Is moving to Russia on your radar for investment or relocation? Prepare to have your perceptions challenged! This podcast dives deep into the often-misunderstood landscape of Russia, moving beyond the headlines to explore the lifestyle, culture, and surprising economic opportunities it presents.

Join us as we welcome Ilja Belobragin, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of international experience. Ilja sheds light on why Russia remains an intriguing option, offering actionable advice for those seriously considering a move.

This episode tackles head-on the initial doubts and concerns surrounding Russia, providing honest answers to the questions listeners are likely thinking. We delve into political climate, sanctions, and the overall economic situation.

Discover niche industries and sectors in Russia that are particularly attractive to foreign investors and professionals right now. Explore the aspects of Russian culture and lifestyle that appeal to newcomers.

How does the cost of living in major Russian cities compare to other popular expat destinations? And what are the requirements for visas and residency?

We dispel common misconceptions about Russia, offering insights into cultural nuances that newcomers should be aware of to integrate successfully.

Russia isn't for everyone, but it offers unique opportunities and a different perspective. Tune in for this fresh perspective.

“So, you have a country that is self-sufficient from the point of energy. Largest landmass in the world, richest from the point of resources, and it’s located closest to the growing markets, which is Asia. You have India, have China, have the whole Southeast Asia that needs to consume all those resources.” – Ilja Belobragin

“So, first and foremost: when you become a resident in Russia, either you are temporary or permanent resident, you are eligible for the same health care as a Russian citizen. And the health care is free, and it’s actually getting quite better and better, especially good in Moscow. So, if you have small kids, the doctor will actually come to you, to your home, to check up on the kids for free, right? The next day.” – Ilja Belobragin

Are you a recent citizen of a CBI nation eyeing the U.S. or considering investment opportunities in the Caribbean? Then you need to tune in! The US has launched a pilot program requiring certain visa applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000, signaling that citizens of CBI nations may be the next target under the Trump administration’s expanding immigration policies.

Mona and Rebecca, along with their guest, Patrick Peters from the Montreal based CBI company ClientReferrals dissect the latest barrier to traveling into the US for certain folk.   Is the recent pilot program requiring visa applicants to post bonds up to $15,000 a targeted hurdle, or simply a sign of a broader shift? We'll unpack the details, the concerns, and the implications for those seeking to enter the U.S.

But that's not all! The conversation shifts to the sunny shores of St. Kitts & Nevis, where innovative strategies are underway to boost the island's economy. Mona, Rebecca and Patrick take an exclusive look at the Public Benefit Option (PBO) under the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. Discover how a $250,000 contribution can unlock citizenship while fueling economic growth and supporting vital projects like affordable housing.

Patrick illuminates how the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, through the National Housing Corporation, is leveraging these funds to create housing solutions for its citizens. Is the PBO a win-win, offering investors a path to citizenship while driving positive change in the Caribbean? Or are there hidden complexities to consider?

From steering potential travel barriers to exploring impactful investment opportunities, this episode of Global Investment Voice delivers the insights you need to stay informed and make savvy decisions. Don't miss out – listen now!

“I believe that the EU and the US have a very different approach to citizenship by investment programs. The EU is fundamentally against the commoditization of citizenship […] Whereas the US, especially the current administration, they want to show loud and clear to their voter base that they are putting up the borders, that they are protecting Americans from outsiders.” – Patrick Peters

“[O]ur client who choose to invest in our–we say PBO–Public Benefit Option, that goes directly to the National Housing Corporation, who in turn does one of several things. Mainly, they’re building affordable housing for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. […] [T]he contribution goes directly to the government of St. Kitts, and it stays with the government of St. Kitts, and specifically the National Housing Corporation.” – Patrick Peters

Patrick is a Chartered Accountant who has almost 20 years of experience in the Investment Migration industry, specifically the Caribbean and Canadian programs. 

Since 2014, his company, ClientReferrals, has been the leading Licensed Agent and Authorized Representative of the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) and they are now a Government-approved Public Benefactor for the St. Kitts & Nevis CIP.

ClientReferrals strictly focuses on helping immigration professionals. They never work with clients directly, instead choosing to support the industry professionals in the background to help them grow their business. The company prides itself on offering the best service, commissions, and real estate investment projects. Thanks to its teams on the ground in Antigua, Montreal, Cairo, and Shanghai, ClientReferrals offers quality service like no other Licensed Agent.

Patrick and his colleagues have been involved with the Immigrant Investor industry for more than 25 years – they have helped create Canada’s investor and entrepreneur programs, they have raised more than $9 billion in capital for various programs, and they have assisted more than 12,000 families. Come find out why immigration firms rely on ClientReferrals as their Caribbean Licensed Agent and Authorized Representative of choice.

