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With international migration reaching unprecedented heights and an estimated 142,000 millionaires planning to relocate in 2025, high-earning individuals, investors, and business owners are increasingly focused on securing the right second residency and citizenship. This comprehensive guide combines the latest official data with actionable insights to help you confidently choose a destination that enhances your wealth, suits your lifestyle, and secures your family's future.
According to the latest UN data from 2024, the world is experiencing an unprecedented migration wave:
- 304 million international migrants worldwide in 2024 - nearly double the 154 million in 1990
- Despite this growth, international migrants represent just 3.7% of the global population (up from 2.9% in 1990)
- Europe led as the top destination in 2024, hosting 94 million international migrants
- Northern America followed with 61 million, then Northern Africa and Western Asia with 54 million
Europe experienced the largest increase, adding 43 million international migrants between 1990 and 2024. The pace accelerated after 2020, largely due to refugee flows from Ukraine.
United States: 52.4 million
Germany: 16.8 million
Saudi Arabia: 13.7 million
United Kingdom: 11.8 million
France: 9.2 million
Source: UN International Migrant Stock 2024
This surge in global mobility is also mirrored among the wealthy elite. According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025:
142,000 millionaires are projected to relocate internationally in 2025 (up from 134,000 in 2024)
This represents the largest voluntary transfer of private capital ever tracked
Projections for 2026 reach 165,000 relocating millionaires
These numbers represent approximately 0.2% of the global millionaire population (out of nearly 60 million)
Leading wealth magnets:
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): +9,800 new high-net-worth residents
Solidifying its position as the world's leading wealth destination
$63.0 billion in estimated migrating wealth
98% millionaire population growth (2014-2024)
- United States: +7,500 net inflow
$43.7 billion in estimated migrating wealth
78% millionaire population growth over the past decade
Driven mainly by investor visa programs like EB-5
- Italy: +3,600 millionaires arriving
$20.7 billion in estimated migrating wealth
20% millionaire population growth (2014-2024)
- Switzerland: +3,000 new high-net-worth residents
$16.8 billion in estimated migrating wealth
28% millionaire population growth over the past decade
- Saudi Arabia: +2,400 millionaires arriving
$18.4 billion in estimated migrating wealth
55% millionaire population growth (2014-2024)
United Kingdom: -16,500 millionaires acquiring residency elsewhere
The largest single-year exodus of wealth ever recorded in Britain
More than double the outflow from China
China: -7,800 millionaires relocating out
Ranked second in outflows after previously topping the list
Moreover, India, South Korea, Russia, and Brazil are all witnessing substantial wealth outflows in 2025.
Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-countries-gaining-and-losing-millionaires-in-2025/
Key Driving Factors:
- Stability and opportunity: Political polarisation, economic volatility and changing tax regimes are driving wealthy individuals to politically stable, business‑friendly environments.
- Financial optimisation: Programmes in the UAE, Portugal, Malta and several Caribbean islands offer low or zero tax on worldwide income and robust asset‑protection frameworks.
- Family and lifestyle: High‑quality healthcare, international schools and secure communities attract families looking for long‑term stability.
Most HNWIs migrate through traditional routes including:
- Work visas
- Ancestry visas
- Retirement visas
- Family visas
- Birthright second passports
However, around 30% opt for investment migration programs to secure residency or citizenship when traditional routes don't fit their profiles.
When it comes to investor programs, the data shows some clear winners.
Based on comprehensive analysis of the most authoritative industry reports and official government statistics, here are the top 5 citizenship-by-investment programs in 2024:
1. St. Kitts and Nevis topped rankings with an 84% overall score, earning perfect marks for processing efficiency and due diligence (CBI Index 2024 Report). The program received 19,753 applications (2015-2024) with only 743 rejections, issuing 35,577 passports through 2022. Minimum investment stands at $250,000 with 4-6 month processing times (European Commission Document COM (2024))
2. Dominica ranked second with 80% overall score, distinguished by the fastest global processing times (3-4 months) and lowest minimum investment at $200,000 (CBI Index 2024 Report). The program processed 20,210 applications (2015-2024) with 810 rejections, issuing 49,619 passports through 2024. (European Commission Document COM (2024))
3. Grenada achieved 77% overall score, excelling in family accommodation and offering unique US E-2 Treaty benefits (CBI Index 2024 Report). The program received 6,837 applications (2014-2024) with 297 rejections and issued 6,479 passports through 2022. (European Commission Document COM (2024))
4. Saint Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda tied at 74% overall score (CBI Index 2024 Report). Saint Lucia demonstrated the lowest rejection rate among Caribbean programs with 179 rejections from 7,315 applications. Antigua & Barbuda processed 5,143 applications with 204 rejections, issuing 8,594 passports. (European Commission Document COM (2024))
5. Malta earned 65% overall score (CBI Index 2024 Report) and held Henley & Partners' #1 quality ranking for ten consecutive years (Henley & Partners 2024). The program saw 299 applications in 2023 (triple the previous year) and naturalized 87 main applicants (Malta Government Official Report 2023). However, Malta terminated its program on April 29, 2025, following a European Court of Justice ruling.
