Shows / IMI Podcasts
IMI Podcasts
IMI's podcasts include the Mobility Standard, where we interview investment migration industry figures, as well as news summaries and articles from imidaily.com.
Episodes
- IMI Podcasts
St. Lucia PM Confirms MoA Signing, Proposes Annual Quota, Minimum Net Worth, On-Island Escrow
Saint Lucia's PM declares his intention to sign the MoA, and has already made recommendations of his own for its "further strengthening.” View the full article…
- IMI Podcasts
New Portuguese Gov't. to Add "Solidarity Investment" Option to Golden Visa Program
The gov't. plans to channel capital from foreign investors to projects that would help integrate immigrants. Just don't call it a golden visa. View the full…
IMI PodcastsThis Week in IMI - June 5: St Lucia Confirms MoA Signing, Portugal Adds Investment Option to Golden Visa, EU to Revoke Vanuatu’s Visa-Free Access, ++
Our summary of the top stories in investment migration this week: 🇱🇨 St Lucia Confirms MoA Signing 🇵🇹 Portugal Adds Investment Option to Golden Visa 🇪🇺🇻🇺 EU to…
- IMI Podcasts
EU Commission Proposes Permanent Suspension of Vanuatu's Visa-Free Schengen
After two years of temporary suspension, the European Commission believes Vanuatu hasn't adequately addressed its security concerns. View the full article…
- IMI Podcasts
Average Processing Time for Greece Golden Visa Now Exceeds 18 Months
Two-thirds of applications submitted last year (and 8% of those from 2022) remain unprocessed as elevated demand continues unabated. View the full article…
- IMI Podcasts
Cyprus to Probe 100 Cases Involving "Problematic" Citizenship Investors
The 100 or so cases include ones in which the investors are criminal fugitives, didn't finalize the investments, or only pretended to do so. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
Thailand Introduces Practically Free Visa for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
For just over $500, you can stay in Thailand for up to a year, and six months a year after that, thanks to the new Destination Thailand Visa. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
Expect Avalanche of US Expatriation This Year, Regardless of Who Wins The Election
If the Supreme Court outlaws tax on unrealized capital gains, the major barrier to Americans leaving disappears, says Lesperance. View the full article here…
- IMI Podcasts
St. Kitts PM: Prepared to "Revoke Citizenships Obtained by Fraud”
PM Drew has already given the go-ahead for the judicial review and is the second regional PM this week to say he is ready to revoke citizenships. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
UAE Golden Visa Approval Volume Doubles to 158,000 in 2023
The UAE's golden visa approval volume doubled again last year, buoyed by a surge in Russian real estate investment. View the full article here. Subscribe to…
- IMI Podcasts
Egypt Citizenship by Investment Program Has Received "Around 1,000 Applications", Says CIU
He also revealed that, so far, about three-quarters of applicants have been Syrians. View the full article here. Subscribe to the IMI Daily newsletter here.
- IMI Podcasts
Hungary Enacts 3 Consequential Changes to Its Upcoming Guest Investor Program
Before the program has even formally launched, Hungary's parliament has already amended rules governing the GIP that's opening this summer. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
Clients Starting to Think of $80,000 Discount as "A Third Official Option": Anastasia Barna
Anastasia Barna says clients who have qualified for Caribbean citizenship via "the $80,000 option" are running the risk of revocation. View the full article…
- IMI Podcasts
Backlog for Australia's Closed BIIP Could Take Decades to Clear, Says Agent
James Hall says a tiny annual quota and a huge backlog imply decades of waiting. But Australia may soon introduce a new investor visa. View the full article…
IMI PodcastsThis Week in IMI - May 22: Caribbean’s $80,000 Citizenship “Option”, Australia’s BIIP Decades-Long Backlog, Grenada Breaks Confidentiality with Burmese Investor, ++
Our summary of the top stories in investment migration this week: 🌴 Caribbean $80,000 Citizenship “Option” 🇦🇺 Australia May Refund 18k BIIP Applicants 🇬🇩…
- IMI Podcasts
Disclosing CBI Applicants' Identities Will "Ruin" The Business, Says Agent After Grenada Names Burmese Investor
CBI units who name applicants "will ruin the entire proposition" of CBI in countries that don't allow dual citizenship, warns senior industry executive. View…
