Regulatory Status and Disclosures
What we are, what we are not, how we are paid, and the risks in what this site describes. Stated plainly rather than buried.
Last updated 6 September 2026 · Questions: use the contact form
Our status
goldenvisas.ai publishes research and commentary. It does not carry on regulated activity through this website, does not hold client money, does not arrange or advise on regulated investments through the site, and does not lend.
We make no claim to be authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or by any other financial regulator. If you see any statement on this site suggesting otherwise, it is an error — report it through the contact form on this site and we will correct it.
Luke D. Coupe holds the Chartered Wealth Manager designation (CISI Level 7). That is a professional qualification held by an individual. It is not, and should not be read as, authorisation of this website or of any firm to conduct regulated business.
What we are not
We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. We are not a tax adviser and do not provide tax advice. We are not an immigration adviser and do not prepare or submit applications. We are not a bank, a lender or a credit broker. We are not a government agency and have no role in any government decision.
Immigration, tax and legal questions must go to a professional qualified and, where required, licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Risks in portfolio-backed borrowing
Much of this site discusses funding a residency or citizenship investment by borrowing against a securities portfolio rather than selling it. That structure carries specific risks, and they are not hypothetical.
- Leverage magnifies loss as well as gain. A fall in the value of your portfolio increases the effective cost of the strategy.
- A Lombard or margin facility is secured on your securities. If their value falls below the lender’s threshold, the lender can demand more collateral or repayment at short notice.
- The lender can usually sell your holdings without your consent, at a time not of your choosing, which may crystallise both a loss and a tax charge.
- Rates are typically variable, and the facility is typically repayable on demand.
- The underlying residency or citizenship investment is usually illiquid and often non-refundable, so it cannot be sold to meet a margin call.
- Currency movement can change the cost of a foreign-denominated obligation independently of investment performance.
Programme risk
Residency and citizenship programmes are creatures of policy and can be amended, suspended or closed. Changes have in the past applied to applications already in progress. Approval is never guaranteed, due diligence can be failed, and a refusal does not necessarily return your outlay.
How we are paid, and conflicts
Where we introduce a client to a lender, fund, developer or professional adviser, we may receive a fee or commission from that party. That creates a conflict of interest between the recommendation that suits you and the one that pays us.
We will tell you, before you commit to anything, whether we expect to be paid by a third party in connection with it and on what basis. If you would rather pay a fee and remove the conflict entirely, say so and we will quote for that instead.
Complaints
If something we have published or said has caused you a problem, send us the detail through the contact form on this site. We will acknowledge within five working days and respond substantively within four weeks. Because the site does not conduct regulated activity, the Financial Ombudsman Service is not available in respect of it; if you engage us or an associated firm for regulated services, the complaints route applicable to that engagement will be set out in the engagement letter.