Check out our previous podcast with Patrick Peters here!

In this episode, Mona and Rebecca tackle the tough and unpleasant topic of bankruptcy within EB-5 investment projects, sparked by recent news of a high-profile EB-5 project bankruptcy in Utah. The hosts discuss the inherent risks of EB-5 investments, address common misconceptions about bankruptcy (including the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11), and explore how bankruptcy can impact EB-5 investors at various stages of the process. Real-world examples—including the South Dakota Meat Market project—highlight both the challenges and the potential paths forward for investors. The episode also offers practical advice on what investors can do if their project faces bankruptcy, the importance of due diligence, and why bankruptcy isn’t always the end of the road for EB-5 participants.

“These bankruptcies can happen for so many different reasons. You can’t always tell. You can have every expert in the field and then something can happen like COVID. And then a project goes bankrupt.” – Mona Shah

“It’s a totally different concept. So there is no financial contribution. The new program is purely merit based. And till now we only have a very brief amendment in the law. We don’t have guidelines as yet. But the amendment says that Maltese citizenship can be given to anyone who renders exceptional services to Malta. Now that the actual law includes the possibility of job creation, scientists, researchers, athletes, cultural performers, it’s very wide, philanthropists, […] then that person may be granted citizenship.” – Dr. James Muscat Azzopardi

“So the first concern was a purely transactional program, and this is not transactional at all. So it’s not a question of a payment. And the second, was the lack of a genuine link to Malta. I’m absolutely sure that no one is going to be given citizenship under this program without a genuine link to Malta.” – Dr. James Muscat Azzopardi

Imagine this: you've waited patiently for years, navigating the labyrinth that is the EB-5 visa process. You've completed all the necessary paperwork, made your investment, and followed every guideline to the letter. You're on the cusp of a new chapter in the United States. But what was supposed to be a support is now suddenly blocking you in that final stretch. That hurdle is Escrow. 

Tune in as we unpack the responsibilities of escrow management, the implications of long delays, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of using escrow in EB-5 investments. Whether you're an investor, developer, or immigration attorney, don’t let escrow be the main deterrent of a good project. Join us for a lively discussion that promises to illuminate the dance between investment and immigration!

“It’s an ideal situation that everybody tries to create. And that’s what escrow was. It was an ideal situation. Your money was safeguarded. It provides the investor peace of mind. But now it’s become an obstacle.” – Mona Shah

The “Big Beautiful Act” promises to have a large impact across the board on the lives of American citizens. However, will this new tax legislation encourage high net worth individuals to move to the US?   For years, the biggest deterrent for HNW Individuals coming to the United States has been the nation’s Tax Laws. Have the changes made in the Act made America a more attractive place to do business and invest in? Especially with the new looming threat of Tariffs. What has made America an attractive place for business in the past? What will it look like in the future–post-BBA, with Trump at the helm? Mona sits down with Global Tax Expert David Lesperance to discuss all this and more!

“The key is not just being able to incorporate quickly, but to be able to open up things like bank accounts. A corporation without a bank account is a corpse. It’s not operational. And so, you just have a whole system, an approach in the United States, which you don’t have where I am.” – David Lesperance

David Lesperance JD is one of the world’s leading international tax and immigration advisors. He has co-authored, with an LSE Professor Emeritus, a key book on the impact of the movement of the Wealthy on the countries they leave and to which they move. David’s personal interest in these areas of law grew from his experience working as Canadian immigration and customs officer while studying law.

Since being called to the bar in 1990, he has established his expertise with major law firms, his own law firm and as a private consultant. David has successfully advised scores of high net-worth families in residence/citizenship and domicile strategies to protect family wealth and well-being. These “Back-Up Plans” are both tax efficient and livable in meeting the needs and preferences of all family members. This planning is influenced by his having relocated his own family three times and having secured lineage citizenships for several close family members along with numerous clients. David is supported by a team of professionals, some of whom have worked with him since the early 1990s.

In this episode, we delve into the recent developments in the Caribbean's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, focusing on St. Kitts and Nevis' groundbreaking reforms. Prime Minister Terrance Drew has announced the introduction of mandatory residency requirements and enhanced biometric verification systems for CBI applicants. These measures aim to strengthen the integrity and transparency of the program, aligning with international standards and addressing concerns that have led to potential travel bans under U.S. immigration policies.

The proposed reforms include a mandatory physical presence period for all CBI applicants, marking a significant shift from the previous model that did not require residency. Additionally, the implementation of advanced biometric verification, such as fingerprinting and facial recognition, is set to bolster security and due diligence processes.

