Global travel finally has surged past pre-pandemic levels, with total gross bookings reaching $1.67 trillion in 2025. And the International Air Transport Association predicts that airlines will carry a record 5.2 billion people in 2026—a 4.4% increase over the previous year.

At the same time, however, the United States is hemorrhaging billions in tourism revenue by the year, a downward trend many experts credit to President Donald Trump’s nationalistic approach to immigration. In December, the administration expanded its travel ban to 39 countries—most of them in Africa—that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem claimed had “been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies” on X. Even some countries not included on the travel ban have been hit with increased visa fees and immigration processing freezes.

For a while, the administration’s general hostility toward immigrants and visitors from other nations didn’t appear to significantly impact the American traveler. But as the US tightens its visa requirements for visitors, other nations are now responding in kind: Over the past year, the US has lost visa-free access to seven nations—including Brazil, which reintroduced visa requirements for Americans in reciprocation for US restrictions. The result? The US passport is rapidly losing its strength.

According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index released last month, the US passport is now ranked as the 10th most powerful passport in the world with visa-free access to 179 countries. That puts it beneath 38 other countries—including Malaysia, Lithuania, Iceland, Slovakia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates—in terms of the visa-free access it grants to other destinations. It’s only a slight improvement from last year, when the US fell to No. 12 (with visa-free access to 180 destinations), its lowest position ever. For the prior 20 years—from 2005 up until October 2025—the US passport had consistently ranked within the top 10.

The UK passport—which was ranked the world’s most powerful in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2015—has similarly tumbled down the list in recent years following Brexit, and is currently tied with Australia, Latvia, and Liechtenstein at No. 7. Singapore’s passport now holds the number one spot on the rankings, followed by Japan and South Korea, suggesting a shift in passport power toward Asia.

Americans have long been accustomed to passport privilege, defined as a person’s ability to move and live globally based on the nationality of their passport and the restrictions or benefits that come with it. And while US travelers may not feel the effects of this right away, “Over time, Americans may find the level of travel freedom and global mobility they’ve long been accustomed to is no longer guaranteed,” says Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital, an investment migration firm that also tracks passport power around the world.

Sri Lanka has always been the kind of place that rewards slow travel: sunrise train rides from Kandy to Ella, afternoons spent temple-hopping in Anuradhapura, a long loop around Galle Fort, and the kind of beach days in Mirissa that don’t require an itinerary. Now, the country is making it easier to stretch that trip into something longer. First discussed in 2021, Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa officially launched in February 2026, opening the door for remote workers to live on the island for one year or more while working for international companies or clients. Here’s everything you need to know about Sri Lanka’s digital nomad visa.

Who is eligible?

Like most digital nomad visas, Sri Lanka’s comes with a minimum income requirement. Applicants must earn at least $2,000 per month. That threshold remains the same if you have fewer than two children, but increases by $500 for each additional child after that. To qualify, applicants must be 18 years or older, prove they meet the income requirement, and show they are working exclusively for clients outside Sri Lanka or are employed by a foreign company. In other words: you can live in Sri Lanka and work remotely, but you cannot take up employment with a Sri Lankan company.

What documents are required?

The following documents are required for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa, according to the Department of Immigration and Emigration:

• A completed visa application form
• A request letter from the applicant
• Photocopy of passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
• Birth Certificate (for dependents)
• A completed security clearance form
• A medical clearance report
• Proof of a clean criminal record from the home country police (issued within the last three months)
• International health insurance coverage valid in Sri Lanka
• Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy
• Proof of the minimum monthly remittance for the main applicant and the dependents

How much does the visa cost?

The visa costs $500 per year and is renewable annually.

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller India

If the desert landscape of the Inland Sea and the vibrant flavors of Doha are calling you to Qatar, consider extending your vacation through the next decade via the Middle Eastern country’s latest visa scheme.

