IMM Group Investment Migration News January 2025: Highlights from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean
February 7, 2025 · Residency by investment · 13 min read
IMM Group reviews the most notable residency and citizenship by investment developments of January 2025. This issue covers:
In this edition of Investment Migration News January 2025, IMM Group reviews the month’s most notable developments in residency and citizenship by investment programs. This issue covers:
1. IMM Group: 20 years of building lasting value
January 15, 2025 marked an important milestone: IMM Group’s 20th anniversary. From a challenging start in 2005, IMM Group has grown steadily and built a strong position in investment migration advisory. These two decades have been a journey full of defining moments. We have had our share of setbacks, but those challenges became valuable lessons that helped IMM Group mature and hold more firmly to the values we stand for: ethics, integrity, and gratitude. These values are not only our guiding principles but also the strength that carries us through every challenge, so that every decision we make has lasting meaning and a human purpose.
The 20-year journey is not only a story of business growth but also a testament to the support and trust of our clients, partners, and team. To give back to the community and continue spreading positive values, starting this year IMM Group will contribute 50% of its business profits to the Be Better Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to support education and human development. This anniversary is both a milestone and a turning point as IMM Group continues its journey with a mission to serve the community and create lasting value.
2. EB-5 in 2024: key highlights of the U.S. green card by investment program
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 6,090 Form I-829 petitions were approved in fiscal year 2024, nearly 3 times the 2,193 approved in fiscal year 2023, with an approval rate of 95%. This made fiscal year 2024 a record year in the program’s history for removal of conditions, with more EB-5 investors receiving permanent green cards than in any previous year. Form I-526 approvals also rose sharply to 4,906, the highest level since the pandemic, reflecting a strong recovery for the EB-5 program.
Vietnam ranked second worldwide in EB-5 visa issuance with 1,467 visas, or 12% of the global total, more than double the third-ranked country, India (733), which has faced per-country visa backlogs for years. This is a positive signal for investors from Vietnam this year.
Under President Donald Trump’s second term, the EB-5 program is expected to be relatively unaffected, as it continues to enjoy bipartisan support for the economic value it brings to the United States. While the overall outlook is positive, investors should be aware of new challenges, such as closer scrutiny and stricter adjudication, particularly of the source of funds. EB-5 investors should therefore prepare their petitions carefully to adapt to this environment.
Read the full article
3. A pathway to Canadian citizenship through the Start-up Visa Program
The pathway to Canadian citizenship through the Start-up Visa Program is designed for entrepreneurs and investors who come to Canada to launch innovative, disruptive start-ups with the potential to benefit the Canadian economy. Program requirements include:
- English proficiency of IELTS 5.0 (General Training) or equivalent.
- A start-up idea backed by a designated organization.
- The investor, together with the designated organization, must hold more than 50% of the voting rights in the start-up.
- Sufficient settlement funds to support your family on arrival (for example, C$27,297 for a family of four).
The program is open not only to investors with business and management experience, but also to international students and recent graduates with work or internship experience, or with research projects completed during their studies.
IMM Group currently offers a Canada Start-up Visa support package from approximately US$166,000. Our experienced team in Canada helps investors refine and execute their business idea, work with the designated organization, and grow the start-up in Canada, helping them meet all program requirements, improving the chances of success, and opening a smoother path to Canadian permanent residence.
4. IMM Group: 5 consecutive years as the first and only company in Vietnam licensed to advise on Grenada citizenship by investment
In 2025, IMM Group marks 5 consecutive years as the first and only company in Vietnam licensed by the Government of Grenada to advise on and directly prepare applications for the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program. Over these 5 years, IMM Group has supported investors applying to the Grenada program, a direct route to citizenship by investment that offers a wide range of benefits and attracts many international investors.
To obtain this license, IMM Group met strict legal, financial, staffing, and experience standards and underwent nearly 2 years of rigorous due diligence by the Government of Grenada. IMM Group has been the first and only company in Vietnam to hold this license since 2021, and the license was renewed in 2025.
5. Spain announces the end of its Golden Visa program, with applications accepted until April 2025
On January 3, 2025, Spain published Organic Law 1/2025, formally abolishing the Golden Visa program, one of Europe’s most popular residency-by-investment programs for more than a decade.
Under the new law, Spain Golden Visa applications submitted before April 3, 2025 will still be processed under the rules in force on the date of filing. Investors who still plan to obtain a Spain Golden Visa therefore have time to complete and file their applications.
The decision to end the Golden Visa program had been championed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez since April 2024, with the aim of curbing housing price inflation and protecting the domestic real estate market. The program was blamed for driving sharp property price increases, especially in major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, making it harder for local residents to buy homes. The government also cited security concerns that the program could be exploited by investors lacking transparency or bringing little real value to the Spanish economy.
6. Bulgaria and Romania formally join the Schengen Area, expanding freedom of movement for holders of European residence permits
On January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania became full members of the Schengen Area, expanding the border-free travel zone to 29 countries. The change matters not only for these 2 countries but also for holders of residence permits issued by Schengen member states such as Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Malta. Anyone holding residence rights in a member state can now travel freely among 29 countries instead of 27, staying up to 90 days within any 180-day period in another Schengen country.
As a result, residence permits from Schengen member states become even more valuable, giving an added advantage to those looking to invest or live in Europe. Already an attractive destination for international investors, Europe has become even more appealing.
For full details, read the linked articles or contact IMM Group to discuss global investment and citizenship programs.
IMM Group
- Tags:
- European residency
- EB-5 residency
- Canada SUV immigration
- Immigration Bulletin
- IMM Group
- Grenada citizenship
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