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From the United States to Vietnam, an in-depth look at where and how Indians can qualify for long-term residency or citizenship in 2025
Know about the affordable countries offering citizenship programs for Indians | Representative Image
With recent buzz around a supposed nomination-based UAE Golden Visa for Indians, reportedly available without investment in real estate or business and priced at Rs 23 lakh, the United Arab Emirates government has issued a strong clarification. It denied launching any such simplified, fixed-fee lifetime visa scheme, reiterating that all Golden Visa categories are governed by established laws, merit-based criteria, and must be processed only through official channels.
Still, the interest sparked by these reports reflects a larger question many Indian nationals are asking: what countries actually offer structured, legal pathways to long-term residency or even citizenship, whether through investment, skills, or economic contribution?
Here’s a comprehensive look at global destinations that currently welcome Indians through residency or investment programmes, how much it costs, and what the eligibility requirements are.
United States: EB-5 Investor Visa And The Proposed Gold Card
The United States remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian professionals and high-net-worth individuals. Under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, Indian applicants can obtain a US Green Card by investing a minimum of USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area—defined as either a rural region or one with unemployment at least 150 per cent of the national average—or USD 1.05 million in non-targeted, typically urban or economically developed areas. The investment must lead to the creation of at least ten full-time jobs for American citizens or lawful residents.
The EB-5 visa allows the applicant, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21 to live, study, and work anywhere in the US. After five years of permanent residency, applicants become eligible to apply for US citizenship. With rising restrictions on H-1B and student visa categories, interest in EB-5 among Indians has surged in recent years.
In February 2025, the Trump administration unveiled a proposal to introduce a separate high-value immigration pathway called the ‘Gold Card’. This programme would allow ultra-high-net-worth foreigners to gain US residency by paying a USD 5 million lump sum, with no job-creation or active investment requirement. In June, a dedicated registration website for the Gold Card—trumpcard.gov—was launched, allowing interested applicants to join a waitlist.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick went on record to say the new programme was meant to replace the EB-5 visa, which he criticised for being “full of nonsense” and vulnerable to misuse.
However, EB-5 is protected by law until at least 2027 and cannot be scrapped by executive order alone. Only the US Congress can repeal or replace it.
For Indian nationals, this means the EB-5 remains the only currently available investor-based residency route to the US. The Gold Card remains a political proposal and has not been enacted into law.
Portugal: Golden Visa With A Path To Citizenship
Portugal has long been a preferred European destination for Indian investors seeking stable residency and future citizenship. While the Golden Visa programme earlier included real estate-linked options, the rules were overhauled in late 2023 under the “Mais Habitação” law, which permanently removed residential property purchases as a qualifying investment. This was aimed at curbing speculative buying and easing housing pressures in urban centres.
The revised programme now allows Indian nationals to apply by investing at least EUR 500,000 into government-approved venture capital or investment funds, contributing the same amount towards scientific research institutions, or funding business ventures that create at least five new jobs in Portugal. A lower threshold of EUR 250,000 applies to donations supporting cultural or heritage preservation initiatives.
Residency permits are granted initially for one year and are renewable. Recent changes also allow applicants to count the residency period from the date of application rather than the final approval, effectively reducing the timeline to apply for citizenship. After five years of legal residence, and upon meeting the basic language requirement (A2 Portuguese) and minimum physical stay conditions, individuals can apply for Portuguese citizenship. However, Indian nationals must renounce their Indian passports, as dual citizenship is not permitted by Indian law.
While application volumes remain high, processing delays continue to be a concern. Many applicants face wait times of 12 to 24 months, with some still awaiting approvals submitted over two years ago. Despite these lags, Portugal’s Golden Visa continues to be attractive for Indians looking to establish a base in the European Union with a future pathway to citizenship.
Saudi Arabia: Premium Residency Programme
As part of its Vision 2030 reforms, Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its Premium Residency programme, often referred to as the Saudi ‘Green Card’. This initiative allows foreign nationals, including Indians, to live, work, and invest in the Kingdom without the need for a local sponsor. Initially launched with two options—an annual renewable residency for SAR 100,000 (approximately USD 26,700) and a lifetime residency for SAR 800,000 (around USD 213,000)—the programme now includes additional tracks for investors, entrepreneurs, property owners, highly skilled professionals, and exceptional talent.
