Investment Migration News December 2025 – Global Investment & Citizenship Bulletin: Highlights from the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and Türkiye
December 31, 2025 · Residency by investment · 17 min read
In this edition of Investment Migration News December 2025, IMM Group reviews the key developments across global residency and citizenship by investment programs. This issue covers:
1. Trump Gold Card opens for applications as the U.S. moves to tighten ESTA entry screening
On December 10, 2025, the Trump administration officially opened applications for the “Gold Card” program and, at the same time, moved to tighten entry requirements for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).
Under the proposed rules, ESTA travelers would be required to provide 5 years of social media history and 10 years of email addresses, significantly increasing the risk of being denied entry for those who do not meet security standards.
The “Gold Card” program, meanwhile, requires a non-refundable contribution to the U.S. government of US$1 million for individuals and US$2 million for corporate sponsors.
Although the Trump Gold Card offers an advantage in speed, experts consider EB-5 the stronger option on legal and financial grounds. Unlike the Gold Card, which rests on an executive order, EB-5 is a durable program established by an act of Congress, with a grandfathering provision for petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026. Financially, rather than paying a large non-refundable sum, EB-5 requires an investment starting at US$800,000 for the whole family, with the potential for return of capital, although the investment must remain at risk as required by U.S. law. Investors should aim to file before September 30, 2026 to secure the current investment amount ahead of the inflation adjustment expected on January 1, 2027.
2. Canada officially closes the Start-up Visa (SUV) program
On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would stop accepting new applications under the Start-up Visa (SUV) Program in order to work through a backlog of more than 43,000 applications. With intake capped at just 1,000 places a year from 2026, processing times had already stretched to nearly 10 years.
Under these measures, IRCC stopped accepting applications for the optional SUV work permit from December 19 and will stop accepting new permanent residence applications from January 1, 2026. However, entrepreneurs who received a Letter of Support from a designated organization in 2025 may still apply by the June 30, 2026 deadline.
The move is intended to pave the way for a new, more selective federal pilot program for entrepreneurs, expected to launch in 2026.
In light of this, experts recommend that investors turn to provincial entrepreneur streams (such as PEI, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba). These offer a more durable alternative, allowing investors to actively run an operating business and avoid the risk of prolonged waiting.
3. New Zealand ranks 3rd in the world for peace and social stability: a strategic destination for investors
Ranked 3rd globally for peace and social stability in the Global Peace Index 2025, New Zealand continues to stand out as a safe haven for investors’ assets and their families’ future. Its political stability and transparent legal framework provide a solid foundation for reducing risk as families settle in.
Notable New Zealand residency by investment programs for investors to consider:
- Active Investor Plus (AIP): investment from NZ$5–10 million, with flexible conditions for applicants, including no age limit, no English language requirement, and minimal time-in-New Zealand requirements.
- Business Investor Visa: investment from NZ$1–2 million, for entrepreneurs who want to run a business directly, with a pathway to a Resident Visa in as little as 12 months.
Residence can lead to citizenship, and as New Zealand passport holders, investors can live and work freely in Australia under the Special Category visa (subclass 444).
4. Greece extends its VAT suspension on new-build property through 2026: a cost-saving opportunity for Golden Visa investors
The Greek government passed Law 5246/2025, formally extending the suspension of 24% VAT on newly built property through December 31, 2026. This is a significant opportunity for international investors, saving tens of thousands of euros in upfront costs, as buyers pay only transfer tax of 3%–3.09% instead of 24% VAT.
The move reaffirms Greece’s commitment to maintaining an attractive and stable environment for investors.
With investment from €250,000 (approximately US$280,000), the Greece Golden Visa is currently an efficient route to multi-generational residence rights and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. The VAT suspension not only reduces sunk costs but also lets investors direct more of their budget toward the real value of the property and make the most of euro-denominated rental income.
Investors may consider current Greece Golden Visa projects from €250,000, including:
Experts expect demand for qualifying real estate to rise significantly in the coming period, so investors may wish to act early to take advantage of current pricing and supply.
