Golden Visa for Indians: Fee Same, Cost Higher – Why ₹51 Lakh Extra?

Kokila Chokkanathan
A Golden Visa is a residency or long-term visa offered by foreign countries to attract foreign investors, professionals, or wealthy individuals. Countries like Portugal, Spain, UAE, and others offer such programs, which allow holders to live, work, or study abroad, and sometimes eventually gain citizenship.

1. What Is Happening With Indians?

· indians are increasingly acquiring citizenship or long-term residency in other countries.

· Data from the government of India: Around 2 lakh indians renounce their indian citizenship each year.

· This trend is driven by:

o Better education and career opportunities abroad

o Financial stability and investment options

o Global mobility and lifestyle preferences

2. Why Is the Golden Visa Costing ₹51 Lakh More?

Although the Golden Visa program’s fee remains officially unchanged, the real cost for indians has increased significantly due to:

a) currency Exchange Rate Impact

· Most Golden Visa programs charge fees in foreign currency (USD, EUR, AED).

· Recent depreciation of the indian rupee means that paying the same fee in dollars or euros now costs more in INR.

· Example:

o Fee = €100,000

o If 1 EUR = ₹80 → ₹80 lakh

o If 1 EUR = ₹85 → ₹85 lakh

o This shows an increase of ₹5 lakh due to currency fluctuation alone.

b) Associated Costs

· Legal fees, documentation, translation, and tax advisory services often add up.

· bank transfers and international payments incur additional charges, making the total cost higher.

c) Inflation in Living and Investment Requirements

· Some countries require minimum property investment or bank deposits as part of the visa.

· Even if the visa fee is the same, the required investments have increased, indirectly raising the total cost.

3. What This Means for Indians

· Golden Visa remains attractive for those seeking global mobility and better career or business opportunities.

· But the cost in INR terms has risen significantly due to the weakening rupee and additional expenses.

· Individuals must plan carefully and factor in exchange rates, legal fees, and investment requirements.

4. Key Takeaways

· Fee unchanged in foreign currency

· INR cost up by ₹51 lakh due to:

1. currency depreciation

2. Additional legal and processing fees

3. Higher investment requirements in host country

· Trend: Many indians continue to seek foreign citizenship or residency despite rising costs.

Conclusion

While the Golden Visa fee hasn’t officially changed, currency fluctuations, investment requirements, and extra processing costs mean that indians now pay significantly more in rupees—sometimes over ₹50 lakh extra.

Simply put: The rupee is weaker, but the visa rules are the same, so the effective cost has gone up.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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