Imagine being able to visit Greece without having to worry about obtaining a Schengen visa, or visiting New York without having to wait a year for a US visa. Some people have access to this exceptional access because to their golden visas, which grant either citizenship or residency in exchange for investment. This is a visa that is provided in exchange for a certain amount of investment in the host country to vetted, eligible individuals—typically high net worth individuals like investors, business owners, or people with specialized talents. Those who possess this visa are then permitted to settle in the host nation and take advantage of all the same legal privileges as citizens of that nation. While several nations, including Portugal, Ireland, and Cyprus, have halted their Golden Visa programs due to worries about an increase in the danger of crime and money laundering, other nations still grant the privileged visa. Golden visas have evolved into a sort of status symbol throughout time thanks to the access and freedom they provide the super-rich. With a minimum investment requirement of 738,000 euros (about 6.5 crores), Malta is one of the most well-liked and expensive golden visa locations. The list also includes Greece, Italy, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, the latter of which has Indian residents including actor Sanjay Dutt from Bollywood and artist Mona Biswarupa Mohanty, who was born in Odisha. Here is a list of 20 significant nations that grant golden visas: Austria Citizenship by investment: Investment: No specified minimum investment, you must make a “substantial contribution to the Austrian economy” What you get: EU citizenship Residence by investment: Investment: EUR 40,000 (about Rs35.5 lakhs) in liquid funds What you get: The right of free movement to Austria, the rest of the EU, and Europe’s Schengen Area Malta Investment: EUR 738,000 (about Rs6.5 crores) What you get: The right to live and own a home in Malta Türkiye Investment: $400,000 (about Rs3.2 crores) What you get: Free movement to Türkiye, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore Greece Investment: EUR 250,000 (about Rs2.2 crores) What you get: Free movement to Greece and Europe’s Schengen Area Italy Investment: EUR 250,000 (about Rs2.2 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in Italy Netherlands Investment: EUR 1.25 million (about Rs11 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in the Netherlands Spain Investment: EUR 500,000 (about Rs4.4 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study in Spain, and free movement to the EU and Europe’s Schengen Area Switzerland Investment: CHF 250,000 in annual taxes (Rs2.2 crores) What you get: The right to live and study in Switzerland United Kingdom Investment: Demonstrate sufficient investment funds to start and grow their business and have a business plan that has been endorsed and approved by the Home Office. What you get: The right to live, work, and study anywhere in the United Kingdom Australia Investment: AUD 2.5 million (about Rs13 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in Australia Hong Kong Investment: Applicants must complete a points-based test under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme What you get: Eligible to apply for permanent residence after seven years Malaysia Investment: MYR 1 million (about Rs1.7 crores) What you get: Long-term multiple-entry visas enabling the applicants and their families to live in Malaysia New Zealand Investment: NZD 5 million (about Rs25 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in New Zealand Singapore Investment: SGD 10 million (about Rs60 crores) What you get: Eligibility for citizenship after two years of permanent residence Thailand Investment: THB 600,000 (about Rs13.2 lakhs) What you get: Long-term, privilege multiple-entry permit and complimentary services like a personal assistant for international flights and lounge access USA Investment: USD 800,000 (about Rs6.5 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in the USA Canada Investment: Propose an innovative, scaling start-up business, approved by a designated organisation What you get: The right to live, work, and study without restriction in Canada Mauritius Investment: USD 375,000 (about Rs3 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and retire in Mauritius UAE Investment: AED 2 million (about Rs4.45 crores) What you get: The right to live in any of the seven Emirates of the UAE Jordan Investment: USD 750,000 (about Rs6 crores) What you get: The right to live, work, and study in Jordan