What Are Investor & Entrepreneur Visas?
Investor visas (also called Golden Visas, Residency-by-Investment, Investment Immigration) and Entrepreneur visa programs are immigration pathways that allow foreign nationals to obtain residence (and in some cases, citizenship) in a country in exchange for making a required investment, starting a business, or contributing economically in other ways (e.g. creating jobs, investing in funds, real estate, or government instruments).
Entrepreneur visas are usually designed for business founders who want to locate or scale a business in a foreign country. They may not always require huge investment sums; often they require proof of startup viability, backing, business plans, etc.
Why These Programs Are Popular / Trends in 2025
Here are some of the emerging trends and changes around investor/entrepreneur visa programs as of 2025:
Higher thresholds in many places: The minimum investment or contribution required to qualify are rising in several countries.
More restrictive / selective criteria: More requirement for genuine business plans, job creation, economic benefit. Some programs are being tightened or closed.
Shifts away from real estate to funds, business, or innovation contributions: Some countries are moving away from allowing real estate alone as qualifying investment (or raising the required real estate cost).
Expansion of duration or flexibility: Some investor visas now offer longer residency periods (5-10 years), or looser physical presence requirements.
More entrepreneur-/startup-friendly visas: Countries are creating or expanding visas that don’t require huge capital but focus on innovation, founders, startups, incubators etc.
Competition among destinations: Countries are competing for foreign capital; thus, some are simplifying the process, offering tax incentives, or reducing burdensome residency requirements.
Regulatory reform and closing of some programs: Some “Golden Visa” routes are being shut or revised; existing holders may still renew but no new applications accepted.
Examples of Investor / Entrepreneur Visa Programs (2025)
Here are several representative programs around the world, showing variation in requirements, cost, and benefits.
Country / Program What It Requires / Key Features Benefits / Notes
Indonesia Golden Visa Individuals who set up a company worth about USD 2.5 million for a 5-year visa or USD 5 million for a 10-year visa. There are alternatives: for those not setting up a company, investing in govt bonds, stocks, or deposits (lower thresholds).
Reuters
Long-term visa; access to Southeast Asia’s largest economy; potential for capital growth.
Maldives Investor Visa Program New program allowing foreign nationals to gain long-term residence via investment in premium real estate.
The Economic Times
First of its kind for Maldives; part of economic diversification under Vision 2040.
Oman Golden Visa (launching Aug 2025) Will allow investor/business-owner residency, aligning with Oman’s economic reforms. Key thresholds and business ownership required.
The Times of India
Fits into broader Gulf Region trend of attracting foreign capital; business ownership encouraged.
Vietnam Golden / Investor / Talent Visa Vietnam is planning a Golden Visa program with multiple tiers (5-10 years), investor visa option, and talent visa. Path to permanent residency offered after a period. Process expected to be digital.
Condé Nast Traveler
Attractive regionally; digital-first approach; extended durations help stability.
Turkey Citizenship by Investment Requires either purchase of real estate (≥ US$400,000) held for 3 years, or bank deposit / investment in government funds etc.
Wikipedia
Citizenship, not just residency; access to travel and economic benefits; popular program globally.
Portugal Golden Visa A mature European program; requires qualifying investment like in venture capital / funds since recent changes removed real estate in some cases.
Wikipedia
EU access, family inclusion, stable legal framework; though real estate option has been reduced.
Hungary Guest Investor Program Offers a temporary residence permit for 10 years via investment of about €250,000. Earlier versions included bond-buying; now more structured.
Wikipedia
Gives long-term permit; fairly accessible compared to some Golden Visa sums; political/regulatory risk to watch.
United States EB-5 Investor Visa Investment of US$1,050,000 (or US$800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas), must create or preserve 10 full-time jobs. Gives conditional permanent residency for 2 years, then full residency.
Wikipedia
One of the more established programs; high investment; path to green card; but process can be long and complex.
Pros & Cons of Investor / Entrepreneur Visa Programs
Pros:
Access to residency rights (and sometimes citizenship) for investor and family.
Mobility: living in a new country with access to schooling, infrastructure, quality of life.
Business opportunities, free movement in many cases, favorable taxation depending on the country.
Diversification: not relying on just one country for safety, assets, or lifestyle.
Cons / Risks:
Large investment sums required; risk if investment loses value.
Maintenance costs, including property maintenance, taxes, legal fees.
Residency requirements (minimum stays) can be strict or change unexpectedly.
Regulatory changes: programs may be tightened, closed, or eligibility changed.
Time delays, bureaucracy, possible processing backlogs.
Need to understand tax implications (both home country and destination) and legal obligations.
What Investors / Entrepreneurs Should Watch & Ask
If you’re considering an investor / entrepreneur visa, here are key things to check:
Exact Investment Thresholds & Types: Is it real estate, business capital, funds, bonds? What are acceptable types, and whether you need to maintain the investment for a fixed period?
Residency / Physical Stay Requirements: How many days per year you need to be in the country to maintain status? Are family members included?
Path to Permanent Residency or Citizenship: Is that allowed, and after how many years? What conditions apply (language, cultural tests etc.)?
Tax Implications: Local income tax, global income, double taxation treaties, wealth taxes, etc.
Legal & Political Stability: Is the program reliable? Has the country made recent changes, or suspended Golden Visas? What is the regulatory risk?
Processing Time & Cost: Fees for application + investment + secondary costs (lawyers, translations, due diligence etc.).
Flexibility & Renewal: Can you renew easily? What if you sell property? Or exit business? What happens to your visa?
Support Infrastructure / Ecosystem: For entrepreneur visas: incubation programs, support for startups, ease of doing business, local market access, banking etc.
“VisasUpdate” Insights & What’s Changing
Here are some specific updates/trends identified in 2025, useful for people tracking investor / entrepreneur visa programs:
New Programs unveiled: Oman is launching a Golden Visa, Maldives introduced an Investor Visa program, and Vietnam is moving ahead with its Golden Visa tiers.
The Times of India
+2
The Economic Times
+2
Programs being revised: Some European programs (e.g. Portugal) are tightening or removing options like real-estate-only investments.
Wikipedia
+1
Lowering burdens: Some destinations are reducing stay requirements, loosening dependency rules, or providing more flexibility. Example: New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa relaxed residency obligations.
The Guardian
+1
Rising competition: More countries are launching or improving their programs to attract global capital. Dubai/UAE, parts of Asia and Southeast Asia are increasing attractiveness via long-term investor visas.
PCD Group
+2
Generate for Visa
+2
What This Means for You (Investor / Entrepreneur)
Do your due diligence: compare multiple countries; don’t pick only by price or prestige; consider what residency and lifestyle you will actually get.
Keep tabs on policy shifts—programs may change eligibility, investment types, or residency requirements.
Think long term: not just the investment, but taxes, family, exit strategy.
Get legal and tax advice both in your home country and in the country you plan to invest in.
Time matters: getting in before a program becomes more restrictive can make a difference.
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