The President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed the Golden visa housing bill on Aug 20, and has sent back without promulgation to parliament for further amendments saying “unconstitutional”. The Government will make further amendments to the bill within one month. The Mais Habitação legislative package, underwent many changes compared to the initial draft, was approved by Parliament…
Portugal parliament this month has voted to continue Golden visa program, but without real estate investments to avert a housing crisis. The promulgation is yet to be signed by President of the Republic and then the amended law will come into force after the government publishes in the gazette. The deadline is approaching fast, with little time left for last…
Malta has published 8th annual report revealing downward trend of applications during the year 2021 due to Covid measures (only 23 applications were received by the CMA). The Eighth Annual Report by the Regulator GCES has been laid on the Table of the House of Representatives on the 17thApril 2023, by the Minister responsible for citizenship as provided for in…
The Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.06) which can be summarized as follows: Main Applicants desirous of obtaining Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services through Direct Investment, need to appoint a licensed Agent (in terms of Legal Notice 435 of 2020…
Golden visa programs in Europe grant residence permits to family members under family unification along with the main investor. The laws and eligibility vary from one golden visa program to another depending on the age. For example EU golden visa programs are quite open to accept parents, grandparents, same sex couple as family members.As you an see below, Portugal is…
The American Golden Visa Program (aka EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa) is the name of the employment-based fifth preference visa that participants receive to become lawful permanent residents (“green card”) in the United States. The EB-5 program has been oldest of its kind running since 33 years, as of 2023. Congress created the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S.…
The St.Kitts and Nevis Government has announced new list of restricted countries, who are barred from applying for citizenship by investment program effective from Jul 27, 2023. The regulations were published in Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship By Investment (Exclusion) Order, SRO 27 of 2023 In the interest of national security, defense and public safety of the Federation of Saint…
New changes that will apply to the Golden Visa Program with property investments in Greece increasing to 500K euro came effective from Aug 1, 2023 will only apply to major cities which make upto only 5%. Rest 95% of Greece will be be open for reduced 250,000 euro golden visa investment. The increase of the minimum investment amount, depending on…
The historical timeline of Portuguese golden visa program including important events and policy changes from 2012 to 2023, we have highlighted below. Oct 8, 2012 The Law governing the granting of Residence Permit for Investment (ARI/Golden Visa), in force from 8 October 2012, enable third country nationals to obtain a temporary residence permit for investment activity. Portuguese, EU and EEE…
The Home Office has announced United Kingdom will be implementing ETA (electronic travel authorization ) by the end of 2024, this scheme will be a requirement for all visitors from visa free countries, who do not need a visa for short stays, including those visiting from Europe. ETAs will replace Electronic Visa Waivers (EVWs) currently in use. Visitors from US,…