Summary:
A The Atlantic article published in March 2025 examines the growing trend of wealthy Americans acquiring residency or citizenship abroad through so-called “golden visa” or “gold card” programs. These initiatives—offered by dozens of countries—grant residency rights in exchange for investment, making it easier for U.S. citizens to live, travel, or relocate abroad without traditional immigration hurdles.
The article frames this development within the larger context of economic and political uncertainty in the United States. Many Americans pursuing alternative residency or second citizenship options cite concerns about polarization, healthcare access, taxes, and long-term stability. The rise of digital work, global wealth, and climate concerns also play a role.
Several countries offering such pathways include:
- Portugal, Spain, and Greece, through property investment
- Italy and Ireland, via ancestry or income-based residency
- Caribbean nations, such as Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis, through donation-based citizenship
- New Zealand, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates, with investor or talent-based visas
The term “gold card” refers both to actual visa programs and the symbolic privilege of purchasing mobility, which the article links to broader shifts in global class structures. It points out that acquiring a second residency is increasingly common not just for the ultra-rich, but also for upper-middle-class Americans with flexible income or remote jobs.
The article highlights data from international law firms and citizenship consultancies, which report double-digit growth in U.S. clients over the past two years. Although precise numbers of Americans acquiring foreign residency or citizenship are not disclosed, the U.S. State Department estimates over 9 million U.S. citizens live abroad, a number that continues to grow.
Some interviewees described their second residency as a “Plan B”—a way to secure options for retirement, relocation, or political refuge. Others use their foreign status to opt out of U.S. systems they find stressful or unstable. The trend also reflects changing attitudes toward national identity, as more individuals view citizenship and residency as flexible tools rather than fixed markers.
While these programs are legal, critics of golden visa schemes raise concerns about inequality and the commodification of national borders. Nonetheless, the article focuses on how these tools are reshaping modern migration patterns—particularly for Americans looking outward.
Original Article Link: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/gold-card-residence-abroad/682103/
Source: The Atlantic
Date: March 20, 2025