Premium Residency holders can own real estate (with some exclusions in the holy cities), establish and operate businesses, sponsor immediate family members, and freely enter and exit the country. New categories, such as Entrepreneur and Investor residencies, have been introduced with separate investment thresholds and job-creation criteria. While the programme does not offer a direct path to Saudi citizenship, it provides long-term economic and personal stability, especially for Indians engaged in Gulf business ecosystems or those seeking to live in Saudi Arabia without the constraints of the traditional sponsorship (kafala) system.
Paraguay: One Of The Easiest Permanent Residency Routes
Among all countries offering economic residency programmes, Paraguay stands out for its simplicity and low cost. Indian nationals can obtain permanent residency by depositing a nominal amount—between USD 5,000 and 6,000—in a Paraguayan bank or investing in a local business.
The application process is straightforward, with minimal bureaucratic hurdles. Permanent residency is usually granted within three to six months. What makes Paraguay even more appealing is that applicants can apply for citizenship after just three years of permanent residence, provided they meet physical presence and integration criteria.
Given its low cost and ease of access, Paraguay is increasingly seen as a backup option for Indian freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads.
Caribbean Nations: Fast-Track Citizenship By Investment
Several Caribbean nations, such as Dominica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, offer full citizenship to Indian nationals in exchange for economic contributions. These Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programmes typically require a donation to a government fund or investment in pre-approved real estate projects.
The minimum investment starts at around USD 100,000 for individual applicants, with family packages costing upwards of USD 150,000 to USD 250,000 depending on the country and the number of dependents included. Most programmes process applications within three to eight months.
The biggest draw for Indians is the global mobility these passports offer. Most CBI countries provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area and the UK. However, these programmes do not grant residency rights in these regions, only enhanced travel privileges.
Grenada’s programme is particularly popular among Indians because Grenadian passport holders are eligible for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, allowing them to operate businesses in the United States.
Vietnam: 10-Year Golden Visa Scheme
Vietnam has officially entered the residency-by-investment space with a structured Golden Visa programme launched in May 2025. The initiative offers Temporary Residence Cards (TRCs) ranging from one to ten years, depending on the size and nature of the applicant’s investment. Open to citizens of several countries, including India, the programme targets long-term investors, skilled professionals, and business owners seeking a stable base in Southeast Asia.
Applicants can choose from different categories, with the ten-year visa (ĐT1) requiring a minimum investment of approximately USD 4 million, typically in high-priority sectors like technology or renewable energy. Lower tiers offer five- and three-year permits for investments between USD 120,000 and USD 4 million, with active participation in the Vietnamese economy being a core requirement. While often described as a Golden Visa, Vietnam’s model emphasises operational engagement over passive financial contributions.
Visa holders are allowed to live, work, and conduct business in Vietnam, and may sponsor family members such as spouses and dependent children. In higher investment categories, permanent residency becomes available after three years, and citizenship is possible after five—subject to local language and residency conditions, and with the requirement to renounce existing citizenship, including Indian nationality.
With a digital-first application process being rolled out across major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s new residency scheme offers Indians a long-term, business-friendly platform in one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
Hungary: Guest Investor Residency Programme
Hungary officially relaunched its Guest Investor Residency Programme in July 2024, offering a ten-year renewable residency permit to high-net-worth individuals, including Indian nationals. Under the current rules, applicants can qualify by investing €250,000 in a government-approved real estate fund or making a €1 million donation to a Hungarian public interest trust supporting education or cultural initiatives. Direct residential property purchases are no longer an option under the revised programme.
Successful applicants gain the right to live in Hungary and travel freely across the Schengen Area, with minimal physical stay requirements. While the programme does not provide an immediate path to citizenship, permanent residency is possible after three years, and naturalisation may be available after eight years, subject to language proficiency and integration criteria.
Despite a slow start—fewer than 30 permits were issued in the first six months—the programme remains attractive to Indians seeking long-term EU access without the heavy tax burdens or visibility associated with larger schemes. Although Hungary’s earlier bond-for-residency initiative was marred by controversy and eventually shut down, the current model has stricter regulatory oversight and greater transparency.
The Bottom Line
As global immigration models evolve, Indians now have access to a wide spectrum of residency options—from premium investment schemes in the US and Europe to faster, lower-cost pathways in Latin America and the Caribbean. Each country comes with its own legal, financial, and long-term implications.
Every move should be preceded by proper legal due diligence, expert consultation, and a clear understanding of citizenship laws, especially given India’s restrictions on dual nationality.
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More
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