Grenada Launches Citizenship by Invitation Program
Ahmad Abbas
January 28, 2025
New Grenada citizenship by invitation program cuts wait times by 50% and includes annual advisory sessions with Prime Minister Mitchell
Category: Policy Updates
Thai Govt Eases LTR Visa Program Terms
Moustafa Daly
January 16, 2025
Thailand has scrapped the income requirement for one of the LTR’s categories, removed the dependent cap, and introduced sweeping changes
Sierra Leone Launches 90-Day Citizenship Route
Moustafa Daly
January 9, 2025
The new options shorten the path to Sierra Leone’s citizenship from eight years to only 60-90 days.
Hong Kong Relaxes CIES Net Worth Requirement Amid Other Changes
Siren Chen
January 8, 2025
Hong Kong scraps sole ownership requirement and expands qualifying assets under new CIES guidelines
Turkish Central Bank Phases Out Currency Protection Scheme for CIP Bank Deposits
Ahmad Abbas
January 5, 2025
Turkey has ended the FX currency protection scheme that guarantees CIP deposits. “It was literally a free passport,” says Ahmet Sener.
Spain Closes Golden Visa, Sets Transitional Period
Ahmad Abbas
January 4, 2025
After months of internal deliberation and legislative maneuvering, the Spanish government has finally ended the golden visa
Cyprus Announces New Startup Visa Changes, Slashes Share Capital Requirement
Ahmad Abbas
January 2, 2025
Cyprus has unveiled major improvements to its startup visa program, making it considerably more attractive to foreign entrepreneurs
Hungary Eliminates Real Estate Investment Option From Guest Investor Program
Ahmad Abbas
December 22, 2024
Hungary takes direct real estate option off menu days before slated opening. Move likely aims to safeguard program integrity and reputation, say experts.
Spanish Congress Overrides Senate Veto, Ending Golden Visa Program
Ahmad Abbas
December 21, 2024
Spain’s Golden Visa program will officially end following Congress’ final vote. Soler-Matutes expects complete closure by March 2025.
Sierra Leone Launches Gold-Backed Life-Time Residency Program
Ahmad Abbas
December 2, 2024
Program opens for applications on Dec 7. Lifetime residency, 40-day approval. Agents earn $12K per approved client.
Malta Raises MPRP Investment Thresholds and Fees
Ahmad Abbas
November 20, 2024
Malta’s MPRP will roll out higher thresholds for real estate, rent, administration and dependent fees, and donations on Jan 1st, 2025
Sarawak Raises MM2H Investment Threshold to RM500,000 Amid Program Overhaul
Ahmad Abbas
November 7, 2024
Sarawak changes S-MM2H deposit threshold, income rules, new fees, and agent licensing criteria from January 1, 2025.
Hungarian Government Approves First GIP Fund, Four More to Follow in 2025
Ahmad Abbas
November 3, 2024
Ten months after launching its Guest Investor Program, Hungary licenses its first qualified investment fund, with four more awaiting approval.
St Kitts & Nevis Lowers Real Estate Investment Thresholds Amid Other Changes
Ahmad Abbas
October 30, 2024
Facing 60% revenue free-fall, St Kitts launches aggressive CIP rescue plan: lower real estate investments and expanded dependent rules.
Canada to Reduce Permanent Residency Target by 25% Through 2027
Nicolas Laurin
October 29, 2024
Amid mounting public pressure and housing concerns, Canada revamps its immigration strategy, including reduced Startup Visa quotas.
Panama Scraps Planned Increase for Real Estate Investment Visa
Ahmad Abbas
October 23, 2024
“Significant impact” convinces Panama to abandon its planned investment visa price hike, maintaining the $300,000 threshold indefinitely.
Hong Kong Reintroduces Real Estate Component to CIES
Moustafa Daly
October 17, 2024
Hong Kong reopens door to property investors seeking residency through the CIES – for a premium.
Russia Unveils Eligible Nations for Shared Values Visa
Ahmad Abbas
September 23, 2024
Russia’s new Shared Values Visa targets 47 nations. Ilja Belobragin sees it as a workforce strategy, doesn’t expect list to expand soon.
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.
“These Efforts Will Fail”: USCIS Lowers Thresholds for IER Startup Program to Attract Foreign Entrepreneurs
Moustafa Daly
August 8, 2024
Entrepreneurs can now qualify by securing investments worth $264,147, but immigration lawyer Matthew Galati thinks uptake will remain sluggish.