Tag Archive: Global citizen

1. Golden Handshake – Australia bids farewell to Golden Visa

   30 January 2024 9:00 am Leave a Comment

   Australia Bids Farewell to Golden Visa – Introduction

   In a decisive move, Australia has terminated its “golden visa” program, initially designed to attract wealthy foreign investors by offering them residency.

   The decision, a part of a broader immigration overhaul, comes after assessments revealed the scheme was underperforming in driving desired economic outcomes.

   The program faced criticism for becoming a conduit for corrupt officials to transfer and conceal illicit funds within the country.

   A Snapshot of the Golden Visa’s Journey

   Since its inception in 2012, the significant investor visa (SIV) program has seen a predominant influx of applicants from China, representing 85% of the successful candidates.

   The program required a substantial investment of over A$5m (£2.6m; $3.3m) in Australia, positioning itself as a catalyst for foreign investment and innovation.

   However, reviews and government scrutiny exposed that the scheme fell short of its fundamental goals.

   As a result, Australia’s government has chosen to shift its focus towards nurturing a pool of “skilled migrants” who promise to make substantial contributions to the nation’s development.

   Voices of Advocacy and Concern

   Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil‘s statement echoed a longstanding sentiment that the visa was not aligning with Australia’s economic and societal needs.

   Transparency advocates like Clancy Moore from Transparency International Australia lauded the decision, highlighting the misuse of golden visas by corrupt elements as a channel for parking illicit wealth.

   The scheme’s integrity had been in question for years, with concerns ranging from money laundering to offering refuge to individuals with lesser business acumen than initially anticipated.

   A Global Context

   Australia’s decision is part of a growing global trend where countries are reevaluating and, in some cases, discontinuing their golden visa programs.

   The UK, for instance, terminated a similar initiative due to apprehensions about the influx of illicit funds, particularly from Russia.

   Malta’s rapid citizenship grants to wealthy non-EU nationals also faced scrutiny, sparking debates over the potential for money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption.

   Australia Bids Farewell to Golden Visa – Conclusion

   As Australia turns a new leaf in its immigration policy, the focus is now on attracting talent that aligns with the nation’s growth trajectory and values.

   While the golden visa scheme aimed to bring in investment, the shift towards skilled migration underscores a commitment to fostering genuine talent and expertise.

   This strategic pivot not only reflects Australia’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of its borders and economy but also sets a precedent for other nations navigating the complex interplay between wealth, mobility, and security.

   Final thoughts

   If you have any queries about this article called Australia Bids Farewell to Golden Visa, or Australian tax matters, then please get in touch.

2. Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programs: Striking a balance?

   25 November 2023 4:12 pm Leave a Comment

   Citizenship and Residency by Investment – Introduction

   In the landscape of global investment, Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and Residency by Investment (RBI) programs offer a compelling gateway for foreign investors seeking expedited citizenship or residency in other countries.

   These initiatives, while promising economic growth through substantial foreign investment, have a flip side.

   It is alleged that they’ve become a magnet for unscrupulous individuals—criminals and corrupt officials—who exploit these programs to evade justice and launder billions of dollars obtained through illicit activities.

   Who yer gonna call?

   The FATF team, of course.

   Recently, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) teamed up with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to delve into the risks and vulnerabilities of these programs in their joint project.

   Their findings underscored the inherent dangers associated with CBI/RBI programs, particularly in terms of money laundering, fraud, and their adverse effects on public integrity, taxation, and migration.

   FATF President T. Raja Kumar highlighted the dual nature of these investment schemes, acknowledging their potential for stimulating economic growth while underscoring the grave threats they pose when abused by criminals and corrupt entities.

   “Golden” passports and visas extended through these programs often fall prey to exploitation by individuals looking to obfuscate their identities, launder illicit gains, or perpetrate further criminal activities.

   The report

   The report illuminates how these programs offer criminals enhanced global mobility, enabling them to cloak their identities and illegal undertakings behind opaque corporate structures in foreign jurisdictions.

   Complex and multifaceted, these international investment migration programs frequently involve multiple government agencies, intermediaries, and lack proper governance, making them vulnerable to abuse by professional facilitators.

   OECD Secretary-General Cormann emphasized the alarming scale of exploitation within these citizenship and residency programs, characterizing it as a multi-billion-dollar enterprise utilized by criminals to launder the proceeds of fraud and corruption, evade accountability, or access third-party countries.

   Countering the threats

   To counter these threats, the report proposes a series of measures and best practices aimed at mitigating risks.

   It advocates for robust due diligence mechanisms, transparency, and integrity frameworks to be integrated into the fabric of these investment migration programs.

   Additionally, it stresses the importance of dissecting how criminals exploit these programs and delineates the need for clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities among involved parties to spot and prevent fraudulent activities.

   Citizenship and Residency by Investment – Conclusion

   In essence, while CBI/RBI programs offer a potential gateway to economic growth, their unchecked exploitation poses a severe threat to global financial systems and integrity.

   The onus lies on policymakers and administrators of these programs to adopt stringent measures, ensuring these schemes aren’t hijacked for nefarious purposes.

   The report serves as a clarion call to establish a delicate equilibrium between economic prosperity and robust security measures within the realm of investment migration programs.

    

   If you have any queries about Citizenship and Residency by Investment programs, then please get in touch.