by Mona Shah & Partners Global on April 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Following their article exploring the rural bias built into EB-5’s DNA, Mona Shah and Rebecca Singh further delve into the processing-time gap between rural and urban I-956F applications. Rural projects are sailing through USCIS review in around 8 months whilst urban projects wait significantly longer. This is no administrative accident, but rather congressional intent embedded in the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. But what does this mean for developers and investors today?The pair condense the most pressing queries they are hearing from clients into six main questions. Is the processing gap unlawful discrimination? Does choosing a rural or urban project affect EAD and advance parole time? And, what happens if investors file before the September deadline, but the project is not approved until 2027?However, amongst the uncertainty, one thing is clear. Processing speed is merely a single factor for projects, not the whole picture. The project’s resilience, exit strategy and likelihood of capital return matter just as much as a speedy approval.As the September 2026 deadline swiftly approaches, this episode is essential for investors and develops seeking clarity in the EB-5 programs complexity.

From Tokyo to the Mediterranean: Building Wealth and Mobility Across Two Continents

by Mona Shah & Partners Global on April 7, 2026 at 3:00 pm

Wondering where your next global mobility move could take you?Mona sits down with Frank Cheang of Elysium 8 Holdings, a firm describing itself as more than a brokerage but a strategic gateway. They discuss three countries: Japan, Portugal, and Greece, including where investors are going wrong.Our discussion begins with Japanese real estate, and the numbers alone are worth listening to. Foreign investors are claiming mortgage rates of 3-5%, whilst citizens can borrow at 1% with 100% LTV. Almost 250 episodes into Global Investment Voice, and we are only just landing in Japan… We should have booked this trip sooner.From there, we move on to the better-known programs along the Mediterranean, with benefits that are harder to put a price on. Freedom to move, work, and outstanding education options. Portugal’s Golden Visa has raised over six billion euros and offers the fastest route to citizenship in Europe, five years. Whilst Greece takes seven years, they have zero minimum stay requirements, excellent for global investors.Japan, Portugal, and Greece all have something different to offer, whether you’re a seasoned investor diversifying or a family weighing up your long-term options. This episode brings all three together to make your choice easier.

Passports Are the New Portfolio

by Mona Shah & Partners Global on March 25, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Never mind stocks and bonds, the savviest investors in today’s market are now diversifying with citizenship! In this episode of Global Investment Voice, Mona and Rebecca are joined with Tatiana Muntean from Global Freedom Capital to unveil one of the best kept secrets in the citizenship by investment community. São Tomé and Príncipe.With Trump’s travel bans and pauses shaking up the immigration world and Caribbean CBI programs pricing out everyday investors, São Tomé and Príncipe has quietly entered the market, and it could be the smartest move for your global mobility.With a price tag of just $90,000 (roughly one bitcoin), this small country, located just off the coast of western Africa, offers a fully remote and fast application process. Think of an overlooked pathway to citizenship in Portugal and Brazil, and the kind of privacy that doesn’t make Trump’s list.One passport is no longer enough. Is this the best citizenship buy of 2026?

Before You Wire the Money: The EB-5 Conversation You Need to Have

by Mona Shah & Partners Global on March 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm

Global instability does not wait for anybody! With conflict in the Middle East altering international markets, individuals worldwide are rushing to secure a Plan B for themselves and their families. The U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a top choice. Sam Hussain from BLS Global joins our hosts Mona and Rebecca to ask the burning EB-5 questions his clients keep coming back to, and the answers may just surprise you.Can you still file if your project is already built? And as the September 30th grandfathering deadline approaches swiftly, waiting until summer may already be a costly mistake. We unpack the issues investors must understand before filing, such as source of funds challenges, partial investment strategies, and rural versus TEA considerations.Are you considering EB-5? This episode is a masterclass in what sophisticated investors should know before they consider wiring a single dollar.

The 75-Country Visa Freeze: EB-5, E-2, and Alternative Routes to U.S. Residency with Jill Jones

by Mona Shah & Partners Global on March 10, 2026 at 1:00 pm

EB-5 visa applicants from 75 countries woke up to their worst nightmare on January 14th, 2026. Trump announced an executive order indefinitely pausing immigrant visa processing for nationals of certain countries. Investors who have spent months, even years, on their applications and planning are suddenly in limbo.The reasoning behind the indefinite pause is questionable. The government wants to screen out potential public charges, people who might end up on welfare or food stamps. However, remember that we’re discussing investors who must invest between $800,000 and $1 million to obtain an EB-5 visa. How are these people a risk for public assistance?Host Mona Shah sits down with Jill Jones, General Counsel of Institutional Client Services USA for JTC Group to explore what’s happening. They talk through the questions everyone in EB-5 is asking, such as whether the panic is justified. Should investors continue with their applications or explore alternative options, such as E-2 visas? Some lawyers are even suggesting clients enter on tourist visas and apply for adjustment of status once they’re in the country for ninety days, but that comes with real risks.If you’re an immigration attorney trying to advise worried clients, or an investor wondering what to do next, this conversation cuts through the confusion and gets to what actually matters.