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Golden Passports: how elites buy freedom

Over the last two decades, citizenship by investment programmes have surged in popularity, with more than 20 countries adopting 'golden passport' laws and extending the privilege to over 50,000 people each year.
Over the last two decades, citizenship by investment programmes have surged in popularity, with more than 20 countries adopting 'golden passport' laws and extending the privilege to over 50,000 people each year.
Friday 19 January 2024 | 5 minutes 52 seconds
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Have you ever heard of the term 'golden passport'?

Wealthy individuals choose to invest in ’Citizenship by Investment’ programmes based on the benefits and global opportunities a new citizenship provides. Over the last two decades, these programmes have surged in popularity, with more than 20 countries adopting 'golden passport' laws and extending the privilege to over 50,000 people each year.

Find out more about Dr Kristin Surak's research: lse.ac.uk/research/research-for-the-world/politics/golden-visas-and-passports-the-global-market-in-residence-and-citizenship

Check out Dr Kristin Surak's new book on this research: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674248649

Dr Kristin Surak is Associate Professor in Sociology in the Department of Sociology at LSE: https://www.lse.ac.uk/sociology/people/kristin-surak