10 of 12 Programs Register Longer Processing Times in Q2 as Portugal Hits Record High
Ahmad Abbas
September 30, 2026
Which program bucked the slowdown? And which newcomer debuted strongly? IMI’s Q2 Survey is out now.
Tag: data
First São Tomé CBI Report Out, 500+ Applications, 29 Passports Delivered
Ahmad Abbas
September 2, 2026
The CIU concedes a post-approval backlog. Russia and Iran supply 31% of the applicant book, a cohort the Caribbean has all but shut out.
Panama Capital-Based Visa Approvals Down 41% in H1 2026, Friendly Nations Visa Near Record Low
Ahmad Abbas
August 25, 2026
Approval rates held between 96% and 98%, placing the contraction on the filing side rather than in the decisions.
Saint Lucia’s CIP Intake Nearly Halved in 2024/25 as Decisions More Than Doubled
Ahmad Abbas
August 13, 2026
A record denial rate is one of several findings, alongside a considerable fall in bond applications.
Vanuatu CBI Revenue Higher Than Ever Despite Loss of Visa-Free Europe
Ahmad Abbas
July 28, 2026
The country’s experience hints at a lucrative “life after Schengen” that Caribbean leaders will observe closely.
Dominica Accelerates, Italy Takes Lead as Half of Programs Get Faster in Q1
Ahmad Abbas
June 21, 2026
An even split: Portugal slipped below its record as Italy overtook Vanuatu for fastest program. IMI’s Q1 Survey is out now.
IMI’s Global Property Scoreboard (GPS): Build a Global Property Portfolio on Data, Not Vibes
Christian Henrik Nesheim
May 25, 2026
The Index lets you compare real estate fundamentals of 160 cities globally, so you can build your international portfolio with confidence.
Indonesia Golden Visa Nears US$3 Billion in Investment Ahead of Two-Year Mark
Ahmad Abbas
May 22, 2026
Corporate investors account for 97.7% of the program’s Rp 52.1 trillion total; Americans are the largest holder group.
Where in Greece Do Golden Visa Properties Deliver the Best Rental Yield?
Ahmad Abbas
May 7, 2026
Athens leads on gross returns at 5.43%, but the math shifts once thresholds, the short-term rental ban, and tax reforms are factored in.
Malta’s MEIN Inflows Surged 73% in 2024 as Applications Hit Third-Highest Rate Ever
Ahmad Abbas
April 27, 2026
The now-defunct program’s final full-year report shows record capital generation even as the ECJ ruling that would kill Malta’s CBI loomed.
Hong Kong CIES Reaches 3,300 Applications, HK$99 Billion in Pipeline
Ahmad Abbas
April 15, 2026
Application growth moderates after the second-year surge; annual pace remains well below the government’s 4,000 target.
Saint Lucia CIP Applications Surge 424% to 5642, Revenue Nearly Quadruples
Ahmad Abbas
April 12, 2026
Audited FY24 financials show EC$90 million surplus on EC$240 million revenue; category-level application data withheld for a third year.
EB-5 Filings Surged in 2025, but the Fine Print Tells a Murkier Story
Varvara Latyntseva
April 2, 2026
Regional Center filings surged 38% year-on-year; direct petitions remain marginal with a 58% denial rate.
Malaysia MM2H Posts 3,172 Approvals in 2025, Generating Nearly US$1 Billion
Ahmad Abbas
March 26, 2026
3,172 approvals and nearly US$1B in deposits and property; MM2H’s rebound from its disastrous 2021 overhaul is now quantifiable.
Hong Kong’s CIES Tops 3,000 Applications, HK$95 Billion in Anticipated Investment
Ahmad Abbas
March 4, 2026
One rule change in March 2025 triggered a 440% monthly surge. The numbers since make the first year look like a different program.
New Zealand AIP Visa Registers 41 Applications in One Month, Total Reaches 532
Ahmad Abbas
February 5, 2026
Americans lead investor visa surge as New Zealand’s growth category draws bulk of applications since April reforms.
São Tomé Citizenship Program Garners 98 Applications in First 4.5 Months
Ahmad Abbas
January 20, 2026
São Tomé citizenship applicants span 27 countries from Russia to Venezuela. The program averaged 20 submissions monthly since launch.
São Tomé Issues First CBI Passport, Proving Speed Can Coexist With Substance
Partner Content
January 15, 2026
Sao Tome has issued its first passport, approved over 25 files, and is gaining global appeal. NTL Trust examines the statistics behind the program.
Greek Golden Visa Wait Time Hits 14-Month Low as Officials Chip Away at Backlog
Ahmad Abbas
January 6, 2026
Backlog fell over 4% between October and November as Greece completes 88% of 2023 applications and half of 2024’s submissions.
Italy Golden Visa Applications Double in Two Years
Ahmad Abbas
December 22, 2025
Italy’s investor visa applications doubled in the past two years, and one CEO believes that 1,000 applications annually is a real possibility.
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