Economy & Business | The WFY Magazine, September 2025
Why Nations Are Courting Wealthy Indians With Golden Promises
The movement of wealth has always been a silent force shaping global economies. In 2025, this flow has gained new momentum as countries large and small are rolling out attractive packages to lure the world’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Among the most sought after are wealthy Indians, whose growing presence on the global stage is reshaping how governments design investment visas, property rules, and residency pathways.
India is home to one of the fastest-growing populations of millionaires and billionaires. According to recent data from Henley & Partners, nearly 4,300 Indian millionaires migrated abroad in 2023 alone, making India the second-largest source of HNWI outflows after China. Reports suggest that this trend has only accelerated in 2024–25, with Indian families actively considering global mobility as part of their wealth strategies. The drivers are familiar: diversification of assets, education opportunities for children, lifestyle aspirations, and access to favourable tax regimes. Governments worldwide have noticed — and are competing fiercely to offer Indians a new home for their fortunes.
The Philippines Extends a Hand
The Philippines, long overshadowed by Southeast Asian neighbours in attracting foreign investment, has taken a bold step this year. A new law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extends foreign leases of private land to 99 years, up from the earlier 50 years plus a 25-year extension. For investors, this creates a sense of permanence for projects that need decades to mature — think industrial parks, logistics hubs, or processing plants.
The numbers underline why Manila acted. In 2024, the Philippines drew USD 8.9 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), far behind Vietnam’s USD 20.17 billion and Indonesia’s USD 24.2 billion, according to the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025. Central bank figures also show a 27% fall in FDI inflows by May 2025 compared with the previous year. Policymakers clearly see land-lease reform as a way to reduce uncertainty and make the country more appealing for long-term capital.
For wealthy Indians, particularly those in real estate, logistics, or manufacturing, this new rule has obvious appeal. It allows Indian firms to establish regional bases in the Philippines, tapping ASEAN markets while securing their presence for nearly a century. While outright foreign ownership of land remains constitutionally barred, long leases offer a workable compromise.
New Zealand and the Luxury Card
Half a world away, New Zealand has reopened its doors to wealthy foreigners after years of tightening rules. The government, under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, has reintroduced a version of the golden visa programme with a striking perk: wealthy investors holding the foreign investor migrant visa can now buy or build luxury homes valued at over NZD 5 million (USD 2.94 million).
This marks a sharp shift from 2018, when New Zealand passed a law banning most foreign non-residents from purchasing existing homes due to concerns over spiralling house prices. By limiting the offer to properties in the ultra-luxury category — which account for less than 1% of the housing stock — the government aims to strike a balance between public sentiment and economic need.
The broader context explains this move. The New Zealand economy slipped into recession in late 2024 and has remained sluggish through 2025. In April, authorities cut the minimum investment requirement for the “Active Investor Plus” residency visa from NZD 15 million to NZD 5 million, while also removing English-language conditions. Officials say they have already received 301 applications, representing a potential inflow of NZD 1.8 billion if approved.
For wealthy Indians, especially those seeking lifestyle-driven second residencies, New Zealand holds appeal. Its pristine environment, world-class education, and quality healthcare already attract families. The chance to pair residency with ownership of a statement home makes the offer even more compelling.
The Broader Landscape: A Global Race
The Philippines and New Zealand are just two examples of a much larger competition.
Across the world, governments are testing ways to attract wealthy foreigners, and Indians are at the centre of many of these programmes.
- Middle East: The UAE continues to be a magnet, with its 10-year golden visas and zero income tax regime. Indian entrepreneurs dominate sectors from technology to jewellery in Dubai, and the new residency pathways have only deepened this connection.
- Europe: Portugal and Greece, which once suspended golden visas due to housing concerns, are selectively reviving them in response to slower growth. Indians remain among the top applicants for Portuguese residency-by-investment programmes.
- Caribbean: Nations such as St. Kitts & Nevis and Dominica continue to offer citizenship in exchange for investments in real estate or development funds, popular among Indian business families seeking global mobility.
Globally, the number of HNWI migration is expected to cross 135,000 in 2025, according to wealth advisory firms. India’s share is significant, and countries understand that capturing even a small slice of this outward flow can mean billions in fresh investment.
Why Indians Are on Every Country’s Radar
There are several reasons why wealthy Indians have become particularly attractive targets for these policies:
- Sheer Numbers: India now ranks among the top ten nations for dollar millionaires, with growth rates projected to outpace most developed economies over the next decade.
- Diaspora Networks: The global Indian diaspora, spread across more than 18 countries, creates natural pipelines for further migration and investment. Families often follow relatives, and governments know this multiplier effect.
- Education and Healthcare Priorities: Many Indian families are willing to invest heavily abroad if it secures access to elite schools and advanced healthcare for their children.
