Active Investor Plus Visa

Investment Migration News September 2025

09/10/2026 Active Investor Plus Visa 10 min read

IMM Group Investment Migration News September 2025: Highlights From the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Türkiye, and New Zealand

October 1, 2025 · Residency by investment · 18 min read

In this edition of Investment Migration News September 2025, IMM Group reviews the month’s most notable developments in residency and citizenship by investment programs. This issue covers:

1. President Donald Trump officially announces the “Trump Gold Card” immigration program, starting at US$1 million

On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the “Trump Gold Card,” which allows foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residence (a green card) through a financial contribution, made either personally or through a sponsoring business.

The contribution is non-refundable and carries no job-creation requirement. According to the administration, the program is designed to raise at least US$100 billion to support the federal budget and ease the burden on public systems.

Program details:

Individuals: a US$1 million contribution plus a US$15,000 processing fee to obtain U.S. permanent residence.
Businesses: companies may sponsor employees at US$2 million per person, and the sponsorship may be transferable to another person in the future.
A US$5 million “Trump Platinum Card” is expected to launch soon. It is aimed at ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with the prospect of spending up to 270 days a year in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. tax on non-U.S. income.

The application process is described as simple, with processing expected to take a few months. However, the program currently rests on an executive order and has not been passed by Congress, so it remains exposed to legal risk and future policy changes.

For investors who prioritize capital preservation, the EB-5 program remains a more suitable option because it offers the possibility of capital repayment (EB-5 capital must remain at risk, so repayment is not guaranteed), whereas the Gold Card is a non-refundable contribution.

Read the full article

2. H-1B petitions now carry a US$100,000 fee, effective September 21, 2025

President Donald Trump has signed a presidential proclamation requiring a US$100,000 payment for each new H-1B petition, effective September 21, 2025. The requirement does not apply to extensions or to petitions filed before that date. The policy is seen as the first step in a roadmap for tightening the H-1B program, with the aim of prioritizing American workers and refocusing the program.

Beyond the new payment, the U.S. government is expected to raise prevailing wage requirements and change how the lottery works to favor highly skilled, higher-paid candidates. The move reflects the Trump administration’s hard line on what it sees as employers misusing the H-1B visa to replace American workers with lower-cost foreign labor.

With hiring costs rising sharply, small businesses and international workers will find it harder to access the U.S. labor market. Industry experts suggest that investors consider alternatives such as EB-5 or the L-1A visa, which are seen as more stable immigration routes with less exposure to policy swings.

Read the full article

3. Greece Golden Visa numbers rise 31% on the back of tax incentives and flexible residency rules

In the first 7 months of 2025, Greece Golden Visa applications rose 31% to 17,254, the highest level in a year. The growth is driven by flexible residency rules and preferential tax treatment for foreign nationals. With a minimum real estate investment of €250,000 (approximately US$280,000), investors can obtain a 5-year residence permit and enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.

Greece also offers a flat tax of €100,000 per year on worldwide income, plus €20,000 for each dependent, which appeals to high-net-worth international investors. Foreign retirees pay a flat 7% tax for up to 15 years.

With no minimum stay required to maintain the residence permit, the Greece Golden Visa suits investors who want to combine European residency with real estate investment. As several European countries tighten their residency programs, Greece has kept its entry threshold relatively low and its policy open, making it a strategic destination for investors worldwide.

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4. Portugal ranks as the world’s 7th safest country

According to the 2025 Global Peace Index, Portugal ranks 7th out of 163 countries, up one place from the previous year. The result reflects political stability, low crime, and a welcoming living environment, reinforcing Portugal’s position as an attractive place to settle in Europe.

Safety is increasingly important for investors and families looking for a long-term home. With a mild climate and reasonable living costs, Portugal is a strategic choice in an uncertain world.

There are currently 2 main residency routes: the D7 visa for applicants with stable passive income of at least €10,440 (approximately US$12,000) per year, which requires physical residence in Portugal; and the Portugal Golden Visa through a €500,000 (approximately US$560,000) investment in qualifying investment funds, with no long-term stay requirement, suited to investors seeking flexibility and asset diversification in the EU.

