"False Advertising": Investment Migration in the Weekly News — Golden Visas, “Cards,” and Applicant Risks

Investment migration once again took center stage in the media this week. Coverage focused on rising interest in golden visas, new residency and permanent residence programs, and disputes over schemes that prospective applicants view as risky—or even as misleading advertising.

SBS News — a “safe harbor” amid turbulence: why demand is growing for New Zealand’s golden visa

In an SBS News report, attention is drawn to New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa system. The program was introduced in 2022 by the government of Jacinda Ardern and, as the article notes, was linked to the activities of Stuart Nash, who at the time served as Minister for Economic Development. Today, he works with applicants and advises on golden visa matters.

At the same time, Nash emphasizes that his clients are not trying to leave for political reasons. In his view, these are people who see New Zealand as, overall, a more stable and secure country.

Business Standard — a new Golden Visa in Paraguay: the potential cost for Indians and a route to direct permanent residency

Business Standard reports on the launch of a new Golden Visa scheme in Paraguay. The article specifically highlights that the program may offer applicants a path to permanent residency directly.

According to Fragomen, previously, to meet the requirements, investors could use only commercial and industrial investments. New categories—based on the firm’s assessment—expand the ways to obtain permanent residency in Paraguay.

The Sun — “taxodus” from Britain: a warning about capital flight and tax risks

The Sun discusses so-called taxodus, referring to capital leaving the UK. The piece includes comments from David Lesperance, who says that two years ago he had around 20 multimillionaires in the UK, but now the number has fallen to zero.

As the expert notes, the trend could continue. The next wave—according to the report—may include not only “ultra-wealthy” individuals, but also local wealth-builders seeking to avoid tax hits driven by higher taxes, potential exit taxes, or even wealth taxes after major deals.

MSN — a warning from Shamat Palihapitiya: a “billionaire tax” in California and how affluent clients are responding

In an MSN report, comments suggest that tax initiatives targeting very high-income groups could end up affecting broader segments of the population. The discussion also mentions David Lesperance, who advises clients with substantial capital in California.

Based on figures cited in the article, referencing ABC10 (7), eight of Lesperance’s clients have already moved to Florida, Texas, and Nevada, and another 10 are preparing to leave.

The expert says clients are trying to “do everything they can to cope with the situation.”

The Times of India — Trump’s “Gold Card”: why lawyers call the $1 million scheme “unethical”

The Times of India covers the $1 million visa program that the media links to Gold Card. The article notes that even lawyers with close ties to Trump’s family are distancing themselves from the initiative.

For example, Michael Wildes, an immigration attorney who previously represented members of Trump’s family and other clients, says he will not take cases from people applying for a Gold Card.

The piece also highlights a central issue: the scheme is not approved by Congress, meaning it could be scrapped when administrations change. In that context, Rosanna Berardi notes that even a single layer of uncertainty is often enough to make many prospective applicants decide not to apply.

Still, some candidates continue to look closely. Mona Shah, an immigration lawyer, says she has two clients (one from Nigeria and one from Pakistan) at different stages of the process. However, she warned them that the program could turn out to be “false advertising”—misleading marketing that may not deliver the expected result. Shah adds that her clients were prepared for the possibility of losing money if the plan fell through.

Forbes — second citizenship as part of a strategy for managing long-term risk

In a Forbes column, Dwayne Chauhan, Group CEO of Vancis Capital, looks at second citizenship and residency as a component of long-term business planning. The article emphasizes that after major shocks, leaders and company founders always face the same question: how to obtain a second citizenship or residency as quickly as possible.

The author points to a key practice: those who are better prepared for change make decisions earlier, not when a crisis hits. The piece also argues that planning is not only about money—it’s about building a thoughtful personal structure and organizing life legally.

It further notes that second citizenship and residency are not “primarily financial decisions.” Better outcomes tend to come from those who approach their personal structure with the same clarity used to run professional processes.

Business Standard — Citizenship Rankings 2026: a “backup passport” and new ways to choose programs

Business Standard publishes a piece on Citizenship Rankings 2026 and discusses how citizenship-by-investment programs can become part of a “portfolio” of decisions for affluent families.

As Joe Rice, Head of Caribbean Programs at Global Citizen Solutions, explains, for small Eastern Caribbean island states, investment citizenship is viewed as a development tool. It ties to funding for schools, hospitals, climate-resilient housing, and recovery after disasters.

In turn, Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, describes an important shift in the industry: clients are now choosing not only the “best” program, but a combination of tools. The article stresses that families build “mobility,” tax residency, and legal-access “portfolios” based on a more complex understanding of risks, opportunities, and the sense of belonging in an unstable world.

Coverage of “investment migration” increasingly boils down to one key question: how to separate real programs from risky promises. When headlines mention “golden visas”, “cards”, and loud media claims, it’s crucial to verify eligibility, timelines, source-of-funds requirements, and the actual process for applicants. At Digital Nomad, we help assess the practicality and compliance of golden visa options, so your route to investment-based residency stays clear and secure.

Our Telegram channel about various types of Greek residence permits, digital nomad programs, and the Greek Golden Visa: @digitalnomadgr