Global Investment Voice

Mona Shah & Partners Global · globalinvestmentvoice.com

The first and most comprehensive podcast series that focuses on foreign direct investment, EB-5, and Residency & Citizenship by Investment (RCBI) programs.Hosts Mona Shah and Rebecca Singh focus on micro-issues, such as the latest breaking news in the industry. In addition, we welcome guests from all over the globe including: Global and US Developers, Industry Specialists, Authors, Journalists, Legislators and Politicians. With hundreds of episodes spanning 8 years, the podcasts are diverse, as they discuss the programs from both a legal perspective and business development factors, as well as investor return and residency considerations.If you have questions about investment immigration, please reach out to Mona Shah & Partners.Phone: 212-233-7473Email: info@mshahlaw.comWebsite: https://www.mshahlaw.com

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Episodes 246

Two Years or Five? The Truth About Getting EB-5 Capital Back
24d ago · 24:59
Two years is the number every EB-5 investor fixates on when thinking about the return of capital. But is this timeline fact or fantasy? In this episode, Mona brings back guest Manuel Ortiz, Vice President of Global Business Development at First Pathway Partners to dissect the regulatory timeline from the real world timeline. Manuel is put in the hot seat and does not sugarcoat reality. For most projects, two-year exits are rare; take it from someone with 13 years of experience in the industry. Most projects require 24 months to break ground, let alone stabilize. So, what is an honest timeline
Grandfathered or Gambling? The Truth About the EB-5 September Deadline
1mo ago · 24:38
Think that filing before September 30, 2026, guarantees smooth sailing to your green card? Not so fast. In this week’s episode of Global Investment Voice, hosts Mona and Rebecca sit down to debunk the myths surrounding EB-5’s grandfathering clause. The provision was born out of the chaos of 2021, when the regional center program lapsed overnight, leaving 32,000 investors and their families hanging with $15 billion in committed capital at stake. There are multiple dates circulating and here is what people are mixing up. September 30, 2026, is not when the program expires; that’s 2027 and there
Your Dream Home In Mexico?
1mo ago · 22:21
Mexico City may be enjoying its moment in the World Cup spotlight, but another story is unfolding beyond football. A steady stream of Americans are packing their bags for Tulum, Merida and Guanajuato. In today’s episode, Mona speaks with Juan Felipe Sanchez of Mexico Business Lawyers about why Mexico has become such an attractive destination for Americans to relocate and invest. Having practiced Mexican residency, real estate, and business law since 2007, Juan Felipe explains the real reasons behind the southern migration, including how remote work has changed the game and how 350k can buy you
The €200,000 Secret: Portugal’s Cheapest Door to Europe
2mo ago · 24:15
Think Portugal lost its shine when they scrapped the real estate route? Think again. In this episode of Global Investment Voice, Mona Shah and Rebecca Singh bring back immigration expert Tiago Gali Macedo to discuss Portugal’s Golden Visa Program. They dig into the route, which is stealing the spotlight, the cultural heritage donation. At a price tag of €200,000- €250,000 for Portuguese residency it’s less than half the cost of the popular €500k fund route and buys you the exact same residence permit. The same Schengen residence, right to live, work and study, but a smaller check. However, bef
We Said It, He Disagreed: A Rural Developer Fights Back on EB-5
2mo ago · 20:24
In a previous episode, we said that rural EB-5 projects trade safety for speed; and that did not go down well with everyone. In this episode, We put the hard questions to Dr. Vish, a developer with over 43 years of experience who is actively building in rural America, with projects spanning from Chicago to Hawaii. Yes, it’s true that rural projects are moving with processing times spanning six to eight months whilst urban TEA projects sit in queues stretching to eighteen months. But does faster necessarily mean riskier? Dr. Vish makes the compelling case that the urban / rural framing is the w
The Memo Is Loud. INA 245(n) Is Louder.
3mo ago · 22:17
Just before Americans fired up for their Memorial Day weekend, USCIS dropped a policy memo that sent the immigration world into a panic. With lawyers, investors, and visa holders alike scrambling to analyse their message. So, what does it actually mean? And more importantly, should EB-5 investors be worried? In this episode of Global Investment Voice, Mona Shah is joined by immigration attorney Abdul Arif and paralegal Doris Chakra to cut through the chaos and deliver what really matters. Whilst the law hasn't changed, the posture has. Discretion has always existed in adjustment of status deci
Nauru: The $90k Passport
3mo ago · 22:05
Your next passport could cost less than a luxury car and take you farther! Until now, you may have never heard of Nauru, a small island nation in the Pacific, with a population of just 12,000 and a landmass you could cross in half an hour. Nauru has launched one of the most disruptive citizenship-by-investment programs yet. With a price tag of $90k, only a 3-4-month waiting time, and zero residency requirement, this one is hard to beat. In today’s episode, Mona Shah is joined by Edward Clark, CEO of the Nauru Program Office, to unveil the program, which is turning heads and issuing passports a
The Rural Bias Built Into EB-5’s DNA
4mo ago · 25:06
