The European Commission has called for an overhaul of regulations surrounding so-called golden passports whose holders are allowed visa-free access to the EU. In doing so, the Commission revealed that just five Caribbean states had sold 88,000 passports between them. Of those, tiny Dominica had sold 34,500.

Thousands of Ukrainians are entering Estonia on Polish work visas that leave them open to exploitation.

Claims that a convicted New Zealand drug trafficker bribed his way out of being deported have been referred to a federal anti-corruption agency, Secretary Michael Pezzulo of Australia’s Home Affairs department told a Senate Estimates hearing on Friday.

For almost a decade, corrupt politicians and wealthy businessmen have purchased European passports using dirty money. In January, the European Commission finally delivered its response. But rather than urging action, many of its toughest demands were withdrawn.

The flag of Cyprus, reimagined for the island country’s new investor citizens. Photo: Edin Pasovic / OCCRP

For refugees and poor migrants, travel can be terrifying, with no guarantee of a welcome at the end. For the one percent,​ ​it's a different story, as a growing number of cash-strapped countries invite them in​ ​—​ ​as long as they bring plenty of money.

A billionaire businessman with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin has bought a Cypriot passport through a controversial scheme that allows rich investors to acquire citizenship and visa-free access to the European Union, according to documents obtained exclusively by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and The Guardian.

The flag of Cyprus, reimagined for the island country’s new investor citizens. Photo: Edin Pasovic / OCCRP