The Multi-Residency Trend: 73% of Top Indian Entrepreneurs are Seeking Global Citizenship and What It Means for India?

A notable trend is emerging within India's elite business community. Approximately 73 percent of leading Indian entrepreneurs are investigating options for second citizenship or multiple residencies worldwide. From Dubai’s golden visas to Portugal’s residency-by-investment schemes, and even Caribbean citizenships, the global relocation of Indian wealth is becoming increasingly apparent. This expanding trend signifies a significant change in how India’s most prosperous founders perceive opportunity, security, and sustainable growth.

Many of these entrepreneurs are not leaving India for good. They are building what they call “borderless lifestyles” where business can operate across countries while still keeping strong roots in India. The motivation often goes beyond personal luxury or tax planning. Global mobility provides easier access to international markets, faster visa approvals for business travel, and more freedom to diversify investments. For startup founders managing global teams, it also opens smoother pathways to build overseas headquarters or raise funds from foreign investors.

A big reason behind this shift is the rise of India as a global entrepreneurial powerhouse. As founders build unicorns and expand their ventures abroad, they naturally seek citizenships that allow them to operate without geographic barriers. The tech entrepreneurs leading this wave often view it as part of scaling up their lives along with their company. Some call it the new phase of Indian entrepreneurship, where ambition is no longer bound by nationality but guided by global reach.

At the same time, this movement has raised questions about loyalty and the long-term impact on India’s economy. Critics argue that if too many wealthy individuals choose foreign residencies, it could affect domestic investments and philanthropy. Yet, others say these global citizens often reinvest in Indian startups, real estate, and education. They bring new ideas, networks, and credibility to India’s startup scene. In many ways, it creates a bridge between global capital and Indian enterprise.

For the government, the challenge is to balance regulation and openness. India has already tightened FEMA and tax rules to monitor foreign holdings, but it also wants to attract returning capital through startup incentives and a manufacturing push. The dialogue between wealth mobility and national interest is becoming central to the country’s business narrative.

What’s undeniable is that Indian entrepreneurs today think and act like global citizens. Their companies, families, and investments span continents. This is not a brain drain but a mindset shift. India’s success story is no longer confined to its borders. As its entrepreneurs go global, they are rewriting what it means to be Indian in business, free, ambitious, and connected to the world.