Golden Visas Around the World: Trends, Comparisons, and the Rise of India’s PRS
Introduction
In today's dynamic global economy, top-tier investors and entrepreneurs know that true advantage extends beyond traditional balance sheets. It's about strategic global mobility: securing options that diversify opportunities, enhance security, and build lasting legacies for their families. This imperative has supercharged the $20+ billion "Golden Visa" industry, with over 100 countries worldwide now offering specialized residency-by-investment (RBI) programs. You've seen the headlines, from established European pathways to the highly-discussed "Trump Gold Card" proposal in the U.S.- a $5 million investment visa concept that, while generating immense interest and a waitlist, still awaits crucial Congressional approval.
This global landscape isn't static; it's evolving. Nations are increasingly looking beyond mere capital, seeking partners who offer active contributions and tangible economic impact. This is precisely where India's Permanent Residency Status (PRS) program stands apart. More than a standard visa, PRS is a meticulously designed initiative that directly links long-term residency to your capacity for job creation, entrepreneurship, and integrated growth within one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. For the discerning individual seeking a meaningful stake and a strategic foothold in a vibrant future, India's PRS offers a unique and compelling proposition.
The Rise and Purpose of Investment Visas
Over the past decade, investment visas, widely known as Golden Visas, have transformed into powerful instruments of global mobility and economic diplomacy. Born out of financial crises, early programs like those in Portugal and Greece aimed to attract foreign capital, reviving real estate markets and stimulating job creation. Since then, these initiatives have matured into sophisticated national strategies, designed to draw not just wealth, but also global talent, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic engagement.
From a government's perspective, these residency-by-investment (RBI) schemes are direct pipelines for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into vital sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, and innovation. For high-net-worth individuals, the value is clear: coveted residency rights, and often a pathway to citizenship, with benefits like minimal stay requirements and flexible family inclusion. These aren't just legal statuses; they are gateways to mobility, security, access to world-class education and healthcare, and potential tax efficiency in stable, prosperous economies. This creates a compelling win-win dynamic: capital flows where needed, while investors gain a crucial strategic foothold.
However, the rapid growth of this multi-billion dollar industry has brought increasing scrutiny. International bodies like the OECD and the EU have voiced significant concerns, particularly around transparency and potential misuse. This pressure has led to a global shift: countries like Portugal (which phased out real estate investment in October 2023) and Spain (which ended its real estate Golden Visa in April 2025) are now pushing for programs that demand more than passive capital. The focus is now firmly on active economic contribution and measurable impact. This evolving landscape positions India's Permanent Residency Status (PRS) as a standout model, uniquely aligned with the future of international investment and growth.
Summary
Quick Global Overview of Golden Visa Models: Diverse Paths, Distinct Opportunities
As global competition for capital, talent, and innovation intensifies, Golden Visa programs have evolved into sophisticated policy instruments aimed at attracting internationally mobile investors. While the core concept of residency-by-investment (RBI) remains consistent—offering residency in exchange for a qualifying investment—the specifics, from investment thresholds to benefits and long-term pathways, vary dramatically across jurisdictions.
To better appreciate the distinct edge offered by India’s Permanent Residency Status (PRS), it helps to first tour how prominent countries currently structure and differentiate their programs:
🇵🇹 Portugal: The Evolving European Gateway
Once a real estate favorite, Portugal’s Golden Visa program underwent a defining shift in October 2023. New rules eliminated real estate and passive capital transfer options, steering investors toward qualifying funds, scientific research, and cultural preservation.
- Current Investment Options:
- €250,000 in cultural/artistic initiatives
- €500,000 in scientific research or VC funds (non-real estate)
- Minimum Physical Presence: ~7 days/year
- Pathway to Citizenship: Possible after 5 years of legal residency
- Real Estate: Route is broadly closed in many key areas
Despite a strategic pivot, the program retains strong appeal for passive investors seeking Schengen access and an EU citizenship route.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates: The Dynamic Business & Lifestyle Hub
The UAE offers a 10-year renewable Golden Visa for individuals who invest AED 2 million (approx. $545,000 USD), typically through property or qualifying businesses.
