Malta investment insights: immVest International Ltd CEO Roderick Cutajar

Roderick Cutajar is the CEO and co-Founder of immVest International Ltd, an approved accredited agent specialising in the provision of residency and citizenship by investment solutions. He is also at the helm of Gallant Management Consultancy Ltd, which offers strategic HR solutions for enterprises, as well as immVest Properties Ltd, a company specialising in real estate advisory.

What are the benefits of applying for residency in Malta?

There are many benefits but the most important ones are the opportunity to settle indefinitely on the islands of Malta, thus acquiring permanently a second home in Europe, and visa-free access in the Schengen zone for six months in every 12 months. There are of course other residency schemes available, however the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP), launched in 2016 and run by Residency Malta Agency, continues to attract hundreds of investors to Malta. The programme is based on a very robust legal framework.

What is the process by which prospective applicants can start their enquiries and how does immVest International aid in this regard?

 As an accredited agent, and one of the most experienced on the island, immVest International has submitted hundreds of successful MPRP and residency-to-citizenship cases. All enquiries are attended to in a timely and professional manner by our team of lawyers and experts in the immigration business. We guide prospective applicants to make the appropriate selection for them and their families. Malta’s programmes are very popular, and whoever applies is made aware immediately of the thorough due diligence processes. We do our own KYC (passport check, identity check, adverse media checks, etc) prior to on-boarding clients. immVest International collaborates with international reputable immigration companies interested in promoting Malta and the Maltese programmes.

What, in your view, is the potential impact of the EU’s proceedings against Malta’s residency-to-citizenship scheme?

Malta’s residency-to-citizenship programme is one of the most rigorous, in terms of enhanced due diligence. It is pertinent to point out that for an application to be accepted, it must go through a significant number of checks and balances.

Trained and skilled due diligence experts scrutinise the data and information provided by applicants, especially net worth and source. Komunità Malta, the agency managing and leading the residency-to-citizenship programme, has already stated that the Government of Malta believes it is not in breach of the principle of sincere cooperation, as stipulated in Article (43) of the Treaty of the European Union (TEU), and that its legislative framework of citizenship by investment fully respects the provisions as laid down in the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

From a personal standpoint, should a decision be taken to stop the programme, many local agents, and Malta’s economy, will be impacted negatively. I believe the programme may be amended – and there is room for that – to satisfy all parties.

This feature was first carried in the Malta Invest 2024 edition. Malta Invest is the first-ever comprehensive international investment guide focusing on Malta as a destination. It is produced by Content House Group.