Harvey Law Group

02/09/2026

Italy's €250,000 startup option attracts a lot of attention for investors considering applying for a Golden Visa. It is easy to see why. It is the lowest of the four investment thresholds and considerably below the €2 million required for Italian government bonds.
But the required minimum investment amount is only one consideration.
An investment in an innovative startup is very different from holding government bonds. The same applies to investing €500,000 in an Italian company or making a €1 million philanthropic donation.
And there is another point that is sometimes overlooked. The investment is not simply a requirement to obtain the residence permit. It needs to be maintained if the investor wants to continue being able to renew their Golden Visa residency permit.
This becomes particularly relevant for investments in startups and private companies. Companies can fail, restructure, merge or be acquired. What would normally be a commercial issue can then become an immigration issue as well.
An investor may not necessarily be able to sell one qualifying investment and replace it with another either. Depending on the circumstances, doing so may require a new Investor Visa application.
So while €250,000 may be the lowest route into the programme, that does not automatically make it the right route for every investor.
In our latest article, we look at the four options from a slightly different perspective: not simply what each one costs, but what investors should consider if they intend to maintain Italian residence over the longer term.
Read the full article below.

https://harveylawcorporation.com/italy-golden-visa-investors/

Comprehensive guide to Italy's Golden Visa for investors. Compare routes, assess investment risk, understand maintenance requirements & renewal process

02/09/2026

As of September 2026, the most important developments for Portugal Golden Visa applicants concern citizenship rather than changes to the Golden Visa itself. Portugal’s new Nationality Law, which came into force on 19 May 2026, increased the residence period before Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship from five to ten years.

For EU and CPLP nationals, the required period is seven years. The qualifying period also now begins when the first residence card is issued, rather than when the Golden Visa application is submitted. The changes to when the residency period begins is important because applicants have historically faced long delays between submitting a Golden Visa application and receiving their residence card. Although there are still regulations to be drafted and implemented, that will give us a better idea of the practical implications of the amendments, the Golden Visa is still a highly attractive program, that offers minimum stay requirements in Portugal and a direct path to citizenship, even if longer The application requirements for the Golden Visa have not changed.

Investors can still qualify through a EUR 500,000 investment fund or a cultural contribution of EUR 250,000, reduced to EUR 200,000 for qualifying projects in low-density areas. Family members can also be included, while the minimum stay requirement remains relatively low compared to other programs at an average of seven days per year. Permanent residence also remains available after five years, subject to the applicable requirements.

Therefore, the changes really only affect investors whose main objective is Portuguese citizenship rather than residency. AIMA processing times have also improved during 2026. Delays have caused problems for Golden Visa applicants for several years, so reducing the backlog should make the process easier for both existing and new applicants.

25/08/2026

We are certainly living in interesting times.

Between AI, global politics and ever-changing immigration policies, there is never really a quiet day in our profession.

In our latest Immigration Brief, HLG founder, Jean-François Harvey reflects on why, after 34 years, that constant change is still one of the things that makes immigration law so interesting and rewarding.

Read the full brief.
https://harveylawcorporation.com/immigration-brief/change-keeps-immigration-law-interesting/

25/08/2026

Polly Ho is an immigration lawyer and Special Counsel at Harvey Law Group. In this video, she explains Panama’s Pensionado Visa Program, including what sets it apart, how to qualify, and key benefits for applicants.

Unlike many retirement visa programs, Panama’s Pensionado Visa grants permanent residency upon approval and does not require applicants to be of retirement age. Applicants aged 18 or older can qualify with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month, subject to other eligibility requirements. The program also offers permanent residents a range of discounts across Panama, while requiring only one visit every two years to maintain residency. Polly also discusses Panama’s territorial tax system, the potential pathway to citizenship after five years of ordinary residence, and why applications must be filed through a licensed Panamanian attorney.

Read the full article on our website:
harveylawcorporation.com/retire-in-panama/

21/08/2026

Retiring abroad doesn't have to start with a six-figure investment.

Panama's Pensionado Program grants permanent residency with no capital investment required. Applicants qualify with a lifetime pension income of USD 1,000 per month, reduced to USD 750 if they purchase a residential property in Panama worth USD 100,000 or more.

What the program offers:

✔ Permanent residency upon approval, typically processed within 3 to 10 months
✔ Spouse, minor children, and unmarried children under 25 can be included (add USD 250 per month per dependent)
✔ Resident discounts on healthcare, dining, flights, hotels and entertainment
✔ Minimal presence requirement: one visit every 2 years to maintain status
✔ A pathway to citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence, subject to requirements

Full program details, requirements and application process:
👉 https://harveylawcorporation.com/panama-pensionado-program/

21/08/2026

Polly Ho is an immigration lawyer and Special Counsel at Harvey Law Group. In this video, she explains Panama’s Pensionado Visa Program, including what sets it apart, how to qualify, and key benefits for applicants.

Unlike many retirement visa programs, Panama’s Pensionado Visa grants permanent residency upon approval and does not require applicants to be of retirement age. Applicants aged 18 or older can qualify with a guaranteed lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 per month, subject to other eligibility requirements. The program also offers permanent residents a range of discounts across Panama, while requiring only one visit every two years to maintain residency. Polly also discusses Panama’s territorial tax system, the potential pathway to citizenship after five years of ordinary residence, and why applications must be filed through a licensed Panamanian attorney.

18/08/2026

Panama’s Pensionado Program offers eligible retirees a pathway to permanent residency, with no minimum capital investment required.
Applicants generally need to demonstrate a lifetime pension income of at least USD $1,000 per month, along with meeting the program’s other eligibility requirements. Successful applicants can also benefit from preferential discounts across healthcare, transportation, utilities, entertainment and more.

With its tropical lifestyle, relatively affordable cost of living and established retirement residency program, Panama continues to be an attractive option for those considering retirement abroad.
Discover the requirements, benefits and application process in our complete guide.

Read the full article on our website:
harveylawcorporation.com/retire-in-panama/

12/08/2026

The EU is considering changes that could introduce Schengen visa requirements for citizens of certain Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) countries.

But what would that actually mean for Caribbean CBI citizens?

A visa requirement is not a travel ban. It is an additional procedural step — and it does not, by itself, remove the broader legal and strategic benefits that Caribbean citizenship can provide.

In this video, we break down the legal facts, what our clients experienced following the UK’s introduction of visa requirements for Dominican citizens, and why evolving travel authorisation systems such as ETIAS are part of a wider global trend.

For investors and families, the key is to look beyond the headlines and understand what these developments mean for your individual circumstances.

Have questions about your citizenship or mobility strategy? Speak with an HLG attorney.

05/06/2026

We’re thrilled to join Wiki Finance Expo Hong Kong 2026 as an Official Partner – One of Asia’s biggest events for Fintech, Crypto, RWAs, Forex, Liquidity & AI.
📅Date: July 23–24, 2026
📍Location: Hopewell Hotel, Hong Kong
Don't miss out! Get your FREE ticket here: https://www.wikiexpo.com/HongKong/2026/en/?c=Bowl4p3F

15/05/2026

When your clients are global, your team needs to be truly global.

This week, Harvey Law Group held our 2026 AGM, bringing together our global teams across 15 countries to Vietnam.

Bringing our international offices together under one roof provided an essential opportunity for strategic alignment. Together, we analyzed the rapidly evolving landscape of Residency and Citizenship-by-Investment (RCBI) programs and by analyzing emerging trends in global mobility face-to-face, we ensure our strategies remain sharp and highly responsive to our clients' needs.

A huge thank you to our global team and our host team in Vietnam for the dedication and energy you brought to this very important meeting!