Following their article exploring the rural bias built into EB-5’s DNA, Mona Shah and Rebecca Singh further delve into the processing-time gap between rural and urban I-956F applications. Rural projects are sailing through USCIS review in around 8 months whilst urban projects wait significantly longer. This is no administrative accident, but rather congressional intent embedded in the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. But what does this mean for developers and investors today? The pair condense the most pressing queries they are hearing from clients into six main questions. Is the process
From Tokyo to the Mediterranean: Building Wealth and Mobility Across Two Continents
4mo ago · 18:02
Wondering where your next global mobility move could take you? Mona sits down with Frank Cheang of Elysium 8 Holdings, a firm describing itself as more than a brokerage but a strategic gateway. They discuss three countries: Japan, Portugal, and Greece, including where investors are going wrong. Our discussion begins with Japanese real estate, and the numbers alone are worth listening to. Foreign investors are claiming mortgage rates of 3-5%, whilst citizens can borrow at 1% with 100% LTV. Almost 250 episodes into Global Investment Voice, and we are only just landing in Japan… We should have bo
Passports Are the New Portfolio
5mo ago · 17:08
Never mind stocks and bonds, the savviest investors in today’s market are now diversifying with citizenship! In this episode of Global Investment Voice, Mona and Rebecca are joined with Tatiana Muntean from Global Freedom Capital to unveil one of the best kept secrets in the citizenship by investment community. São Tomé and Príncipe. With Trump’s travel bans and pauses shaking up the immigration world and Caribbean CBI programs pricing out everyday investors, São Tomé and Príncipe has quietly entered the market, and it could be the smartest move for your global mobility. With a price tag of ju
Before You Wire the Money: The EB-5 Conversation You Need to Have
5mo ago · 25:42
Global instability does not wait for anybody! With conflict in the Middle East altering international markets, individuals worldwide are rushing to secure a Plan B for themselves and their families. The U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a top choice. Sam Hussain from BLS Global joins our hosts Mona and Rebecca to ask the burning EB-5 questions his clients keep coming back to, and the answers may just surprise you. Can you still file if your project is already built? And as the September 30th grandfathering deadline approaches swiftly, waiting until summer may already be a costly mistake.
The 75-Country Visa Freeze: EB-5, E-2, and Alternative Routes to U.S. Residency with Jill Jones
5mo ago · 19:49
EB-5 visa applicants from 75 countries woke up to their worst nightmare on January 14th, 2026. Trump announced an executive order indefinitely pausing immigrant visa processing for nationals of certain countries. Investors who have spent months, even years, on their applications and planning are suddenly in Limbo. The reasoning behind the indefinite pause is questionable. The government wants to screen out potential public charges, people who might end up on welfare or food stamps. However, remember that we're discussing investors who must invest between $800,000 and $1 million to obtain an EB
War on Iran | One Weekend That Changed the Case for a Second Citizenship Forever
5mo ago · 17:59
Recorded on March 2nd 2026 This week’s episode starts off quite unlike one we have experienced before in the 10 years of this podcast series! We speak again with our guest, Sam Bayat, who joins us from Dubai, a city that, just merely hours ago, was under missile alerts and explosions. Sam talks about his experience of a weekend of regional conflicts, and the city’s poise in the face of a disaster. But the question, of course, comes up: in today’s world, when does a second passport stop being a luxury and become a necessity? We talk about the UAE’s golden visa, how the Government of Dubai manag
Inclusion is the Key to Growth: Reflecting on the Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson
6mo ago · 15:50
Very few know about Jesse Jackson’s contributions to the EB-5 Industry. In this special tribute episode, we remember his words and honor his life and legacy . He was a civil rights activist and presidential candidate but above all, a towering moral voice who saw investment not merely as economics but as a pathway to justice. Nine years after he joined us on our podcast, we revisit his powerful words on the Rainbow Push coalition, the Wall Street Project, and the regenerative potential of the EB-5 program. He described economic access as the “fourth stage” of the civil rights movement and remin
Is Business Immigration to Canada Dead? A Reality Check with Sam Bayat
6mo ago · 21:09
What happens when a country shuts down every business immigration pathway precisely at the moment it needs entrepreneurs the most? Canada is staring down a $2 trillion crisis. With 75% of Canada’s 1.2 million small business owners reportedly planning to exit within the next decade, Canada is facing a succession crisis. Whilst the solution seems obvious to attract new entrepreneurial talent to the country, Canada has instead systematically dismantled almost every route for them to enter. In this episode of Global Investment Voice, immigration expert Sam Bayat joins our host Mona Shah to explore
Davos 2026: How a G7 PM Sold Golden Visas Without Knowing It
6mo ago · 20:28
What happens when a G7 leader accidentally makes the case for citizenship and residency by investment on the world’s biggest stage? Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made an unexpected declaration, stating the end of the American-led world order at Davos 2026. In doing so, he unknowingly provided the framework to validate what millions of globally mobile individuals have known all along. Multiple citizenships are not divided loyalties, but rather a means of survival, through an insurance policy. In this explorative episode of Global Investment Voice, host Mona Shah reunites with Iliana Oris
The Rise of the Globally Mobile
