Cyprus Nears Visa Waiver Agreement With USA, Says Foreign Minister
The Cypriot Foreign Minister has told local press he expects new developments this year with regards to a visa-waiver agreement with the United States.
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Policy Updates
IMC Introduces Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
“This is another step in further professionalizing our industry and harmonizing standards globally,” says Bruno L’ecuyer in an email to IMI.
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Montenegro Enacts Crucial Amendment to CIP Rules, Admitting Minor Dependents
Montenegro’s Citizenship Act had a critical inadequacy; it did not allow those minors, or even adult dependents, to obtain citizenship by investment.
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Australian Govt. Says Min. Investment Requirements for Investor Visas Are Too Low
Capped at 6,862 applications a year, Australia’s BIIP is invariably oversubscribed. This, says the government, leaves room for significant price increases.
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Egyptian Cabinet Approves CIP-Law, Formalizes Requirements
Egypt is set to open the world’s 13th formal citizenship by investment program, with minimum investments starting at US$250,000.
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House Passes Bill to Make Portugal an E1 and E2 Treaty Country
Portugal’s golden visa investors may soon not only have the chance to gain residence and citizenship in an EU country, but also to run businesses in the US.
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New EB-5 $900k Minimum Now in Effect – But For How Long?
New regulations that raise the minimum investment requirements are now in effect. But legislative developments may change the rules again within a month.
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Kraft: New EB-5 Rules May Not Take Effect on Nov 21 as 6-Year Re-Authorization Likely This Year
New rules raising min. investments to $900,000 are scheduled to take effect this week. President Kraft of IIUSA thinks there’s a chance that won’t happen.
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Greece Formally Approves Litany of New Asset Classes For Golden Visa Investment
After two years on the drawing board, the Greek government yesterday approved a variety of new investment options for its golden visa program.
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Namibia to Launch Retiree Residency Program for Expats in 2020
“Let them bring their European pensions,” says the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs.
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Greek Govt. Tables Lump-Sum Tax of as Little as €25,000 For Qualified Investors
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis means business: Invest half a million; pay 100,000 in tax. Invest 1.5 million; pay 50,000. Invest 3 million; pay 25,000.
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Grenada CIP Revamps Application Procedures to “Drastically Reduce Processing Times”
Grenada is simplifying documentation requirements, re-structuring the procedural steps, and implementing automated solutions to catalyze their processing.
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Québec Immigrant Investor Program Suspended Pending Review
While the announcement spoke only of a suspension, “it is not clear if the program will reopen, and under what conditions,” said one major service provider.
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Cyprus to Conduct Retroactive Due Diligence on Pre-2018 CIP Investors
Cyprus will conduct due diligence on past applicants, audits on all investors at regular intervals in the future, and revoke citizenships if necessary.
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Greece to Allow Credit Card Payments for Residence by Investment Program
In a decision diametrically opposed to that of the previous government, Greek authorities move to allow the use of POS-terminals for golden visa investments.
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Ius Agrariare: Montenegro CIP Sets Rules for Citizenship by Agriculture, Fisheries, and Wood Processing Investments
Europe’s newest CIP has formalized the requirements for citizenship by investment in agriculture, fisheries, and wood processing.
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Canceling Moldova CIP Now Would Mean “€3-4 Million Fine”: Parliament Approves 4-Month Freeze in Dual Reading
Upon expiry of the moratorium, the government will have the right to extend it for another two months.
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Moldova CIP Moratorium Likely to Last Four Months
“It is likely but not self-evident that after the moratorium, Law no. 1 will be withdrawn,” says Henley & Partners.
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DHS to Publish Final Rule on EB-5 Tomorrow That Would Raise Min. Investment to $900,000
But the new rules may never take effect if the EB-5 Regional Center Program gets a congressional extension before Sep 30th.
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Egypt Moves Closer to CIP-Launch as Parliament Grants Approval In Principle to New Law
What had initially been a residency program with a path to citizenship is shaping up to become a bona fide CIP without the need for a residence period.
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