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Citizenship by investment
See all (19)The EU Court ruling on Malta's investor citizenship: case C-181/23, the conditions of the 2020 scheme, and what the ruling says and does not say
On 29 April 2025 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Malta's 2020 investor citizenship scheme is contrary to EU law, because it grants nationality in exchange for predetermined payments or investments. Based on the official text of the judgment and the Court's press release, this article explains the scheme's conditions, the course of the case, the Court's reasoning, the limits of the ruling and two examples.
Portugal's investment residence (ARI) today: five routes without property, EUR 250,000 to EUR 500,000, stays of 7 and 14 days, and AIMA's official fees
Portugal still offers a residence permit for investment (ARI), but according to the current official page no route may lead, directly or indirectly, to real estate. Based on the official pages of Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), this article explains the five current routes, the minimum stay, family members, documents, fees and two examples.
The end of Spain's investor visa: repealed from 3 April 2025, the earlier EUR 500,000 to EUR 2 million conditions, and the rules for pending applications and renewals
With Organic Law 1/2025, Spain emptied the articles on investor visas and residence of their content from 3 April 2025; this route included buying property for EUR 500,000. Based on the official text of the law in Spain's Official State Gazette and the government's announcement, this article explains the earlier conditions, the rules for applications already filed and valid residence permits, the other routes left in the same law and two examples.
Dominica
See all (32)Adding a spouse, child or dependant after obtaining Dominica citizenship: three routes in the 2024 Regulations, the fees, and the five-year limit removed in 2025
Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Regulations have three separate routes for adding family members after citizenship: a child born or adopted later, a spouse married after the original application, and a dependant who was left out of the original application. Based on the official text of the Regulations and the 2025 amendment, this article explains the conditions, the fees and two examples.
The real estate route to Dominica citizenship under the 2024 Regulations: escrow, title transfer within 30 days, ownership through a company, selling after three years and government fees
Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2024 set precise rules for the real estate route: a minimum of USD 200,000 per main applicant in an approved project, money held in an irrevocable escrow account, unencumbered title transferred within 30 days of approval in principle, conditions for ownership through a company, and no sale before three years. Based on the official text of the Regulations, this article explains these rules, the fees and two examples.
Grounds for refusal and deprivation of citizenship in Dominica's programme: the eight grounds of regulation 6, false information, name changes, a 12-month sentence and selling property early
Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2024 list eight grounds for refusing an application, and the same grounds can lead to deprivation of citizenship after a grant. False information, a name change in the first five years, a prison sentence of 12 months or more and selling the property early also have serious consequences, and fees are not refunded. Based on the official text of the Regulations, this article explains these rules and two examples.
Vanuatu
See all (15)Vanuatu citizenship by investment: the complete guide
Vanuatu is a Pacific island country that grants citizenship for a financial contribution to the government programme, after review by its Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This guide explains the application process with Royal Golden, the 110-day contract term, the payment stages, the refund after an official refusal and the travel changes.
Vanuatu customs for travellers and new residents: the 50,000 vatu concession, tobacco and alcohol allowances, the household effects and vehicle concession, and declaring cash from 1,000,000 vatu
Every traveller over 18 arriving in Vanuatu has a duty-free allowance, and their other goods are free up to 50,000 vatu. New and returning residents can also import personal and household effects, one vehicle and one boat free of duty, once, under conditions. Based on the official pages of Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue, this article explains the allowances, conditions, prohibited and restricted goods, cash declarations and two examples.
Setting up a business in Vanuatu: company registration, the foreign investment certificate and the business licence
A foreigner's business in Vanuatu usually needs three official steps: registration with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, a Foreign Investment Approval Certificate and a business licence from the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue. This guide explains each step with the office in charge, documents, estimated fee and time, based on the Vanuatu Government's official trade portal.
Business, tax and banking
See all (25)Crypto reporting and CRS 2.0 in the UAE: in force from 2027, first exchanges in 2028, what is reported and the AED 20,000 fine for a false self-certification
The UAE has committed to implement the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and the updated Common Reporting Standard (CRS 2.0), both from 2027 with first exchanges of information in 2028. Based on the official pages and guidance of the UAE Ministry of Finance and the OECD list, this article explains the scope, the information reported, the penalties and two examples.
Labour complaints and disputes in the UAE: 14 days to settle, ministry decisions up to AED 50,000, court fee exemption up to AED 100,000 and a one-year limit
In the UAE both the employee and the employer can complain to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry has 14 days to reach a settlement; for claims below AED 50,000 it issues a final decision itself, and otherwise it refers the case to court. A worker is exempt from court fees for claims below AED 100,000, and no claim is heard after one year. Based on the official UAE Government portal page, this article explains the process, deadlines, the worker's obligations and two examples.
The Wage Protection System in the UAE (WPS): payment by the first of the month, at least 85 per cent through the system, and the escalating consequences of delay
In the UAE, private sector salaries must be paid through the "Wage Protection System": each month's salary falls due on the first day of the next month, and at least 85 per cent of it must reach the system on time. If payment is late, alerts start on the 2nd day, new work permits are suspended from the 5th day and a labour dispute is registered automatically from the 16th day. Based on the official UAE Government portal page, this article explains the rules, exceptions, the escalation table and two examples.