Critical Regulatory Developments: The five Eastern Caribbean CBI countries (Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia) are establishing a regional regulator (Interim Regulatory Commission - IRC) by September 2025. Key reforms include: mandatory 30-day residence within five years, application caps, enhanced due diligence with interviews and biometrics, 5-year passport validity with renewal requirements, and a standardized $200k minimum contribution. Stricter US visa policies for these citizens are anticipated.
Regarding programs offering residency rather than immediate citizenship, here is the most recent data of some of the most prominent programs:
Greece received a record 9,289 golden visa applications in 2024, up 10% from 8,477 in 2023, but faces a massive backlog of nearly 50,000 applications with only 17% processed (IMI Daily, 2024).
Portugal issued 4,987 golden visas in 2024, a 72% increase from the previous year (IMI Daily, 2024).
Spain issued 780 golden visas between January-October 2024 before officially ending the program on April 3, 2025 (IMI Daily, 2024).
Canada's Start-up Visa Program admitted 6,099 permanent residents from January-September 2024, exceeding its 5,000 target. However, targets are being drastically reduced to 2,000 for 2025 and 1,000 for 2026 (IRCC, 2024).
USA EB-5 recorded 1,918 new applications in Q1 2025, with Regional Center petitions comprising 95% of filings (94 Standalone + 1,824 Regional Center). New applications have 12-month processing times versus 72 months for legacy cases. Pending backlog remains high at 10,710 cases total across all I-526 categories (USCIS, 2025).
|
Region/Program |
Typical Investment Level (2025) |
Key Benefits |
Considerations |
|
Caribbean CBI (Dominica, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia) |
Donation from ~US$100 000 or real estate from US$200 000 |
Visa‑free access to 140+ destinations, rapid processing, citizenship for family |
Due‑diligence standards are tightening; as well as restrictions. |
|
European Golden Visas (Portugal, Greece, Italy, Malta) |
€250 000–€500 000+ in real estate; investment funds or donations |
EU residency, strong healthcare/education, appreciating property markets. |
Spain’s program has closed; other nations are raising minimums and adding stricter oversight. |
|
Emerging Programmes (Nauru, São Tomé & Príncipe, Argentina) |
US$90 000–US$500 000 |
Lower fees for the Islands. Argentina is set to launch late 2025–early 2026. |
Programme stability and processing times are still untested. |
|
U.S. “Gold Card” / New Zealand Investor Visa |
US: awaiting final details; NZ$5 million over four years |
Residency in English‑speaking economies with strong legal systems |
High thresholds; complex tax implications, especially in the U.S. |
Navigating this landscape is complex. Our full‑service facilitation includes:
- Personalised comparisons: We evaluate cost, processing times, mobility scores and tax implications to match programmes to your goals.
- Approved investment partners: Our network of real‑estate developers and due‑diligence experts ensures your investment meets eligibility requirements and delivers returns.
- Regulatory insight: We monitor changing policies across jurisdictions to position you ahead of the curve.
- Post‑approval support: From relocation logistics to business set‑ups and family‑office services, we help you settle into your new country with ease.
The data is clear: we're witnessing the largest voluntary transfer of private wealth in modern history. While 142,000 millionaires are already making their move in 2025, the question isn't whether global mobility will continue to accelerate, it's whether you'll be positioned ahead of the curve or scrambling to catch up.
A second citizenship or residency isn't just a backup plan, it's a competitive advantage in an increasingly uncertain world.
The migration wave of 2025 is already underway. If you are ready to secure your place among the globally mobile elite, your journey to strategic citizenship starts with a single conversation.
At Ingwe Immigration we combine verified statistics with tailored expertise to help you choose a jurisdiction that safeguards your wealth and enriches your lifestyle. Reach out today to begin your journey toward a more secure and prosperous future.
📞 Book a 1-on-1 Consultation → https://ingwe.ca/store-alias
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