Industry veteran Sam Bayat joins us to provide his expert analysis on these proposed changes. He discusses the potential impact of the residency requirements on the attractiveness of CBI programs in the Caribbean, considering factors like investor preferences and regional competitiveness. Bayat also explores how these reforms might influence the future landscape of economic citizenship in the region.

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving CBI landscape in the Caribbean and the strategic responses of island nations to international pressures.

“So, in my opinion, residency should be part of the process prior to obtaining citizenship, not post.” – Sam Bayat

In 1993, Mr. Sam Bayat established a boutique law practice in Dubai to promote Canada as a preferred destination for investment and migration. The firm, initially known as “Canadian Legal Services,” marked the first Canadian law firm in the GCC. In 2007, the firm name was changed to Bayat Legal Services. Today, Bayat Group boasts a global presence. The primary areas of expertise encompass corporate migration, economic citizenship, investments, and tax planning. Mr. Bayat has also served as the former president of the Canadian Bar Association’s International Section in Quebec.

In addition, check out our previous podcasts with Sam Bayat here!

Under the Trump administration, green card holders have found themselves under increased scrutiny. Many were surprised to learn that their status did not guarantee seamless entry into the U.S. anymore. The administration's focus on ensuring that green card holders are genuinely residing in the U.S. has led to stricter enforcement of residency requirements.

In this episode, Mona and Rebecca discuss the perception of "abandonment”,  as the administration targets those using their green card as a multi-entry visas rather than establishing the U.S. as their primary residence.

Mona and Rebecca discuss what documents to bring (and what form they should be in!), what one might be asked, and what exactly the current administration is looking for. They also delve into the advantages of the Re-Entry Permit. Whether you're entering for the first time or returning after a long stay abroad, Mona and Rebecca have answers!

There has been a lot of noise and panic, but what exactly is going on at the US border? What can visitors and permanent residents expect when traveling to the United States under the Trump administration? Is there actually anything visitors should be worried about? Furthermore, what about U.S. Citizens? Furthermore, why are some EB-5 green card holders being detained?

What exactly is Customs and Border Patrol allowed to do during a screening, and what would be considered overstepping? What ports of entry are being the harshest? Mona and Rebecca go over all of this and more, and offer advice on what to do and what to know when one gets interviewed at the border. They also offer some advice for what to do outside the United States border as well.

“So just please people be mindful of this, but don’t panic. It’s not happening everywhere, but it is happening.” – Mona

“There are ways that we can help if you need to be out of the US for some time period. There are returning resident visas. There are ways we can make sure that you have a way of coming back in. So, I think it’s just very important if you have any questions or concerns that you speak with an attorney to go through your case. It is case by case as well.” – Rebecca

It’s been almost a month since the Trump Administration announced their proposed “Gold Card” visa. They’ve released very little concrete information since. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik implied it would replace the EB-5 program, however, plenty of what he had to say was inaccurate. If actually implemented, what could this Gold Card really mean for the EB-5 program? Is it possible for the two to coexist? Mona and Rebecca discuss the possibilities with returning guest Jill Jones.

“Initially there was a lot of hysteria in the EB-5 community about it’s going to end. We better hurry up and get all of our petitions in so that we get them processed. But when people slow down to think about what this Gold Card Visa really means… It really is something that can live and should live alongside of EB5. We see that there’s a very different motivation, a different demographic that would be attracted to it. And it makes sense to live with both of them hand in hand.” – Jill Jones

“What really strikes me about the whole idea of the Gold Card Visa, especially here in the United States. One of the negative comments people have had for years about EB-5 is that people are buying green cards. It left a very bad taste in the mouths of the American public. So, we fought very hard to get people to understand that it’s not just paying for a visa. You’re creating jobs, you’re promoting the economy.” – Jill Jones

Jill joined JTC in 2020 following the acquisition of NES Financial and is the General Counsel of Institutional Client Services USA.

She is General Counsel of Institutional Client Services USA for JTC Group. Responsible for legal, governance, risk and compliance activities in the US, and Jill oversees the Specialty Financial Administration wing, which includes EB-5 Administration, 1031 Exchange, and Delaware Statutory Trust services.

With over 20 years of corporate and compliance experience and having been directly involved in over 600 EB-5 development projects, Jill is uniquely skilled at efficiently structuring subscription escrows and is highly regarded as a thought leader throughout the EB-5 market sector. Jill and her team are integral in negotiating contracts with new customers and designing, developing, and going to market with new product solutions.

You can also read recent blog post on the proposed Gold Card here.

Furthermore, take a look at our previous work with Jill Jones.