 Hello and welcome back to my YouTube channel, this is Shereen Kapoor and today I am joining you from our Dubai office. Today's topic as you might have seen before clicking the video is a very sensitive topic towards especially in the Gulf market that I have dealt with and people it's no doubt that people from Africa face certain kind of issues when it comes to global mobility. Today I have with me Chinwe. Chinwe is one of the experts in citizenship by investment as well as company formation in UAE as well as she works with us for the Canadian company cases, Canadian clients. So today I am going to discuss with her and it's going to be a very discussion based podcast what I would say in which we will run about some random discussion discussing about the problems that African face with related to migrating Canada and what all other alternative options they have like CBI programs, Golden visas in UAE which is again a very lucrative platform which people are now exploring not just Africans but I think people from across the globe are now looking at UAE as a very stable market in terms of business, in terms of security, in terms of the returns. So welcome Chinwe. Thank you very much. Thank you for having me. I am doing very well. Thank you. So Chinwe I do understand and Chinwe has, I know you are from the UK as well as you have an African background. So I would like to discuss with you today. Let's start. Let the starting point for today be that what problem actually Africans face. Now as a South Asian person who's maybe lived in Canada, maybe now I'm in the UAE so I do see and I'm very open to the concept that people do need global flexibility in today's global world. They do need mobility and which is one of the main hindrance which I think Africans, especially West Africans are facing because of certain bans and everything. So if you could highlight some of the issues and then we'll take it from there. Right. So the thing here with a lot of Africans in terms of movement from country to country is that a lot of them, especially West Africans are restricted in their movement currently. They're having a lot of bans from several countries especially coming from the Middle East and some of the European countries too are placing bans on West Africans. That freedom of movement is not there. They're not even able to travel freely from one country to another. Talk more of even packing their bags, taking their families with them and relocating. So that's one major problem that I think on today's discussion will be able to provide some solutions to. Another main problem is they don't even know where to go to to seek this solutions. They don't even know which professionals or who is even the professional that they should be going to because there's a lot of agents in the market who are providing them with different type of solutions that are not even maybe real solutions. So there's a lot of misinformation there too as well. They don't know where to go to. That's the second thing. They really don't know who to go to to find solutions to these problems. And there's a lot of scam too in Africa so you would have heard maybe things like for online scamming, fraud, all of these things to play a big part. They are also looking for let's say better opportunities from Africa to maybe the West. They're looking for better work opportunities, better family life. They're looking for better education for their children. They're looking also for in terms of work prospects for them and their children in the future. So they're just looking for a better future and they're looking for solutions to this issues that they're facing because they do not have it from where they come from in their own country. So I think on today's discussion we can provide some of the solutions that we have for them. I think they would really appreciate it. Yeah, I mean that's what the whole purpose is about the purpose of today's podcast especially to target their specific issues. And believe me as a family with my own family I would have the same feelings that mostly African clients that I am dealing with from Gulf they have the issue of security is the main issue. They do want a sense of security and in terms when they look at Canada it does give sense of security. Of course it's a very warm and very welcoming country and there are so many aspects they're doing well here. Everything is good here but the sense of security overpowers all of the factor. Yeah you're right in saying that the immigration agents and all those people you know portraying themselves as agents in the market and everything they are not really authentic. I would not say blanketly the same thing but I would still be very I will not hesitate to say that yes there is a problem there. There are people who are being frauded and defrauded every day and especially when it comes to Africans because the access of Africans mobility to that particular part of the world is kind of difficult. And the people in between they miss misuse and abuses. So I have seen it personally very much and I feel bad because as a lawyer also in terms of my as my sense of responsibility says that I feel really sad when people are being defrauded and they are being with hefty amounts like the mumps are also not less. And then you know how difficult moving money from Africa to other parts of the world is beyond all of that. It's a very it's a very sad state of affairs but the ray of light is always there with that we can start to discuss what do you think how how do Africans think about Canada. So I think one thing about Canada that peaks in the interest of a lot of Africans is the fact that number one is an English speaking nation. So when you think about West Africa countries like Nigeria countries like Ghana which are English speaking countries they do not want to move to another country where