Gold for Visas

Published: March 5, 2018

Banner: OCCRP

For refugees and poor migrants, travel can be terrifying, with no guarantee of a welcome at the end. For the one percent,​ ​it's a different story, as a growing number of cash-strapped countries invite them in​ ​—​ ​as long as they bring plenty of money.

In the Gold for Visas project, reporters for​ ​OCCRP probe the shadowy business of selling visa-free travel and even citizenship to the rich, including some who would rather not say where that money comes from.

These stories​ ​were​ ​produced as part of the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium, a partnership between OCCRP and Transparency International, in cooperation with Global Witness.

01

What is a Golden Visa?

Visas For The Rich

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? It’s a game we’ve all played, as kids on a summer afternoon...

02

Stories

The Dubai-ification of Malta

Money and Russians are pouring ​into ​the once-quiet seaside town of Sliema. While there’s no denying that it’s been good...

Lights! Cameras! Golden Visas!

The rich and famous don’t just flock to Cannes for the film festival — the city also hosts an expo catering to the Golden...

Life Is Good. Life Is Golden

Australian-born Romy Hawatt is one of many entrepreneurs to have taken advantage of Montenegro's investor citizenship...

03

Videos