Updated
GL-I-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
IMC - the professional association of the citizenship and residence by investment industry
Investment Migration Council — the international industry association of the investment migration sector, which sets the standards and ethics of the industry.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- The Investment Migration Council — the global association of the investment migration industry
- Why
- Sets the industry’s standards, ethics and professionalism
- Who is included
- Firms, lawyers and specialists in citizenship and residence
- What it gives the client
- A guide: work with members of the professional community
- How to use it
- Check the consultant’s place in the industry
02 / In plain words
What IMC means
The IMC (Investment Migration Council) is the international industry association of investment migration — the field of citizenship and residence by investment. In essence it is a professional community that brings together the firms, lawyers and consultants working in this area and sets common rules for it.
The IMC’s role is standardisation and building trust in the industry: the association develops standards of practice and a code of ethics, runs educational programmes and conferences, and serves as a platform for dialogue with states and regulators. This helps separate professional, conscientious players from casual intermediaries and increases the industry’s transparency.
For the client the IMC is an indirect but useful guide: a consultant’s membership of the professional community and adherence to industry standards speak to the seriousness of their approach. Investment migration is a mature industry with its own rules, not a “grey” market. We work in line with these professional standards: transparency, honest assessment of programmes and protecting the client’s interests.
A case from practice
A client is comparing consultants and sees an extremely low price from one of them, with promises of “guarantees”. Knowing that the industry has professional standards and ethics helps them become wary: serious work involves honest assessment and transparency, not loud promises and undercutting.
Where the IMC context matters
- Assessing a consultant’s professionalism
- Understanding the industry’s standards
- Trust in the investment migration industry
- Industry analysis and data
- The industry’s dialogue with states
- Ethics in working with clients
03 / What it covers
What matters about the IMC
What it is
- An industry association
- A professional community
- Global reach
Role
- Standards of practice
- A code of ethics
- Education and data
Who is included
- Firms
- Lawyers
- Consultants
For the client
- A guide to trust
- A sign of the industry’s maturity
- Transparency
04 / How it works
How to use this guide
Understand that the industry is professional
Investment migration is an industry with its own rules.
Check the consultant’s approach
How they assess your chances and what they promise.
Assess transparency and ethics
Terms, fees and the adviser's role are set out in the contract.
Choose a conscientious partner
A partner with an honest assessment and transparent terms.
Working to standards
The application is prepared to industry standards.
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01What it is
An industry association
The Investment Migration Council brings together firms, lawyers and advisers in investment migration.
02What it does
Standards and ethics
A code of ethics, professional standards, training, conferences, dialogue with governments.
03What it is not
Not a government body
The IMC does not grant citizenship or residence. States do.
04For the client
A guide when choosing
Following industry standards signals a serious approach by an adviser.
Common mistakes
Seeing the industry as a grey market
Choose an adviser who works to professional standards.
Believing promises of "guarantees"
Expect an honest assessment of your chances: the state makes the decision.
Choosing on price alone
Compare transparency of terms and the approach to due diligence, not just price.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
When choosing a citizenship and residence consultant, it helps to understand that investment migration is a mature industry with its own standards and ethics, set among others by the IMC. It is worth assessing the transparency of the approach, the honesty of the programme assessment and the protection of your interests, not only the cost of services. That way you work with professionals rather than casual intermediaries.
What we do for you. We work in line with the professional standards of the investment migration industry: honest assessment of programmes, transparent conditions and protection of your interests. Investment migration is a mature industry with its own rules, and we approach your task as professionals, not as casual intermediaries.
Sergej EvdokimovFounder and managing partner. Strategy, capital, complex cases
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The Investment Migration Council — the international industry association of investment migration, bringing together firms, lawyers and consultants and setting the industry’s standards.
It develops standards of practice and a code of ethics, runs educational programmes and conferences, conducts dialogue with states and increases the industry’s transparency.
It is a guide: investment migration is a mature industry with its own rules, not a “grey” market. A consultant’s membership of the professional community speaks to the seriousness of their approach.
No. It is an industry association, not a state body. Citizenship and residence are granted by states; the IMC only sets professional standards for the industry.
Assess the transparency of the conditions, the honesty of the programme assessment and the protection of your interests, not just the price. Undercutting and loud “guarantees” are reasons for caution.
Yes, we work in line with the industry’s professional ethics: transparency, honest assessment and putting the client’s interests first are the foundation of our work.
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