they have to start from scratch to learn a new language. So that's one of the most attractive things about Canada. And I mean apart from the fact that Canada is Canada with all the opportunities that are bound in Canada in terms of work and you know the education system the health care system. These are all attractive things about Canada to you know a lot of West Africans a lot of Africans in general. And another thing to note is that these people actually have the resources they have the language ability which they are very proficient in English. They have the qualifications thereof they have the work experience. So with all of this and I think that's what Canada is looking for people who have not only the resources the language proficiency skills the experience you know and all of this all together. Cumulative Canada is all about holistic and in 2023 they are going to have in demand pool pool system also. So again those are again high profile people are going to be picked up even you know the people who are in demand skills which are in demand in Canada. Yeah that is one thing we are looking at. Exactly so these are all the things that makes you know Canada attractive to them and also because they have what Canada is looking for. So it's like a perfect match. Yes. So it's just about being in the middle that's for us as a legal firm coming in the middle and making sure that they actually have that transition. They have very smooth transition from the country to Canada. There is no other way other than you know us coming in and letting them know that these opportunities exist for them in Canada. And that there is a way to by which they can access those opportunities without being swindled by you know all sorts of individuals. And going in a professional way where their case file is being handled professionally as well. So I think just bridging that gap. Yeah there's a very thin line difference between you know actually making promises and doing the work. And so many people are able to commit good promises and fancy promises but not being able to deliver them. Yeah with my experience also with African clients is that trust issue is always there. And initially it was very difficult for me because it's a new market for me. I'm a South Asian girl and it's a it's a different you know diaspora for me wherein I had to deal with. And initially I felt this hitch I would call it a hitch by Africans wherein you know they had this slight trust issue. They used to check my license and all the and I'm like why are they doing that. But then again after listening to the stories I do realize that OK this was the need for them. And if my certificates and our firm certificates and this thing can help them build their trust and why not you know it's not a problem. I have so many African colleagues with me in Canada also. And when I speak to them I do realize that OK it's because where they are coming from. It's also because the political instability that they have seen in their home countries. One thing more about Africa I have noticed is that there is a very it's same in India believe me. There is a very big disparity between the rich and the poor. It's economics it's simple economics but it does affect global migration decisions. And not to you know not to say that it's something that we want to touch upon today. But it's it's a very I would say it's a very personal observation that I have made in which I feel that the rich in Africa are getting richer. And the poor is getting poorer. And this also creates a sense of agony. It's a sense of agony for so many people who are there. And then when people approach they they actually come up with these issues that OK I had put in this so much hard work so much money but the returns for me are not the same. So the disparity I feel is also a factor for Africans to move out. Exactly. And I think a lot of the people there which are the masses they actually find it very difficult to move out of the country because let's say maybe they might be lacking resources. They might not have enough funds sufficient funds like let's say the next person who is very wealthy and is able to access all of these opportunities to travel abroad to even relocate himself and his family abroad. So the average person the masses there they actually finding it difficult to obtain the resources enough funds with which to be able to let's say migrate to Canada for instance. So what typically happens is at least for our own firm I do know that we have several solutions in place for such individuals as well who are having you know who are ticking the other boxes. So they have this very good qualification. They have a great work experience. Their language proficiency is you know A plus. So the only thing missing would be just having the sufficient funds but they might have something. They might have something to be able to start the process with. But for those people what typically happens is they're also looking for a firm that will be able to support them in terms of having a good plan payment plan which we do have. So if we're able to support them with that payment plan then I think that would be I think that would be a perfect solution to that particular issue of you know let's say insufficient funds lack of sufficient resources to be able to migrate to Canada. And mainly lack of knowledge. I think awareness and knowledge is one thing which is definitely lacking in that part of the world. But moving on let's now discuss about some of the in my experience some of the most relevant programs for at least related to Canadian migration for Africans. So what I have seen is yes you're right they have the skills they have the expertise. They lack sometimes when they're about to make the decision they lack points because of the age. And that is where we come in and that is where most of our clients