Evolving Investment Migration: The Rise of Wealthy Investors

Investment migration is too big to fail. Generating over $20 billion in global turnover every year, the investment migration industry remains a state priority. For some countries, these programs provide over 50 percent of their GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

In 2025, citizenship and residency investment schemes are evolving. Countries are changing how they run their programs. Some are even shutting theirs down, while others are launching new ones. It’s about adjusting policies to create programs that serve specific state objectives.

Take the US Gold Card, for example. The Trump Gold Card is supposed to be the new “Golden Visa” that is about to replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in exchange for a $5 million investment. Its main purpose is to create a new revenue stream, large enough to pay off the massive $36.7 trillion national debt and stimulate the US economy.

Source: US Department of the Treasury

Programs that cater to high-net-worth investors, like the US Gold Card, are becoming more prominent.

“For states, [investment migration] is a strategic instrument to engage diasporas, attract capital, and shape identity politics,” explains Yossi Harpaz, Associate Professor of Sociology at Tel-Aviv University.

In this article, we will take a look at the latest trends for investment migration in 2025 and how countries are evolving their policies.

US Gold Card: Not a New Concept

The US Gold Card is not the first or last program to use the “pay-to-play” concept for permanent residency. Nations like Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand have similar schemes with different criteria but the same goal—attracting ultra-high-net-worth investors to become permanent residents.

In 2025, these investment schemes are transforming into a global industry. According to the Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment (RCBI) report at Global Citizen Solutions, these programs are a lifeline for many countries. They help keep your assets safe while making sure investments also support things like innovation and national development.

Source: RCBI report, Global Citizen Solutions (GCS)

Will other countries follow suit?

The US Gold Card is supposed to replace the EB-5 Visa. By dedicating $5 million to the US economy without creating jobs, foreigners can receive permanent residency. But this investment program is not the only one that is going through a drastic change.

The United Kingdom is currently creating something similar since the government closed the Tier 1 Investor Visa in February 2022. Compared to the former investor option, the new proposed scheme would encourage investment into strategic sectors, such as clean energy, life sciences, and artificial intelligence.

Argentina is taking a different approach. While the country doesn’t target ultra-high-net-worth investors, it is preparing to launch its own Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program to raise capital to boost its economy, create jobs, and increase tax revenues – all for a $500,000 minimum investment in qualifying projects.

Many countries still have popular “Golden Visas” or CBI programs, like Portugal, Dominica, Turkey, and Grenada. Trump’s Gold Card is unique due to its high price range and simple, fast-track approach to permanent residency, which is known as a Green Card in the US.

Wealth mobility shows no signs of slowing down

Wealth mobility is only increasing, with more wealthy individuals looking to move their assets overseas, purchase citizenship/residency as backup plans, and diversify their investment portfolio.

“In very simple terms, wealth mobility is the ability to move not just your capital, but your entire financial life: your residency, your business or your family across borders when needed. It became crystal clear during the pandemic. Billionaires were stuck. Access to assets was blocked. Travel was impossible. Having a second passport or a legal right to live elsewhere went from ‘nice-to-have’ to absolutely essential.” – adds Dr. Laura Madrid, Global Intelligence Unit Research Lead at Global Citizen Solutions.

Based on a wealth report by Global Citizen Solutions, as of 2023, around 25 percent of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) held major assets outside their home country. This rate went up to 41 percent among HNWIs from the Middle East. Investors are actively looking for proactive schemes that offer long-term growth. As a result, countries are creating welcoming policies to attract direct foreign investments.

“By diversifying internationally, investors can protect their assets and access fast-growing markets or industries. Think tech in Southeast Asia, real estate in southern Europe, or renewable energy in Scandinavia. This isn’t just a defensive move—it’s also about seizing opportunity. It’s about playing offence and defense at the same time.”

High-net-worth investors have plenty of options. For example, New Zealand has an active Investor Plus Visa with a minimum investment of NZD $5 million, or about USD $3 million, in growth-oriented assets, like private businesses or managed funds. It is similar to the US Gold Card but requires a business plan and specific investment types.

Hong Kong just relaunched its Capital Investment Entrant Scheme for about USD $3.8 million. It leads to direct residency, just like the US Gold Card. But all of these options are cheaper than the US Gold Card, making things a lot more competitive for high-net-worth investors.

Where is investment migration headed next?

The investment migration industry is not stagnant; it constantly evolves based on a nation’s top priorities. Only time will tell how the proposed US Gold Card will affect the United States economy, but we expect it will reshape investor migration and attract a new class of high-contributing individuals.

This dynamic environment is causing many nations to adapt their programs, with Caribbean countries, like Grenada and Dominica, gaining traction. Investors often choose these destinations to diversify their investments and gain residency or citizenship through direct investment.