EU Commission “Pushed” Spain to Close Golden Visa: Investment Migration People in the News This Week

Investment migration people in the news this week included:

• Kristin Surak
• Haider Hussain of Fragomen
• Savills 
• Chris Liem of Engel & Völkers Hong Kong
• Eduardo Pérez Mazuecos of Marbella Solicitors Group Law Offices
• Praia Club
• Sam Silverman of EB5AN
• Varvara Latyntseva of Second Wind EB-5
• Nicholas Mastroianni of U.S. Immigration Fund

Bloomberg – How an Iran Oil Tycoon Got Inside the Western Financial System

Better yet, physical presence isn’t required and CBI deals are regularly conducted via private brokers from Dubai, according to Kristin Surak, a professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science and author of The Golden Passport.

The National – How rules for obtaining UAE’s 10-year golden visa have been updated

“One of the significant updates is those investing in off-plan properties can now apply for the golden visa, provided they meet certain criteria,” said Haider Hussain, partner at immigration services company Fragomen.

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“The golden visa provides stability and security for visa holders and their families. It allows multiple-entry into the UAE.

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“The visa covers family members, including a spouse, children and even parents, allowing them to enjoy the same benefits as the primary visa holder.”

Mansion Global – A Luxury Home Can Help Investors Qualify for a Hong Kong Golden Visa—These Neighborhoods Could Get a Boost

Savills reported earlier this year that “high deposit requirements and elevated interest rates, coupled with uncertain home-price prospects, pushed some cash-rich buyers” to become renters instead. 

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Chris Liem, owner and principal of Engel & Völkers Hong Kong, said the HK$50 million-plus focus for the investment scheme reduces effects on the broader, middle-class real estate market. Growing optimism is also driven by Hong Kong’s government announcing a relaxed loan-to-value ratio for mortgages, 70% regardless of value (meaning the bank can loan that percentage of the home’s worth.). Properties priced above HK$35 million previously faced a 60% maximum LTV.

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Every major Hong Kong district has at least a few HK$50 million-plus properties that would qualify for the scheme, according to Liem. He said at that price point, buyers are seeking the right lifestyle fit more than simply trying to meet the financial threshold. The major elements of buying in Hong Kong are comfort, price and convenience, which for foreign buyers often means easy access to the MTR public transit network, he added. These districts offer luxury living options with different flavors and easy transit connections to the Central Business District, the airport and beyond.

Worth – Rethinking Golden Visas: The Pros and Cons Leaving America for Europe, Asia, and Beyond

“In Spain, the reason exposed by the President during a public press conference was that they were going to focus on the constitutional right of having a home.” So says Marbella Solicitors Group Law Offices senior partner Eduardo Pérez Mazuecos, who has assisted numerous clients in purchasing properties and obtaining the golden visa. “From the point of view of our many expert agents, this explanation of the measure is not reasonable.” He says properties over 500K are out of range for the average Spaniard, anyway, calling the luxury property and average property markets completely different.

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Mazuecos’ office specializes in advising English-speaking clients on legal and tax advice and mainly deals with real estate law. Apart from purchasing a property, foreigners could also access the golden visa by purchasing public debt or shares on Spanish properties or making bank deposits. However, Perez Mazuecos says that the investment amount must be considerably higher. “In any case, the policies of canceling the golden visa programs comes not only from the government but these decisions are also pushed by the EU Commission which is pointing in that direction.” 

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“In terms of visa options, we’re facing more difficulties. The government wants to receive qualified professionals or retired people who are willing to stay for a long time in the country,” says Giselle, who works in Praia Club’s legal team, in an email. She also asked that we use only her first name to protect her job. For example, three years ago the Portuguese consulates accepted Airbnb and Booking.com reservations as proof of accommodation. 

Forbes – Potential Backlogs In Reserved EB-5 Visa Categories: Explained

Sam Silverman of EB5AN writes an analysis piece for Forbes.

Due to limited annual visa supply and a 7% per-country cap, I saw some countries with a long line of pre-RIA investors waiting to obtain their green cards. Therefore, for new investors, the reserved quota is an opportunity to sidestep the long queue and speed up their immigration journey.

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The IIUSA report showed that from fiscal year 2022 through July 2024, China and India have dominated post-RIA filings, accounting for nearly 71% of the applications. Out of the total 6,506 I-526 and I-526E applications filed through July 5, 2024, 3,300 (almost 51%) were from China; 1,341 (20%) were from India and the remaining were from other countries.

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In conclusion, except for China and India, citizens of other countries likely do not need to worry about visa availability and could select any suitable rural or urban TEA project. However, applicants from China and India applicants could consider low-risk rural TEA investments, which may offer shorter wait times compared to urban projects.

Financial Express – America Permanent Residency: Top 5 fastest ways to obtain a US Green Card in 2025

Varvara Latyntseva of Second Wind EB-5 explores the quickest ways to get a Green Card in this piece.

India has consistently been one of the top countries with a high number of applicants. For example, the EB-2 visa category for Indian applicants often has a waiting list exceeding 10 years. This backlog makes it essential for Indian nationals to choose the fastest available options based on their eligibility.

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The EB-5 Investor Visa Program offers another fast-track option. Applicants must invest at least $800,000 in a U.S. business that creates jobs. According to the January 2025 Visa Bulletin, the “Set-Aside” visas within this category are current, meaning there is no backlog. Investors can receive a conditional Green Card within 1 to 3 years, which can later be converted to a permanent Green Card.

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Notably, self-petitioning options like EB-1 and EB-5 are particularly advantageous for individuals who do not have family ties in the U.S. These categories allow applicants to apply independently based on their professional achievements or financial investments.

Financial Express – US EB-5 Program: January 2025 visa bulletin warns Indian investors of delays in set-aside categories

Nicholas Mastroianni of U.S. Immigration Fund explores the data from the USCIS January bulletin and what it means for Indian EB5 applicants.

The January 2025 Visa Bulletin issued a significant warning for EB-5 investors: visa backlogs may soon occur in the rural and high-unemployment area (HUA) set-aside categories. While these categories remain “current” for now, rising demand could trigger delays. Investors must act swiftly to secure their priority dates and maintain their place in the queue.

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Visa retrogression creates significant legal hurdles for EB-5 investors, especially those currently in the U.S. on H-1B or F-1 visas. Even with an approved I-526E petition, retrogression can delay key milestones in the immigration process.

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For FY 2025, the total visa allocation for rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure projects is 6,839 visas. The surge in demand has been unique because the popularity for EB-5 visa petitions from countries other than India and China has matched the demand from India and China.