Investment Migration News February 2026: Global Investment & Citizenship Highlights from the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Türkiye, and New Zealand
February 27, 2026 · Residency by investment · 16 min read
In this investment migration news February 2026 roundup, IMM Group reviews the key developments in global residency and citizenship by investment programs. This issue covers:
1. EB-5 news: AIIA filing and approval rate statistics
According to the American Immigrant Investor Alliance (AIIA), a total of 13,520 Form I-526/I-526E petitions were filed between April 2022 and July 31, 2025; 3,442 were approved and 113 denied, an estimated approval rate of about 96% among adjudicated petitions.
Under the grandfathering provision, only EB-5 petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026 retain the conditions and benefits of the current legal framework. Petitions filed after that date may be affected by future policy changes that are difficult to predict.
This is a favorable window for investors to make use of the current policy framework and allow enough time for project due diligence.
2. As H-1B becomes less predictable, EB-5 offers a durable U.S. residency path for international students
In Texas, state agencies and public universities have paused new H-1B petitions until May 2027. With a proposed H-1B petition fee of up to US$100,000, and with their immigration status tied entirely to their employer, H-1B workers have limited control over their ability to remain in the United States.
The EB-5 visa separates your family’s right of residence from career risk. Your children can study and work on the same footing as local residents and choose their career path freely, without being tied to a visa status.
Under the grandfathering provision, petitions filed on or before September 30, 2026 continue to be adjudicated under the current legal framework even if the program changes later. This helps investors avoid unwanted policy shifts.
Preparing an EB-5 petition early, alongside your child’s academic plans, keeps you in control and avoids rushed decisions if residency options narrow.
3. Filing EB-5 at US$800,000: fast adjudication and high approval rates ahead of the grandfathering deadline
September 30, 2026 is a key date: petitions filed on or before that date are covered by the grandfathering provision of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), which protects their continued processing even if the Regional Center Program lapses or changes afterward. Petitions filed after September 30, 2026 may no longer be grandfathered.
Completing a full EB-5 petition usually takes 3–6 months, sometimes longer. Preparing early keeps investors in control and improves the chances of filing in time to benefit from the RIA’s grandfathering provision.
Recent figures show rising filing volumes and high approval rates, reflecting the greater stability of the EB-5 program since the RIA took effect in 2022. Projects in rural areas are eligible for priority processing.
With H-1B work visas increasingly difficult to obtain, EB-5 offers a more stable pathway. Under the 2022 RIA, EB-5 investors who are lawfully present in the United States may file their EB-5 petition concurrently with Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status (concurrent filing), provided an EB-5 visa is immediately available to them, allowing them to remain in the United States lawfully while their case is pending.
4. Canada entrepreneur immigration in 2026: what options do investors have?
As Canada shifts its immigration policy toward more selective admissions focused on genuine economic contribution, provincial entrepreneur streams have become a suitable option for investors who have experience running a business and are ready to create real value for the local economy.
Notable provincial entrepreneur streams in 2026 include: Prince Edward Island (PEI), British Columbia (BC), New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.
With minimum investment amounts of C$100,000 to C$150,000 depending on the stream, your whole family can enjoy benefits such as:
- Your whole family can live and study in the province where you invest, and work there in line with permit rules.
- Your children can attend public school free of charge through high school.
- Your children can attend university at domestic tuition rates once they become permanent residents.
- Once you fulfill your commitments to the province, you may be nominated for permanent residence; as permanent residents, your family enjoys most of the rights of Canadian citizens.
- After obtaining permanent residence, you can apply for Canadian citizenship once you meet the eligibility requirements.
5. Irish residency: education advantages for your children through the last remaining investment allocations
Holding Irish residency rights is a strategic step toward your children’s future in an English-speaking education system closely aligned with British standards. Students face no language barrier, develop their thinking in a natural, immersive environment, and earn qualifications comparable to UK A-Levels, opening a smooth pathway to leading universities in the UK, the United States, and other G7 countries.
Although the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) stopped accepting new applications on February 15, 2023, the Irish government still allows approved public-benefit projects under the endowment option to raise their remaining investment allocations. With an investment of €400,000 (approximately US$448,000), the main applicant, their spouse, and unmarried, financially dependent children under 24 are granted long-term residency rights.
Notably, under the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, once the family obtains Irish citizenship through naturalization, everyone can live in the UK and the children can study there without a visa. Processing takes 12–18 months, and the program is highly flexible, with no education or English-language requirements.
6. Cyprus permanent residency by investment: attractive tax advantages and real estate return potential
The investment route to Cyprus permanent residence is a well-suited option for investors seeking long-term residence in an EU member state and a dependable Plan B for their family.
With a minimum investment of €300,000 (approximately US$336,000) in real estate, the investor, together with their spouse and unmarried, financially dependent children under 25, holds a freehold asset denominated in euros, which can help preserve net worth while offering potential long-term appreciation.
Cyprus offers one of the more competitive tax environments in the European Union. Under its non-domicile (non-dom) regime, dividends and investment income can be exempt or taxed at very low rates for up to 17 years, and there is no annual property tax. Cyprus is also completing the final technical steps to join the Schengen Area, which is expected to ease travel and support property values.
The program requires proof of annual income of at least €50,000. The permanent residence card remains valid provided you make at least 1 visit to Cyprus every 2 years, with no requirement to live there full time.
7. Flexible New Zealand residency options for investors in 2026
Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP)
This is a passive investment option for investors who want a relatively fast route to a Resident Visa without strict physical presence requirements in New Zealand, with a minimum investment of NZ$5 million.
Designed for experienced business owners who invest in and run an established business in New Zealand. The program has a more accessible investment threshold, starting from NZ$1 million.
Benefits for the whole family
- Access to an internationally recognized healthcare system and free public education for your children.
- The right to live and work in New Zealand and to travel in and out without restriction, with no need for a re-entry visa.
- A New Zealand passport provides visa-free access to 187 countries, including major destinations such as the United States, Canada, and Europe.
- New Zealand citizens can live and work freely in Australia under the Special Category Visa (subclass 444), with a streamlined pathway to Australian citizenship.
Global investment and citizenship: why choose an advisory firm with a proven track record?
The global investment and citizenship landscape is constantly changing and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner that not only helps build a strong application but also serves as a reliable anchor for the family’s future. That is why, across all our global investment and citizenship solutions, IMM Group sets itself apart as a strategic advisory partner, working alongside you with experience and integrity.
IMM Group is a pioneering, long-established firm with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam. We see ourselves as more than advisors: we design global investment and citizenship solutions built on:
- Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Our experience successfully handling hundreds of cases, including complex ones, enables us to conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, even during market crises.
- In-depth professional consulting and full transparency: Every IMM Group advisor and case manager is certified in investment migration advisory by the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team analyzes benefits and risks in full, so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
- Integrity and commitment every step of the way: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group stays with you from the first step until you have settled in your new country. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to stand up for clients’ interests and to proactively refund service fees when risks beyond the client’s control arise, as set out in the contract.
- Receiving and giving back: Since 2025, IMM Group has operated as a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you also help hundreds of students facing exceptional hardship gain a chance to change their lives.
For full details, read the linked articles or contact IMM Group to discuss global investment and citizenship programs.
IMM Group
- Tags:
- Cyprus residency
- Canada entrepreneur immigration
- U.S. EB-5 immigration
- New Zealand residency by investment
- Ireland residency by investment
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