This Week in Global Mobility: Golden Visas Under Pressure, Digital Nomad Programs Expanding
The digital nomad space is booming. South Korea launched a new workation visa, while the Maldives introduced its Pearl Residence program. Dubai's Virtual Working Programme also saw requirement adjustments, reflecting intense competition for location-independent professionals.
Hong Kong's residency pathways are closing. Both the general "Hong Kong Pathways" scheme and dedicated permanent residence routes have been shuttered, representing a significant policy reversal for a historically immigration-friendly jurisdiction.
Governments are publishing program details. Portugal's startup visa, Cabo Verde's remote working program, Slovenia's citizenship-by-descent and self-employed permits, and Germany's new Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) all moved from discovery to official documentation this week—a green light for serious applicants.
Citizenship-by-investment programs are proliferating. Multiple CBI programs emerged across discovery channels, including offerings from Mauritius, the Maldives, Argentina, and São Tomé and Príncipe. These fast-tracked nationality routes continue attracting global investors despite scrutiny in some jurisdictions.
Rounding out the week: Canada's Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program tightened requirements, US H-2B visa allocations expanded for 2026, and Schengen visa fees increased. Study permits saw requirement changes, while source pages refreshed for programs in Ireland, Netherlands, Monaco, Namibia, Montenegro, and Mauritius.
Bottom Line: Europe's premium residency programs are getting stricter while digital nomad visas proliferate. If you're targeting golden visas, timing matters—requirements are shifting rapidly. Meanwhile, entrepreneurial and temporary residence pathways remain accessible but increasingly competitive.
Full details at wherecanimove.com.