The Trump administration plans to scrutinize social media for “anti-American ideologies” when deciding to grant visa or green-card applications https://t.co/1J7G38nYsX ...

Investment Immigration Programs Overview - Investment immigration programs, including golden visa and golden passport programs, are more common globally than perceived, with over 20 countries offering citizenship by investment and approximately 60 countries and 5 territories offering residency programs [3][4] - These programs aim to boost the host country's economy by attracting investments, particularly impactful for smaller nations where they can contribute significantly to GDP [6][7] Program Variations and Requirements - Golden visa programs grant residency, while golden passport programs offer citizenship, sometimes without requiring physical presence in the country [5][6] - Requirements vary widely, including investment amounts, types of investments (real estate, government fees, managed funds, bonds, equities, businesses), and whether the immigrant gains residency or citizenship [5] - New Zealand's program requires investments of 5 million NZD (approximately 3 million USD) for the growth category and 10 million NZD (approximately 6 million USD) for the balance category [14] Economic Impact and Concerns - Investment immigration can significantly impact smaller economies, accounting for up to 50% of the GDP in some island nations [7][8] - However, concerns exist about potential negative consequences, such as crowding out local citizens in real estate markets and the risk of attracting illicit funds [9][18][19] - Some countries, like Spain, Ireland, and the UK, have shut down their programs due to these concerns, while others, like New Zealand, are increasing their efforts to attract high-net-worth individuals [9][12] US Programs and Proposals - The US has an EB-5 visa program requiring an $800,000 investment and job creation, but it has been criticized for being complicated and underutilized, with only about 5,000 of the 10,000 available visas being used annually [2][22] - A proposed "gold card" system in the US would involve a $5 million fee for permanent residency, but its potential impact on the national debt is considered unlikely to be significant, especially at that price point [1][24][26] - Some argue that lowering the price of visas could attract more wealthy immigrants, generating increased economic activity and tax revenue [27][28] Alternative Approaches and Market-Based Solutions - A market-based system for allocating visas, based on pricing, is suggested as a more efficient and effective approach [29][30] - Such a system could potentially undermine illegal immigration by providing a legal pathway for even low-skilled immigrants, who currently pay significant smuggling fees [31][32] - Financial institutions could benefit from providing loans to immigrants seeking to purchase green cards, creating a boon for the US financial system and economy [35]