Since July 2024, Indonesia has issued over 1,000 golden visa permits to investors from 61 countries, with corporate investors spearheading demand.
Japan plans to hike the visa’s financial requirement to 30 million yen following the recent arrest of a visa holder accused of facilitating fraudulent applications.
Siren Chen said the current six-month DNV attracted an ‘unsatisfactory number of applications,’ prompting the expansion.
Sarawak changes S-MM2H deposit threshold, income rules, new fees, and agent licensing criteria from January 1, 2025.
Siren Chen says it’s better to curb your enthusiasm: The Elite Card promises a golden ticket, but with a NT$6M salary cap, few can qualify
Gov’t warns of blacklisting MM2H agents spreading misinformation; Vincent Fong hopes for potential residence exemption for investors over 50.
Indonesia aims for 1,000 golden visas by the end of 2024, despite issuing only 300 since the program’s inception.
Global Elite Card offers fast-track residency for high earners, while Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers a six-month stay without residency.
Thailand’s PM hopes to boost tourism in the region, which sees about 70 million travelers a year, by making it available on a single visa.
Thailand’s Elite Visa revamp boosts membership amid global unrest, aims for US$1.5bn revenue with a focus on new markets.
“I signed the contract for my first condo in Thailand in 2009 – when I was 18 years old,” says Reid Kirchenbauer about how he got started.
Malaysia has made its MM2H program more attainable for most people. But market observers say the reforms will not suffice to tip the scales.
The Premium Visa Program (PViP), meanwhile, has received an average of under 5 applications a month since opening a year ago.
Too expensive, not permanent, and not providing any solutions that don’t already exist: Brian Greco’s verdict on Indonesia’s new golden visa.
Now nearly 7 times cheaper than the national version and with much more flexible presence requirements, Sarawak’s MM2H is thriving.
Officials propose to divide MM2H into “Platinum, Silver, and Bronze” categories. Agents association call for merger of MM2H and PViP.
The Global Investor Program costs millions. Entrepass requires VC funding. For entrepreneurs seeking a base in Singapore, the EP Visa still works best.
The quadrupling of the MM2H income requirement has caused a collapse in applications. “Those who now qualify have better options,” say agents.
Malaysia now has four residence-by-deposit programs that let participants live anywhere in the country, but two of them have an 80% discount.
Indonesia joins the fray of Southeast Asian countries hoping to attract affluent, location-independent long term guests.