7mo ago · 20:10
What if the future of global migration and citizenship wasn’t about uprooting your life from one place to another, but about multiplying it? Have you ever thought about calling more than one country home? Welcome to the reality of a Globally Mobile Individual. A rapidly growing group of entrepreneurs, remote workers, digital nomads, and retirees who aren’t restricted by borders or traditional migration routes. A community that values the flexibility to build their own lives focused on their own choices and needs. In this episode of Global Investment Voice, we sit down with Iliana Oris Valiente
Enter 2026: US EB-5? Gold Card? or Walk Away?
7mo ago · 21:19
Happy New Year! As 2026 begins and a year of heightened uncertainty in U.S. immigration comes to a close, Mona and Rebecca discuss what the changed landscape may mean for investors heading into the new year. Will we see the sun set on the EB-5 program, replaced by Trump’s so-called fast and flexible Gold Cards? All is revealed in our analysis of what to expect in 2026. We revisit a year defined by disruption. The return of Trump-era immigration policies, categorized by renewed travel bans and tighter restrictions, collided with a USCIS adjudication crisis in which requests for evidence and den
The 4% Solution: Keep Your U.S. Citizenship, Slash Your Taxes
9mo ago · 19:48
"No taxation without representation!" One of the rallying cries of the American Revolution--but here's the twist: the reverse is also true! What if you could keep your blue passport, stay on American soil, and legally reduce your tax bill by 90% or more? Sounds too good to be true, right? Welcome to Puerto Rico. The U.S. territory that most Americans overlook is quietly becoming a magnet for savvy entrepreneurs, crypto millionaires, and anyone tired of writing massive checks to the IRS. Residents don't get to vote in federal elections, but in exchange? Some of the most jaw-dropping tax incenti
The Realities of Moving to New Zealand
9mo ago · 15:45
Isolation or Paradise? New Zealand is famous for its stunning landscapes and has a reputation for a very high quality of life. However, for those considering a move, their residency through investment program is one of the most expensive--almost three million (US) dollars. So, when it comes down to it, what does one get for that price? Is everything that expensive? Does the remoteness get lonely for new immigrants, or is it a sanctuary from the chaos around the world? Still connected, but at a safe distance! Mona and Rebecca are out to find the truth! Native New Zealander Mischa Mannix joins t
DENIED! EB-5 I-829 Battles in the Trump Era
10mo ago · 23:08
As the Trump Administration takes a firm hold of all immigration, this is a word that is becoming all too common. Sadly, it's becoming a more common story. A person applies for EB-5. They listen to their lawyer, they follow all the rules, and they patiently wait for their conditional green card. Then, years pass. They get a job, buy a home, and build a life. They pay their taxes and become part of their community. However, at the final stage of the process, despite doing everything right, they get a denial. Worse, they get a notice to appear before an immigration judge. Why? And what can they
From 401(K) to Lisbon with Tiago Gali Macedo
10mo ago · 26:39
Funding a Portugal Golden Visa Portugal has jumped in popularity. The European nation has inarguably been one of the most popular golden visa programs to pursue. While buying a house no longer gets one residency, thousands are still choosing to make the country their home. For folk from the United States, there is an opportunity to use 401K and Retirement funds to actually fund a Golden Visa to Portugal. What are the options or alternatives to using retirement funds for folk from other countries? Are there any tax benefits? Mona and Rebecca sit down with Tiago Gali Macdeo to discuss funding op
From Investment to Immigration: Making Informed Decisions with EB-5 and Gold Card Options
11mo ago
Are you considering immigration to the US through an investment? Investing via Trump’s Gold Card over an EB-5 Investment? This podcast episode is for you. This podcast episode offers a focused discussion on the Gold Card and EB-5 investment options, highlighting key differences and considerations for potential investors. Hosts Mona and Rebecca are joined by Radhika Chopra, an experienced advisor from InvestAmerica, a firm with a strong track record in EB-5 project selection, having assisted over 700 families and raised over $400 million in capital. While the podcast revolves around the fundame
Gold Card Dreaming!
11mo ago · 19:58
A Realistic Look at Trump’s Latest Proclamation on the Gold Card It’s alive–almost! After over six months of relative silence, Trump’s proposed “gold card” has finally started to show some movement. However, the executive order issued on September 19, 2025, has raised even more questions. What’s the difference between a gold card and a platinum card? How would you apply? Is the 90-day deadline even feasible to get it off the ground? And what does the Gold Card mean for EB-5? Mona and Rebecca break down what we know so far, including how the card competes with existing USCIS programs, how it co
Moving to Russia? Unpacking the Unexpected!!
12mo ago · 23:53
Is moving to Russia on your radar for investment or relocation? Prepare to have your perceptions challenged! This podcast dives deep into the often-misunderstood landscape of Russia, moving beyond the headlines to explore the lifestyle, culture, and surprising economic opportunities it presents. Join us as we welcome Ilja Belobragin, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of international experience. Ilja sheds light on why Russia remains an intriguing option, offering actionable advice for those seriously considering a move. This episode tackles head-on the initial doubts and concerns surroundi

