USA Golden Visa Interest by State

USA Surge of Interest from Democrat States

The end of 2024 saw a surge in interest in the USA in golden visas. In the 24 hours after the election on November 5th, La Vida reported a  2300% rise in average daily traffic for that day.

While interest was spread across the country, certain states were powerhouses in that interest. California, Florida, New York and Texas to name those with the greatest search traffic. However with their larger populations that is to be expected. What is interesting is the break down per state based per head and voting preference. Within the top 15 states for interest in golden visas, all voted Harris except for one for Trump. The interest in alternative residency and citizenship by investment after the election is skewed massively towards Democrats.

So where is interest most intense and why?

The table below presents figures for searches for everything related to golden visas based on the adult population of that state. That is searches in November alone per 100k adult population.

The highest ranking state is DC. Perhaps not surprisingly with twice the searches per adult population of the next largest state. Perhaps those in power are concerned about a potential exodus or maybe many there are more exposed to the change of administration and are wondering what the future holds.

After DC, Colorado ranks 2nd with 450 searches per 100k adult population. Followed closely by Washington state on 448 and Oregon on 408. Arguably these states could be said to be more concerned about the change in administration. In fact all three voted Democrat in the November elections and we have to go down to 10th place before we find a state, Virginia, that voted Republican. The lowest searches per head are the Republican leaning states. In fact the lowest 26 in the table are all Republican which is quite remarkable. There is a clear divide between Republican and Democrat when it comes to interest in searching for alternative residency or citizenship through investment. Whether that be for a permanent solution and moving out of the US entirely or more often we find from our clients pursuing this a “Plan B” as future insurance for what might be needed.

And where are Americans most interested?

Interest is across the board but those programs where La Vida has seen a surge of action and clients proceeding include Canada and in Europe where we find the Portugal Golden Visa and to some extent Malta’s Permanent Residency Program. In the Caribbean the second citizenship programs available through real estate investment have also been a choice in Grenada and Dominica. These can often be a first step to gaining a second citizenship before renouncing US citizenship or ending US residency and then escaping federal tax entirely to a low or zero tax country.

Democrat Surge: Is it Income or Politics driving interest?

When it comes to income per head, unsurprisingly higher income states have more interest in golden visas. In fact the top ten highest income states all feature in the top 18 states most interested in searching for golden visas. However we are not necessarily talking of different drivers here. There is a high correlation between higher income per head states and their voting Democrat rather than Republican.

So is it voting intention driving golden visa interest or income? And hence the ability of high net worth investors being able to afford it? Both income and political sway have a high correlation. But as the table below shows voting Democrat trumps income as the biggest factor.

Well, this time around anyway. The fact is, it is often seismic change that is the driving factor and whether people consider themselves on the wrong side of that change, or not. At La Vida we have seen this play out a number of times before from Turkey to Hong Kong to the UK and, interestingly, the last US election in 2020, when the Democrats were elected.

Table Showing Golden Visa Internet Searches Post US Election

*Google searches are for golden visa related terms for November 2024.