Imagine getting the right to live, work, travel, and do business globally, not through long visa queues, but with a well-placed investment. Welcome to the world of Golden Visas, where borders become flexible, and opportunity scales with capital.
If you’re a startup founder, an investor, or a rising entrepreneur in India, this isn’t just rich-people trivia. Golden Visa programs are turning into a legit tool for global expansion, personal mobility, and startup access to some of the world’s best markets. Let’s dive in.
A Golden Visa is a residency, or sometimes full citizenship, offered by a country to individuals who invest a certain minimum amount. This investment might be in real estate, startups, government bonds, or business funds.
In return, you get a long-term visa, permanent residency, or even a second passport—plus access to healthcare, education, tax incentives, and borderless travel across multiple countries.
For startup leaders, it’s not just about lifestyle. It’s a smart play for setting up a global HQ, relocating teams, accessing foreign VC networks, or simply having a Plan B.
Yes, you read that right. Malta, a tiny European island nation, tops the global chart with its Golden Visa pegged at around $6.2 million (₹54 crore).
But what does that get you?
Full EU citizenship
Visa-free access to around 190 countries
A safe, tax-efficient hub to manage global businesses
Access to top-tier international schools and healthcare
Malta’s visa isn’t just expensive—it’s elite. You’re not buying a residency. You’re buying a powerful passport and an EU identity.
Startups today go global earlier than ever. You might launch in India, raise funds from Singapore, get customers in the US, and manufacture in Europe. In this environment, a Golden Visa gives you:
Travel freedom to attend meetings, expos, and pitches
Access to international banking, funding, and legal setups
An alternative home base in times of geopolitical uncertainty
Family benefits like world-class schooling or healthcare
For founders who are scaling globally, Golden Visas act as infrastructure—smoothening the backend so you can focus on the hustle.
Here’s a round-up of the most talked-about Golden Visa programs right now—what they offer, how much they cost, and why they matter.
Cost: Up to $6.2 million
Malta offers full citizenship, not just residency. You gain complete access to the EU market, visa-free travel to 190+ countries, and legal benefits of an EU citizen. Perfect for founders looking to enter or scale in Europe.
Cost: $5 million (proposed)
President Trump’s new proposal might soon allow foreigners to get a “Gold Card”—a premium version of the Green Card. If passed, it could become a game-changer for international founders looking to settle and grow in the US market.
Cost: AED 2 million (~₹4.75 crore)
The UAE’s Golden Visa offers 10 years of residency, access to all Emirates, no personal income tax, and inclusion of spouse and children for free. A hotspot for Indian founders building in tech, fintech, crypto, and e-commerce.
Cost: €250,000 to €2 million
Italy’s program is flexible—you can invest in startups, bonds, or strategic ventures. It includes Schengen access, and the pathway to citizenship after 10 years.
Cost: €500,000 in real estate
Spain’s visa is fast and family-friendly. It grants residency rights quickly, often within a month, and allows access to Europe. It’s ideal if you're building in lifestyle, hospitality, or consumer tech.
Cost: Starts at €271,000
Portugal offers a low residency requirement and citizenship in 5 years. Though real estate investments have been restricted, the visa is still open for innovation-focused investments and tech entrepreneurship.
Cost: €250,000
One of the cheapest EU entries. Get Schengen access, a path to citizenship after 7 years, and zero pressure to live there full-time. Great for remote founders who want the freedom without the relocation.
Cost: €300,000
Live, work, or study in Cyprus with minimal commitments. A business-friendly environment, ideal for holding companies, offshore operations, or family office structures.
Cost: $54,000
The most affordable EU option. Latvia’s residency-by-investment program gives you Schengen access and flexibility without any mandatory stay.
Cost: $200,000
You’re buying full citizenship, not just residency. Fast approvals, no physical presence required, and visa-free travel to over 140 countries. Efficient for entrepreneurs needing global mobility.
Cost: $235,000
One of the few countries that allows E-2 US visa applications via its citizenship. Also offers travel access to China, Singapore, Russia, and the UK.
Cost: Starts at $20,000
Through its Thailand Elite Visa, you get up to 20 years of residency. Ideal for digital nomads, bootstrapped founders, or remote-first startups.
Cost: Annual taxes of $300,000 to $1.2 million
Instead of direct investment, you pay a lump-sum tax to live in Switzerland. Access high-end banking, safety, and excellent infrastructure. Great for family offices and HNW entrepreneurs.
India’s startup boom has minted hundreds of new-age millionaires in the last decade. Founders now seek:
A second base for international operations
Tax-friendly zones for wealth and IP management
Access to developed markets without visa roadblocks
Education and healthcare advantages for families
And Golden Visas offer just that—strategic lifestyle mobility with business benefits.
These visa programs are not without challenges:
Some countries face pressure to shut down such schemes due to money laundering concerns
Not all investments are refundable
Legal compliance and due diligence are essential
Certain passports offer citizenship, others only residency
Also, some countries like Portugal have tightened rules to restrict real estate-based exploitation. So it’s important to work with reliable legal advisors.
Golden Visas aren’t just tools for the rich. For ambitious Indian entrepreneurs, they offer a global toolkit—mobility, market access, and future-proofing. Whether you’re scaling a D2C brand, running a SaaS platform, or building a Web3 project, these programs can align with your vision of going global.
At a time when India is producing unicorns and breakout founders faster than ever, thinking beyond borders is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. A Golden Visa might just be the bridge to your next big opportunity.
