A Guide to Golden Visas

The term ‘Golden Visa’ may elicit images of Charlie’s golden ticket from a certain children’s classic and you may be surprised to hear that the two do have one thing loosely in common.

Much like the golden ticket gave access to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, a golden visa also allows the holder access, albeit on a different scale. Both even allow you to bring family members with you.

Of course, you run the risk of falling into a chocolate river or turning into a giant blueberry with one.

So, what is a golden visa, and how can it benefit you and your family? In this article, we find out.

What is a golden visa?

Residency and citizenship by investment programs (RBIs and CBIs) are commonly known as golden visas. They are also sometimes known as investor visas and often aimed at high-net-worth individuals.

These schemes are a way for the government to drive foreign investment into the country.

In its most basic form, a golden visa allows you to gain residency or citizenship in a country, in exchange for an investment in its economy.

What are the benefits?

There is no comprehensive list of benefits as every scheme has its own.

What makes the golden visa so attractive to foreign nationals is that it creates a ‘Plan B’. You have access to another economy that may be more robust than your country of origin.

Schemes offered by European countries are a popular option as they allow freedom of movement throughout the Schengen Zone. These golden visas can also lead to EU citizenship and a passport

Depending on the country that issues the passport, you will benefit from visa-free travel to over 100 countries worldwide.

Of course, there are other benefits such as:

High quality of life
Access to leading healthcare systems
The ability to live, work and study in the country

Some countries also offer favourable tax systems to attract foreign investors.

For example, Portugal offers non-habitual resident (NHR) status. Those who qualify for NHR will have their income tax capped at 20% for 10 years.

What are the requirements?

Every golden visa has its own set of eligibility requirements. Although the requirements differ from country to country, some typically include:

Having no criminal record
Proof of funds before making an investment
Holding the investment for a certain period of time – time requirements will depend on the country

In some countries, you may need to pass a health check and spend a minimum number of days there. Also, some require you to have a certain net worth following your investment.

The route to getting a golden visa also differs depending on the scheme. However, the investments options typically include the following:

Real estate investments
Putting your money into investment funds
Making a capital transfer
Creating job positions

Some schemes also allow you to make donations in key areas. For example, funding scientific research institutions or urban regeneration.

How to get a golden visa

The first step is to decide what type of investment you want to make.

Real estate is a popular choice, but there are advantages to going down the capital transfer route. The next step is to start the application process, which will vary depending on the golden visa scheme you pick.

There is a lot to consider, but it could be one of the most important investments you make. Like Charlie changed his family’s lives at the end of Roald Dhal’s story, a golden visa can yield a similar outcome for your family.

While we can’t offer you a golden ticket, we can help you secure a golden visa.

At Holborn, we work with some of the world’s most trusted golden visa schemes. Our experts can help guide you through the application process and secure the right golden visa for you and your family.

So, with The Golden Visa Guy, you can be sure you are in safe hands and I would love to hear from you and answer any queries you may have with a friendly no obligation, or "hard sell" chat, just click on the button below and select a time and date that's convenient for yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask any questions as I aim to please and put your mind at ease.

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