A growing number of wealthy Californians are seeking residency abroad through so-called "golden visa" programmes, the Marin Independent Journal reports. These investment-based residence schemes, long marketed to applicants from outside the United States, are now attracting American applicants — and California's high earners sit at the front of that queue.

What is a 'golden visa'?

Golden visa programmes grant residence rights to foreign investors. In exchange for a qualifying investment — typically in real estate, government bonds, or a business — the applicant receives a residence permit, often with a path toward longer-term status.

Dozens of countries operate such schemes. Popular destinations have included European Union member states, Caribbean nations, and other jurisdictions that court foreign capital. Each programme sets its own investment thresholds, eligibility rules, and renewal conditions, and governments adjust these terms frequently.

Who is affected?

The report centres on affluent Californians rather than the usual inbound investor profile. Practitioners should note the direction of travel here: the client base for investment migration is broadening to include US nationals, not just foreign nationals seeking US or European status.

For immigration advisers, this trend matters for three reasons:

• New client demand. Wealthy US residents are asking about exit options, second residency, and dual-status planning.
• Cross-border complexity. An American acquiring foreign residence still keeps US tax obligations, which intersects with immigration advice.
• Programme volatility. Golden visa rules change often, and several European schemes have tightened or closed in recent years.

What changes for practitioners?

Advisers who previously treated investment migration as an inbound-only service may need to build outbound capability, or referral partnerships, to serve this demand. The trend also signals broader interest among US clients in mobility options, tax planning, and residency diversification.

What should readers keep in mind?

The Marin Independent Journal report describes interest and demand, not a change in any specific programme's rules. Anyone considering a golden visa should verify current investment thresholds, eligibility criteria, and deadlines directly with the official authority administering the relevant scheme, since terms differ by country and shift over time.

Investment-based residence remains a legal but highly jurisdiction-specific tool. The takeaway in plain words: more rich Californians want a second residency abroad, and the official programme rules — not marketing claims — decide what they can actually get.