On February 1, Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, announced the establishment of a 10-year residency program targeted at entrepreneurs and executives. According to the country’s investment agency, Invest Qatar, the new golden visa offers two five-year residency pathways (both renewable for up to 10 years)—one for entrepreneurs and another for executives.

If you’re an out-of-towner who wants to start or grow a project in Qatar, consider applying for the entrepreneur residency. You’ll first need to apply for endorsement by a Qatari incubator and have had at least 36,500 Qatari Riyals (about $10,020) in your bank account over the last three months. If approved, the program’s perks include mentorship, assistance with regulatory hurdles (such as work permits and licensing), healthcare, and access to benefits that can cut living expenses by 20%, according to Invest Qatar.

If you’re a senior businessperson who already resides in the country with a Qatar ID permit, then consider the executive residency. It’s exclusive to executive directors who make at least QAR 80,000 (about $21,945) a month, or to chairmen, chief operating officers, chief technology officers, chief finance officers, and chief executive officers who earn at least QAR 50,000 (about $13,715) a month.

They’ll need to have held these positions for at least five years and be nominated by their workplace (which must also meet its own set of requirements, such as being listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank). But in exchange, approved applicants will receive premium benefits like the ability to sponsor domestic workers and open a business in Qatar.

The rollout of these two initiatives coincides with the Qatari government’s announcement that it will pour an additional $2 billion into its “Fund of Funds” venture capital program, which invests in sectors such as tech, healthcare, and real estate. The expansion of the fund, along with the launch of these residency opportunities, signals the country’s intent to further attract international talent and diversify its oil-reliant economy.

If you aren’t an entrepreneur or a local executive but want to move to Qatar, the country also has a residency-by-real-estate-investment program, which offers permanent residency (with perks such as healthcare and education) to investors who purchase a property valued at a minimum of QAR 3,650,000 (about $1 million), or a residency permit (without these perks) for purchasing a property worth at least QAR 730,000 (about $200,000).

Qatar isn’t the only country that is hoping to attract global entrepreneurs with a shiny new golden visa. Its neighbors, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both have five-year residency plans for entrepreneurs. In a similar vein, Greece also recently announced it would grant five-year golden visas to foreign investors who support local startups.

For more inspiration, see our full Puerto Rico Travel Guide, including the best hotels in Puerto Rico and the best things to do in Puerto Rico.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, south of Japan and Korea, are a balmy reprieve from winter’s chill and the insistence of spring rain. If you’re looking to completely unplug from your daily routine, these Micronesian islands are as far as you can get from the US without leaving American jurisdiction.

Saipan

Of the 14 Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan is the largest and most populated. The capital island is only 12 miles long and 5.5 miles wide, yet it’s packed with activities. If you enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving, the island is known for its sandy beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs, where you’ll spot turtles and colorful fish swimming among Pacific War shipwrecks. If you prefer on-land activities, there are also plenty of hiking trails and vista points woven throughout Saipan’s tropical jungles and Mount Tapochau. Or go on a day trip to Managaha Island to rev up a jet ski (or parasail on the back of one). History buffs will appreciate the prehistoric latte stone structures of the Indigenous Chamorro people, which stand alongside World War II artifacts. Just don’t forget to take a lunch break: You don’t want to miss a mouthwatering plate of red rice and chicken kelaguen, or the crisp, sweet, and more-ish bites of buñelos aga (banana donuts).

Tinian

When in Saipan, consider island-hopping three miles south across the Saipan Channel to Tinian, where travelers can book a beachfront resort and enjoy the soft sands of Taga and Tachogna Beach. Much like its northern neighbor, the coral reefs at Tinian are a snorkeler’s dream.

Back on land, bird watchers can try to catch a glimpse of the Tinian monarch, an endangered species endemic to the island before. For a dose of archaeological and historical enrichment, check out around the island’s Shinto shrines, Chamorro structures, and World War II landmarks (including the bomb pits used for the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki).

