Latest / IMI Podcasts / This Week in IM - May 29: 🇦🇷’s Top-Tier CBI, 🇪🇺 CBM to Replace CBI?, 🇭🇰 CIES Surges, ++

Transcript

This Week in IM - May 29: 🇦🇷’s Top-Tier CBI, 🇪🇺 CBM to Replace CBI?, 🇭🇰 CIES Surges, ++ · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: You're listening to IMI this week.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: In a candid interview, Patrick Peters, CEO of Client Referrals, discusses his commitment to efficient processing for Antigua and Barbuda's CIP, plans for new projects, and concerns about potential changes to visa-free access.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: Peters reflects on his transition from KPMG to investment migration, the satisfaction of client approvals, and the importance of early team expansion.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: Russia's Shared Values visa has drawn 1,156 applications in its first six months.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: Most applicants, at 79%, are from Europe, with high per capita interest from the Baltic nations.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: Immigration specialist Ilya Belobragin, who views the program as a test case, projects future growth as President Putin's decree targets foreigners rejecting neoliberal ideology with a fast-track pathway into Russia.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: Spain's termination of its Golden Visa program in April 2025 has redirected investor interest to countries like Italy's Dolce Visa, which, despite reforms, lacks a direct real estate investment option.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: Krista Victorio discusses what makes it appealing, including its apply now invest later model and the growing dominance of U.S.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: investors in Europe's golden visa market.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: Trump's proposed$5 million gold card visa program aims to attract wealthy foreign investors by offering permanent U.S.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: residency and a path to citizenship.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: Due to the president's rhetoric, Henry Fann highlights a shift among Chinese investors toward alternative destinations like Singapore and Portugal.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: The success of the gold card, notes fan, hinges on tax incentives and could prompt other countries to develop similar programs.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Argentina plans to launch a citizenship by investment program requiring a U500,000 US dollars in job creation activities or economic development projects.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: President Miley's administration will create a new agency to oversee the program, which seeks to attract foreign capital and distinguish itself from donation-based models.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: If successful, it could raise billions and become a top-tier CIP.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: Hong Kong has solidified its appeal as a leading global investment destination as the Capital Investment Entrance Scheme, also known as CIES, attracted 1,257 applications as of April 30th, with expected investments exceeding$37 billion Hong Kong dollars or$4.7 billion US dollars.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: Enhancements introduced on March 1st, such as reduced asset verification periods and allowances for joint family asset ownership, have significantly boosted interest as the monthly average of submissions has increased from roughly 70 to 85.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: The EU Court of Justice's ruling against transactional EU citizenship by investment or CBI programs signals a significant shift in the investment migration landscape.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: While CBI schemes face scrutiny, countries like Austria continue to offer citizenship by merit, referred to as CBM, based on significant contributions in various fields.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: The demand for EU citizenship remains strong.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: The industry will adapt by focusing more on CBM pathways.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Subscribe for free to the IMI Daily Newsletter for breaking news and updates from the investment migration industry.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: And consider upgrading your membership to IMI Pro to get access to our exclusive professional community, industry events, data, and members only content.