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From the United States to Vietnam, in 2025, take a deep look at where and how Indians can qualify for long -term residency or citizenship.
Learn about affordable countries offering citizenship programs for Indians. Representative image
United Arab Emirates with a nomination-based opening Gold visa program For Indians without the need for investment in real estate or business, many are now asking: other countries provide the same route to residence or citizenship? Whether better global mobility, long-term disposal, or strategic family planning, many countries offer Indian citizens to legally reside, and in some cases, obtain complete citizenship through structured economic or merit-based criteria.
Here is a wide eye on global destinations that currently welcome Indians through residence or investment programs, how much it costs, and what are the eligibility requirements.
United States: EB -5 investor visa and proposed gold card
The United States is one of the most demanded destinations for Indian professionals and high-to-qualified individuals. Under the EB-5 immigrant investor program, Indian applicants can get one US Green Card Investing a minimum of 800,000 USD in a targeted employment sector-or at a minimum of 150 percent of the national average or a non-target of the national average with an unemployment, usually with USD $ 1.05 million in urban or economically developed areas. Investment should create at least ten full -time jobs for American citizens or legitimate residents.
The EB-5 visa applicant allows their spouse and unmarried children to live, study and work anywhere in America under 21 years of age. After a five -year permanent residence, applicants are eligible to apply for American citizenship. With increasing sanctions on H -1B and student visa categories, interest in EB -5 among Indians has increased in recent years.
In February 2025, the Trump administration unveiled a proposal to introduce a different high-value immigration route, called ‘gold Card’The program will allow the Ultra-High-Net-Worth foreigners to get USD 5 million lump sum to achieve the US residence, with no job-building or active investment requirement. In June, a dedicated registration website for Gold Card-Trumpcard.gov was launched, allowing interested applicants to join a weightlist.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik recorded to say that the new program was to change the EB -5 visa, which he criticized for being “full of rubbish” and unsafe for misuse.
However, the EB-5 is preserved by the law by at least 2027 and cannot be left alone by the executive order. Only the US Congress can cancel or change it.
For Indian citizens, this means that EB -5 is currently available for the US -based in -based residence. The Gold Card remains a political proposal and is not made in the law.
Portugal: Golden Visa with a route for citizenship
Portugal is a long time a favorite European destination for Indian investors who have been demanding stable residence and future citizenship. While the Golden Visa program included the first real estate-linked options, the rules were overhell under the “Mais Habsação” law in late 2023, which permanently removed residential property purchase as a qualification investment. Its purpose was to buy betting and reduce housing pressure in urban centers.
The revised program now allows Indian citizens to apply to the government approved by investing at least 500,000 in the enterprise capital or investment funds, contributes the same amount to the scientific research institutes, or funds the business enterprises that create at least five new jobs in Portugal. A lower range of EUR 250,000 applies to donations supporting cultural or heritage conservation initiatives.
Residency permits are initially provided for one year and are renewable. Recent changes also allow applicants to count the residency period from the date of the application instead of final approval, effectively reduces the timeline to apply for citizenship. After a five -year legal residence, and the need for the basic language (A2 Portuguese) and on completing minimal physical living conditions, individuals can apply for Portuguese citizenship. However, Indian citizens should renounce their Indian passport, as dual citizenship is not allowed by Indian law.
While the application volumes live high, processing delay is a matter of concern. Many applicants have to face waiting for 12 to 24 months, some are still waiting for approval presented two years ago. Despite these intervals, Portugal’s Golden Visa remains attractive to Indians who want to establish a foundation with a future path for citizenship in the European Union.
Saudi Arabia: Premium Residency Program
As part of its vision 2030 reforms, Saudi Arabia has greatly expanded its premium residency program, often called Saudi ‘Green Card’. This initiative allows living, working and investing in the state without the need of local sponsors, including foreign nationals, Indians. Initially launched with two options – an annual Akshaya Niwas for SAR 100,000 (about USD 26,700) and a lifetime for SAR 800,000 (around 213,000 USD) – the program now includes investors, entrepreneurs, property owners, highly skilled professionals and additional tracks for extraordinary talent.
Premium resident holders can own real estate (with some exclusion in holy cities), establish and operate businesses, can immediately sponsor family members, and enter the country independently. New categories, such as entrepreneurs and investor residence, have been introduced with different investment thresholds and job-building norms. While the program does not give a direct way to Saudi citizenship, it provides long -term economic and personal stability, especially for Indians engaged in Gulf Business Ecosystem or trying to live in Saudi Arabia without the obstacles of the traditional sponsorship (Kafala) system.