- IMI Podcasts
Price Hike Possible Also for CBI Real Estate Option, Reveals Grenada Developer
"They'll want to keep a delta between (donations and real estate), says Richard Hallam, hinting that the price for real estate could rise. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
Thai PM Proposes Schengen-Style Visa for Southeast Asia
Thailand's PM hopes to boost tourism in the region, which sees about 70 million travelers a year, by making it available on a single visa. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
Grenada CIP Revenue Exceeds EC$1 Billion in Bumper Year
Grenada collected more CBI revenue in 2023 than in the preceding five years combined but still has a backlog worth over half a billion EC$. View the full…
- IMI Podcasts
June 30th Caribbean Price Hike Deadline "Is A Bit Tight," Says Influential CBI Agent
While Peters believes the four Caribbean countries fully intend to implement the MoA, he thinks the June 30th deadline is unrealistic. View the full article…
- IMI Podcasts
Benin Proposes Law to Grant Citizenship to African Descendants
Benin government proposes law to grant three-year passport with route to citizenship for individuals of African descent. View the full article here. Subscribe…
- IMI Podcasts
This Week in IMI - May 15: Grenada Breaks Records, Caribbean Deadline “Is a Bit Tight,” Proposal for Citizenship by Descent in Benin, ++
Our summary of the news this week: 🇬🇩 Grenada Breaks Records 🌴 Caribbean Deadline “Is a Bit Tight” 🇧🇯 Benin Government Proposes Citizenship by Descent 🇨🇾…
- IMI Podcasts
Cyprus Has Approved Only 4 of 51 Startup Visa Applications
Cypriot authorities hope to turn the island into an "innovative tech hub," but its Startup Visa has produced limited tangible results. View the full article…
- IMI Podcasts
Slava Apel on The Workaround That Brings Startup Visa Applicants to Canada in Just 1-2 Months
While processing times for the Startup Visa average about 30 months, Slava Apel reveals a workaround for those eager to get to Canada sooner.
- IMI Podcasts
Kiss: Much Faster Process, Lower Thresholds Key to Hungary Outcompeting EU Golden Visa Rivals
"If they are processed in three months also this time, then this program will be the best, because clients want to see results," says Kiss.
- IMI Podcasts
Everything You Need to Know About Hungarian Golden Visa Property Investment
IMI Pro Csaba Magyar provides a step-by-step guide to how property investments work for Hungary's new Guest Investor Program.
- IMI Podcasts
Bulgaria's Trade Representative Office Route to EU Permanent Residency
Ivan Petrov details a path to EU residency for up to three individuals through Bulgaria's Trade Office Representative route.
- IMI Podcasts
On The Consequences of New Caps for Canada's Startup Visa
Nicolas Laurin urges designated organizations for Canada's Startup Visa to refrain from excessive price hikes in the wake of the new quotas.
- IMI Podcasts
Up To a Million Americans May Qualify for Armenian Citizenship by Descent
Immigration lawyer Nerses Isajanyan explains everything you need to know about how and why to claim your Armenian citizenship by descent.
- IMI Podcasts
The Harsh Reality of Illegal Passports: A Pilot's Cautionary Tale
Leila Bagheri recounts the story of a young pilot who ruined his career after paying for a fast-track to Mexican "citizenship".
- IMI Podcasts
Turkey Launches Digital Nomad Visa, Plans Tech Visa Next
However, only 32 nationalities are eligible, and local experts question the government's preparedness for processing applications.
- IMI Podcasts
Malaysia's MM2H Program Undergoes Licensing Delays and Concerns Amid Major Revamp
Malaysian government overhauls MM2H program; licensing delays worry agents as new regulations aim to streamline process and curb misconduct.
- IMI Podcasts
Canada Restricts SUV Application Volume to Tackle Backlog
Canada's government caps the number of Start Up Visa applications per designated organization to tackle a growing backlog of applications.
- IMI Podcasts
Cyprus Proposes €250,000 Residency Program for Financially Independent People
The Cypriot Parliament is debating the introduction of a new residency program requiring a €250,000 property investment and a €40,000 income.
- IMI Podcasts
"We'll Be Ready by June," Says CEO of Grenada CIU About Caribbean Price Increases
He also says that if the MoA isn't enough to allay EU fears, "it will be clear that they have reasons other than national security concerns.”
