Headline

9 Countries That Offer ‘Golden Visa’ In Exchange For Investments

Published

6 months ago

February 28, 2025

Editor

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed replacing the existing EB-5 immigrant investor program with a new “gold card” golden visa system, allowing foreign investors to obtain American citizenship by making a $5 million payment.

The EB-5 visa program, which currently grants U.S. permanent residency to individuals who invest at least $800,000 in job-creating projects, has long been a pathway for wealthy investors seeking U.S. citizenship.

Trump’s new proposal would significantly raise the financial threshold while offering a more direct route to American nationality.

Global Golden Visa Programs
The concept of securing residency or citizenship through investment is not unique to the U.S. Many countries offer “golden visas” or similar schemes to attract foreign capital. Below are some of the most notable programs worldwide:

Europe
Greece – Introduced in 2013, Greece’s program grants permanent residency to individuals who invest a minimum of €250,000 ($262,800) in real estate. Residency permits are renewable every five years.

Malta – Foreign nationals can acquire citizenship by contributing at least €600,000 to Malta’s economic development, with a required residence period of at least 36 months.

Italy – Italy’s golden visa grants residency to investors contributing between €250,000 and €2 million, with visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

Cyprus – Requires a minimum investment of €300,000 for foreign nationals seeking residency.

Middle East
United Arab Emirates – Investors who contribute at least 2 million dirhams ($544,602) to the UAE economy can qualify for a long-term residence permit, commonly known as the UAE golden visa.

Caribbean
Several Caribbean nations offer citizenship in exchange for economic contributions:

Dominica – A minimum investment of $200,000 secures citizenship for applicants and their families.

Grenada – Requires an investment of at least $235,000 and grants visa-free travel to several countries, including China, Russia, and the Schengen Area.

St. Kitts and Nevis – One of the oldest programs, established in 1984, requires a $250,000 contribution in exchange for full citizenship.

Saint Lucia – A minimum investment of $240,000 grants full citizenship, subject to due diligence checks.

Antigua and Barbuda – Citizenship is granted to applicants over 18 who invest at least $230,000.
Asia

Thailand – The Thailand Privilege Residence Program offers residency for up to 20 years with a minimum investment of 650,000 baht ($19,299). Additionally, a Long-Term Residence Program provides 10-year visas for investments starting at 50,000 baht.

Indonesia – Launched in 2024, Indonesia’s program offers a 10-year visa to foreign investors contributing up to $10 million, granting them access to the country’s economic opportunities.

Trump’s proposed “gold card” initiative would place the U.S. among the nations leveraging investment-based immigration to attract high-net-worth individuals. While details of the plan remain unclear, the proposed cost of $5 million is significantly higher than similar programs in other countries.

Headline

Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

Headline

US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”