By Jennifer Mathews
- The U.S. is considering a ‘golden visa’ program that grants residency to wealthy investors
- 2025 is set to break records for millionaire migration with 142,000 individuals seeking alternative residency
If you have $1 million to spare, America may be rolling out the welcome mat. The U.S. is reportedly considering launching a “golden visa” program– a policy with far-reaching cultural and economic implications. This residency-by-investment policy could allow the wealthy to buy their way into citizenship through real estate or business investments. It’s not new—Portugal introduced a similar program in 2012, generating more than $7.2 billion in economic activity by 2024.
Why This Matters: At first glance, golden visas look like a win — they bring in foreign capital, create jobs, and could boost real estate markets. However, the implications cut deeper, raising key questions about access, equity, and who really benefits. For Black and Brown communities, they’re still fighting for generational wealth and if you look closely, these policies show how mobility and citizenship—tools we’ve been denied historically—are increasingly up for sale.
So, who gets to move freely? Who gets access to opportunity? With 2025 expected to be a record-breaking year for millionaire migration, some 142,000 high-net-worth individuals plan to leave their home countries, seeking friendlier tax regimes, political stability, and elite-level perks. If millionaires can move at will, what does that mean for everyone else still locked out? It means that the divide between the ultra-wealthy and the rest of society will grow even more pronounced. As the wealthy get to settle in tax havens with preferential visa programs, the global inequality gap is far from narrowing.
Situational Awareness: While countries like Spain are shutting golden visa programs due to housing and gentrification concerns, the U.S. looks ready to cash in. If implemented, the policy could transform immigration—again—for the wealthy. For the rest of us, it’s time to demand equal access to the economic ladders being built. If we don’t, they’ll just keep raising them higher.
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