- IMI Podcasts
Malta "Seriously Considering" Revoking Investor's Citizenship Following Money Laundering Conviction
A UK court has sentenced a 24-year-old Russian to seven years in prison for money laundering. Malta weighs whether to revoke his citizenship.
- IMI Podcasts
Caribbean CBI MoA to Bolster Rather Than Hinder Demand, Say Experts
During Global Citizen Week, Caribbean CBI experts give their thoughts on the future of the Caribbean amid the implementation of the MoA.
- IMI Podcasts
MSR Media Indicates its Lawsuit Over CBI Discounting Has Widened in Scope
MSR Media says it may also sue CBI companies that enable discounting, and claims to have new evidence of criminal financial transactions.
- IMI Podcasts
Asians Accounted for 9 in 10 EB-5 Visas Issued in 2023, But Tens of Thousands Still Waiting
"Demand for the EB-5 program still sharply exceeds the limits established by the US Government, writes Varvara Latyntseva.
- IMI Podcasts
Aiming to End Golden Visas, Spain Also Considers Legalizing Half a Million Illegal Immigrants
"A few hundred golden visas a year can hardly affect a real estate market that sees almost a million transactions annually," writes Jacinto Soler Matutes.
- IMI Podcasts
Russians, Iranians, and Iraqis: The Top Citizenship by Investment Property Investors in Turkey
Foreigners bought 384,519 homes in Turkey over the last decade. In recent years, claims one newspaper, three-quarters were CBI investors.
- IMI Podcasts
Hong Kong CIES: 50 Applications in First Month, Application No. 1 Approved in Just 23 Days
Hong Kong authorities hope to attract 4,000 applicants a year. Hannah Ma analyzes why the first applicant gained approval in just 23 days
- IMI Podcasts
Everything You Need to Know About Italy's New Digital Nomad Visa
Who exactly qualifies as a digital nomad, how does the application work, and what are the advantages of the visa? Nicolò Bolla explains.
- IMI Podcasts
8 in 10 Canada Startup Visa Approvals Come From One Designated Organization Type
Do angel groups, VC funds, or incubators have the highest Canada SUV approval rates? Slava Apel's FOIA data answer the question decisively.
- IMI Podcasts
St. Lucia Opposition Accuses Govt. of Selling "Secret" Infrastructure Option for $80,000
Allen Chastanet: "A particular developer has begun selling this option and, even more concerning, is the sub-par selling price of US$80,000.”
- IMI Podcasts
Spanish Govt. to "Start The Procedure to Eliminate" Golden Visa Program
PM Sánchez says he is taking "measures to guarantee that housing is a right and not a mere speculative business.”
- IMI Podcasts
El Salvador to Offer "5,000 Free Passports" to Highly Skilled Immigrants
"Despite the small number, their contributions will have a huge impact on our society and the future of our country," said President Bukele.
- IMI Podcasts
Detailed Criteria for Cyprus' New 3-Year Citizenship Fast-Track
Professionals must learn some Greek, earn €2,500 monthly, hold a degree, and have two years of relevant experience, explains Charles Savva.
- IMI Podcasts
St. Lucia CIU "Not Against Signing MoA", 50-60% of Saint Kitts Govt Revenue From CBI
50-60% of St Kitts govt. revenue from CBI. St Lucia had asked for more time to consider MoA, but other countries "went ahead and signed!"
- IMI Podcasts
Malaysia's PVIP Flounders, Attracting Only 23 Main Applicants
Malaysia's PVIP flops, registering only a total of 47 applicants in over a year. Government may review the program.
- IMI Podcasts
The UK Closing Its Non-Dom Regime Could Turn Out to Be a Big Mistake
"By revoking the UK non-dom scheme, lawmakers could be risking much more than the flight of wealthy families," writes Mona Shah.
- IMI Podcasts
Thailand's Privilege Card Memberships Surge Past 36,000 Amid Global Unrest
Thailand's Elite Visa revamp boosts membership amid global unrest, aims for US$1.5bn revenue with a focus on new markets.
- IMI Podcasts
The Looming Caribbean CBI Price Increase: A Shift Toward Harmony and Transparency
Kevin Hosam commends the Caribbean effort to harmonize CBI thresholds but argues that it will only work if St. Lucia gets on board, too.
- IMI Podcasts
Qatar Unveils 5-Year Entrepreneur Residency Program From $68,000
To qualify for the program's entrepreneurship route, applicants will need a compelling business plan and endorsement from an incubator.
