Education & Training

A Qualified Difference

The Investment Migration Council has established a global education and training division to facilitate and build courses that offer qualifications and training for those working in the ever-growing investment migration industry.

The development, or rather the apparent lack, of global standards has become one of most pressing issues facing investment migration. Many believe the recent criticism of EU institutions and international organisations will only become louder as the industry continues on its growth trajectory. The main concerns surround the lack of transparency, weak due diligence processes, possible tax evasion, money laundering, and other misuses of existing schemes. While such criticism may seem overwhelming and even unfair to honest players in the investment migration industry, the lack of global standards, which would protect those acting in good faith, takes its toll. It also makes it an easy target for criticism. This is why the Investment Migration Council (IMC) believes that global standards, education and qualifications for those working in the investment migration industry will contribute to a well-respected industry.

A Platform for Education

Bringing together the leading stakeholders in the field of investment migration with nearly 500 members, the IMC may be used as a platform to gather all areas of the industry together to help establish professional standards, benchmarks, competencies, codes of conduct and best practices for those working in or associated with the industry. To that end, the global IMC Education and Training (IMCET) division has been established. IMCET will provide education and training for all levels of staff and experience. The core objectives of IMCET include the following:
• Development of professional competencies and standards for those working in the investment migration industry;
• Certificated learning opportunities that lead to IMC professional status;
• Education and training for all levels of staff;
• Delivery of professional training and ongoing competency development.

The educational and training programmes offered by the IMC and the resulting qualifications will build solid ground for further professionalisation and responsible growth of the industry. There will be three different levels of qualifications: Certification in Investment Migration; Diploma in Investment Migration; and Post-Graduate Diploma in Investment Migration.

The Certification in Investment Migration is an intermediate level course to be studied over six months. This practical introduction will lead to a professional status with the IMC and is bench-marked at Associate level for those working in the investment migration industry. The course will be taught online through IMC’s learning management system and will offer a total of five compulsory modules. Those who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the IMC Certification in Investment Migration.

The Diploma in Investment Migration will be a course to be studied over a 12-month period. This programme will lead to Professional status within the IMC and will be the benchmarked professional level for those working in the industry. This will be the first global investment migration course of its type at this level. Therefore, specific entry requirements will apply. Those who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the IMC Diploma in Investment Migration.

Finally, the IMC Postgraduate Diploma in Investment Migration will be a specialist qualification designed for senior practitioners working in, associated with or who aspire to work within, the investment migration industry. It will be studied over a 12-month period. This will be the flagship qualification of the industry. It will combine academic rigour with a practical and applied approach. It is designed for those senior managers who will lead the industry into its next phase of development. Therefore, more strict entry requirements will apply. On completing the Postgraduate Diploma, applicants will be awarded the highest level of professional membership awarded by the IMC: Fellowship.