Rota

Rota, the southernmost Northern Mariana Island, houses unique mementos from around the world, including prehistoric pictographs, the German Santa Lourdes Chapel, and Japanese World War II cannons.

Of course, the island is also lined with pristine beaches. Frolic in the white sands of Guata and Teteto beach, or spend the afternoon snorkeling around shipwrecks and coral reefs, especially at the popular Teteto Beach and Rota Grotto. Or, if you’re a birder, visit the Bird Sanctuary. Round out your itinerary with a visit to the prehistoric latte stones of the As Nieves Latte Stone Quarry, a US national landmark.

US Virgin Islands

No need to bring a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands (USVI), so long as you show proof of US citizenship—whether it be a raised-seal birth certificate or a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license.

The USVI—which are made up of the main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, along with a sprinkling of some 50 other islets and cays east of Puerto Rico—offer plenty of reasons to escape the mainland for a spell, from spectacular beaches to excellent wildlife experiences to world-class festivals.

St. Croix

In St. Croix, visitors who love hotels with history can bed down at the 300-year-old King Christian Hotel, a waterfront landmark in downtown Christiansted that overlooks the historic Fort Christiansvaern. Following a 2022 renovation, the boutique property unveiled 46 fully remodeled rooms and suites and offers multiple on-site dining options. The pool area has also been refurbished.

Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat and Uzbekistan’s Silk Road may not have much in common. But in 2026, the home countries of these two trending travel destinations now share a significant distinction: visa-free entry for Americans.

On December 1, 2025, Bolivia began allowing United States citizens to visit the South American country without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism and business purposes, streamlining travel logistics for stateside visitors. In addition to the US, Bolivia also lifted visa requirements from seven other countries: South Korea, South Africa, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.

Exactly one month later, at the turn of the New Year, Uzbekistan enacted a similar 30-day visa-free visitation program for Americans.

Unsurprisingly, both countries expect their new travel policies to stimulate the local economy and boost tourism from America—a trend that’s already in full swing.

Uzbekistan’s announcement comes at a time when the Central Asian country, best known for its ancient Islamic architecture and cornerstone role in the Silk Road, is seeing a boom in US travelers. Intrepid Travel, a global tour operator, saw an almost 60% spike in US bookings to Uzbekistan from 2023 to 2025, Leigh Barnes, president of Intrepid Travel’s Americas division, tells Condé Nast Traveler. In January alone, 40% of Intrepid’s bookings were for its premium trips to Uzbekistan.

It’s a sentiment echoed by other tour operators, such as Canada-based G Adventures. Yves Marceau, the company’s vice president of product, tells CNT that US bookings to Uzbekistan grew 96% from January 2025 to the same time in 2026.

“We’re seeing strong and growing interest in destinations that offer deep cultural immersion and a real sense of discovery, and Uzbekistan is a standout example of that trend,” Marceau says. “The ‘Stans’ as a region have been gaining momentum across all our travel styles and traveler demographics.”

G Adventures has seen a similar 65% jump in US travel to Bolivia. However, the South American country has yet to take a larger slice of Intrepid’s travel pie: Bolivian itineraries account for only about 0.5% of its bookings.

Consider it up-and-coming: CNT recently ranked Bolivia (specifically Potosí, its highland city home to Salar de Uyuni) as one of the best places to go in Central and South America for 2026, thanks in part to a local hospitality revitalization by way of new hotels and improved infrastructure.

The Bolivian government estimates that eliminating visa requirements for the eight countries will generate $80 million Bolivian boliviano (about $11.6 million) over the next four years.

Intrepid Travel, a global tour operator, saw an almost 60% spike in US bookings to Uzbekistan from 2023 to 2025.

Getty

Getting to Uzbekistan

The country’s national carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, currently operates direct flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tashkent International Airport (TAS). The airline says it also flies to Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Philadelphia, although there will be layovers in either Istanbul or Frankfurt.

