Category Archives: Global Immigration Programs

As of 5:30 a.m. EDT June 27, 2017, citizens from Antigua and Barbuda will need a visa to travel to Canada. At that time, any existing electronic travel authorization (eTA) issued to a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda will no longer be valid, and these travellers will not be able to use their eTA to travel to Canada.

After carefully monitoring the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s travel documents, the Government of Canada has determined that Antigua and Barbuda no longer meets Canada’s criteria for a visa exemption.

Canada continues to welcome visitors from Antigua and Barbuda, while protecting the integrity of our immigration system and ensuring the safety of Canadians. Most approved visa applicants will receive a multiple-entry visa, which allows travellers to visit Canada as many times as they want, for up to 10 years. For each visit, travellers can stay for up to six months.

Information for travellers outside Canada

For travellers in transit

During the first 48 hours after the imposition, or until 5:29 a.m. June 29, the Government of Canada will be working closely with airlines to help facilitate travel for those who are already in transit to Canada.

For travellers in Antigua and Barbuda with confirmed flights to Canada during the next two weeks

To help speed up visa processing, citizens who are in Antigua and Barbuda and who have already booked a flight to Canada, departing on or before July 11, can send their complete visa application, along with proof that they purchased their flight before June 27, the appropriate fees and supporting documents, directly to the Visa Office in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for priority processing. If they go in person before noon, their application will be processed that day. If they send via courier, their application will be processed within 24 hours.

Note that while these applicants will receive priority processing, they are not guaranteed a visa by their travel date and may need to make alternative travel arrangements.

For all other travellers, including those outside of Antigua and Barbuda and those with flights leaving after July 11, 2017

Antiguan and Barbudan citizens can apply online for a visa as of 5:30 a.m. June 27, or submit a paper application in person or by mail to any Visa Application Centre. The Visa Application Centre in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is the closest one to Antigua and Barbuda.

Most applications (about 80 percent) are processed within 14 days.

Note that having pre-booked travel plans or a previously valid eTA does not guarantee that a traveller will be issued a visa.

Dual citizens

Dual Canadian-Antiguan and Barbudan citizens need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada. A valid Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel document that provides proof of a traveller’s Canadian citizenship and that they have the right to enter Canada without being subjected to immigration screening.

Antiguan and Barbudan dual citizens whose second citizenship is from a visa-exempt country, other than Canada or the United States, can apply for an eTA to fly to Canada using the passport of the visa-exempt country.

Lawful permanent residents of the United States (Green Card holders)

All lawful permanent residents of the U.S. need an eTA to fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport.

Antiguan and Barbudan citizens who have a valid Green Card will need to apply for an eTA. This includes those who held an eTA before the visa imposition, since all eTAs issued to Antiguan and Barbudan citizens will no longer be valid.

When flying to Canada, these travellers must travel with their U.S. Green Card and the valid passport that they used to apply for their eTA. When driving or arriving by train, bus or boat, Green Card holders do not need a visa or an eTA, but they will need to bring proof of their permanent residence.

Visitors, students and temporary workers inside Canada

Antiguan and Barbudan citizens can continue to stay in Canada for as long as they are authorized to do so. Study and work permits, as well as visitor records, remain valid.

However, those who plan to travel outside Canada and then re-enter will need to apply for a visa to return to the country.

Please Contact Us for more information.

Citizenship by Investment - European Countries, Global Immigration Programs, News

Residence Permit For Investment in Portugal

May 2, 2016 nkic

New legal provisions open up the possibility of applying for a residence permit for pursuing investment activities in Portugal to those who have entered the country regularly (v.g. holders of valid Schengen visas, or beneficiaries of visa exemption), by transferring capital, creating jobs or acquiring real estate.

Recently the Portuguese government through the ministry of Foreign Affairs has established new legislation that allows non EU citizens, through investment in the country, to obtain a residency permit, commonly known as the “golden residence permit”, or “golden visa”, which enables foreign Investors to travel freely in the Schengen area.

The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European states which have abolished passport and immigration controls at their common borders. It functions as a single country for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.

The holder of a golden residence permit may travel freely in the Schengen Area (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland)

NPCF provides legal services related to the acquisition of nationality (Portuguese citizenship), and legal rights of foreign citizens (non EU citizens), namely obtaining visas and other legal authorizations regarding short, temporary or permanent entry and stay in the Portuguese national territory.

A “golden residence permit” may be granted to foreign non EU Citizens, by making an investment in the country, for a minimum period of 5 years and on condition that they stay in Portugal for a period of 7 or more days, in the first year, and 14 or more days, in the subsequent years.