are very satisfied in terms of our programs. Entrepreneur I have seen Africans are really smart people. They are very smart they do understand the pros and cons just like I would say you know South Asians are I find I personally feel South Asians are really smart. And so are Africans like when they make a decision it's an informed decision. They understand the program to an extent wherein they know that you know OK this is what is going to happen. And they are one of those clients which are not going to trouble me to throughout the process not every single day they want an update. They understand that it's a time taking process and that's why I like to work with them. I really now have a very good rapport with all my African clients wherein I know they know I'm working on it. I'm actually working on it. So in terms of the Canadian programs I think few of the very options that I always give them is they are lacking express entry points which is the federal skill worker program. If they are lacking those points then we help them arrange the entrepreneurial LMA through which we get them the boost of 50 to 200 points in their CRS. Depending on their profile and everything we have the businesses for them. And upon you know once their business has been established and everything we do the knock double or knock single LMA for them whatever their profile may be. So that hike of CRS sometimes leads to direct PR sometime leads to a work permit. But that whole process and transition I have seen Africans have been really interested in that because they are losing point on to age. They have every other thing that tick mark every other thing the only thing they lack is the age. But which help of which through LMA the labour market impact assessment they are able to get that CRS as well as they are able to go and fulfill their Canadian dream. To be honest I think you hit the nail on the head there because a lot of people they don't even know that this exists. So a lot of them would just be like okay I'm already you talk to them sometimes and they will be like oh I'm already past the age. So what is it? I'm already done. After a certain age I can't do anything. So they don't even know that this exists that there is a way out for them to be able to still access the direct PR because they can either access as you said the direct PR or the work permit. But they don't even know that this exists so I've spoken to so many whereby I have to change their minds and be like no you can still go to Canada. That is still your dream you can still go. There is a way out for you through this entrepreneurial LMA program. So I mean it's just I think the lack of awareness too is a big factor as well. So apart from the other things we've mentioned the lack of awareness too I think is the main thing because they are also giving a lot of misinformation. Sometimes they give them half information so it's half and half and you know take all their money they go sell all their lands property still at the end of the day they don't get anything. So I think if they come if we come with the right information in place and these people are willing to be able to migrate with themselves and families. I think like I said before it's a perfect match with a perfect solution there. So many of them I like to add here that so many of them you know have heard in UAE they have companies established. I have Africans who have companies in Saudi in UAE in Oman and Gulf countries they have. And those companies believe me they are a very good fit for intra company transfer program also. So so many times I am like okay you didn't even know about ICD but this is a very valid thing keeping in docky. When I look at their company documentation I am like this is a very valid solution that you have wherein you can go on a work permit and later converted to PR. Because initially some people just want to go and see if their business really worth there or not. Just want to open a subsidiary of their parent company and they want to see. And the main thing which they cannot do from Nigeria or any other countries like you know African West African countries especially is the licensing in the corporate documentation. Which in UAE is very strong so that established UAE company can have a very easily available branch in Canada. Through which the owner of the company can transfer. So these programs I think these kind of sensitive information these kind of offbeat this thing. They just feel that okay Canada if the family is not sponsoring there is no sponsorship nothing. And believe me family sponsorship don't work except two or three provinces. They don't work at all. This is a very common myth and I wanted to highlight through your podcast through our podcast today. Is that don't be in any false kind of world. You should know that what options are actually going to work for you. What options are not going to work for you. For example family sponsorships is not going to work for everybody. Spousal sponsorship is not going to work for everybody. So there are certain things sound decisions without wasting time which people should take. And I always say the timely decision is the right decision. There is no decision which is right or wrong. The time of the decision is the right or wrong decision. Absolutely. And the thing like we mentioned earlier which is you know why are these people actually looking for this. What's the reason why they're actually looking to migrate. What are the problems that they're facing. We try to look at it from the positive which is these individuals are looking for a better life. These individuals are looking for better prospects for themselves and their families in terms of work. Better situation. Better health care system. Better education. And one more thing is an eventual citizenship. Because ultimately people are looking for a