The US is pausing a major part of its immigration pipeline, a move that could have far-reaching implications for global mobility and international travel.

The government announced it will temporarily suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including the Bahamas, Fiji, Iran, Russia, and Thailand, a decision rooted in concerns over public assistance. It won’t affect vacations or short-term visits for most travelers, but does reshape how—and whether—citizens of other countries can move to the United States permanently.

“The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates,” the department said on social media. “The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”

​The suspension is based on a long-standing principle in US immigration law that allows officials to deny permanent residency to applicants they believe are likely to rely heavily on government benefits. This concept has existed for decades, but the current move scales it up dramatically. Rather than evaluating applications one by one, the US State Department is halting processing altogether for applicants from 75 countries while it reassesses how those standards are applied. For applicants, that means paperwork already submitted may simply sit untouched, and interviews may be delayed indefinitely.

The pause, which will begin January 21, applies only to immigrant visas, the category used by people who plan to live and work in the US long term, often through family sponsorship or employment. These are the visas that lead to permanent residency.

​What the policy does not touch, at least for citizens of countries that don’t already have a US travel ban, are the visas most travelers encounter: tourist visas, business visas, and student visas, as well as visa-waiver travel. For anyone planning a trip to the US this year, flights are currently still operating, borders are still open, and short stays are still allowed.

​The move comes as part of the administration’s broader efforts to restrict legal immigration into the US, as well as clamp down on illegal immigration. Many of the countries on this list, such as Iran and Laos, are ones for which the administration has already enacted a travel ban.

​What countries are affected?

​The full list of countries reportedly includes Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

​Why does this matter to travelers?

Travel and immigration are rarely as separate as they seem, says Gigio Ninan, an immigration attorney at Shankar Ninan & Co. in New York.

“Even though B1/B2 visas are exempt from this requirement, this tourist visa category will take a ‘hit’ since ‘intent’ is everything,” says Ninan. “Consular officers have wide discretion, and I’m expecting longer wait times for interviews and more intrusive financial questions. There may be more denials, too.”

Many people who ultimately settle in the US also begin their journey as visitors, students, or temporary workers. They travel back and forth for years before applying for permanent residency. A sudden pause in immigrant visa processing—especially one as broad as this—introduces uncertainty into those long-term plans, even if it doesn’t change who can board a plane tomorrow.

Singapore may be one of the smallest countries in the world—but don’t underestimate the power of its signature red passport. In 2026, the island country has once again clinched the title of the world’s strongest passport.

On Tuesday, January 13, Henley & Partners released its annual 2026 Henley Passport Index, which ranks 199 of the world’s passports by the number of countries they allow their holders to travel to visa-free. The residency and citizenship consultancy firm used its internal research and official proprietary data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to create the power list.

This year, Asian countries have dominated the top of the ranks. Like in 2025, the Singaporean passport continues to defend its first-place record, unlocking access to 192 visa-free destinations. Japan similarly retained second place—although now joined by South Korea (which was ranked third in 2025)—with the ability to travel to 188 nations visa-free.

From there, five European passports share the title of the third-most powerful with visa-free access to 186 nations: Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. And European passports continued their sweep into fourth-place, with 10 countries—Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Norway—providing visa-free travel to 185 countries.

The United Arab Emirates broke the European block, tying in fifth-place (alongside Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia) with options to visit 184 countries without a visa. Over recent years, the UAE has seen a particularly dramatic accession on the list with the addition of 149 visa-free destinations since 2006. Last year, it ranked 10th.

The United States slipped down one rung to 10th place (with 179 destinations) from its ninth-place ranking in 2025 (with 186 destinations). Across the pond, the United Kingdom ranked in seventh place with visa-free travel to 182 countries. It’s a notable decline from the year prior, when the UK held onto fifth place with access to 190 countries. Both moves signal a dramatic tumble: The UK and the US previously shared the first-place title in 2014.

