Investment migration people in the news this week included:
- Suzanna Uzakova of Astons
- Arton Capital
- Laura Madrid of Global Citizens Solutions
- Dominic Volek of Henley & Partners
- Morgan Bailey and Grace Shie of Mayer Brown, Bailey
- Ian Wagreich of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
- Becky Fu von Trapp of von Trapp Law PLLC
- Joey Barnett of WR Immigration
- David Lesperance of Lesperance & Associates
Business Standard – UK faces 14% millionaire drop amid tax crackdown; Greece tops visa rush
“The significant decline in the number of UK millionaires is indicative of a broader trend where high-net-worth individuals are seeking more favourable tax environments. Recent UK tax reforms, such as changes to inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and the non-domiciled regime, have prompted many to reconsider their residency,” said Suzanna Uzakova, Senior Consultant for Residency and Citizenship Programmes at Astons.
Travel Noire – Botswana Launches’ Golden Passport’ Program, Offering Citizenship For $75,000 Starting 2026
This move aims to diversify Botswana’s economy beyond its diamond industry. The program will operate under a limited quota system, and applications will be accepted through an official registration portal developed by Arton Capital, the implementing company. At $75,000, Botswana’s program becomes the world’s most affordable option for open citizenship by investment. This undercuts São Tomé and Príncipe’s $90,000 minimum by $15,000.
CN Traveler – Malaysia Just Launched Another Golden Visa
“The Investor Pass itself is deliberately short, which creates a built-in compliance checkpoint,” says Laura Madrid, a researcher at residency-by-investment consulting firm Global Citizens Solutions. “For an extension, authorities will re-evaluate whether genuine investment activity has taken place. ”
[…]
The European Union has expressed concerns about residence-by-investment programs, saying in 2022 that they “raise inherent security, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption risks.” Yet, this warning doesn’t seem to be dampening their popularity, especially among Americans: Amid “unprecedented volatility” in the US, Henley and Partners now has more American clients than the next four major nationalities (Turkish, Indian, Chinese, and British) combined, Dominic Volek, the company’s group head of private clients, tells CNT.
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“ Ultimately, Americans are seeking not only financial or lifestyle benefits, but also the assurance that comes with having an additional legal pathway abroad, one that provides freedom of movement, access to better living conditions, and a secure alternative for the future,” says Madrid.
Newsweek – Former USCIS Official Offers Gold Card Visa Tips
Morgan Bailey, the former deputy chief of staff of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said those wishing to apply for the program should prepare to document their sources and transfer of funds, as well as gather the documents they will need, including their immigration and employment records.
[…]
In a recent episode of The Inside Track podcast from law firm Mayer Brown, Bailey, who is now a partner at the firm, and Grace Shie, who leads the firm’s Global Mobility & Migration practice, offered advice to high net-worth individuals interested in applying for the visas.
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“It’s our understanding that the gold card program will allow spouses and children to qualify as derivatives, but details are limited so far,” she said. “Understanding the needs of the family upfront will help you prepare once program details are made available.”
Bloomberg Law – Trump Gold Card Favors Wealth Over Merit, Tempting Lawsuits
“If those visas are being used by people who simply have the money to pay for it, I don’t think that’s a positive for the country,” said Ian Wagreich, a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. “It has the potential for crowding out skilled professionals.”
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“Congress created the EB-1 and EB-2 to reward merit,” said Becky Fu von Trapp, managing attorney at von Trapp Law PLLC. “The gold card just attempts to treat a financial gift as equivalent proof.”
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Those immigrants could invest less in the EB-5 option, obtain permanent residency faster, and still get a return on their investment, said Joey Barnett, a partner at WR Immigration.
Spears – Exit tax explained: advice for UHNWs ahead of Budget 2025
Another key concern highlighted by experts is the uncertainty around when an exit tax might take effect. David Lesperance of tax law firm Lesperance & Associates told Spear’s he has been ‘inundated’ with inquiries since the rumour of a possible exit tax hit the media – from ‘desperate’ clients looking to put a strategy in place to become non-resident in the UK before the Budget next month.
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‘Their fear is that the Chancellor will make the effective date November 26. If there is an exit tax and the implementation date is for the new tax year, I expect to have as busy a season as last year’s departing non-doms,’ he added.