- Residency Benefits:
- No personal income tax
- No minimum stay requirement
- Full family sponsorship
- Residence in a globally connected, high-growth economy
- Citizenship: Not offered via this route
This model appeals to global entrepreneurs and HNWIs seeking stability, luxury, and business connectivity in a tax-efficient jurisdiction.
🇺🇸 United States: The High-Stakes Green Card Journey
The U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a pathway to permanent residency through active capital contribution and job creation.
- Minimum Investment:
- $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
- $1.05 million outside those areas (pending potential inflation adjustments)
- Job Requirement: Creation of at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs
- Green Card & Citizenship: Permanent residency leading to citizenship eligibility after 5 years
Note: Recent media speculation about a potential “$5 million Trump Gold Card” visa—offering fast-track residency without job creation- has sparked public interest but, as of mid-2025, remains a proposal only with no legislative status.
🇬🇷 Greece: Rebalancing European Real Estate Access
Greece has refined its popular Golden Visa program by adjusting real estate thresholds regionally:
- Minimum Investment:
- €800,000 in high-demand zones like Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Thessaloniki and other islands with over 3,100 residents)
- €400,000 in other regions
- €250,000 for select commercial conversions and heritage properties
Alternatively, a 10-year lease agreement can qualify under similar thresholds, requiring a lump-sum payment upfront.
- Residency:
- 5-year renewable permit
- No minimum stay requirement
- Includes spouse, children, and dependent parents
- Citizenship Path: Available after 7 years of physical residence and integration
This continues to make Greece attractive for real estate-oriented investors seeking an entry point to Europe.
While international residency programs offer varying degrees of access, flexibility, and return on investment, most are centered around passive capital flows and lifestyle appeal—ideal for those seeking a second home, visa-free travel, or tax-advantaged residency. But what if an investor seeks true economic integration, active business participation, and a stake in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies? That’s where India’s Permanent Residency Status (PRS) presents a fundamentally different opportunity—one that ties residency not just to capital deployment, but to entrepreneurial impact and job creation.
🇮🇳 India: The Permanent Residency Status (PRS) Advantage
While many RBI programs focus on passive capital flows, India’s PRS program offers a uniquely proactive investment and integration opportunity—reflecting the country’s massive long-term growth potential.
- Eligibility:
- Investment of ₹10 crore (~$1.5 million) within 18 months, or
- ₹25 crore (~$3.8 million)** within 36 months
- Mandatory creation of at least 20 jobs per year
- Residency:
- 10-year renewable visa for investor and family
- No minimum stay requirement
- Permission to purchase one residential property
- No registration requirements for stay
- Citizenship: Not offered under this program
- Distinctive Focus: Geared towards genuine economic integration, not just secondary residency
Across the globe, Residency-by-Investment programs offer a wide spectrum of advantages—from visa-free travel and tax benefits to family security and lifestyle perks. However, most programs still emphasize passive capital contribution over active economic engagement.
In contrast, India’s Permanent Residency Status reflects a strategic shift toward deep integration, giving serious investors a meaningful role in an emerging global power—and a stake in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
🇮🇳 What makes PRS different?
India’s PRS stands out by blending economic substance with resident-friendly flexibility. It reflects a new policy mindset—one that rewards active participation in India’s development while simplifying life for those choosing to relocate, invest, and grow here long-term.
To qualify, applicants must invest between ₹10–25 crore (approximately $1.2M–$3M USD) through the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route, and commit to creating a minimum of 20 full-time jobs for Indian citizens each financial year. The program is currently not available to Pakistani nationals or individuals of Pakistani origin, as per official eligibility terms.
Key advantages include:
- 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visa: PRS offers a long-term visa valid for 10 years, extendable for another 10. This enables strategic planning and continuity for investors and families alike.
- No Minimum Stay Requirement: Unlike many global investor visas, PRS imposes no physical presence mandate, allowing global investors to maintain flexibility and mobility.
- No Routine FRRO/FRO Registration: PRS holders are exempt from standard registration requirements with India’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). This exemption significantly reduces bureaucratic hassle associated with typical long-term visas. However, any change of address or residential status must still be reported in compliance with applicable rules.
- Family Inclusion: Spouses can work in India without salary threshold requirements, and dependent children are eligible to study in India without applying for separate student visas.