Global mobility trends for 2026

Like last year, Afghanistan fell to the bottom of Henley & Partners’ list with visa-free access to only 24 countries (down two from the year prior). Between Afghanistan and Singapore, the 168 difference in access to visa-free countries is a stark example of “passport privilege,” especially during a year that IATA predicts will see a record number of travelers.

“Today, passport privilege plays a decisive role in shaping opportunity, security, and economic participation, with rising average access masking a reality in which mobility advantages are increasingly concentrated among the world’s most economically powerful and politically stable nations,” Christian H. Kaelin, the creator of the index and chairman at Henley & Partners, said in the news release.

With this, Henley & Partners has continued to see an influx of travelers seeking to diversify their residency and citizenship portfolios, particularly from Americans, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, and British citizens. Heavy on the former: American citizens now make up most of its clients amid “ongoing political turbulence,” Peter J. Spiro, a professor at Temple University Law School, said in the news release.

Amid this trend, a growing number of nations are taking note of these increased migration patterns. In the last year alone, several countries with passports stronger than the US (such as Malaysia, New Zealand, and Greece) have launched multi-year residency-by-investment golden visa opportunities.

Good news for travelers looking to spend an extended time in Vietnam soaking up the energy of Ho Chi Minh City‘s frenetic streets, reveling in Hanoi’s astounding cafés and food stalls, and sailing amid Ha Long Bay’s green-tinged islets: the nation has launched the first phase of its new “golden visa program.”

The three-part visa initiative was first announced in spring 2025 as part of a larger directive from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The administration hopes that easing visa policies will help grow tourism in Vietnam to 23 million visits per year (from 17.5 million international tourist arrivals in 2024).

So-called golden visas typically allow travelers to live and work in a country for an extended period of time in exchange for investing in the nation’s economy. Countries like New Zealand, Botswana, and Malaysia have recently announced programs like these with investment requirements ranging from $75,000 to over $500,000.

However, Vietnam’s program looks a little different. The multi-part “golden visa” package contains three distinct visa categories: a general golden visa valid for 5-10 years, an investor visa valid for up to 10 years, and a special visa exemption card for skilled professionals, colloquially referred to as a “talent visa,” which is valid for 5 years.

The first and only one of these categories to have launched so far is the five-year talent visa exemption, which officially debuted in August 2025.

The talent visa is essentially a multiple-entry visa aimed toward attracting top professionals in specific fields. And although Vietnam’s government has lumped its new talent visa into the government’s broader “golden visa” program, it’s actually closer to a digital nomad visa in design. Whereas golden visas typically operate under residence-by-investment schemes, digital nomad visas seek to draw already skilled workers to help strengthen a nation’s economy for a set period of time.

However, experts say that the second visa to launch under Vietnam’s plan will likely be the 10-year investor visa, which is currently under government review. That golden visa will allow recipients to apply for permanent residency in Vietnam after five years. According to global residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, the second visa option will likely launch sometime after 2026.

Here’s what travelers should know about Vietnam’s new golden visa categories before applying.

This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Who can apply for Vietnam’s new talent visa?

Vietnam’s new multiple-entry visa for skilled professionals was approved in summer 2025. Its aim is to attract highly skilled and creative workers at the top of their fields, according to the government of Vietnam. The policy is officially called Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP, and it went into effect on August 15, 2025.

Travelers from around the world have long been drawn to New Zealand’s diverse wildlife and rich culture. If you’re one of the many who’ve fallen in love with the island country, and entertained the idea of moving there, things just got easier thanks to a new golden visa—so long as you have spare time and money to invest in a local business.

On November 24, 2025 New Zealand will open applications for its new Business Investor Work Visa, which promises residency for up to four years. But its greatest benefit is in the fine print: The program puts participants on track for permanent residency. Here’s how it works.

