Application Review
WIMA may review identity, professional background, compliance history, public positioning, and alignment with WIMA standards.
WIMA Membership Framework
Membership Terms & Conditions
These Membership Terms & Conditions set out the core rules, obligations, renewal requirements, designation use, data handling principles, and membership conduct expectations applicable to members of the World Investment Migration Association.
Membership in WIMA is a professional association status. It is not a licence to practise law, immigration advice, tax advice, financial advice, investment advisory services, or government representation. Members are expected to uphold WIMA's standards of professional conduct, disclosure, competence, integrity, and responsible participation in the investment migration sector.
Professional association membership
Standards-based admission and renewal
Controlled use of WIMA designations
Conduct, disclosure, and data obligations
AdmissionDiscretionary review
RenewalDefined membership period
MarksControlled designation use
ConductStandards and disclosure
Scope of Terms
1. Scope of These Terms
These Membership Terms & Conditions apply to all individuals, companies, institutions, certified professionals, fellows, corporate members, applicants, and any other person or organisation accepted into a WIMA membership category.
- Membership is granted at WIMA's discretion.
- Membership does not create employment, agency, partnership, franchise, legal representation, or government-authorised status.
- Membership does not guarantee certification, accreditation, speaking opportunities, directory listing, sponsorship approval, or use of WIMA marks unless separately approved.
- WIMA may maintain separate rules for certification, accreditation, education, events, sponsorship, and disciplinary procedures.
- Where a specific written agreement exists, that agreement may supplement these terms.
Membership Admission
2. Membership Admission
WIMA reviews membership applications according to professional relevance, applicant profile, conduct history, disclosure, membership category, and alignment with WIMA's mission and standards.
Submission of an application, payment of a fee, attendance at an event, completion of a course, or prior association with WIMA does not create an automatic right to membership.
Application Review
Applicants may be required to provide identification, professional background, corporate information, practice areas, regulatory information, references, disclosures, and any other information requested by WIMA. WIMA may approve, reject, defer, or request additional information at its discretion.
Membership Categories
WIMA may offer different membership categories, including individual membership, corporate membership, government and non-profit participation, fellow membership, student or associate categories, certified planner status, and other categories introduced by WIMA from time to time.
No Automatic Right to Membership
WIMA may determine eligibility, category allocation, admission timing, verification requirements, and any additional declarations required before membership is confirmed.
Category Allocation
WIMA may determine the appropriate membership category based on the applicant's profile, role, organisation type, and professional activity.
Disclosure Requirement
Applicants must disclose material information that may affect membership suitability, including conflicts, complaints, sanctions, or conduct concerns.
Admission Decision
WIMA may approve, decline, suspend, or defer an application where further review is required.
Member Obligations
3. Member Obligations
Members must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the reputation, independence, and professional standards of WIMA.
Members remain responsible for their own professional practice, advertising, client communication, and public representations.
Professional Behaviour
Act honestly, professionally, and responsibly, and comply with WIMA's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
No Misleading Claims
Avoid misleading claims about residence, citizenship, investment, timelines, approvals, travel access, or client outcomes.
Current Knowledge
Maintain appropriate professional competence and keep knowledge current in the relevant fields of practice.
Required Conduct
- Disclose conflicts of interest where relevant.
- Use WIMA membership status accurately and only in approved formats.
- Do not imply WIMA endorsement of services, products, programs, outcomes, or advice.
- Do not misuse client information, confidential information, or WIMA materials.
- Do not engage in bribery, corruption, false advertising, document misuse, or unethical referral practices.
Continuing Duties
- Cooperate with WIMA review, audit, complaint, or disciplinary processes where applicable.
- Notify WIMA of material changes affecting membership eligibility.
- Pay applicable membership fees and renewal fees on time.
- Ensure public representations comply with applicable laws, professional obligations, and WIMA standards.
Renewal Policy
4. Renewal Policy
WIMA membership is generally granted for a defined membership period and must be renewed in accordance with WIMA's renewal process.
