US EB-5 vs Switzerland: Golden Visa Programmes Compared
The lowest qualifying amount is $800,000 in United States and CHF 435,000 annual tax base in Switzerland. Here is how the two programmes differ on time in the country, the path to citizenship and processing, side by side.
Restricted
Switzerland
CHF 435,000 annual tax baseminimum
Expenditure-based (lump-sum) taxation — no formal investment programme
Read the Switzerland guide →At a glance
| US EB-5 | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program | Expenditure-based (lump-sum) taxation — no formal investment programme |
| Status | Regional centre authorisation runs to 30 September 2027; grandfathering closes 30 September 2026 | No golden visa exists; lump-sum taxation abolished at cantonal level in five cantons |
| Lowest qualifying amount | $800,000 | CHF 435,000 annual tax base |
| Time you must spend there | Must maintain US permanent residence | Switzerland must be the genuine centre of your life |
| Route to citizenship | Naturalisation possible 5 years after the green card | Ten years of residence, then discretionary |
| Typical processing | I-526E commonly 1-2 years, then the visa queue | Several months; cantonal decision plus federal approval |
| Main routes |
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Which is cheaper, US EB-5 or Switzerland?
The lowest qualifying amount is $800,000 in United States and CHF 435,000 annual tax base in Switzerland. The cheapest route is not always the practical one: some low-entry routes are donations or contributions you never get back, while others are investments that can lose value independently of the permit. Add government fees, legal costs and, where relevant, family members before comparing totals.
How much time do you have to spend in each?
United States: Must maintain US permanent residence. Switzerland: Switzerland must be the genuine centre of your life. A permit that asks for little time in the country is convenient, but a path to citizenship usually depends on genuinely living there.
Which leads to citizenship?
United States: Naturalisation possible 5 years after the green card. Switzerland: Ten years of residence, then discretionary. Naturalisation rules are set separately from the investment programme and can change while you are part of the way through.
The biggest caveat for each
US EB-5: Amounts face their first inflation adjustment on 1 January 2027 and regional centre authorisation expires on 30 September 2027 unless Congress renews it.
Switzerland: Cantonal politics is the main risk, since five cantons have already abolished the regime by popular vote and nothing stops others from doing the same.
More programme comparisons
Information reflects our own independent research as understood in September 2026. These rules change often and differ by nationality. Plain Investor does not sell or advise on any programme. This is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; check the official government source and a licensed immigration lawyer before committing money.