place whereby they can hold a dual nationality that is strong. Very strong citizenship. Very strong legal passport. Passport is a very important thing. I was coming on to that is that for example Canada is only giving residency right now. And then there are things right when you complete three years out of failure you can apply for citizenship. But so many people are not able to do that and I understand there they have certain things which are holding them back. So they're not unable to complete their residency and simultaneously they also want a strong passport. So this is where most of the clients from Africa they do have a very high demand for citizenship by investment program. And Chinway you specialize in that. So I want you to highlight some of the very lucrative programs and very cost effective solutions for these people. Absolutely. So the thing about the citizenship by investment programs is it's straightforward. I think people always get a little bit bamboozled by the name citizenship by investment. So they get scared what is this maybe it's too technical for me. Maybe it's not even for me but I think anyone who has a clean record and has sufficient funds to be able to acquire the second passport. They do the program. There is no test to be written. There are no interviews. There is no need to give you know I have this managerial experience this long CV work experience no need for anything like that. Nothing of that sort. So it's very straightforward if he has a very clean record very spotless he actually has a weight qualified for the program. And then of course secondly being able to meet the funding requirements. So we have several countries in the Caribbean Island that offer straight away direct citizenship by investment programs. So we have five of them Dominica, Grenada, we have Senusia, we have Tigu and the Buddha. So we have all of these countries available for clients to actually take advantage of. So if they have at least 100,000 US dollars they will be able to meet the donation amount. If they have at least 200,000 US dollars they will be able to meet the investment amount into real estate and through the real estate investment they will be able to get the citizenship. So it's very very straightforward and with that they're holding a stronger legal passport that will be able to access several countries over 130 countries in the world. So they're looking at the whole of the EU, they're looking at countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, China etc. These countries are available for them to access. They can wake up and say you know what I have to be in the UK and just because you've got a passport from Dominica or a passport from St Kitts and Nevis or a Grenada passport you can just go there. Without all I need to go and keep my passport at the embassy or I need to wait and then the visa stamping comes and then maybe it doesn't come. Maybe you get rejected or refuse for one flimsy reason or the other. So it knocks out a lot of these hassles for the clients. So I think for those ones who are just looking for straight away passport and they don't want to let's say fulfill residency requirements, physical residency requirements then this will be the best solution for them. So we've got instances where some of our clients send their families to Canada or for them as maybe businessmen. They're looking for something quick where they are able to just travel freely, expand their businesses, seek out new business opportunities and investment opportunities as well abroad. So they just take up the second citizenship, the second passport and they're able to do that. Whereas you know they have their spouse, children in Canada, children are going to school, free education, all of that and the access and all of that. Yeah I mean it's a very tailored solution that we tend to give our clients where in the male of the family has a different outlook of what he wants at the moment and they want to settle their families in Canada. So it can be a very, I would say a very tailored approach that we can take. For me human tendency is also the same when it comes to global, it's a family decision. It's a very family decision but also at the same time the human brain works in a way that they want everything fast. Everything very quick you know what I mean right. So when they want everything fast then my suggestion and they're okay with direct passports and everything then my suggestion is honestly CBR. Because Canada has its own backlog, has its own wait time and I'm not shying away from that. Today or tomorrow your work will be done but it will take time and that government time is not in my hands because I can only do my part of the work. But at the end of the day it depends on the government itself, the system itself because I cannot work outside the system, I am not the system. So I need you to highlight the timeline for the CBI programs. So that's another wonderful thing about the CBI programs, it's actually taking 4 to 6 months. So we won't got instances where clients have received theirs within 3 months. So of course we always tend to... Yeah we were able to hand over the passport in 3 months. Exactly, just 3 months that's it. So it takes just an average timeline of 4 to 6 months for you know looking at anywhere from 3 months some people get it, 4 months some people get it, 5 months. 