- Residential Property Ownership: PRS holders may acquire one residential property in India for personal dwelling. Crucially, this is strictly for self-occupation and is not permitted for rental income generation, investment, or speculative purposes, making PRS one of the few programs globally that balances access with accountability.
Note: Pathway to Citizenship: Eligible PRS holders may apply for Indian citizenship after 12 years of residency, subject to the renunciation of existing citizenship and compliance with provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955. This is a potential pathway, not an automatic entitlement, involving strict adherence to residency periods and other legal requirements.
Who Should Consider PRS? India’s Permanent Residency Status (PRS) is ideal for:
- Startup founders and entrepreneurs expanding cross-border ventures into India
- Foreign investors making substantial Investment in India via FDI
- Strategic or High Net Worth Investors(Family Offices) seeking stable, long-term exposure in the Indian growth story
Whether you're aiming to diversify your business presence, anchor talent in a high-growth economy, or establish a long-term family and investment base in Asia, PRS provides the legal certainty, operational flexibility, and lifestyle benefits needed to make it sustainable.
Designed for Real Economic Participation
What makes PRS unique is its clear focus on active investment and job creation. Applicants must:
- Invest between ₹10–25 crore (approx. USD 1.2M–$3M) in India via Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)—either ₹10 crore within 18 months or ₹25 crore within 36 months.
- Create and maintain at least 20 full-time jobs for resident Indians in every financial year.
Eligibility is subject to security guidelines and restrictions (not available to Pakistani nationals or persons of Pakistani origin). PRS status is granted for 10 years, with the possibility of renewal for another 10, provided the holder continues to meet both the investment and employment criteria. Documentation of compliance, including annual returns and statutory certifications, must be submitted to authorities each year.
Renewal of PRS status is compliance-based, ensuring that continued residency is tied not to passive presence, but to ongoing contribution to India’s economy. This model aligns PRS with India’s broader development goals, encouraging meaningful, long-term engagement from those it welcomes.
India's PRS vs. Golden Visas: A Side-by-Side Comparison
India's PRS offers a unique alternative to Western and Gulf investment visas:
A Timely Opportunity in a Confident, Rising Economy
Set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, India is emerging as a global growth engine—powered by digital-first infrastructure, a rising middle class, and bold reforms across manufacturing, capital markets, and trade. Against this backdrop, the Permanent Residency Status (PRS) program represents a uniquely structured opportunity for global investors to enter not as outsiders, but as resident partners in India’s long-term trajectory.
Unlike conventional residency-by-investment models centered on passive capital or lifestyle access, India’s PRS offers a place at the table—welcoming those ready to create jobs, invest meaningfully, and integrate both professionally and personally into the Indian growth story. With a forward-looking blend of policy flexibility, business logic, and family support, PRS is fast emerging as one of the most credible investor residency pathways in the Global South.
⚠️ Limitations of PRS
- Only one residential property allowed for personal use
- No Special fast-track expediated path for Indian Citizenship. Requires 12 years of continuous residence and renunciation of existing nationality
- No access to certain public welfare schemes reserved for Indian citizens
- Failure to meet any condition in any year may lead to cancellation or non-renewal of PRS.
Conclusion: Is India’s PRS Right for You?
India's Permanent Residency Status (PRS) is more than just an immigration pathway; it's a strategic invitation to actively participate in the ascent of the world's fastest-growing major economy. For discerning investors and entrepreneurs, PRS offers a unique blend of long-term security, unparalleled operational flexibility, and a direct route to meaningful economic integration. It's designed not for passive presence, but for those ready to create impact, innovate, and build a lasting legacy within a vibrant, digitally-powered nation.
Navigating the nuances of investment structuring, regulatory approvals, and sustained compliance requires specialized expertise. This is where a trusted partner becomes invaluable.
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At Expat Orbit, we empower global investors, founders, and families to seamlessly leverage the full potential of India's PRS program. From intricate investment structuring and securing essential regulatory approvals to comprehensive relocation support and meticulous long-term compliance management, we provide the clarity and on-ground insight you need.
Whether you are in the initial stages of exploration or ready to commit, we ensure a smooth, confident journey towards your strategic foothold in India.
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