Canada is moving to pause new intake under its federal Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set to stop accepting new SUV permanent residence applications at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025—subject to a narrow exception. IRCC framed the decision as part of broader changes
On December 10, 2025, the Trump administration formally opened applications for a new premium U.S. immigration pathway known as the Trump Gold Card, positioning it as an expedited route to lawful permanent residence for high-net-worth foreign nationals. The launch marks a notable development in U.S. immigration policy, introducing a high-cost,
The Kingdom of Bahrain has slashed the minimum real-estate investment required to obtain its Golden Residency visa from roughly US$530,555 to US$345,000, a 35% reduction. Under the revised terms, foreign nationals who own property in Bahrain worth at least BHD 130,000 (approximately US$345,000) now become eligible for Golden Residency. What
Kuwait has announced a significant update to its residency framework by creating long-term residency options for foreign investors. Under the newly issued Executive Regulations of the Residence of Foreigners Law, qualifying investors can obtain residency permits valid for 10 years or 15 years, depending on the type of investment. This
Interest in golden-visa and residency-by-investment options has surged, just as the Autumn Budget 2025 in the UK looms. Recent data from Astons highlights dramatic upticks in searches for investment and residence-based immigration pathways, reflecting a broader shift in how high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are responding to tax and mobility concerns. Search
Armenia is preparing a significant modernization of its immigration system that will introduce a five-year, fast-track permanent-residence route tailored to investors, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile families. The reforms, scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2026, aim to streamline residency pathways, simplify administration, and make Armenia a more competitive jurisdiction
Sierra Leone has expanded the scope of its Go-FOR-GOLD Citizenship Program, allowing investors to include a broader range of family members and, for the first time, business partners within a single application. The update follows what program officials described as a successful pilot phase, during which 13 families were naturalized
Mozambique has announced the launch of a new tiered investor-residency program designed to attract foreign capital into priority sectors of the economy. Under the program, investors who commit at least USD $500,000 will be eligible for a five-year residence permit, while investments of $5 million or more will qualify for
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a proposal to significantly lower fees across the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, easing costs for both investors and regional centers. The draft rule, recently published for public comment, outlines reductions of up to 61% for regional center and project-related filings, and
Portugal has officially approved one of the most significant overhauls of its citizenship law. On October 28, 2025, the Portuguese Parliament voted in favor of amendments extending the naturalization timeline, adding new eligibility criteria, and tightening the definition of residency. The reform now awaits the President’s signature before publication in
