UBS sets up small cap investor visa fund – Investment bank UBS has launched a new Australian Significant Investor Visa Fund to take advantage of new rules that require, as part of the total A$5 million investment, A$1.5 million to be in ASX-listed small companies and A$500,000 in venture capital.
Taiwan a refuge for stressed-out Hong Kongers – Taiwan’s investor immigration is becoming more attractive to citizens of Hong Kong due to its proximity, more relaxed pace of life, and relatively affordable investment threshold of NT$6 million (US$184,000).
Failure to Investigate Could Mean “Game-Set-and-Match” for EB-5 Investors – Case against brother-in-law of tennis star Andre Agassi is one of several claims recently pursued by the SEC against developers and agents in the EB-5 industry.
Spain boosts ‘golden visa’ scheme to tempt well-off potential expats – The Spanish government is looking to adjust the rules of its ‘golden visa’ scheme after underwhelming uptake since its launch in 2013.
Critics: Visa program for wealthy foreigners is ‘Immigration Reform for the 1%’– Immigrant advocacy groups and a service workers’ union have organized press conferences criticizing the EB-5 program in cities including Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego. Despite recent controversies surrounding the program, many experts predict it will be extended and reauthorized.
Portugal’s Golden Visa investment drops sharply following corruption scandal– Applications for Portugal’s Residence Permits for Investment Activity have fallen significantly following investigations into officials managing the program in late 2014; July 2015 saw only 10 visas issued, all to Chinese citizens. However, experts predict that the recent reduction in investment thresholds will boost visa-eligible property sales.
Greek crisis attracts EU-dreaming Chinese investors – Real estate firms advising wealthy Chinese citizens on European property investments say that falling prices in Greece have seen an increase in applicants looking to gain residence rights in Europe through the country’s investor program.
Services for immigration programs for investors booming in Vietnam – Vietnam has seen a rise in service providers offering investor immigration services. While many firms provide legitimate ways to circumnavigate strict rules on international financial transfers, certain providers have been accused of overcharging and not providing services promised.
CBI Service Providers Support Call To Protect Property Values – Leading service providers connected to the St. Kitts CBI program have expressed concerns that properties sold to meet program requirements may be overvalued.
5 Top Retirement Havens Where Real Estate Purchase Comes With Residency– The Huffington Post rates Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Malaysia and Ecuador as top destinations for retirees looking to gain residence by investment.