All third country citizens who conduct an investment activity, as an individual businessperson or through a company set up in Portugal or in another EU Member State and who, in addition, are stably settled in Portugal, provided these citizens fulfil the quantitative requirements and the time requirements set out by the relevant legislation, may apply for a Residence Permit for Investment, by one of the following routes:

Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros;
The creation of, at least, 10 job positions;
The purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros;
The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros;
Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros for investing in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technologic system;
Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 250 thousand Euros for investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage, through the local and central authorities, public institutions, public corporate sector, public foundations, private foundations of public interest, networked local authorities, local corporate sector organizations, local associations and public cultural associations, pursuing activities of artistic output, and reconstruction or maintenance of the national heritage;
Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros, for purchasing shares in investment funds or in venture capital geared to capitalize small and medium companies that, in turn, must present a feasible capitalization plan.

NKIC is pleased to partner with NUNO PINTO COELHO DE FARIA & ASSOCIADOS, SOCIEDADE DE ADVOGADOS, R.L., LAW FIRM, shortly known as “NPCF”, a Law Firm positioned in the market since 2008.

Please Contact Us for more information on this program.

Global Immigration Programs, News, NKIC Newsletter

International Residencies and Second Citizenship

December 1, 2015 nkic

Portugal’s Golden Visa Program just got even better

No taxes on World Wilde income
Minimal Residency requirements of just 7 days a year
Purchase new property for 500,000 Euros Plus, or purchase property for 350,000 Euros if more than 30 years old or pay 250,000 to arts and culture or a start up company
Apply for citizenship after just 6 years

Latvia

This program is aimed at high net worth individuals and their families wishing to obtain a 5-year temporary residence permit, with the possibility of obtaining permanent residence and citizenship after fulfilling residency requirements.

Benefits

Temporary residence.

Qualifying Criteria

To qualify for the program, applicants must show that they:

Have the required net worth to undertake one of the following investments:
- Real estate purchase of at least €250,000.
- Subordinated capital of a credit institution: Investment in subordinated capital (debt or adventures) or a 5-year term deposit at an annual interest rate of 4.5% for about €285,000.
- Equity in capital companies: Minimum investment in equity of about €150,000 without additional conditions, or a minimum of about €35,000 and the capital company employs no more than 50 employees, has an annual turnover of balance lower than €10 million and pays at least €40,000 in taxes each year to the national and local governments.
Show that they possess the necessary means for subsistence in Latvia.

Malta

The republic’s strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean has made it the crossroads to many cultures along its long history: Phoenicians, Romans, Moorish, Normans, Aragonese, Spanish, French and British. All of these rich cultural influences can still be felt in Malta today. Malta became a part of the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2008 and has become a favored tourist and retirement destination.

Despite being the smallest country in the European Union, Malta has become an important freight transshipment point and financial center. English is widely spoken by its population and is also an official language.

Economic

Immigration & Taxation

The island’s legislative and regulatory systems provide a solid, yet flexible framework for business. Its economy is based mainly on foreign trade, manufacturing, tourism, finance and technology, and it has seen a steady recovery since 2009. Malta’s financial sector has grown as well, and since most of its banks have domestic debt, they have been largely untouched by the debt from periphery countries in the Eurozone. It also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.

Malta not only offers excellent infrastructure for business, but also has favorable tax rates for corporations and individuals. Individuals who are residents and domiciled in Malta are taxed on their worldwide income. However, resident individuals who are residents or domiciled in Malta are only taxed on their Maltese sourced income. Individuals are taxed at progressive rates up to 35%.

Area: 316 km2
Population: 412,655 (2014 est.)
Official language: Maltese and English
Capital: Valletta
Government: Republic
Legal system: Mixed system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes.
Currency: Euro
GDP per capita: $27,500 US (PPP 2013 est., $11.46 billion US GDP)
Climate: Mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Visa-free travel for citizens: 163 countries

Please Contact Us for more information.

Global Immigration Programs, News

New Category of Real Estate Investment for Portugal

September 16, 2015 nkic

Legislation has been proposed which would create a new category of real estate investment for Portugal; EUR 350,000 in certain rural areas, or other areas which would benefit from investment. The investment property would have to meet certain development requirements.

The EUR 500,000 investment option, for real estate purchased in Lisbon or other urban areas, is still available. This option is very attractive, as these properties will increase in value, and may be easily rented or sold.

Confederation intends to offer properties under both categories, to provide clients with the widest choice of investments. Once the new investment category comes into effect, we will provide full details.

Please Contact US for more information.

NK Immigration Consultants

Category Archives: Global Immigration Programs

New Category of Real Estate Investment for Portugal

Global Immigration Consulting Services