Renewal Period
Membership is subject to annual or periodic renewal unless otherwise stated by WIMA. Renewal dates, fee schedules, and membership periods may vary by category.
Renewal Requirements
WIMA may require members to confirm contact details, professional status, category eligibility, conduct disclosures, CPD completion, certification status, and payment of renewal fees.
Late Renewal
Failure to renew by the stated deadline may result in suspension, removal from member directories, loss of designation rights, loss of member benefits, or termination.
Reinstatement
Former members may need to submit a new application, pay outstanding fees, complete declarations, or satisfy updated eligibility requirements.
Step 01
Renewal Notice
Members receive a renewal notice or renewal instruction before expiry.
Step 02
Member Confirmation
The member confirms details, eligibility, declarations, and category status.
Step 03
Fee Payment
Applicable renewal fees are paid by the stated deadline.
Step 04
WIMA Review
WIMA reviews renewal eligibility, conduct records, and outstanding obligations.
Step 05
Renewal Confirmation
Approved members receive updated membership confirmation and continued access to eligible benefits.
Designation and Mark Use
5. Use of WIMA Designations, Marks, and Membership References
The WIMA name, logo, membership marks, certification marks, directory listings, and professional designations are controlled assets of WIMA and may only be used in accordance with WIMA's written rules.
Membership status belongs only to the approved member and cannot be transferred without WIMA approval.
Approved Reference Formats
Approved members may refer to their membership category only in the format authorised by WIMA. Use must be accurate, current, non-misleading, and limited to the approved member or organisation.
Member, World Investment Migration Association
Corporate Member, World Investment Migration Association
WIMA Certified Residence & Citizenship Planner
Fellow of WIMA
No Implied Authority or Outcome
- No guaranteed residence or citizenship approval.
- No government authorisation or adviser licence claim.
- No WIMA endorsement of a specific client outcome, investment product, or immigration program.
- No certification status where certification has not been granted.
- No membership status after expiry, suspension, or termination.
Logo and Certificate Use
WIMA may issue digital membership certificates, verification records, directory listings, or approved logo files. These must not be altered, transferred, sublicensed, resold, copied into misleading materials, or used by unauthorised individuals or entities.
Fees and Refund Policy
6. Fees and Refund Policy
Membership fees support WIMA's professional standards, member services, research, education, events, verification systems, and association operations.
Application and Review Fees
May cover administrative review, eligibility screening, and membership processing.
Membership and Renewal Fees
Support continued access to eligible member benefits, association resources, and WIMA systems.
Refund Review
Refund requests are reviewed according to the payment type, processing stage, and WIMA's published policy.
| Clause | Policy | Member Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 Membership Fees | Applicable fees may vary by membership category, member type, jurisdiction, application route, certification status, event participation, directory listing, or additional services. | Review the applicable fee schedule before applying or renewing. |
| 6.2 Payment | Membership fees must be paid in full by the applicable deadline unless WIMA has approved another arrangement in writing. | Ensure payment is complete and traceable by the stated deadline. |
| 6.3 Non-Payment | Failure to pay applicable fees may result in delayed admission, suspension, non-renewal, removal from directories, or termination of membership benefits. | Resolve outstanding fees before expiry or review dates. |
| 6.4 Refunds | Application, membership, renewal, certification-related, directory, and event-related fees are generally non-refundable once processing has begun, unless WIMA states otherwise in writing. | Confirm the fee type and processing status before requesting a refund. |
| 6.5 Duplicate or Error Payments | Where a duplicate payment or clear payment error occurs, WIMA may review whether a refund, credit, or adjustment is appropriate. | Submit supporting payment evidence promptly. |
| 6.6 Rejected Applications | Where an application is declined, WIMA may determine whether any portion of the fee is refundable depending on the fee type, review stage, administrative processing, and published policy. | Review the applicable application terms before submission. |
Suspension and Termination
7. Suspension, Termination, and Disciplinary Action
WIMA may suspend, restrict, decline renewal, or terminate membership where conduct, non-payment, misuse of WIMA marks, false information, reputational risk, or breach of WIMA standards is identified.