5. Cyprus real estate: a euro-denominated store of value with potential returns of 3–5% a year
Amid global economic volatility, Cyprus real estate is emerging as an effective way to hold assets in euros, with the potential to generate passive income of 3–5% a year.
As an EU member state, Cyprus offers a transparent legal system, favorable tax policies, and an attractive permanent residence program, requiring a minimum investment of €300,000 (approximately US$336,000) and a visit to Cyprus at least once every 2 years to maintain permanent residence status. Investors can choose property to live in, to rent out, or to combine both as an income-generating investment — particularly in areas such as Paphos and Ayia Napa.
With steady rental demand from tourists and international residents, Cyprus real estate is attracting investment from around the world. Cyprus PR can also open a path to citizenship after 8 years of residence, along with the prospect of visa-free travel within the Schengen Area in the near future. This makes it a suitable option for investors seeking to diversify risk, secure a place to live, and build a long-term financial strategy.
6. Turkish real estate: a USD store of value with growth potential at a strategic business gateway between Asia, Europe, and Africa
Istanbul, the hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa, is emerging as a strategic choice for investors looking to preserve USD-denominated wealth, generate recurring rental income, and broaden their global residency plans.
Under a transparent legal framework, foreign investors may own property on a long-term basis, transact in USD, and apply for Turkish citizenship by investment with a minimum investment of US$400,000.
The Axis Istanbul project, located in Istanbul with convenient transport links, serves investment, residency, and international business goals at the same time. Owners can earn passive rental income while gaining a second home base for the family, broader education options for their children, and a pathway to a Turkish passport, which offers visa-free or eVisa access to more than 110 countries.
As residency policies tighten worldwide, this offers a way to build USD-denominated assets while establishing a long-term residency base for your family.
7. Grenada becomes headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA): key points on the new citizenship by investment policy
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed that Grenada will host the headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), a joint regulator for 5 countries in the region, created to meet increasingly stringent transparency requirements from the United States and the European Union. Expected to begin operations in early 2026, ECCIRA will have broad supervisory powers, including the authority to revoke the licenses of non-compliant entities and to standardize due diligence procedures under a single, harmonized set of standards.
For investors, the key change is a mandatory biometric data requirement for both new applications and passport renewals, together with a centralized database designed to prevent security risks and application fraud across member countries. Although vetting will be stricter, the participating countries’ commitment to maintaining a minimum investment of US$200,000 and strengthening oversight serves as an essential safeguard for preserving visa-free access to the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.
IMM Group has been licensed to advise on the Grenada Citizenship by Investment program for 5 consecutive years. The license is granted after an independent review of legal compliance, financial capacity, and advisory experience, helping to keep the investment process secure and lawful.
Global investment and citizenship: why choose an advisory firm with a proven track record?
The global investment and citizenship landscape is constantly changing and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner that not only helps build a strong application but also serves as a reliable anchor for the family’s future. That is why, across all our global investment and citizenship solutions, IMM Group sets itself apart as a strategic advisory partner, working alongside you with experience and integrity.
As a pioneer with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam, IMM Group does not act as a sales agent. We do more than advise — we design investment migration solutions built on:
- Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Our experience successfully handling hundreds of cases, including complex ones, enables us to conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, even during market crises.
- In-depth professional consulting and full transparency: Every IMM Group advisor and case manager is certified in investment migration advisory by the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team analyzes benefits and risks in full, so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
- Integrity and commitment every step of the way: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group stays with you from the first step until you have settled in your new country. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to stand up for clients’ interests and to proactively refund service fees when risks beyond the client’s control arise, as set out in the contract.
- Receiving and giving back: Since 2025, IMM Group has operated as a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you also help hundreds of students facing exceptional hardship gain a chance to change their lives.
For full details, read the linked articles or contact IMM Group to discuss global investment and citizenship programs.
IMM Group
- Tags:
- Cyprus residency by investment
- EB-5 U.S. green card by investment
- Active Investor Plus Visa
- Canada Start-up Visa
- Business Investor Visa program
- Canadian provincial entrepreneur streams
- InterContinental Grenada Resort
- Turkish citizenship
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