6 months is mostly maximum and that might be due to any kind of varying factors maybe coming from the client side or delays coming from the authorities. But typically it does not extend beyond that, just on a normal day it doesn't extend beyond that. So I think that you know when you compare both programs, the Canadian programs does fulfill its own requirements for several clients and then of course the CBI fulfills other requirements for other clients as well. People who are looking for something really fast, who are looking to be able to get the passports and just up and go travel where they want to go to. Maybe they have many business engagements in Asia, they have many business engagements in Europe and again they do not want the hassle of always submitting passports looking for visas. You know being, running the risk of even getting denied or rejected, they do not want any of that at all. So I think that's where a lot of them choose the CBI route, the Citizenship by Investment route. Whereas for those who are looking more into relocation, looking more into a long term plan for their families where they're going to be able to access all these different economic opportunities. Then they get towards Canada and of course eventually knowing fully well that they're going to get citizenship in Canada. So to each one their own journey again, but for each I always say that it's very circumstantial. For me like UAE has been, after Canada UAE has been one of my favourite countries and I'm very happy to be here honestly. Which brings me to the last part of our podcast today in which we are just going to touch base about how UAE has evolved over time. And I personally have seen this in my own life. I have experienced that UAE has been a very business friendly and a very nice country to work in. And also the problem earlier with UAE was about the residency visas which is still a very big myth in people's mind that no, you can't stay in UAE. It has to be linked to the company, it has to be linked to the job or anything. However now there are new visa categories which the UAE has opened for the world. And that is why people from all over the globe are able to come here, they're able to do business here. They're opening companies here, they are making UAE their base and that is for so many good reasons that UAE has and I can go on and on about UAE. But if you in your experience can share with us and touch base with us about the company formation process which is related to mainland and free trade zone both. So if we can just end plus the golden visa. Yes, exactly. So right now in the UAE there are so many opportunities to get residency visa, a proper UAE residency visa. Whether it's through one of the golden visa routes or through company or through let's say the old way of going through employment or being a student. So all of these ways are open. So company formation is one part that really interests me because I've had years of experience opening companies in different jurisdictions within the UAE for our clients. Whether it be just a very simple license, simple business activity to even more complex, more complicated, highly regulated business activities. So we have the experience, we have the capacity and the capability in-house to actually facilitate that for our clients. So we have different jurisdictions. The main ones are the mainland, the free trade zone and the offshore. So I would just say just to distinguish between the three because a lot of people get confused where they should go and open their business to be able to get a visa. If a residency visa is one of the main aims for which you want to operate your business then the offshore is already out of it. So that already gives us one distinction between the three in that a mainland license and a free zone license can grant you a visa or you'll be eligible for a visa having those two. Like an offshore company would not grant you that. And another main difference is that with a mainland and a free zone company, one of them, so the mainland you're able to transact your business within UAE, B2C kind of a business structure within the UAE. But a free zone will only allow you to conduct your business operations within that set free zone where you've gotten the license from. And of course with the offshore you absolutely cannot conduct business within the UAE. You have to conduct your business outside. So I think with these two main distinctions there are so many other ways to differentiate but these are the two main. So of course someone who is coming for the residency visa in mind, the offshore is already striped out. That's typically for our clients who are just wanting quick company formation. They want to be able to transact business, open their offshore accounts and do their business with their international clients. We do that for them. The ones who are looking more for something whereby they can also relocate them, not just them but also their families and even domestic help. Then they should be looking in with a mainland and free zone where there are a variety of business activities to choose from. So yeah, having touched upon all the topics and having said everything that we could and given overview of all the programs that right now we can help people with. And especially when it comes to global mobility which I believe should be a basic right for everybody. And with that belief we are going to come to an end to today's podcast. Tomorrow or day after tomorrow we are going to shoot another podcast which is going to be much more detailed. Specifically dealing with company formation in UAE and it's one of the most asked for topic also. And I get that a lot on my DMs that how to become an entrepreneur in Dubai and how to have my startup move to UAE. So it's a very common topic and in that video we are going to touch upon those topics. Of course me and Chen we are going to highlight some of the key points when you are moving your business to UAE or opening a new business. So stay tuned and if you have any question query concern put in the comments section. We are going to as much as possible we are going to try and answer that. And on this podcast only you will hear many experts talking about different different programs and different topics which might be of your interest. So thank you for watching and thanks Chen.