By Matthew Smith, TEP – Director: Business Development, Southpac While offshore trusts are available in many jurisdictions, none offer the levels of all-round benefit and peace of mind available in the Cook Islands and Nevis. The Cook Islands and Nevis are mature financial services jurisdictions which have had offshore trust
The UAE has taken another significant step to strengthen its long-term residency program. In a new announcement, Golden Visa holders will now receive the same level of overseas protection and assistance once reserved for Emirati citizens. The initiative, revealed at GITEX Global 2025, underscores the government’s growing focus on stability,
The European Parliament has voted in favor of sweeping reforms to the EU’s visa waiver suspension mechanism, giving the bloc greater authority to pause or revoke visa-free access for countries that fail to meet its legal, security, or human-rights standards. The move comes amid growing concern over misuse of visa-free
In late September 2025, five Eastern Caribbean nations, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia formally signed an agreement to establish a regional regulatory authority to oversee their respective Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Citizenship Investment Programs (CIP). The new body, called Eastern Caribbean Citizenship
The Caribbean offers one of the most established banking systems among island economies. With dozens of independent states and a wide range of financial institutions, both residents and foreign investors can access banking services under clear procedures. Banking Landscape in the Region Across 35 independent Caribbean countries there are about
Botswana has confirmed details of its upcoming Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), setting a minimum investment requirement of $75,000 and planning a launch in early 2026. The announcement positions Botswana as one of the most affordable new entrants in the global citizenship by investment landscape. Announcement and Development The initiative
This article, authored by EB5 Coast to Coast, delves into how rural investments are revolutionizing the EB-5 program by spurring job creation and economic growth in underdeveloped U.S. regions. The piece highlights the transformative impact of the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), which has enhanced accessibility through expedited processing and
On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order unveiling two new investor-focused immigration initiatives: the Gold Card and the Platinum Card. Both proposals would invite ultra-high-net-worth individuals to make large financial gifts to the U.S. government in exchange for special residence rights. Federal agencies have been instructed
Portugal’s tax system for 2025 is comprehensive and carefully structured. Residents are taxed on a progressive income scale, and qualifying businesses can reduce their corporate tax rate to 5%. Only high-value real estate is subject to a wealth tax. To qualify as a tax resident, an individual must spend more
The Middle East has evolved from a region defined by oil wealth into one of the world’s most dynamic investment arenas. Ambitious national development plans, extensive infrastructure upgrades, and increasingly investor-friendly policies are transforming key economies into magnets for global capital. From the Gulf’s tax-free hubs to Turkey’s strategic position
