Latest / IMI Podcasts / This Week in IM - Jul 24: 🇲🇻 to Launch $250K GV, 🇲🇹 Intros New PRP Benefits, 🇬🇧 Won’t Rule Out Wealth Tax, ++

Transcript

This Week in IM - Jul 24: 🇲🇻 to Launch $250K GV, 🇲🇹 Intros New PRP Benefits, 🇬🇧 Won’t Rule Out Wealth Tax, ++ · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: You're listening to IMI This Week.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: The Maldives is launching its first Golden Visa program with a real estate investment, offering five-year renewable residency permits without a physical presence requirement.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: The program, backed by Henley and partners, is an effort to diversify the Maldives economy beyond tourism.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: However, the constitution restricts citizenship to Muslims, making naturalization inaccessible to many prospective applicants.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: The Q2 2025 edition of the IMI private briefing delivers confidential, IMI Pro-only updates on key developments in the investment migration sector.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Available only to IMI Pro and official partner members, access to this sensitive intel requires consent and verification via the IMI Pro members lounge.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: Former Thai PM Thakson Shinawatra unveiled a bold$1 million golden visa plan aimed at attracting 600,000 wealthy foreign investors.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: Thakson suggested the funds could uplift education, lower public debt, and revive domestic consumption.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Despite his lack of formal government power, Thakson still wields considerable influence.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: However, Bastion Trellcat questions the plan's feasibility.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: Malta has introduced sweeping reforms to its permanent residence program, MPRP, that Ryan Darmanin of IMI official partner company Latitude claims make it more attractive and accessible.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_00: Key updates include issuing a temporary residence card upon application submission, allowing immediate leasing of purchased properties, and granting subletting rights after five years for rental applicants.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: Regulatory oversight of licensed agents will transfer to the Residency Malta Agency by December 2025.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Thailand's destination.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: Thailand Visa, targeting digital nomads, freelancers, and even wellness tourists, has garnered over 35,000 applicants in its first year.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Applicants need only show financial reserves of around$15,500 and pay a$310 fee to qualify.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: While the program is popular, applicants have encountered banking and visa extension issues, largely due to disconnects between Thailand's immigration and tourism authorities.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: The UK government has refused to dismiss the possibility of implementing a wealth tax, breaking with earlier reassurances from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Officials have remained vague, stoking speculation ahead of the autumn 2025 budget.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: This comes amid calls from political figures who advocate for a 2% levy on assets above 10 million pounds.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: IMI pros.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: Jimmy Sexton and David Lesperance argue the tax would be both ineffective and damaging, especially in light of the exodus of wealthy individuals.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: Grenada's IMA has lifted a four-month suspension on citizenship applications tied to Hengcheng development and the Grenada National Resort after an investigation found no evidence of prohibited financing.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: IMA Chief Anthony confirmed that due diligence providers found the issues were isolated to individual applicants, rather than the developer itself.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: New program-wide compliance measures will require all applicants to verify personal funding sources.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: IMIs.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: Quarter to 2025.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: Processing time survey reveals dramatic divergence among global citizenship and residency programs.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: Portugal's Golden Visa now averages 39.6 months, its longest ever, while Caribbean programs like St.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda also face increasing delays.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: For a more detailed glance at the data, IMI Pros can access the data at the link in the description.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: If you're not a member, consider joining the community now at its current lowest prices.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us today on IMI Podcasts.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: Subscribe for free to the IMI daily newsletter for breaking news and updates from the investment migration industry.
• 4:18
  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.