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As 2023 comes to a close, we look forward to 2024, which will mark our 11th year as a top investment immigration consultancy and advisory firm in the GCC and MENA regions. We have been able to celebrate many milestones and highlights throughout this past year, which have only strengthened our position as a leading service provider in the industry.

Our Investment Immigration Visa Programs

Throughout this year we have helped countless clients realise their immigration ambitions through the U.S. EB-5 Program, the Canada Start-Up Program, the Portugal Golden Visa program, and many more.

US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program

We are proud to have been one of the only consultancies in the region that continued providing EB-5 solutions to clients throughout the expiry of the US EB-5 Regional Center Program in 2021/2022, including several approvals for expedited or fast-track processing on conditional green card applications, whilst many other consultancies remained on hold. We have also successfully processed multiple Employment Authorization Documents for clients who have applied for Adjustment of Status concurrent filing under the new EB-5 regulations in only a few short months, allowing clients to freely work and live in the United States while their green card applications continue to process.

As we enter this era of the new and improved EB-5 Visa Program, reauthorized this past year in March 2022 with a 5-year term, we move forward with excitement to offer potential clients renewed solutions for US migration via investment and in navigating a program that is now more secure than ever for investors. The reauthorization of the EB-5 Visa Program was a win for everyone, which was anticipated for many years and negotiated with the benefit of clients in mind.

Canadian Start-Up Visa Program

Our new partnership with an award-winning Canadian immigration lawyer based in Toronto, Canada, will allow us to expand our Canadian Start-Up Visa program offerings to clients with the most current and dedicated program possible.

Our team will continue forward with exemplary service to clients, which we are proud to have been providing over the past decade, and with a stellar track record of approval across all applications. I can attribute this not only to the strong experience of the Step Global team, an immigration consultant in Dubai but also to our strong network with the top legal and project groups in the industry across both the United States and Canada.

Portugal Golden Visa Program

The Portugal Golden Visa program, launched in 2012, offers non-EU citizens the opportunity to obtain residency in Portugal through investment. Under this initiative, individuals can acquire residency by investing in real estate, creating jobs, or contributing to scientific research and cultural heritage.

This year we have seen huge interest in the Portugal Golden Visa amongst clients, many of whom are keen to secure a European passport and enjoy the benefits of Portuguese citizenship (such as visa-free travel in the Schengen area). We expect this program to continue to rise in popularity as more and more clients look to seek new opportunities abroad. 

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support throughout this past year and look forward to serving you in the coming years. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Wishing you and your families a beautiful holiday season and an abundance of joy and success in the new year. 

Sincerely,
Preeya Malik
Step Global Managing Director

Each Golden Visa program has its own eligibility criteria, which may include financial requirements, background checks, health examinations, and adherence to the country’s immigration laws. Investors must meet these criteria and investment threshold to be eligible for the program.

Golden Visa programs are offered by various countries worldwide, including popular European destinations such as Portugal, Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, and many others. The specific details, requirements, and benefits of each program can vary significantly, so it is important to research and understand the program of the country of interest.

Golden Visa programs typically have certain residency requirements that investors must meet, such as minimum physical presence in the country or maintaining a residence in the country for a certain period of time. These requirements vary by program.

Golden Visa programs often come with a range of benefits and privileges, which may include visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to other countries, access to healthcare and education systems, favorable tax treatment, potential pathway to citizenship, and enhanced business and investment opportunities.

Golden Visa programs require investors to make a significant investment in the country’s economy. The investment can take various forms, such as real estate purchase, business investment, government bonds, funds, capital transfer, loan structures and various other options. The investment amount and specific requirements vary by country and program.

Many Golden Visa programs allow investors to include their immediate family members, such as spouses and dependent children, in the application. This means that the family members can also benefit from the residency or citizenship obtained through the program. The age limitation of dependent children vary from country and country, usually from under the age of 21 to under the age of 28. In addition, some programs, like the Portugal Golden Visa Program, will also allow dependent parents of the primary applicant or their spouse to be included for a Golden Visa.

While the US does not have a Golden Visa they do have investment-based programs available, which include the EB-5 program. This program requires a refundable investment of USD $800,000 in a government-approved EB-5 project. This investment should contribute to the creation of 10 full-full time job for US permanent residents and citizens and the funds must come from a legal source.

While there is no USA Golden Visa, the United States offers various immigrant investor programs, including the EB-5 program or E-2 Investor Visa, which provides an opportunity for foreign individuals to obtain a green card (through the EB-5 Program) or temporary residence visa (through the E-2 Program). The US EB-5 program requires a refundable investment of USD $800,000 in a government-approved project which must result in the creation of 10 full-time jobs for US permanent residents and citizens.

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