Commentary: how Kulbergs allegedly promoted 'golden visas' for Šlesers' 'Waterfront' project

A newly published opinion piece titled 'Lūsis Comments' looks at Latvia's temporary residence permit (TUA) program, commonly known as the 'golden visa' scheme, and its alleged connection to businessman Kulbergs. According to the author, Kulbergs actively promoted this opportunity to wealthy foreign investors, including Arab millionaires, tying it to Ainārs Šlesers' real estate project called 'Waterfront'.

What are 'golden visas'

For several years, the TUA program allowed foreign investors to obtain residency rights in Latvia in exchange for investments, such as in real estate or business ventures. The stated goal was to attract wealthy, well-educated foreigners who would relocate to Latvia while supporting the national economy.

The author of the commentary rhetorically asks readers whether they personally know any such investor — someone genuinely living in Latvia because of a golden visa. This question sets a critical tone for how the piece evaluates the program's practical use and its promotion in connection with specific real estate developments.

Context

The article is part of a broader commentary series examining how the golden visa scheme has been used in Latvia in recent years and how it has been linked to particular developers and foreign buyers. Further details on the scale of the deals, the number of investors involved, or possible regulatory changes are not specified in the available source material.