Seven decades of rapid globalisation have positioned investment migration not as a fringe phenomenon but as the most reliable form of future-proofing for individuals and states alike, poised to become a fact of modern life.
Obtaining citizenship through investment is an ancient practice that dates to Roman times. Large advanced economies began adopting similar programmes in the 1980s.
- The demand for alternative residence or citizenship is growing rapidly, with more than 36,000 investor visas issued in 2014 alone.
- A small group of high- income nations—the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia—make up more than 80% of all visa grants.
- The investment migration industry shares the vision of all those who favour a borderless world, where individuals, ideas and capital flow freely between nations.
- 51% of 20,0000 of people surveyed in 18 countries view themselves more as ‘global citizens’ than as citizens of a specific country. Relatively few people say national identity is strongly tied to birthplace: 13% of Australians, 21% of Canadians, 32% of Americans, 33% of Europeans
- As of 2016 there were: 60 different immigrant investor programmes, 57 countries, 50% set up since 2000
Citizenship- or residence-by-investment programmes deliver economic, human and social capital to countries and their local populations:
- Boosting economic Infrastructure
- Tourism inflows
- Poverty alleviation
- Employment development
- Debt reduction
The benefits to individuals of holding a second passport include:
- Expanded global mobility and the right to frictionless travel to an expanded set of countries
- Personal security for individuals and their families in times of civil unrest, conflict and terrorism
- Access career, educational and cultural opportunities on a global scale
- Ease of global asset diversification
- Reduction of sovereign risk associated with a single nationality
National and international political shifts, volatile economies and markets and rapid technological and ecological changes combine in complex ways every day to transform pacific environments into chaotic ones, economic assets into liabilities, safety into insecurity. At the same time, risks can become opportunities overnight, particularly for those who are able to act swiftly, unburdened by bureaucracy and the frictions of global travel.
Individuals interested in insuring against political and economic uncertainty, as well as those determined to capitalise on the rapidly changing mix of markets, business ventures and culture on offer around the globe, cannot afford to ignore the value of expanding their residence and citizenship options.
The infographics can be viewed here
About
Henley and Partners have published a guide for global citizens and governments. The full report is published here: http://investmentmigrationguide.economist.com
