“It’s a Jungle Out There”: Nuri Katz on the Mobility Standard
Nuri Katz calls CBI vetting “the best due diligence known to man.” He also takes part of the blame for the industry’s failure to effectively lobby Brussels.
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european commission
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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Bulgaria Moves to End Its Semi-Direct CBI Program, Cites EU Concerns, Limited Economic Benefit
Limited economic benefit combined with EU antipathy to CBI leads the Bulgarian government to conclude the program isn’t worth the trouble.
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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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Cyprus Approves Only 27.6% of Applications Pending Since CIP Termination
Despite the Commission’s protestations, Cyprus kept processing applications pending since the CIP’s termination – but rejected most of them.
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EU Campaign Against CBI “Driven by Ideology”: Philippe May on the Mobility Standard Podcast
If appeasing the EU was Malta’s goal, says Philippe May, it was unsuccessful. “These people are driven by ideology. They will never give up.”
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“We Won’t Budge” on Sovereignty Over Tax, Citizenship: Malta Responds to EU Parliament Report on IM Programs
Malta’s Citizenship “Czar”, Alex Muscat, promised to oppose efforts to tax or stop CBI programs but expressed support for tighter regulation.
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MEIN Policy Must End, Says von der Leyen – Malta Will Decide for Itself, Muscat Responds
Parliamentary Secretary Muscat once again reminds Ursula von der Leyen that deciding whom to naturalize is Malta’s sovereign prerogative.
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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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Eur. Commission Aims to Make Investment Migration Firms “Obliged Entities”: IMC Reaction
“It is disappointing, however, that the European Commission decided not to propose regulation of citizenship by investment,” said the IMC.
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Eur. Commission Makes Next Legal Move in Malta, Cyprus Infringement Procedures
The European Commission has sent a “Reasoned Opinion” to Cyprus and an “additional letter of formal notice” to Malta.
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Eur. Commission Still Mum on MEIN and Malta’s Infringement Response, Muscat Says
Six months after officially responding to letters of formal notice of infringement procedures, Malta still awaits comments from the European Commission.
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Chinese Investors’ Share of Portugal Golden Visa in Q1 at Highest Level Since 2016
The Chinese dominated the golden visa during the early years before falling to a record-low in 2020. In 2021, they are returning in force.
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Sec. Muscat Hopes for “Fair and Rational Approach From the Commission” on MEIN Policy
“There will be quarters with different motives where they feel the need to object [to the MEIN policy],” Secretary Muscat tells IMI.
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Ruling Against EU CIPs Unlikely, Would Have “Very Serious Secondary Consequences” Says IMC
Risks related to investment migration had been the subject of “significant exaggeration” and were “primarily theoretical in nature.”
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Calls for Infringement Procedures Against Golden Visa Countries Dismissed by von der Leyen
Giegold openly denounced von der Leyen in the European Parliament, accusing her of “extending an open invitation to criminals.”
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Everything You Need to Know About the New Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) Regulations
See requirements and forms, procedures, the code of conduct, the licensing requirements, the policy handbook, and analysis of the MEIN here.
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Malta Ready to Defend Citizenship-Sovereignty in Court, Establishes New Agency to Handle RCBI Applications
“Malta is willing to take all legal paths to ensure nationality and […] will defend this position even if the case is taken to the ECJ,”
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“Investment Migration Under Threat in EU”: A Q&A on Infringement Procedures With Bruno L’ecuyer
IMC-boss Bruno L’ecuyer explains how infringement procedures work, how common they are, and what they will mean for Malta and Cyprus.
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Commission’s Letter “More Political Than Legal,” Says Malta Citizenship Secretary Muscat
Secretary Muscat is annoyed at comparisons to Cyprus and that he can find no legal reasons to end citizenship by investment in Malta.
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