Residency & Citizenship by Investment

I join Jeffrey, the program architect of the Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Program to discuss how he got the program off the ground and get his perspective on the role the Sao Tome CBI plays in the market, and what value it can provide to clients.

Wealthy, dynamic Europeans are leaving the continent in droves for countries with lower taxes and greater freedom. I sit down with Matt, who himself left Europe for Paraguay and now helps people settle down there. We discuss what motivates people to leave Europe and why they choose countries like Paraguay as their new home.

I join my Istanbul buyer’s agent Keith to check out two Istanbul apartments on the secondary market suitable for the Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program. We tour a one bedroom apartment near the upmarket neighborhood of Nisantasi, as well as a larger unit near the famous Taksim square. Topics such as Turkish lira exposure, Airbnb vs long-term rentals and buying real estate remotely for the CBI program are also covered.

I join Wi Men to highlight recent changes to Panamanian residency programs, as well as the news that permanent residents now have a simplified pathway to apply for citizenship without onerous physical stay requirements. We explain that while this announcement should be viewed with skepticism, the possibility of citizenship adds significant value to Panama residency programs.

There is a lot of information online concerning the Turkey citizenship by investment program. Most of the information is written by lawyers and agents who stand to gain fat commissions by selling you new developments that are overpriced. Typically, they earn 6%-10%...

Many were lured into a fraudulent scheme to obtain Romanian citizenship by descent that was widely advertised on social media. Long story short, the government found out and is taking action. I discuss this scandal as well as various problems and risks associated with citizenship by exception schemes across the world.