10 most expensive visas in the world in 2025

The most expensive visas in 2025 are predominantly "Golden Visas" or residency-by-investment programs, designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term residency or citizenship in exchange for substantial financial investments. These programs dwarf the costs of standard tourist or work visas, which typically range from USD 100 to USD 2,000. These programs allow investors to secure a long-term residency through significant financial contributions, such as real estate purchases, government bonds, or direct donations. These visas often exceed USD 200,000 and offer perks like visa-free travel to several other countries, tax benefits, and family inclusion. As per data released by Henley & Partners, here is a list of the top 10 most expensive visas, ranked by minimum investment or cost.

Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme involves a substantial non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund, combined with a real estate investment and a charitable donation. Aimed at attracting high-net-worth international investors, the programme costs approximately USD 6.2 million and has a processing timeframe of 12 to 36 months. Successful applicants obtain full Maltese and EU citizenship, along with voting rights, access to European healthcare and education, and extensive global mobility, including visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries such as the U.S., U.K., and all Schengen states. Moreover, Malta does not levy wealth, inheritance, or gift taxes on foreign income.

Introduced in January 2017, Turkey's golden visa program requires a minimum USD 400,000 bank deposit or USD 500,000 in real estate, fixed capital, government bonds, or venture funds—held for three years. Processing takes 3–6 months, and comes with Turkish citizenship and a passport ranked 50th globally. With this visa, one can travel visa-free to 110+ destinations. Family (spouse and children under 18) is included at no extra investment cost, though due diligence fees of USD 5,000 apply.

Jordan's Citizenship by Investment program targets investors with a minimum USD 400,000 contribution to economic development funds or approved projects. It takes 6-12 months for the application to get processed, after which, full citizenship and a passport with access to 50+ visa-free destinations is granted. Key perks include extended family privileges (spouse, parents, and children) and business incentives like tax exemptions on foreign income.

This Caribbean gem requires a USD 250,000 non-refundable donation to the Sustainable Island State Contribution fund or a USD 400,000+ in real estate purchase. The visa is held for 5–7 years. Visa processing is pretty fast at just 3–6 months. The visa comes with citizenship without residency requirements, and allows visa-free entry to over 150 countries, including the EU Schengen Area, UK, and Singapore. It also comes with Commonwealth benefits like education discounts. St. Kitts and Nevis is a tax haven with no income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes.

Egypt's program offers citizenship via a USD 250,000 direct investment, USD 300,000 real estate purchase, or USD 500,000 bank deposit in Egyptian pounds. The processing takes about 6–9 months, and comes with a passport with visa-free access to 60+ countries and strong ties to Africa and the Arab world. Benefits of an Egyptian golden visa also include tax incentives on local investments.

This requires a USD 230,000 donation to the National Development Fund or a USD 400,000 real estate investment (resalable after 5 years). The visa processing takes about 3–4 months, and comes with citizenship and a passport offering visa-free travel to more than 150 destinations, including the Schengen Area, UK, and Hong Kong. The visa however requires you to complete a 5-day residency in the first 5 years. This is also family-friendly because up to 6 members are covered.

Grenada demands a USD 235,000 contribution to the National Transformation Fund or an investment of USD 350,000+ in approved real estate. The Grenada golden visa gets processed in just 4–6 months, and comes with a passport which is also unique for its E-2 Investor Visa treaty with the U.S.. This means, this enables American business ownership as well. The visa allows visa-free access to over 140+ countries, including China and the Schengen Zone.

It requires a USD 200,000 donation to the Economic Diversification Fund or USD 200,000 or more towards real estate buy-in. The visa processing takes just 3–6 months, with no physical residency required. The passport grants visa-free entry to over 140 countries, including the EU, UK, and Singapore.

Greece's program requires EUR 270,000 in real estate investment, in less popular regions or EUR 800,000 in Athens. It starts as residency, and can be renewed every 5 years, with citizenship possible after 7 years of minimal stay. It comes with visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, and covers over 190+ countries via EU ties.

Cyprus's fast-track residency requires EUR 300,000 in real estate or business investment, and is processed in two months for immediate EU residency rights. The citizenship is available after seven years. It also comes with visa-free access to over 190+ countries and the Schengen Area. No minimum stay is required, and is one of the most affordable places.