We bring you key news and latest updates in the investment immigration industry for the month of May.
United Kingdom
The UK’s introduction of non-domicile tax system and high inheritance taxes has backfired, made the country unattractive for rich and wealthy to quit and move to tax free countries. To counter mass exodus of millionaires, UK is expected restart the Investor visa route in a desperate bid to attract Wealthy people.
New proposed UK immigration rules, UK citizenship no longer a “low hanging fruit” to desiring people. According to the immigration white paper, citizenship like settlement, is a privilege and not a right. UK will be increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement and citizenship to ten years based on PBS. New rules for language test to be introduced.
Portugal
Portugal newly elected government may change immigration rules that require deep ties to the country for citizenship and permanent residency bringing in line with the EU law.
The Supreme court judgment has ruled Malta’s granting of citizenship against payments, without any genuine ties to the country has violated the EU laws and compromises the integrity of Union citizenship . The judgment puts additional pressure on all CBI and Golden visa programs to reform their programs, requiring more genuine link to the countries.
St.Kitts and Nevis
St,Kitts has made extradition easier under the citizenship by investment program through the new extradition act passed in the assembly in May 2025. St.Kitts has extradition treaties already signed with Commonwealth nations, CARICOM, US and China.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu tightens rules for issuing diplomatic passports. Vanuatu has implemented new rules for issuance of diplomatic passport bringing in line with Vienna convention.
- Only Vanuatu born citizens are eligible for diplomatic passports
- No diplomatic passports are issued under citizenship investor program.
- Trade commissions are no longer eligible for diplomatic passports.
- Modernize the issuance of ordinary and diplomatic passports inline with ICAO standards under the Passport Amendment Act 2025.
Vanuatu has CIIP suspended, currently only DSP donation is accepting applications. No progress has been made so far in restoring visa free access to EU/UK for Vanuatuans.
Turkiye
Turkey has Cut Visa Free Access for citizens of St.Kitts, Dominica,Nauru and Vanuatu. No e-visa permitted to these countries. No official announcement provided by Turkish authorities.
Grenada
Grenada passports becomes stronger after signing visa free agreement with Ghana and Benin
Portugal
Portugal GV financing option now available for €300,000 (instead of €500,000), invested in hospitality investment fund that produces income from hotel operations. Hotel projects are being built. Capital guaranteed after 5 years at the time of applying for Portuguese nationality.
Portugal’s first golden visa approved digital asset fund. According to GV fund rules, 60% of portfolio must be allocated to fixed income Portuguese companies and rest in bitcoin or crypto assets.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin hits all time high, what’s next? El Salvador is the only country that hosts official bitcoin citizenship by investment program for $1m donation.
Hungary
Hungary changes Guest investor visa rules to family members
- Parents or siblings cannot apply under family reunification.
- Spouse must register separate housing address (cannot use of main applicant)
- Additional costs 65 to 75k euro (fund subscription, opening securities account, legal fee etc)
St.Lucia
Saint Lucia will be soon introducing biometric vetting for citizenship by investment program under the measures proposed by US authorities, announced by St.Lucia prime minister.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua CIU unit has published official citizenship by investment program. The brochure is avaialable for free download.