Applicants can either invest $1 million New Zealand Dollars (about $567,300) for a three-year work-to-residency track, or $2 million NZD (about $1,134,480) for an expedited one-year path. That’s on top of a $12,380 NZD (about $7,010) application fee and the requirement of helping run the business you invest in. After the designated time has passed, visa holders can then apply to stay in the country indefinitely, via the Business Investor Resident Visa.

However, there are some stipulations: Applicants must have funds of at least $500,000 NZD (about $283,700) to cover their own and their family’s needs (applicants can bring their partner and dependent children). And they must prove that they’re business savvy, which the government says includes owning a company that achieves an annual revenue of $1 million NZD (about $567,300) or employs at least five full-time workers.

Expect limitations around the companies you can invest in, too. For example, they must be at least five years old. And some industries are barred, including gambling enterprises, fast food franchises, and or tobacco-related companies.

How does it compare to other New Zealand visas?

This isn’t New Zealand’s first residency-by-investment rodeo. The country already has an Active Investor Plus golden visa program, although it does have higher investment requirements: $5 million NZD (about $2,835,700) for three years in what the government describes as “higher-risk investments,” or $10 million NZD (about $5,669,350) in “lower risk” investments—on top of the $27,470 NZD (about $15,550) application fee. In return, investors and their families can apply for permanent residency.

After the visa’s requirements were lowered earlier this year to the above thresholds, 189 investors applied in less than three months, Reuters reported, about 45% of which were US citizens. The Active Investor Plus Visa is considered a worthy alternative to the new Business Investor Work Visa, especially for those not able to take a proactive role in running a business.

If you’re not quite an investor, but are more entrepreneurial, there might soon be options for you to move to New Zealand soon, too: The country is currently working on a visa option for “startup entrepreneurs with scalable, innovative business ideas,” Erica Stanford, the country’s immigration minister, said in a statement. For remote workers, New Zealand also offers a 90-day digital nomad visa with no minimum income requirement.

If you’ve contemplated trading your life in the United States for the hilly streets of Lisbon or the scenic coast of Porto, you’re not alone. Portugal is frequently ranked as one of the most popular countries for American expats—in part thanks to its highly coveted golden visa program.

The Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) program allows recipients to live in Portugal for up to five years. After spending five years in the country, visa holders can then apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. Plus, it comes with the added perk of visa-free travel throughout the Schengen area.

Previously, applicants could qualify for Portugal’s golden visa by investing in local real estate, but the option was scrapped in 2023 after it was blamed for exacerbating the country’s cost-of-living crisis. Shortly after, the investment fund route—contributing at least 500,000 euros (about $576,850) in a qualifying venture capital or investment fund—became the primary pathway for obtaining the visa, Reuters reported.

Now, for the first time, there’s an official investment fund specifically designed for Americans who use the golden visa to relocate to Portugal. The fund, called LXL Ventures, received approval from the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) in October, LXL Ventures tells Condé Nast Traveler.

Here’s how it works: LXL invests 60% of its fund in Portugal, as required by the government: 35% in “low risk investments” and 25% in “early-stage technology companies,” according to Zeev Fisher, a tax lawyer and partner at LXL Ventures. The remaining 40% is then invested in US companies.

The fund also provides tailored tax and compliance advice for US investors who relocate to Portugal, as Americans who live abroad still have to file taxes in the US. So, to help alleviate the cross-border financial complexities, investors will get access to a rolodex of professional advice: LXL Ventures says it works with Green Ocean Global (a financial advisory firm that specializes in helping Americans move to and invest in Portugal) and FRESH Portugal (a legal advisory firm specializing in American expats in Portugal).

But the “secret sauce” of LXL Ventures is its ability to advise US investors on how to qualify for certain tax benefits in Portugal, Fisher says. “This is achieved through the tech investment part of the fund and through working closely with the tech community in Portugal to help investors get involved in the ecosystem in a manner that would qualify them for the tax benefits.”