- Diversification: With an unpredictable global economy, wealthy Indians see overseas property and residency rights as a hedge against uncertainty.
- Cultural Soft Power: Indian cuisine, cinema, and business acumen have made wealthy Indians more welcome in communities that view them as cultural contributors rather than outsiders.
A Balancing Act
Governments from Manila to Wellington are recalibrating their policies to welcome foreign wealth without triggering domestic backlash. The Philippines offers long leases but stops short of land sales. New Zealand permits only ultra-luxury purchases to avoid fuelling housing crises. The UAE grants long visas but ties them to investment in sectors that support the economy.
For wealthy Indians evaluating these offers, the decision is no longer only about tax or returns. It is about lifestyle, stability, education, and legacy. For the host nations, attracting Indian money is about more than capital — it is about building long-term ties with one of the world’s most dynamic Diasporas.
Attracting Wealthy Indians: Global Offers at a Glance
| Country | Key Policy/Offer | Eligibility / Investment Level | Attraction for Wealthy Indians |
| Philippines | Land lease terms extended from 50+25 years to 99 years | Foreigners can lease, not own, private land | Long-term certainty for industrial projects and real estate ventures |
| New Zealand | Golden visa holders allowed to buy luxury homes worth over NZD 5m (USD 2.9m) | Active Investor Plus visa cut to NZD 5m; no English test | Lifestyle appeal; elite education and healthcare; safe property hedge |
| UAE | 10-year Golden Visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals | Varies: property worth AED 2m (USD 545k) or business stakes | Zero income tax; strong Indian diaspora base; business-friendly hub |
| Portugal | Residency-by-investment with property or business funding | Minimum €500k property or investment | Gateway to EU; popular among Indians seeking European mobility |
| Greece | Golden visa via property purchases | Minimum €250k real estate | Affordable entry point to EU residency; cultural affinity |
| Caribbean States (St. Kitts, Dominica, etc.) | Citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programmes | From USD 100k to government funds or real estate | Quick second passport; visa-free access to over 140 countries |
WFY Insight: Which Offer Fits Whom?
- Entrepreneurs & Business Owners
Best fit: Philippines, UAE- Long land leases in the Philippines allow factories, logistics hubs, or industrial parks.
- The UAE’s Golden Visa ties directly to business ownership and offers a ready market plus zero income tax.
- Families Seeking Lifestyle & Education
Best fit: New Zealand, Portugal- New Zealand offers luxury property rights alongside world-class schooling and healthcare.
- Portugal provides a base in the EU, opening up education and residency options for children.
- Investors Diversifying Portfolios
Best fit: Greece, Caribbean Islands- Greece offers low entry points into EU residency with property investments.
- Caribbean CBI programmes give quick citizenship and visa-free travel, useful for frequent global travellers.
- High-Mobility Professionals
Best fit: UAE, Portugal- UAE hubs like Dubai are attractive for tech, finance, and consultancy.
- Portugal offers EU market access and is popular for those balancing work between India and Europe.
Bottom Line
- Wealthy Indians are the prize — governments from Manila to Wellington are adjusting laws to compete for Indian capital, residency applications, and long-term investment.
- Offers balance openness with caution — land leases instead of sales in the Philippines, ultra-luxury homes only in New Zealand, and targeted investor visas in the EU and Caribbean show how countries court wealth while managing local sensitivities.
- India must manage the outflow — while these programmes may benefit Indian families seeking stability and opportunity abroad, the home economy risks capital flight unless remittances, business ties, and return investments remain strong.
What It Means for India
While countries are busy rolling out red carpets, the question for India is more complex. The outflow of wealthy families can create capital flight risks, depriving the country of domestic investment that could fuel growth. It also raises issues of tax compliance, especially if individuals maintain assets abroad under new residencies.
Yet, there are silver linings. Many wealthy Indians who relocate continue to maintain strong business links with India. Their global exposure can lead to new partnerships, technology transfers, and remittances. India remains one of the top recipients of global remittances, with inflows crossing USD 120 billion in 2023, a significant portion of which comes from affluent migrants.
The world has entered a new phase of economic competition: a competition for wealthy people rather than just for companies or factories. In this race, Indians are the prize catch. From Southeast Asia to the South Pacific, countries are rewriting laws, extending leases, and softening visa rules, all to persuade affluent Indian families to call their land a second home.
As India’s economy continues to grow, this trend is unlikely to slow. What matters is how both India and the host countries manage the balance—between opportunity and inequality, between openness and sovereignty, and between welcoming wealth and protecting local interests.
© The WFY Magazine | Ridhima Kapoor: The WFY Bureau Desk |
Disclaimer: This article has been written in original words for The WFY Magazine, using publicly available data and reports up to September 2025. It avoids direct reproduction of third-party statements. The information is intended for analysis and general awareness, not as financial or legal advice.