• The United States allows foreigners to obtain a green card under the EB-5 visa if they invest US$500,000 in a 'targeted employment area' and create 10 jobs. Above, the lower Manhattan skyline in New York. Mark Lennihan / AP Photo
    The United States allows foreigners to obtain a green card under the EB-5 visa if they invest US$500,000 in a 'targeted employment area' and create 10 jobs. Above, the lower Manhattan skyline in New York. Mark Lennihan / AP Photo
  • A $4.6 million investment, or about A$5m, in government bonds would help an individual get an Australian passport. Saeed Khan / AFP
    A $4.6 million investment, or about A$5m, in government bonds would help an individual get an Australian passport. Saeed Khan / AFP
  • Cyprus offers a renewable temporary residence visa, and access to 151 countries, for individuals who invest at least $3.4 million. Katia Christodoulou / EPA
    Cyprus offers a renewable temporary residence visa, and access to 151 countries, for individuals who invest at least $3.4 million. Katia Christodoulou / EPA
  • Antigua & Barbuda introduced its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2013 for high net worth individuals who acquire property valued at least $400,000 or contribute a minimum $200,000 to charity, among others. Jewel Samad / AFP
    Antigua & Barbuda introduced its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2013 for high net worth individuals who acquire property valued at least $400,000 or contribute a minimum $200,000 to charity, among others. Jewel Samad / AFP
  • In Switzerland, the price of a Swiss passport can go from $278,425 to $1.1 million, although there is no guarantee of a citizenship. Fabrice Coffrini / AFP
    In Switzerland, the price of a Swiss passport can go from $278,425 to $1.1 million, although there is no guarantee of a citizenship. Fabrice Coffrini / AFP
  • Austria issues an EU passport, with offering visa-free access to 168 countries, to any individual with a total $10 million investment in the country. Above, the Goettweig Abbey in Furth bei Goettweig. Alexander Klein / AFP
    Austria issues an EU passport, with offering visa-free access to 168 countries, to any individual with a total $10 million investment in the country. Above, the Goettweig Abbey in Furth bei Goettweig. Alexander Klein / AFP
  • Malta is offering citizenship to foreigners who invest €1,150,000, with potential passport holders required to reside in the EU country for a year. Andreas Solaro / AFP
    Malta is offering citizenship to foreigners who invest €1,150,000, with potential passport holders required to reside in the EU country for a year. Andreas Solaro / AFP
  • The Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis have the longest running citizenship-by-investment programme in the world, which was founded in 1984. There are two methods to obtain citizenship: a $250,000 non-refundable donation to the St Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation or a minimum $400,000 property investment in the country. istockphoto.com
    The Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis have the longest running citizenship-by-investment programme in the world, which was founded in 1984. There are two methods to obtain citizenship: a $250,000 non-refundable donation to the St Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation or a minimum $400,000 property investment in the country. istockphoto.com
  • Foreign investors who either spend €500,000 on a property, invest a million euros in capital or create 10 jobs are given the right to live in Portugal under a residence scheme which began in 2012. Jose Manuel Ribeiro / Reuters
    Foreign investors who either spend €500,000 on a property, invest a million euros in capital or create 10 jobs are given the right to live in Portugal under a residence scheme which began in 2012. Jose Manuel Ribeiro / Reuters
  • Under Ireland’s immigrant investor programme, foreign investors can get visas in return for buying €1 million in Irish bonds or investing more than €500,000 in an approved fund. Only 42 high net worth individuals have been granted under the scheme. Above, Aras an Uachtarain, Ireland’s version of the US White House. AFP
    Under Ireland’s immigrant investor programme, foreign investors can get visas in return for buying €1 million in Irish bonds or investing more than €500,000 in an approved fund. Only 42 high net worth individuals have been granted under the scheme. Above, Aras an Uachtarain, Ireland’s version of the US White House. AFP

Business

In pictures: Where the super rich can buy a ‘golden visa’ and how much it will cost

Liz Claus

June 04, 2014

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About 20 countries, including the United States, Europe and island nations in the Caribbean, offer golden visas for the super rich who can invest at least $250,000 in property or government debt.

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