Paraguay: One of the easiest permanent habitat routes
In all countries offering economic residence programs, Paraguay stands out for its simplicity and low cost. Indian citizens can get a permanent residence by depositing a nominal amount – one can invest between 5,000 and 6,000 USD in a Paraguayan bank or in local business.
The application process is straightforward with minimum bureaucracy barriers. Permanent residence is usually given within three to six months. Paraguay finds even more attractive that applicants can apply for citizenship only after a permanent residence of three years, provided that they complete the physical appearance and integration norms.
Given its low cost and ease of access, Paraguay is rapidly seen as a backup option for Indian freelancers, entrepreneurs and digital nomads.
Caribbean Nation: Fast-track citizenship by investment
Many Caribbean nations, such as Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis, provide full citizenship to Indian citizens in exchange for economic contribution. These citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs usually require donations for government funds or investment in pre-analogy real estate projects.
The minimum investment for individual applicants starts at around 100,000 USD, with the cost of family packages, the cost of the country is 150,000 USD to above 250,000 and has a number of dependents involved. Most programs process applications within three to eight months.
The greatest draw for Indians is global mobility offering these passports. Most of the CBI countries provide visa-free or visa-on-back access to more than 140 countries including the country Schengen region and the UK. However, these programs do not provide residence rights in these areas, only travel privileges have increased.
The Granada program is particularly popular among Indians as Grenadian passport holders are eligible for US E -2 treaty investor visas, allowing them to operate business in the United States.
Vietnam: 10-Year Golden Visa Scheme
Vietnam has officially entered a resident-by-investment location with a structured golden visa program launched in May 2025. This initiative provides temporary residence card (TRC) from one to ten years based on the size and nature of the applicant. Open for citizens of many countries, including India, the program targets long -term investors, skilled professionals and business owners seeking a stable base in Southeast Asia.
Applicants can choose from different categories, a minimum investment of about 4 million USD with a ten-year visa (đT1), usually in areas with high-purpose, such as technology or renewable energy. Lower tier USD offers five-and-three-year permits for investment between USD 120,000 and USD 4 million, with active participation in the Vietnamese economy. While often described as a golden visa, Vietnam’s model emphasizes operating engagement on passive financial contribution.
Visa holders are allowed to live, work and do business in Vietnam, and family members such as husband -wife and dependent children. In high investment categories, a permanent residence is available after three years, and citizenship is possible after five – for the status of local language and residence, and the need to renounce existing citizenship including Indian nationality.
A digital-first application process is being rolled in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s new Residency Scheme provides Indians a long-term, trade-friendly platform to one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.
Hungary: Guest Investor Residence Program
Hungary officially re-launched its guest investor residency program in July 2024, offering a ten-year renewable residency permit to higher-net-pronged persons, including Indian citizens. Under the current rules, applicants can donate € 1 million to the Hungarian Public Interest Trust by investing € 250,000 in the Real Estate Fund approved by the government or supporting education or cultural initiatives. Purchase of direct residential property is no longer an option under the revised program.
Successful applicants gain the right to live in Hungary and travel independently in the Schengen region, with minimal physical living requirements. While the program does not provide an immediate route to citizenship, permanent residence is possible after three years, and naturalization may be available after eight years, subject to language proficiency and integration criteria.
Despite the slow start, more than 30 permits were issued in six months-the program remains attractive to Indians who want a long-term access to the European Union without heavy tax burden or visions associated with large schemes. Although Hungary’s earlier bond-for-resident initiative was killed by controversies and finally closed, the current model has strict regulatory inspection and more transparency.
Bottom line
As global immigration models develop, Indians now have access to a wide spectrum of residency options-from premium investment plans in America and Europe to rapid, low-cost route in Latin America and Caribbean. UAE’s new enrollment-based Golden Visa has opened flood attacks for other talent-centered programs, but each country comes with its own legal, financial and long-term implications.
Every step should be before appropriate legal hard work, expert consultation and citizenship laws before a clear understanding of laws, especially given India’s sanctions on dual nationality.
Karishma Jain, the Chief Deputy Editor at News18.com, write and edit opinions on various topics including Indian politics and policy, culture and art, technology and social change. Follow it @kar …Read more
Karishma Jain, the Chief Deputy Editor at News18.com, write and edit opinions on various topics including Indian politics and policy, culture and art, technology and social change. Follow it @kar … Read more
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