Vanuatu Officials Split Over CS Global’s $10,000-per-Application CBI Contract
The Attorney General and the FIU objected to the contract. Lack of unified messaging undermines the program, indicates Micha-Rose Emmett.
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asia-pacific
4 Ways in Which Brussels Is Unfairly Harming Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment Program
Martin St-Hilaire points to red herrings, straw man arguments, and other deliberate fallacies the European Commission uses against Vanuatu.
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Vanuatu Appoints CS Global, FACT as International Partners, Plans Retroactive DD on All Applicants Since 2015
Vanuatu appoints international partners and promises retroactive due diligence. Industry observers offer reactions to the EU’s announcement.
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European Commission Proposes “Partial Suspension” of Vanuatu Visa-Waiver Over CBI Concerns
The European Commission has formally proposed that the Council partially suspend visa-free Schengen access for Vanuatu passport holders.
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Australia Approves Record BIIP Applications in FY2021: 10x Increase in Hong Kong Applicants
Vietnamese, Iranian, South African, Indian, and British applicants all saw approvals far above historical norms, even adjusting for the higher quota.
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More Information on Vanuatu’s New Real Estate Option, Including a Retraction
The REO will be a separate program from the other two and will have a minimum (joint) investment of US$100,000. Additional fees will apply.
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Independence Likely for Bougainville in 5 Years: Citizenship by Investment Could Fund The New Country
Leading the race to become the world’s newest independent state, Bougainville sorely needs capital. Could a CIP be the answer?
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Malaysia To Exempt Existing MM2H Participants From Most New Rules
Following fervent feedback from stakeholders, Malaysia decides to grandfather in existing MM2Hers under the old rules, with two exceptions.
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New Zealand’s Investor Visa Practically Closed: Only 5 Approvals in FY2022, Rejections Reach 69%
New Zealand’s Investor Visa, which but a few years ago raised more than a billion NZ dollars a year, remains virtually dead 19 months after the onset of the pandemic.
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MM2H Updates: Thailand Could Absorb Tens of Billions at Malaysia’s Expense
MM2H: Former minister warns rejections could soar; Malaysia could lose out on US$12 billion to competing programs; Dependents went unvetted.
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Since You Asked: Which Programs Are Vietnamese Investor Migrants Going for During the Pandemic?
Barred from leaving the country and with processing for their favorite programs suspended, how have Vietnamese investor migrants fared this year?
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Malaysian Govt. Promises to Take Another Look at New MM2H Rules Following Royal Rebuke
Following sharp criticism from MM2H stakeholders and the Sultan of Johor, the Home Minister promises to “take another look” at the new rules, at least as they apply to long-term residents.
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Vanuatu Arranging for Evacuation of Citizens from Afghanistan But Unable to Contact Family
Vanuatu has called in favors from bigger partner countries to help get its citizens out of Afghanistan. But the family hasn’t been heard from in days.
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Why Vanuatu Decided to Allow Payment for Citizenship in Multiple Currencies
Vanuatu already lets agents accept crypto and the government itself will now accept multiple fiat currencies from agents. Laszlo Kiss explains why.
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New MM2H Rules Will Drive Mass Exodus of Foreigners – That’s Intentional, Say Observers
Thousands of settled expats who planned to live out their days in Malaysia will now need to come up 4-6x more money or get out. Most cannot afford to stay.
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MM2H Reopens With Quadrupled Income Requirement: Nearly US$10,000 a Month
The MM2H program is finally reopening, albeit with financial requirements far more onerous than in the past.
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22 Months After Freezing MM2H, Malaysia Govt. Offers Relief Grant to Agents: A $711 One-Time Payment
After decimating hundreds of MM2H businesses over a political power struggle, the government is offering a laughably small support package.
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More Feelings Than Facts: Commentary on The Guardian’s Vanuatu Passport Series
On a factual and legal basis, the investigation fails to support claims that Vanuatu accepts criminals or money launderers, writes Martin St-Hilaire.
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NZ Govt. Reportedly Mulls Ending Category 1 Investor Visa, Raising Capital Requirement to NZ$25m
“The program is a mess at the moment,” says ANZ Migration’s James Hall. Some of his clients have waited more than a year for approvals that normally take 3 months.
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Why Those Hoping to Design CIPs in the Pacific Are in For A Ride – Part 2
Part 2 of Michael Krakat’s series on how concepts of nationhood and citizenship are perceived differently in the South Pacific and what that means for CBI planners.
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