- Wealthy Californians are seeking second citizenship following a significant May twenty-second U-S-C-I-S policy shift.
- A proposed five percent California wealth tax on billionaires is driving relocations and asset movement.
- Inquiries from Americans for golden visas surged one hundred eighty-three percent between twenty twenty-four and twenty twenty-five.
Wealthy Californians are increasingly seeking a golden visa or second citizenship abroad as a DHS policy change sends some green-card applicants to consular offices outside the United States. Private firms say the interest reflects both immigration uncertainty and a desire to preserve options for families.
The shift follows a USCIS policy memo issued May 22, 2026. It says nonimmigrants, including students and temporary workers, seeking green cards must return to their home countries to apply instead of adjusting status inside the United States.
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Zach Kahler, a USCIS spokesperson, said the policy is intended to prevent temporary visits from becoming a route into permanent residence.
"Our system is designed for [nonimmigrants] to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the green card process. This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes."
DHS officials said consular processing abroad would "frees up limited USCIS resources" for national security work and naturalization backlogs. The change has also created what officials describe as "uncertainty and delay" for people remaining in the country.
That uncertainty is feeding searches for alternatives. Some advisers say clients are looking for a second residency as a backup, even when they have no immediate plan to move.
Henley & Partners reported a 183% increase in inquiries from U.S. nationals between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025. Californians accounted for as many as one in five clients worldwide, the firm said.
The figures show demand, not completed relocations. They also cover U.S. nationals broadly, rather than documenting departures from California.
Foreign programs separate residence, citizenship and price
The U.S. EB-5 program remains one option for investors pursuing U.S. residency. The August 2026 Visa Bulletin keeps the minimum investment at $800,000 for projects in Targeted Employment Areas and $1,050,000 for other projects.
Overseas programs offer different legal outcomes. Portugal remains a leading choice because it provides a route toward European Union citizenship. Its fund-investment threshold is €500,000, while real estate options were largely restricted in late 2023.
Applications from Americans to Greece and Italy have doubled since 2024. Faster processing than the U.S. EB-5 backlog has helped draw interest to both countries.
St. Kitts and Nevis offers immediate second citizenship through donation options starting at $250,000. The routes are not interchangeable.
| Program or destination | Route described | Minimum investment or donation |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. EB-5, Targeted Employment Area | U.S. residency through qualifying investment | $800,000 |
| U.S. EB-5, other projects | U.S. residency through qualifying investment | $1,050,000 |
| Portugal | Funds investment and route to EU citizenship | €500,000 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Second citizenship through donation | $250,000 |
Applicants are weighing residence, citizenship, processing speed and family access, not simply comparing the lowest entry price. A residence permit does not automatically provide the same rights as citizenship.
A proposed California tax vote is part of the calculation
Tax attorneys cite a potential 5% wealth tax on billionaires as a primary reason ultra-wealthy residents are relocating assets and pursuing foreign residency. California is scheduled to put the proposal before voters in a November 2026 vote.
The tax proposal is one factor in a broader risk calculation. Clients describe overseas residence as “political insurance” against domestic instability.
Some seek a “fire escape plan.” They may not intend to leave immediately.
Families are also pursuing what firms call “optionality” for their children. That can include access to European universities and easier international travel.
The motivations extend beyond permanent relocation. A second residence can function as a contingency while families continue living in California and assessing tax, political and immigration developments.
Renunciations and migration estimates widen the picture
The Internal Revenue Service recorded nearly 5,000 Americans renouncing citizenship in 2025, the highest figure since 2020. Projections for 2026 indicate that renunciations may continue among ultra-wealthy individuals.
Renouncing citizenship is a narrower step than applying for overseas residence. It does not measure the number of people obtaining investment-based permits or second passports.
Separate estimates put possible U.S. net migration in 2026 between -925,000 and +185,000. A negative result would represent a shift not seen in over half a century.
USCIS and DHS primarily manage immigration into the United States, while private citizenship firms track much of the demand from Americans seeking options abroad. Their roles produce different measures: domestic agencies document policy and immigration processing, while firms report inquiries and applications.
The May procedure sends affected applicants to U.S. consular offices overseas. Those cases are now developing alongside the August investment thresholds and California’s November tax vote, giving wealthy residents several reasons to examine foreign residency before making a permanent move.
