10 On The Weekend is a weekly (-ish) feature in IMI, the concept of which is simple: Each time, we ask the same ten questions of a different IMI Pro, letting readers get to know the interviewee on a more personal and informal level than they might during the ordinary course of business.
Our guest this week is Dwayne Chauhan, Co-Founder and CEO at Vancis Capital
How do you spend your weekends?
I try to make the most of being located by the coast in Ireland, so you’ll usually find me hiking outdoors with my family or catching up with friends.
I also like to keep the energy high with some CrossFit. It’s the best way to clear my head before the work week begins.
What are your top three business goals this year?
I really want to increase our philanthropic footprint by deepening our collaboration with NGOs to ensure we are giving back meaningfully.
Second, I am establishing a dedicated policy advisory department of our company to help raise the bar on industry standards.
Finally, I’m prioritizing in-person time with my team, traveling, playing golf, and building rapport together beyond the office.
What’s your biggest business concern right now?
Honestly, it’s the general reputation of the RCBI industry; we still have work to do to ensure the sector is taken seriously by all parties. I want to move past the misconceptions and highlight the genuine economic value and compliance standards we bring to the table.
At Vancis Capital, we work with clients who respect the countries they’re joining and the journey of naturalisation. Not those just seeking a passport.
Which book is on your nightstand right now?
Right now, I’m reading The Wristwatch Handbook by Ryan Schmidt. I’ve always had a fascination with the mechanics and history behind timepieces, so it’s a great way for me to unwind away from business.
How and when did you first get into the investment migration industry?
I entered the industry about nine years ago, after a chance meeting with an industry titan who really opened my eyes to the potential here.
I actually went through the citizenship process myself, and that personal experience convinced me to jump into the field professionally.
Today, I can proudly say that Vancis Capital has helped well above 1,000 clients obtain citizenship and residency by investment.
What was your proudest moment as a service provider?
Without a doubt, it was reaching a point where I could enable my own employees to invest in the very programs we process.
Seeing them benefit personally from the work we do every day was an incredibly rewarding moment for me.
Which investment migration market development has surprised you the most in the last year?
I was genuinely surprised to see the developments coming out of Argentina. You don’t typically expect a country of that size and influence to pivot towards this specific business model, so it has been a fascinating shift to watch.
If you could go ten years back in time, what business decision would you change?
I would have pushed much harder for policy changes and stricter government cooperation right from the start.
Looking back, the way programs were marketed across the industry needed more regulation earlier on. Tighter oversight sooner could have prevented some of the reputational damage the sector is still working to repair.
What investment migration industry personality do you most admire?
It has to be Mark Damsgaard (my business partner since our merger in 2024). The volume of clients Mark and Global Residence Index have helped secure citizenship and golden visas is truly remarkable, and frankly, hard to believe when you consider the lean team behind it.
That kind of impact with that level of efficiency is something I truly admire.
If all goes according to plan, what will you be doing five years from now?
I plan to be working much closer with governments to help legislate citizenship and residency programs. My goal is to see an industry that has rooted out unofficial or questionable programs and operates under strict, transparent legislation.
