6 Months In: Hong Kong’s CIES Receives 500 Applications
Moustafa Daly
September 24, 2024
Hong Kong’s investment visa scheme could inject HK$15 billion into the economy, yet experts see “significant room for growth.”
Category: Asia-Pacific
Thailand Opens Elite Visa Program to All Nationalities but One
Ahmad Abbas
September 18, 2024
“Recent data showed no adverse effect from restricted countries,” Bastien Trelcat notes as Thailand Elite Visa lifts ban on 28 nationalities.
Titanic Turnaround: BIIP Applicants, Your Lifeboats Have Arrived
Henry Fan
September 17, 2024
Henry Fan’s inbox flooded: 300+ govt emails reveal unexpected twists for Australian visa hopefuls amid BIIP shutdown.
Hands-on Guide for South Korea’s Digital Nomad Visa
Hannah Ma
September 12, 2024
Hannah Ma: Seoul beckons remote workers with digital nomad visa. Work remotely amidst K-tech innovation for up to two years.
Solomon Islands Unveils Citizenship by Investment Bill, Seek Input
Ahmad Abbas
September 11, 2024
Solomon Islands fast-tracks Citizenship by Investment Bill, a top government priority. Regulatory framework already in development.
5 Investment- and Skills-Based Paths to Residency in Hong Kong
Siren Chen
August 30, 2024
Siren Chen compares the five investment- and skills-based routes to Hong Kong residency by cost and difficulty level.
Sabah to Autonomously Manage State MM2H and License Local Agents
Ahmad Abbas
August 29, 2024
Decentralization of MM2H management allows Sabah to directly regulate agents and enforce program rules at state level.
How to Get Residency in Japan by Managing or Opening a Business
Hannah Ma
August 21, 2024
Hannah Ma explores Japan’s efforts to attract more talent and FDI through its Business Manager and Skilled Workers visas.
New Zealand Investor, Entrepreneur Visa Fees to More Than Triple
James Hall
August 12, 2024
James Hall explains New Zealand’s updated visa fee structure as entrepreneur and investor visa fees set to triple.
Vanuatu Mandates In-Person Visits for Passport Applications
Ahmad Abbas
August 7, 2024
Experts believe Vanuatu’s new passport enrolment process will bolster the integrity of its citizenship programs and address EU concerns.
Vanuatu CBI Post-Schengen: Down, But Not Out
Ahmad Abbas
August 5, 2024
While CBI’s share of gov’t. revenue is down by two-thirds since the Schengen suspension, Vanuatu’s CBI revenue remains surprisingly resilient.
Hong Kong CIES Receives 339 Applications in First Three Months
Ahmad Abbas
July 6, 2024
Hong Kong’s revamped investment residency scheme sees an uptick in June applications and approvals in principle.
Sabah Launches Own MM2H Program, Applications Open Today
Ahmad Abbas
July 2, 2024
Sabah officially opens its 10-year residency MM2H program with income, deposit, and real estate requirements.
Vanuatu Defends Granting Citizenship to Convicted Businessman Amid Passport Misuse Allegations
Ahmad Abbas
June 22, 2024
Vanuatu stated that Spira cleared background checks from INTERPOL and Vanuatu’s Financial Intelligence Unit when he applied to the CIP.
Malaysia Announces New MM2H Rules, Scraps Route to PR
Ahmad Abbas
June 19, 2024
Malaysia unveils new MM2h regulations, removes PR pathway, adjusts investment amounts, and issues updated license renewal criteria.
EU Commission Proposes Permanent Suspension of Vanuatu’s Visa-Free Schengen
Christian Henrik Nesheim
June 2, 2024
After two years of temporary suspension, the European Commission believes Vanuatu hasn’t adequately addressed its security concerns.
Thailand Introduces Practically Free Visa for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
Moustafa Daly
May 29, 2024
For just over $500, you can stay in Thailand for up to a year, and six months a year after that, thanks to the new Destination Thailand Visa.
Backlog for Australia’s Closed BIIP Could Take Decades to Clear, Says Agent
Moustafa Daly
May 20, 2024
James Hall says a tiny annual quota and a huge backlog imply decades of waiting. But Australia may soon introduce a new investor visa.
Thai PM Proposes Schengen-Style Visa for Southeast Asia
Christian Henrik Nesheim
May 15, 2024
Thailand’s PM hopes to boost tourism in the region, which sees about 70 million travelers a year, by making it available on a single visa.
Malaysia’s MM2H Program Undergoes Licensing Delays and Concerns Amid Major Revamp
Ahmad Abbas
May 1, 2024
Malaysian government overhauls MM2H program; licensing delays worry agents as new regulations aim to streamline process and curb misconduct.