Documents and process
See all (11)Documents and forms in Dominica's 2024 Regulations: authenticated translations, certified copies with an apostille, signing forms for children, and the affidavit of support
Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2024 set precise rules on documents: English, an "authenticated translation" with a specific definition, notarised certified copies with an apostille or proof of the notary's commission expiry, who signs the forms' "certificate of truth" for children and people with a disability, and the affidavit of support. Based on the official text of the Regulations, this article explains these rules and two examples.
Police clearance certificates in the UAE: Dubai Police or the Ministry of Interior, fees of AED 50 to 300 and validity of 30 days or 3 months
Anyone who lives or has lived in the UAE and has an application for citizenship, residence or work in another country usually needs a UAE police clearance certificate. Two bodies issue it: Dubai Police and the UAE Ministry of Interior. Based on the official pages of both, this article explains the documents, fees, validity, fingerprinting, foreign ministry attestation and two examples.
Attesting foreign documents for the UAE: the three foreign-ministry steps, the AED 150 fee and why an apostille is not enough
The UAE is not in the official status table of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a document issued outside the UAE has to go through three attestation steps: the foreign ministry of the issuing country, the UAE embassy or consulate in that country, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Based on the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs FAQ and the Hague Conference table, this article explains the steps, fees, delivery times and pitfalls, with an example.
Dubai and UAE visas
See all (28)Cancelling a UAE residence and staying abroad: who cancels, the AED 120 Dubai fee, the 60-day grace period, the 180-day rule and the re-entry permit
Someone leaving the UAE for good must have their residence officially cancelled, and someone who stays outside for more than 180 consecutive days loses their residence automatically. Based on the official pages of the UAE Government portal and the Dubai residency directorate, this article explains the cancellation process, the fee, the grace period after cancellation, the exceptions to the 180-day rule, the re-entry permit and two examples.
Residence through property in Dubai: the property owner visa or the AED 2 million golden residence, mortgaged property and fees of AED 9,884.75
A property owner in Dubai has two routes to residence: the property owner visa, which is not tied to a set property value but asks for a monthly income, and the real estate investor golden residence with property worth at least AED 2 million, even if bought with a mortgage. Based on the official pages of the Dubai residency directorate, the Dubai Land Department and the UAE Government portal, this article explains the conditions, documents, fees and two examples.
UAE golden residence for top students and graduates: a 95 per cent grade, a 3.5 GPA, family sponsorship and Dubai fees
The UAE gives a golden residence to top high school students and to top graduates of UAE universities or of the world's top 100 universities. Based on the official pages of the Dubai residency directorate and the UAE Government portal, this article explains each group's conditions, the documents, the duration and renewal, family sponsorship, the fees and two examples; for families whose children study in the UAE or at top universities.
Travel and passports
See all (16)Visiting Canada with a Dominica or Vanuatu passport: the visitor visa, the CAN$100 fee, biometrics and how it differs from an eTA
According to the Government of Canada's official list, holders of Dominica and Vanuatu passports need a visitor visa to visit or transit through Canada, and an electronic travel authorization (eTA) is not enough for them. This article explains the official visa and biometrics fees, how long the visa can be valid, how to apply, how a visa differs from an eTA, and a worked example of a family's fees, from Canada's official pages.
Hong Kong and Singapore with a Dominica or Vanuatu passport: 90 days visa-free in Hong Kong, Singapore's free arrival card and the entry conditions
According to the official page of Hong Kong's Immigration Department, nationals of Dominica and Vanuatu may enter Hong Kong visa-free for up to 90 days. Dominica and Vanuatu are also not on Singapore's official list of countries whose nationals need a visa. This article explains the entry conditions of both, Singapore's free arrival card, what visitors may and may not do, and an example trip, from both governments' official pages.
Visiting New Zealand with a Dominica or Vanuatu passport: the visitor visa from NZ$441, the funds and ticket rules, and how it differs from an NZeTA
Dominica and Vanuatu are not on New Zealand's official list of visa waiver countries, so holders of these two passports need a visitor visa to visit, and an NZeTA electronic travel authority is not enough for them. This article explains the fee, length of stay, funds and ticket rules, processing time, how a visa differs from an NZeTA, and the rule for transiting Auckland, from Immigration New Zealand's official pages, with an example.
Service and portal guides
See all (27)Protecting your data at Royal Golden
Citizenship and visa applications contain a family's most sensitive data. Based on Royal Golden's published privacy policy, this article explains how data is protected, how long it is kept, what rights you have and how to send your request.
Domestic workers in the UAE: 19 occupations, the ministry's model contract, salary within 10 days, 12 hours of daily rest, 30 days of leave and a ticket every two years
A family that hires a nanny, cook, driver or housekeeper in the UAE is governed by a separate domestic workers law. It covers 19 occupations and requires a model contract, salary within 10 days of the due date, 12 hours of rest a day, at least 30 days of annual leave and a return ticket every two years. Based on the official UAE Government portal page, this article explains rights and obligations, prohibited practices, complaints and two examples.
Rent increases in Dubai: Decree 43 of 2013, the 0 to 20 per cent bands, the Smart Rental Index and 90 days' notice
In Dubai a landlord cannot raise the rent at will when the contract is renewed: Decree No. 43 of 2013 sets the maximum increase, from 0 to 20 per cent, by how far the current rent is below the market average. Based on the text of the decree, the Smart Rental Index notice and the Rental Disputes Center FAQ, this article explains the increase bands, the notice period, how to dispute an increase and two examples.