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5. Türkiye opens e-visas to Vietnamese citizens from September 1, 2025, with a streamlined procedure and quick processing

From September 1, 2025, Vietnamese citizens can apply for a Turkish e-visa online and no longer need to hold a U.S., UK, or Schengen visa as before. The e-visa allows a single entry and a stay of up to 30 days, costs just US$51, and is processed within a few days.

The application is simple, requiring only an ordinary passport valid for at least 6 months, an email address, and a credit or debit card. The change is a significant step in promoting trade, tourism, and strategic cooperation between Türkiye and Vietnam, and it makes it easier to explore the market and prepare for residency by investment or Turkish citizenship.

The Turkey citizenship by investment program currently requires a real estate investment of at least US$400,000, held for a minimum of 3 years. Turkish citizens enjoy visa-free access to more than 110 countries and may be eligible to apply for the U.S. E-2 visa to live and invest in the United States, a multi-purpose strategy that is drawing growing interest from investors.

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6. New Zealand residency in 2025: Active Investor Plus Visa reforms open the door wider for investors

From April 1, 2025, New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP Visa) underwent a major overhaul, lowering the investment threshold from NZ$15 million to NZ$5–10 million depending on the category. The AIP now offers 2 options: Growth (NZ$5 million invested over 3 years in private businesses or approved funds) and Balanced (NZ$10 million invested over 5 years, with a more flexible portfolio).

Key highlights: no English language requirement and fast processing of around 23 working days. Investors may also buy or build a home worth NZ$5 million or more. After at least 3 years, they may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa and progress toward New Zealand citizenship.

Within just 5 months of the reform, the AIP Visa attracted 308 applications (covering 1,000 applicants), with total committed capital of nearly NZ$1.9 billion.

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7. Second citizenship by investment programs with strong benefits, straightforward requirements, and competitive costs

Amid global volatility, second citizenship is no longer just a status symbol but a strategic necessity for investors. Citizenship by investment programs in Grenada, Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Türkiye are drawing interest for their flexible requirements and reasonable costs.

Grenada citizenship stands out for visa-free access to more than 140 countries (including China, the UK, and the Schengen Area), no tax on worldwide income for non-resident citizens, and an E-2 treaty with the U.S. The investment starts at US$235,000 (government contribution) or US$270,000 (real estate) for a family of 4, with no residency or language requirement.

Dominica citizenship and St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship suit cost-conscious investors, starting from US$200,000, with visa-free travel to more than 140 countries and permanent citizenship, with dual citizenship permitted.

Turkish citizenship is also worth considering, with an investment from US$400,000, a potential route to the U.S. E-2 visa, and broader opportunities in Europe. It is a strategy for protecting assets, gaining freedom of movement, and planning a global future for the investor’s family.

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8. Overseas real estate: a strategy for preserving and growing wealth sustainably

Overseas real estate ownership is becoming a core strategy for investors, not only to preserve wealth in hard currency but also to generate passive income and build a “Plan B” for the family’s future.

Investing in real estate in Europe—such as Greece, Cyprus, or Türkiye—can help diversify a portfolio, provide access to international markets, and take advantage of favorable tax policies. In major cities such as Istanbul, strong rental markets can generate steady income in USD or EUR. Properties near education centers can also combine investment with plans for a child’s overseas education.

Through programs such as the Greece Golden Visa, Cyprus permanent residence, or Turkey citizenship by investment, investors can hold tangible assets alongside residency rights or second citizenship—expanding access to education, healthcare, and global mobility.

This is a long-term approach to protecting wealth, preparing for uncertainty, and preserving financial security for the next generation.

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IMM Group: why choose a proven advisory firm?

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.

IMM Group is a pioneering, long-established firm with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam. We are not salespeople, and we do more than advise: we design global investment and citizenship 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 officially become 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 investment migration programs around the world.

IMM Group