Even for The Super-Rich, Citizenship by Descent is Extremely Useful: Lessons From Abramovich
Abramovich recently picked up another citizenship by descent, this time in Portugal. Millions more should do the same, says David Lesperance.
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Reasonable Doubt
Pandora Papers: Lessons for Investment Migration Advisors and Clients
Groups like ICIJ will keep leaking private financial data but, with the right structures, it needn’t be a problem, explains David Lesperance.
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Lesperance to Morgan: Here’s Evidence Most US Missions Won’t Take Renunciation Appointments
Morgan claimed David Lesperance was spreading misinformation and called for “validated facts”. Today, Lesperance delivers just that in spades.
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Think Your Client Has Until Dec 31st to Get Portugal GV Under Old Rules? Think Again
While applying under current rules is possible until the end of the year, in practice, you have until the end of September, writes David Lesperance.
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Expansion of AML Obligations on IM Firms: Natural Evolution or Death Knell for Boutique Operators?
The European Commission aims to make IM providers “Obliged Entities”. David Lesperance asks: Can the EC do that? And would it be a problem?
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15% Min. Global Corporate Tax? Game Theory (and History) Explains Why It Won’t Happen
130 countries agree to aim for a global minimum corporate tax of 15%, says the G7. Don’t hold your breath, writes David Lesperance.
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Under Cover of COVID, The US Is Preventing Citizens from Renouncing – On Purpose
US consulates haven’t been taking renunciation appointments for over a year, ostensibly because of COVID. David Lesperance isn’t buying it.
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Busting Americans’ 6 Most Common Myths About 2nd Citizenships and Residences
Many Americans still harbor serious myths and misunderstandings about alternative residences and citizenships, writes David Lesperance.
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Lesperance: It’s Time For Some Heavy Lifting in Vanuatu
David Lesperance is glad to see Chairman Warsal begin to tackle shortcomings in Vanuatu’s CIPs but points out that there’s more work to be done.
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Yes, American Citizens Can and Will Leave to Avoid Wealth Taxes
David Lesperance: Democrat Senators’ assertions notwithstanding, US citizens are renouncing citizenships at the mere prospect of wealth taxes.
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Cyprus, Be Careful Not to Throw the Baby out With the Bathwater
Though poorly managed and structured, the CIP was a boon to the Cypriot economy. Michel de Martigny and David Lesperance offer a recipe for how to build back better.
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Effective Backup Plans Part II: The 3 Indispensable Components
In this second installment of David Lesperance’s series on effective backup plans, the writer outlines three indispensable components.
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Effective Backup Plans Part 1: Back to Basics
History is replete with examples of wealthy families who lost everything for lack of a comprehensive backup plan, writes David Lesperance.
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Lesperance: Vanuatu Govt. Inadvertently Admits Fatal Flaw in Its Honorary CIP
Vanuatu’s deputy PM concedes the country’s CIP investors are still just honorary citizens and that he plans to give them a yellow passport.
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Record Numbers of Americans Renouncing Citizenships Has Nothing to Do With The Pandemic
Media reports this month say the pandemic is driving record expatriation. The reality, writes David Lesperance, is exactly the opposite.
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Citizenship-Based Taxation: 3 Signs Europe Might Follow in The US’ Footsteps
Three major developments have increased the likelihood of EU countries adopting citizenship-based taxation, writes David Lesperance.
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8 Questions Hongkongers Must Ask Before Taking Up The UK’s BN(O) Visa Offer
Hong Kong’s BN(O)s thinking of taking up the UK’s visa offer must be ready to burn personal and financial bridges, writes David Lesperance.
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In a Pandemic World, Vanuatu Has Placed Itself Under a Microscope
After much discussion, David Lesperance remains unconvinced that Vanuatu’s citizenship by investment programs grant anything but honorary citizenship.
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Lesperance: Vanuatu’s So-Called CBI Program is a Ticking Time Bomb
“Honorary citizenship is like being honorarily pregnant; it does not produce the desired result,” writes David Lesperance in his critique of Vanuatu’s CBI.
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Inform Your Client: Don’t Wait to Apply for Citizenship Until It’s Too Late
Different trigger events can derail your client’s future citizenship by investment plans. It’s your job to shake them out of their false sense of security.
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