Significant Investor Visa misses the mark on VC and innovation – Jo-Ann Suchard, Associate Professor of Banking and Finance at UNSW Australia, says SIV review will lead to some welcome improvements but doubts it will have the desired impact upon innovation.

Scott Walker backs controversial immigrant investor program – Governor for Wisconsin is a supporter of EB-5 firm FirstPathway Partners.

Revamped SIV visa scheme channels $2.5m into start-ups – Australia set to release revamped investor immigration program; total investment required remains at A$5 million, but A$500,000 must now be invested in venture capital or growth funds, and A$1.5 million in ASX-listed small companies. Stakeholders greeted the news with mixed reactions, some fear Chinese will be put off by riskier investments.

Dominica to sign visa-free travel agreement with Europe – Dominican Government says it will sign agreement later this month, reveals EU did independent investigation into security of passports and due diligence in Economic Citizenship Programme.

Quebec May Ease Rules for its IIP After Failing to Meet Quota – Canada immigration lawyer Colin Singer says higher application fees and strict new rules and documentation requirements has put off investors in China.

Citizenship for Sale – Eric Posner, professor at Chicago Law School, criticizes U.S. EB-5 program and questions economic benefits of scheme.

13 IIP applicants granted Maltese citizenship – Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela reveals that 13 of 573 applicants have been granted citizenship to date, but does not respond to questions over why other applicants have been rejected.

Glavin: The questions politicians don’t want us asking about Chinese money –Canadian journalist Terry Glavin blames immigrant investor program for attracting corrupt officials from China, highlights case of Vancouver developer Michael Ching, accused of embezzlement in China.

No clarity yet on publication of IIP citizens’ list – Malta’s Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela says he is mindful of obligation to publish names of new citizens. Russians make up more than half of applicants, of which there have been 173 since January and more than 570 since applications opened.

Quebec To Re-Open Immigrant Investor Program – The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) will reopen for applications from August 31, 2015 through January 29, 2016. Program will accept 1,750 applicants, with no more than 1,200 from any single country; those with French language skills are eligible for priority processing.