Lebanon Proposes New Golden Visa Program

Lebanon has taken a step towards launching a new Golden Visa program after the country's Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee approved draft legislation introducing a residency-by-investment pathway.

The proposal now awaits approval by the full Parliament before it can become law, with further implementing regulations also required.

$500,000 Minimum Investment

Under the proposed framework, non-residents would be eligible for residency by investing at least $500,000 in one of three government-approved sectors.

According to the draft legislation, investment funds must originate from outside Lebanon and will be subject to enhanced due diligence measures designed to meet anti-money laundering requirements.

The government has not yet confirmed which sectors will qualify under the program, although foreign ownership of real estate would continue to be governed by existing Lebanese property laws.

Tax Residency at the Center

Officials have described the proposal as a tax residency initiative rather than a traditional Golden Visa.

The program would be open to both foreign nationals and Lebanese citizens living abroad who wish to establish tax residency in Lebanon through a qualifying investment.

Each accompanying family member would also be subject to an annual government fee of at least $50,000 under the current proposal.

Existing Residency Options Remain

Lebanon already offers residence permits for financially independent foreign nationals.

The proposed investment route differs by combining a significant qualifying investment with formal tax residency status, although the relationship between the two programs has not yet been clarified.

Questions Remain Over Market Appeal

The proposal comes as Lebanon continues to face significant economic and financial challenges, prompting industry observers to question whether the program will attract substantial investor demand.

Some experts argue that the required investment level is high compared to more established residency-by-investment destinations, particularly given the country's ongoing banking restrictions and broader economic environment.

Others believe the initiative reflects a wider international trend, with governments increasingly exploring investment migration programs as a way to attract foreign capital and high-net-worth individuals.

If approved by Parliament, Lebanon would become one of the latest countries to introduce an investment-based residency framework aimed at encouraging international investment and economic activity.