citizenship. A major advantage is the freedom to travel within unions such as the Schengen Area in Europe or the GCC in the Middle East, making cross-border journeys easier than ever.

Family benefits and education

Through the Golden Visa program, the entire family can access high-quality education and healthcare in leading countries like the US, New Zealand, or Portugal. Visa holders can also sponsor relatives, allowing the family to settle, study, and thrive in a civilized international environment.

Opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors

For businesspeople, the Golden Visa opens doors to wide-ranging investment opportunities: property ownership, market expansion, tax incentives, and a stable legal environment. It is also an attractive choice for many Vietnamese aiming to expand globally and serves as a strategy for international elites to protect assets and ensure the next generation’s future.

Notable Golden Visa Programs Worldwide

Dubai/UAE – The Middle Eastern Hub

Within the first three years, over 150,000 investors and international professionals chose the Dubai Golden Visa as a long-term residency option. Beyond an investment visa, it serves as a “key” to the Middle East – a region thriving in finance, technology, and premium real estate.

Eligibility for the UAE Golden Visa:

Invest in real estate from 2 million AED (~13 billion VND).
Be a business owner or run a startup recognized by public investment funds.
Or be a specialist holding a PhD, medical degree, or advanced engineering/technology credentials.

The most appealing aspect is that holders can reside for up to 10 years, conduct business freely, purchase property, and enjoy healthcare and education services comparable to local citizens. Dubai has thus become a “residency paradise” for global elites.

USA – EB-5 Golden Visa

Unlike Dubai, which focuses on residency and real estate, the US offers the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program – one of the oldest and most prestigious Golden Visa programs. Established in 1990, EB-5 remains a top choice for investors seeking long-term family residency in the US.

According to the latest regulations, investors must meet one of the following conditions:

Invest at least USD 800,000 in a project within a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
Or invest USD 1,050,000 in a regular project.

Additionally, the project must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US citizens, a mandatory requirement for application approval.

The program’s main advantage is long-term benefits: the investor’s entire family receives a US green card, can live in any state, children can study in public schools, and enjoy tuition benefits when entering college. Thanks to these benefits, EB-5 remains one of the most sought-after pathways to US residency globally.

New Zealand – Golden Visa & Investor Visa

New Zealand is renowned for its clean environment and high quality of life, making it a safe and sustainable destination for international investors. The government offers Golden Visa & Investor Visa with two categories suitable for different investor groups.

Investor 1 Category: invest NZD 10 million (~145 billion VND) over 3 years.
Investor 2 Category: invest NZD 3 million (~44 billion VND) over 4 years, with additional conditions on age, business experience, and English proficiency.

The main advantage is permanent residency with the opportunity for citizenship after the required residency period. With safe living conditions, international-standard education, and a stable business ecosystem, New Zealand is a dream destination for investors ensuring long-term family security.

Indonesia – Golden Visa 2023

Compared to Dubai, the US, or New Zealand, Indonesia launched its Golden Visa program only in 2023. Despite being new, it has become a lever for attracting international capital and global professionals.

Eligibility is divided into two groups:

Individual investors: invest at least USD 350,000 in Indonesia, which can be used for business establishment, government bonds, or designated projects.
Foreign enterprises: invest at least USD 700,000, focusing on key sectors like infrastructure, finance, technology, and sustainable development.

Golden Visa holders in Indonesia are granted 5–10 years of residency depending on investment. They can directly manage companies and expand businesses in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, while their accompanying family enjoys full education and healthcare benefits.

Portugal – One of the Oldest Programs

By 2025, over 12,000 international investors and families hold the Portugal Golden Visa, contributing more than EUR 7 billion in FDI. Launched in 2012, it is one of Europe’s most successful Golden Visa programs, offering residency, Schengen mobility, and a path to EU citizenship within a few years.

Current investment options include:

EUR 250,000 in cultural or artistic preservation projects.
EUR 500,000 in investment funds, scientific research, or business development.
EUR 500,000 in real estate (tightly regulated since 2022, less common).

The biggest advantage is the shortest path to EU citizenship, with minimal annual residency requirements. This is why Portugal remains a top choice for global elites.

Spain – Gateway to Europe

While Portugal is seen as the “cradle” of Europe’s Golden Visa programs, Spain stands out for its active and profitable real estate market. Since 2013, the Spain Golden Visa has attracted investors seeking both property ownership in the Mediterranean and legal residency with Schengen mobility. With a minimum investment of EUR 500,000, it is a fast track to European residency and long-term settlement in a country rich in culture, cuisine, and lifestyle.

Updates & Legal Trends of Golden Visa 2025

The global Golden Visa landscape is rapidly changing in 2024–2025. In Portugal alone, 4,987 applications were approved in 2024, a 70% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the Investment Migration Council reports an 18% global increase in Golden Visa applications. This demonstrates the program’s continued appeal, though management approaches differ significantly.

Policy changes by region

Europe: trend toward stricter real estate investment rules. Portugal has almost eliminated property purchases from Golden Visa eligibility, favoring funds, research, or cultural development projects. Spain will fully terminate real estate Golden Visas from April 2025.
USA: EB-5 remains open but requires stricter proof of assets and transparency.
Middle East & Southeast Asia: UAE has eased long-term residency requirements, while Indonesia issued over 470 Golden Visas in its first year, attracting more than USD 500 million in investment.

Key trends in 2025

Reviously linked mainly to real estate, Golden Visa investments are now shifting toward long-term value creation. Technology, renewable energy, and education are priority sectors. In Portugal, minimum investment for funds or research is EUR 500,000, while cultural projects are encouraged starting at EUR 250,000.

Globally, the Golden Visa of 2025 is no longer just a “residency-by-property” scheme but a strategic tool for countries to promote sustainable economic and social development. Investors need to look beyond immediate profits to choose investments aligned with global trends.

Risks & Considerations When Participating in Golden Visa Programs

While the Golden Visa seems like a “golden pass” for global residency and investment, it carries significant risks. In the past five years, fraud cases related to Golden Visa have caused investors worldwide to lose over USD 500 million, with 200 cases under the US EB-5 program alone resulting in USD 350 million losses due to fake projects or invalid legal documents.

The main cause is investors’ lack of vigilance: believing in “6-month residency” ads, guaranteed returns, or relying solely on untrustworthy brokers. Investments can disappear instantly, and the primary goal of obtaining residency may fail.

This serves as a clear warning: a Golden Visa is only truly safe when legal verification is performed, projects are government-approved, and investors work with transparent, licensed agencies. A careless decision can destroy assets and family relocation plans.

Guide to Choosing a Reliable Agency & Successful Golden Visa Applications

After witnessing investors losing hundreds of thousands or even millions due to unreliable brokers, the key question is: how to invest safely and successfully with a Golden Visa? The answer is choosing a professional and reputable agency.

Selecting a credible, experienced, and transparent agency is the first and crucial step to protect investments and legal rights.

A professional agency should ensure:

Legal operating license and experience in handling Golden Visa applications.
Transparent costs and clear contracts without hidden fees.
Basic legal support and access to local lawyers if needed.
Up-to-date regulations to keep applications valid.

iVISA provides comprehensive A-to-Z tourist visa Dubai services, from advising on the most suitable program, preparing detailed application documents, to optimizing legal procedures for Golden Visas in Dubai, the US, and Europe.

Choosing the right partner like iVISA is a safe way to turn your Golden Visa dream into reality while protecting your assets and securing your family’s future.

Make your dream of becoming a global citizen a reality today with iVISA!

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