New Zealand’s “Active Investor Plus Visa” was launched in 2022 under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government, with Stuart Nash—then minister of economic development—overseeing the program. Nash now runs a consultancy that assists applicants for golden‑visa schemes. He emphasizes that his clients are not “political refugees” fleeing the United States; rather, they view New Zealand as a generally safer and more secure environment.
Paraguay’s permanent‑residence system grants permits that are valid for ten years and renewable for another ten. Holders are authorized to work and conduct lawful business activities in the country. Recent changes expand the categories of investment that qualify, creating additional pathways for individuals to obtain permanent residence.
In the United Kingdom, a “taxodus” is accelerating. Global‑tax adviser David Lesperance reported that two years ago he served twenty UK‑based multimillion‑dollar clients; today he has none. He attributes the shift to rising capital‑gains tax, the prospect of an exit tax, and the possibility of a wealth tax targeting large business sales. Several of his clients have already relocated to U.S. states with more favorable tax regimes—Florida, Texas, and Nevada—and a further ten are preparing to follow.
Legal uncertainty surrounds the U.S. “Gold Card” program. Immigration attorney Michael Wildes, who has represented former First Lady Melania Trump, members of the Kushner family, and Miss Universe winners, says he will refuse to take on clients seeking a Gold Card because the visa has not yet been approved by Congress. Rosanna Berardi, another immigration lawyer, notes that the lack of congressional approval alone deters potential applicants, as a future administration could cancel the program.
Mona Shah, an immigration attorney, is currently handling two applications—one from Nigeria and one from Pakistan. She warns both clients that the program could amount to “false advertising” and may ultimately deliver no result. Her clients are prepared to lose the invested funds if the scheme collapses.
Dwayne Chauhan, Group CEO of Vancis Capital, argues in a recent op‑ed that founders and executives often seek a second citizenship or residency only after a crisis emerges. He observes that those who had secured such status before major disruptions—such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—were better positioned to relocate, restructure, and rebuild. Chauhan stresses that second‑citizenship planning is not primarily a financial decision; it is a strategic move that aligns personal structure with professional objectives.
Joe Rice, head of Caribbean Programs at Global Citizen Solutions, describes citizenship‑by‑investment programs in the Eastern Caribbean as “development engines.” According to the GCP Index, these programs have translated mobility demand into public‑goods investments, including schools, hospitals, climate‑resilient housing, and post‑disaster reconstruction. The broader impact, he notes, is a model where sovereign reputation, family legacy, and national development reinforce each other.
Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, highlights an industry shift: rather than identifying a single program that best fits a client’s needs, families are now constructing “citizenship portfolios” that combine multiple programs. This approach balances mobility, tax residence, and legal access, reflecting a more sophisticated assessment of risk, opportunity, and belonging in a fragmented global landscape.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
