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Leveraging Investment Migration:

How Business families Can gain Global Footprint and a Second Passport

As Indian family offices grow in scale and ambition, many are exploring strategic avenues to not only diversify assets and hedge against local risks, but also to unlock international mobility and secure the future of their next generation. One increasingly popular tool for achieving these goals is investment migration—the practice of acquiring residency or citizenship through financial investment in another country. Investment migration is gaining significant traction is as it uses eligible and legitimate cross-border investments to obtain residency or citizenship abroad.

This is more than just about passports. It’s a wealth and legacy planning strategy, a gateway to international markets, and a way to achieve regulatory, tax, and geopolitical diversification.

As a Global Mobility and Investment Lawyer, I guide families and investors through this intersection of law, finance, and immigration—ensuring compliance, minimizing risk, and maximizing long-term benefit. I work with family offices to structure these investments in a way that complies with Indian and international laws, safeguards legacy wealth, and unlocks access to global opportunities.

Why Investment Migration Appeals to Indian Family Offices

Indian ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs) and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and family offices are increasingly turning to citizenship-by-investment (CBI) and residency-by investment (RBI) programs to achieve:

1. Business Expansion & Global Access

• Visa-free travel to major business jurisdictions (EU, UK, USA, Singapore).

• Simpler offshore company formation, deal execution, and IP migration.

• Opportunity to scale operations or establish branch offices abroad.

2. Portfolio and Currency Diversification

• Exposure to international real estate, venture capital, or infrastructure.

• Hedge against INR depreciation and Indian market concentration risk.

3. Education & Lifestyle Benefits

• Access to world-class education systems for children in the U.S., U.K., or EU.

• Quality healthcare and lifestyle enhancement for family members.

4. Succession Planning & Security

• Plan intergenerational wealth transfer via global trusts or holding companies.

• Protect against political, regulatory, or economic instability.

Popular Investment Migration Programs for Indian Investors

a. 🇺🇸 United States: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program- An investment of $800,000 Benefit: U.S. Green Card; leads to green card and citizenship.

b. 🇵🇹 Portugal Golden Visa -An investment of €500,000 in qualified VC/private equity funds leading to EU residency with a path to citizenship after 5 years.

c. 🇬🇷 Greece Golden Visa- An investment of €250,000 in real estate or €400,000 in securities/funds leads to residency in an EU country, renewable every 5 years.

d. 🇲🇹 Malta Naturalization for Exceptional Services (Citizenship)-A total investment of ~€800K (Contribution + Real Estate + Bonds) leading to EU citizenship in 12–36 months.

e. 🇦🇪 UAE Golden Visa- A total investment of AED 2M in property or businesses leading to long-term residency, tax efficiency, and family inclusion.

Legal & Compliance Considerations for Indian Investors

A. Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)

• All offshore investments through Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) of the RBI.

• Family offices must adhere to annual caps, typically USD 250,000 per individual per year (though pooling via family members is permissible with structuring).

• Investments made outside the LRS (e.g., through offshore trusts or SPVs) must be carefully evaluated for compliance.

B. Income Tax Act, 1961

• Residents must report foreign assets under Schedule FA.

• Global income may be taxed based on residency status.

• Evaluate implications under DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements).

C. OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS) / FATCA

• Offshore investments must account for automatic information exchange.

• Second citizenships do not override tax obligations or reporting requirements unless accompanied by actual relocation and change of residency.

How I Assist Family Offices as a Global Mobility & Investment Lawyer

As a lawyer specialized in global mobility, cross-border structuring, and investment migration, I support Indian family offices with:

➢ Strategic Advisory

• Aligning investment migration goals with family and business objectives.

• Identifying suitable programs that meet personal and commercial needs.

• Taking care of immigration paperwork

➢ Cross-Border Structuring

• Establishing offshore holding companies, SPVs, or trusts for optimized ownership and succession.

• Structuring investments to comply with FEMA, Income Tax, and RBI rules.

➢ Program Compliance & Due Diligence

• Coordinating with licensed immigration advisors, fund managers, and real estate developers.

• Reviewing and validating the source of funds documentation.

• Assisting in KYC, AML, and pre-approval risk mitigation.

➢ End-to-End Coordination

• Managing legal, tax, and immigration workflows across multiple jurisdictions.

• Liaising with foreign counsel, fund platforms, and government bodies.

Conclusion

In a volatile and interconnected world, second passports and foreign residencies are more than lifestyle perks—they are strategic tools for asset protection, family legacy, and international growth. By combining legal precision, global perspective, and regulatory insight, I help Indian family offices turn investment migration into a high-impact opportunity—seamlessly and compliantly.

If you're a family office or wealth advisor exploring global residency and investment options, feel free to reach out for a confidential consultation. I am reachable at +91-9910112085; +1-202 926-7140 or via email at info@IMBimmigrationlaw.com