Latest / IMI Podcasts / This Week in IMI - Apr 3: Qatar Reveals 5-Year Residency Program, Thailand’s Privilege Card Program Sees 108% Increase, UK’s Ability to Attract Investment Diminished, ++

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This Week in IMI - Apr 3: Qatar Reveals 5-Year Residency Program, Thailand’s Privilege Card Program Sees 108% Increase, UK’s Ability to Attract Investment Diminished, ++ · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: You're listening to IMI this week.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Qatar has introduced a five-year residence permit program aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: The program has two categories: the entrepreneurship route, requiring a minimum investment of 250,000 Qatari real, approximately$68,671, and a business plan endorsed by a recognized incubator, and the talent category requiring a job offer or financial self-sufficiency and expertise in one of 13 designated fields.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: This move aligns with the broader trend in the Gulf Cooperation Council region to compete for talent and capital through investment migration programs.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Thailand's Privileged Card Program, which offers long-stay visas ranging from 5 to 20 years, saw a record 11,846 new members in 2023, a 108% increase attributed to global conflicts and instability driving millionaires to seek a second home.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: With 36,397 active members as of February 2024, the program aims to reach 39,000 members contributing over$1.5 billion to Thailand's economy in 2024.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: How?
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: By targeting high net worth individuals in India and the Gulf region.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: However, it may face competition from Malaysia's MM2H and Indonesia's Golden Visa program.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: The UK has indicated the colonial era law of non-domicile tax regime will be dispensed with by April 6, 2025.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Mona Shah argues the abolition of the regime will not only fail to increase tax revenues as expected, but also deter high net worth individuals from residing or investing in the UK.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: She voices concerns about the UK's ability to attract investment and talent, potentially impacting their attractiveness as a global financial hub.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Four Caribbean countries, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Granada, and St.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: Kitts and Nevis, have committed to raising the minimum economic contribution for their citizenship by investment programs to$200,000 by June 30, 2024.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: Kevin Hosum says the move signals an end to the race to the bottom pricing phenomenon and enhances transparency, cooperation, and the long-term sustainability of the CBI programs.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: He adds, however, that it will only work if non-signatory member St.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: Lucia also joins the memorandum of understanding.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: In this week's edition of 10 on the weekend, IMI Pro Omar Karaman explains why the world needs a new citizenship by investment program and what he plans to do about it.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: The lack of fresh options and the escalating costs of established programs pose a significant threat to the industry's ability to attract and retain clients effectively, he says.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: Read the full interview in this week's edition of IMI.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us today on IMI Podcasts.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: Subscribe for free to the IMI Daily Newsletter for breaking news and updates from the investment migration industry.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: And consider upgrading your membership to IMI Pro to get insider access to networking opportunities, industry events, data, and members only content.