Tiny island nation unveils $1 million ‘Golden Visa’ for the wealthy—80% cheaper than Trump’s, with one catch: you’re renting

Sandy beaches, sparkling waters, a tropical evergreen forest, and balmy temperatures to match. Mauritius looks like paradise to many—and its government can afford to be picky about the people who want to make the island their home. The Republic of Mauritius recently announced plans which might sound familiar to Americans: A ‘Golden Visa’ scheme allowing high net worth individuals to relocate to the island in the Indian Ocean. To be approved for such a scheme, the government has announced that it would require a minimum investment of $1 million in the nation within 12 months of their arrival. The country has no inheritance or capital gains tax and a flat 15% income tax rate (with effective rates often lower due to various allowances). For someone coming from a high-tax jurisdiction like the UK, France, or parts of the US, the savings can quickly dwarf the investment requirement. It follows in the manner of President Trump, who said a path to citizenship would be offered to individuals who could pay $5m for a ‘gold card,’ functioning similarly to the current green card for “high-level people.” Trump labeled the offering a “bargain” while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the gold visas would replace current visa programs for foreign investors. More concrete details are yet to be announced, with Lutnick confirming that only one person has been approved for the new visa format thus far. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, had some more details to share with his peers during a parliamentary sitting yesterday. The nation’s economic development board has “received multiple inquiries from foreigners who have expressed interest to relocate” with their families to Mauritius, explained Ramgoolam. “To respond to this demand, we are introducing a golden visa to better meet the requirements of high-net-worth individuals wishing to relocate to Mauritius.” Some 10