Since the election of Donald Trump, more and more Americans want a “golden visa” to emigrate – L’Express

Since the election of Donald Trump more and more Americans

Interest in “golden visas” has exploded among wealthier US citizens since the November 5 presidential election, the news channel reports CNN. These so-called “golden” visas allow Americans to purchase citizenship or residence abroad through significant investments, particularly in real estate, government bonds or start-ups.

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Henley & Partners, which describes itself as a global leader in residency and citizenship planning and claims to have invented the concept of citizenship by investment in the 1990s, told the US broadcaster that inquiries from nationals Americans through its website were up nearly 400% the week of the election compared to the previous week. Arton Capital, another investment migration consultancy, told CNN it received more than 100 inquiries the day after Donald Trump’s decisive victory was announced, five times the usual daily average.

In total, applications for golden visas from Americans have increased by 33% since the start of the year compared to the same period last year, with European programs being the most sought after. But most applicants don’t plan to permanently settle in a new country: “For many Americans, the main goal is simply to have the opportunity to do so… like an insurance policy,” he said. said Dominic Volek, head of private clients at Henley & Partners. Additionally, according to the site getgoldenvisa.comamong the reasons given for leaving the United States is the search for a better social and political climate.

Popular Europe

The amount required to obtain a Golden Visa ranges from an investment of $100,000 in real estate in Panama, up to $21.4 million (20 million euros) in the form of a deposit with a financial institution established in Luxembourg. In total, nearly 60 countries offer golden visas, explained Dr. Kristin Surak, associate professor of political sociology at the London School of Economics and author of the book The Golden Passport: Global Mobility for Millionaires, in the columns of the BBC a few months ago.

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The European Union (EU) appears to be one of the most sought-after destinations for applicants for these golden visas, as the right to live and work in an EU member country allows visa-free travel across all Schengen Area States. In 2020, 14 EU countries offered golden visas. Greece, Latvia, Portugal and Spain accounted for more than 70% of approvals in the bloc. But many of these countries have decided to restrict these programs. In 2022, the British government ended a system allowing wealthy foreign nationals to move to the country if they brought assets with them. The following year, Ireland in turn abolished its golden visa, while Portugal revised its own version and Spain considered abandoning the system.

For those who cannot afford a golden visa, CNN notes that social media is full of discussions about other ways to settle abroad. On Reddit, a discussion thread titled “Emigrating after the US election results” received 1,300 comments in less than two weeks.

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