How a Chance Encounter Led to Investment Migration: An Interview with Assim Umer Vani (Intermark Global)

“10 On The Weekend” is IMI’s (almost) weekly feature. The idea is simple: each time, we ask the same set of ten questions to different IMI Pro specialists, so readers can get to know the person behind the role—more personally and informally than you usually see during day-to-day work.

This week’s guest is Assim Umer Vani, Head of Immigration at Intermark Global.

How do you usually spend your weekends?

Most weekends, I recharge with my family and close friends, while still staying on top of industry changes. Investment migration moves extremely fast, so I often review market updates, track client demand trends, and follow global mobility news—so I can head into the next week well prepared.

What are your three main business goals this year?

My three key business goals for this year:

1. Increase qualified revenue at least twofold by focusing on higher-value mandates in priority corridors (MENA, CIS, Asia), and strengthen the portfolio share with active partners.
2. Solidify Intermark Global’s position as the most trusted CBI advisor: build tighter feedback loops with governments, raise internal compliance and documentation standards, and secure faster, cleaner dossier approvals for clients.
3. Scale and professionalize the global sales department: expand the partner network and create a unified approach (playbook), along with a training system for regional teams.

What is your biggest business concern right now?

My main concern is the constant evolution of investment migration regulation. Governments regularly review and adjust their CBI program rules, so it’s essential for us to stay highly flexible and provide clients with up-to-date, accurate guidance.

At the same time, transparency and trust as the industry develops is something I take particularly seriously.

What book is currently on your nightstand?

Right now, my nightstand is mostly taken up by my child’s books—dinosaurs and mermaid stories. I’m also waiting for the next edition in the Kindle Garden series. It’s a lovely tradition: my daughter and I read together before bedtime.

How and when did you first get into the investment migration industry?

I entered the industry on March 20, 2015. Since then, I’ve been learning something new every day.

What’s interesting is that my path into immigration through investment (CBI) started almost by chance. I was simply accompanying a friend to an interview—“for moral support.” At the time, I had never even heard of CBI, and I didn’t realize such a niche existed.

While we were waiting, I became curious about what the company did and what the specialists were working on. The concept of investment migration immediately caught my attention: it felt new, international, and completely different from anything I had seen before. On impulse, I decided to interview as well.

What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into something more serious. I went through the first interview, then the second—and within a week I received an offer to join the team.

I was surprised by how quickly everything unfolded. It felt so natural that I genuinely thought: this is a sign that the industry and I are a “good match.”

Looking back, the coincidence that initially seemed insignificant turned out to be a turning point in my career. An unexpected decision opened the door to an industry where global mobility, investment logic, and international business come together—and it has been an exciting journey ever since.

What moment are you most proud of in your work as a service provider?

One of the most meaningful moments in my career wasn’t about a deal or a successful approval. It was about helping someone keep a personal promise.

A client from Iran reached out to me with a very specific and emotional goal. He promised his future wife that they would travel together to perform Umrah in Mecca (Saudi Arabia).

However, because of his citizenship, he faced serious difficulties getting a visa for Umrah—in practice, restrictions were in place. He didn’t come to me just as a consultant, but as a person who genuinely hoped a solution could still be found.

After a thorough review of the situation, I suggested considering the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program as a pathway to greater freedom of movement.

We worked together at every step: preparing documents, completing due diligence, and submitting the application with maximum attention to detail.

The process took about eight months—like most applications, it required patience and trust.

And then the call came—one I will never forget.

The client called personally to thank me. His voice carried real emotion: he received a new passport, successfully obtained the Saudi visa, and fulfilled his promise—he and his wife performed Umrah together.

In that moment, I realized our work goes far beyond paperwork and immigration procedures. We help people unlock opportunities, bring families together, and sometimes make deeply personal dreams come true.

That call remains my proudest moment: it reminded me why I do this—not just to provide services, but to genuinely change people’s lives.

What market development in investment migration over the past year surprised you the most?

What surprised me most was the speed at which governments both rework investment migration programs and simultaneously raise compliance requirements.

The industry is becoming more structured and institutionalized. It’s challenging, but in the long run it’s positive, because it strengthens long-term trustworthiness.

If you could go back 10 years, what business decision would you change?

I would invest earlier in building stronger international partnerships. Today, global collaboration and broader market reach are key drivers of success in the investment migration ecosystem.

Which “personality” in the investment migration industry earns your highest respect?

I especially admire specialists who combine deep expertise with integrity and a client-first mindset. I’m most inspired by those who act as thought leaders—continuously introducing innovations and helping clients and colleagues better understand the realities of investment migration.

I also value professionals who don’t just grow business results, but raise the bar on transparency, ethics, and decision-making in global mobility—because that’s what truly moves the industry forward in meaningful ways.

If everything goes according to plan, what will you be doing in five years?

In five years, I see myself in the role of a leader in expanded international operations, mentoring new specialists in the industry, and helping shape innovative solutions for global mobility. My goal is to ensure investment migration confidently aligns with economic development priorities and the security needs of clients.

If you’re exploring investment migration and want to understand real pathways to an investment residence permit or citizenship, it’s crucial to rely on expertise and compliance—not on marketing promises. At Digital Nomad, we share up-to-date guidance and help you navigate the process steps, from selecting the right route to document preparation. Learn more: https://digital-nomad.gr/en/goldenvisa

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