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Global Investment Voice

Episodes 246

Two Years or Five? The Truth About Getting EB-5 Capital Back

Grandfathered or Gambling? The Truth About the EB-5 September Deadline

Your Dream Home In Mexico?

The €200,000 Secret: Portugal’s Cheapest Door to Europe

We Said It, He Disagreed: A Rural Developer Fights Back on EB-5

The Memo Is Loud. INA 245(n) Is Louder.

Nauru: The $90k Passport

The Rural Bias Built Into EB-5’s DNA

From Tokyo to the Mediterranean: Building Wealth and Mobility Across Two Continents

Passports Are the New Portfolio

Before You Wire the Money: The EB-5 Conversation You Need to Have

The 75-Country Visa Freeze: EB-5, E-2, and Alternative Routes to U.S. Residency with Jill Jones

War on Iran | One Weekend That Changed the Case for a Second Citizenship Forever

Inclusion is the Key to Growth: Reflecting on the Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson

Is Business Immigration to Canada Dead? A Reality Check with Sam Bayat

Davos 2026: How a G7 PM Sold Golden Visas Without Knowing It

The Rise of the Globally Mobile

Enter 2026: US EB-5? Gold Card? or Walk Away?

The 4% Solution: Keep Your U.S. Citizenship, Slash Your Taxes

The Realities of Moving to New Zealand

DENIED! EB-5 I-829 Battles in the Trump Era

From 401(K) to Lisbon with Tiago Gali Macedo

From Investment to Immigration: Making Informed Decisions with EB-5 and Gold Card Options

Gold Card Dreaming!

Moving to Russia? Unpacking the Unexpected!!

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Episodes 246

Two Years or Five? The Truth About Getting EB-5 Capital Back

Grandfathered or Gambling? The Truth About the EB-5 September Deadline

Your Dream Home In Mexico?

The €200,000 Secret: Portugal’s Cheapest Door to Europe

We Said It, He Disagreed: A Rural Developer Fights Back on EB-5

The Memo Is Loud. INA 245(n) Is Louder.

Nauru: The $90k Passport

The Rural Bias Built Into EB-5’s DNA

From Tokyo to the Mediterranean: Building Wealth and Mobility Across Two Continents

Passports Are the New Portfolio

Before You Wire the Money: The EB-5 Conversation You Need to Have

The 75-Country Visa Freeze: EB-5, E-2, and Alternative Routes to U.S. Residency with Jill Jones

War on Iran | One Weekend That Changed the Case for a Second Citizenship Forever

Inclusion is the Key to Growth: Reflecting on the Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson

Is Business Immigration to Canada Dead? A Reality Check with Sam Bayat

Davos 2026: How a G7 PM Sold Golden Visas Without Knowing It

The Rise of the Globally Mobile

Enter 2026: US EB-5? Gold Card? or Walk Away?

The 4% Solution: Keep Your U.S. Citizenship, Slash Your Taxes

The Realities of Moving to New Zealand

DENIED! EB-5 I-829 Battles in the Trump Era

From 401(K) to Lisbon with Tiago Gali Macedo

From Investment to Immigration: Making Informed Decisions with EB-5 and Gold Card Options

Gold Card Dreaming!

Moving to Russia? Unpacking the Unexpected!!

Podcast 森辺一樹のグローバル・マーケティング〜すべてはアジアで売るために〜