Upon suspension, expiry, or termination, the member must immediately stop using current affiliation references.
Grounds
- False, incomplete, or misleading application information.
- Failure to pay applicable fees.
- Misuse of WIMA name, logo, certificate, designation, or directory listing.
- Misleading client or public communication.
- Misrepresentation of residence or citizenship outcomes.
Review
- Serious professional misconduct.
- Failure to cooperate with WIMA review or disciplinary procedures.
- Breach of WIMA Code of Ethics or Professional Conduct.
- Undisclosed conflicts of interest.
- Conduct likely to harm WIMA's reputation, independence, or professional mission.
Effect of Termination
Upon suspension, expiry, or termination, the member must immediately stop using WIMA membership references, designations, logos, certificates, directory status, and any statement suggesting current affiliation with WIMA. WIMA may maintain a separate disciplinary process for complaints, investigations, sanctions, appeals, publication of outcomes, and reinstatement conditions.
Member Data Policy
8. Member Data Policy
WIMA may collect, process, store, and use member data for membership administration, verification, directory listings, certification records, event participation, education access, compliance review, and professional communication.
Name and contact details
Organisation and role
Country or region
Membership category
Certification or designation status
Payment and renewal records
Professional background
Disclosure and eligibility information
Directory listing information
Complaint, review, or disciplinary information
Use of Member Data
WIMA may use member data to manage membership records, verify status, publish approved directory listings, communicate with members, process renewals, administer certification, review compliance, and protect WIMA systems.
Directory Listings
Where a member is listed in a WIMA directory, WIMA may display selected professional information such as name, organisation, country, membership category, certification status, verification status, and approved profile details.
Data Accuracy
Members are responsible for keeping their information accurate and up to date. WIMA may remove or suspend listings where information appears inaccurate, outdated, misleading, or unauthorised.
Confidentiality
WIMA may treat certain application, review, complaint, and disciplinary information as confidential, subject to WIMA policies, member consent, professional obligations, and applicable legal requirements.
Member Communications
9. Member Communications
Members may receive communications relating to membership administration, renewal, standards updates, education, events, reports, policy briefings, certification, directory status, and association announcements.
Members are responsible for ensuring that WIMA has current contact details. Failure to receive a notice due to outdated contact information does not remove the member's obligation to comply with renewal deadlines, fee requirements, or membership obligations.
Amendments to Terms
10. Amendments to These Terms
WIMA may amend these Membership Terms & Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in membership structure, professional standards, verification systems, certification rules, data practices, operational requirements, or association governance.
Updated terms may be published on the WIMA website or communicated to members through appropriate WIMA channels. Continued membership, renewal, use of membership benefits, or use of WIMA designations after publication of updated terms may be treated as acceptance of the updated terms.
Important Membership Disclaimer
11. Important Membership Disclaimer
Professional Association Status Only
WIMA membership does not constitute legal authorisation, immigration adviser licensing, government approval, tax qualification, financial advisory status, investment approval, or guaranteed professional endorsement. Members remain responsible for their own professional obligations, regulatory compliance, client communication, advertising, advice, fees, contracts, data handling, and conduct.
WIMA may provide standards, education, verification, research, events, directories, and professional association services. WIMA does not guarantee any residence outcome, citizenship outcome, investment result, visa access, processing timeline, or client approval.
Contact and Review
12. Contact and Membership Review
Questions regarding membership terms, renewal, designations, data records, membership status, directory listings, or use of WIMA marks may be submitted to WIMA for review.
Membership in Good Standing
Maintain Membership in Good Standing
WIMA members are expected to maintain accurate records, renew on time, comply with professional standards, use WIMA designations responsibly, and uphold the integrity of the international investment migration profession.