Trump Barriers for CBI Countries with Patrick Peters
by Mona Shah & Partners Global on August 28, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Are you a recent citizen of a CBI nation eyeing the U.S. or considering investment opportunities in the Caribbean? Then you need to tune in! The US has launched a pilot program requiring certain visa applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000, signaling that citizens of CBI nations may be the next target under the Trump administration’s expanding immigration policies.Mona and Rebecca, along with their guest, Patrick Peters from the Montreal based CBI company ClientReferrals dissect the latest barrier to traveling into the US for certain folk. Is the recent pilot program requiring visa applicants to post bonds up to $15,000 a targeted hurdle, or simply a sign of a broader shift? We’ll unpack the details, the concerns, and the implications for those seeking to enter the U.S.But that’s not all! The conversation shifts to the sunny shores of St. Kitts & Nevis, where innovative strategies are underway to boost the island’s economy. Mona, Rebecca and Patrick take an exclusive look at the Public Benefit Option (PBO) under the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. Discover how a $250,000 contribution can unlock citizenship while fueling economic growth and supporting vital projects like affordable housing.Patrick illuminates how the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, through the National Housing Corporation, is leveraging these funds to create housing solutions for its citizens. Is the PBO a win-win, offering investors a path to citizenship while driving positive change in the Caribbean? Or are there hidden complexities to consider?From steering potential travel barriers to exploring impactful investment opportunities, this episode of Global Investment Voice delivers the insights you need to stay informed and make savvy decisions. Don’t miss out – listen now!
by Mona Shah & Partners Global on August 19, 2025 at 1:00 pm
In this episode, Mona and Rebecca tackle the tough and unpleasant topic of bankruptcy within EB-5 investment projects, sparked by recent news of a high-profile EB-5 project bankruptcy in Utah. The hosts discuss the inherent risks of EB-5 investments, address common misconceptions about bankruptcy (including the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11), and explore how bankruptcy can impact EB-5 investors at various stages of the process. Real-world examples—including the South Dakota Meat Market project—highlight both the challenges and the potential paths forward for investors. The episode also offers practical advice on what investors can do if their project faces bankruptcy, the importance of due diligence, and why bankruptcy isn’t always the end of the road for EB-5 participants.
Merit Over Money in Malta with Dr. James Muscat Azzopardi
on August 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm
The European Court of Justice shocked RCBI industry earlier this year, with their ruling against Malta’s popular CBI program. They appeared to call out golden visas at their core when compelling Malta to end theirs. The ECJ accused the CBI program of essentially commercializing nationality (and by extension European Union citizenship). They called it “transactional,” and lacked a “genuine link” to the country. In response, Malta has been tackling ideas of ways someone can formally prove themselves worthy of citizenship, without being accused of just performing a transaction. How does one show a genuine link to a country they’ve fallen in love with, but were not born in? In what way does someone audition to be a citizen? And what kind of citizen does a nation need? Malta has been fast-tracking their Citizenship by Merit program with answers to these questions. Dr. James Muscat Azzopardi sits down with Mona and Rebecca to discuss what one will now have to do to become Maltese.
Dancing with Dollars: The Love-Hate of EB-5 Escrow
by Mona Shah & Partners Global on August 6, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Imagine this: you’ve waited patiently for years, navigating the labyrinth that is the EB-5 visa process. You’ve completed all the necessary paperwork, made your investment, and followed every guideline to the letter. You’re on the cusp of a new chapter in the United States. But what was supposed to be a support is now suddenly blocking you in that final stretch. That hurdle is Escrow. Tune in as we unpack the responsibilities of escrow management, the implications of long delays, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of using escrow in EB-5 investments. Whether you’re an investor, developer, or immigration attorney, don’t let escrow be the main deterrent of a good project. Join us for a lively discussion that promises to illuminate the dance between investment and immigration!
Will Trump’s “Big Beautiful Act” Attract HNW Individuals to the US?
by Mona Shah & Partners Global on August 1, 2025 at 9:00 pm
The “Big Beautiful Act” promises to have a large impact across the board on the lives of American citizens. However, will this new tax legislation encourage high net worth individuals to move to the US? For years, the biggest deterrent for HNW Individuals coming to the United States has been the nation’s Tax Laws. Have the changes made in the Act made America a more attractive place to do business and invest in? Especially with the new looming threat of Tariffs. What has made America an attractive place for business in the past? What will it look like in the future–post-BBA, with Trump at the helm? Mona sits down with Global Tax Expert David Lesperance to discuss all this and more!