In the realm of global wealth management, the strategic planning of residence, citizenship, and education is becoming increasingly pivotal for India's affluent families. This shift is not merely a trend but a reflection of the evolving dynamics of international business, education, and asset distribution. At the Hubbis India Wealth Management Forum 2026, Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, shed light on this critical aspect of wealth planning, emphasizing the growing importance of residence, citizenship, and education in the affairs of India's wealthy families.
The Globalization of Indian Wealth
Indian wealth is no longer confined to the borders of the country. Children are studying and working overseas, family businesses are operating across markets, and assets are spread across different jurisdictions. This globalization has brought residence, mobility, and education planning to the forefront of discussions that were once dominated by investments, tax, trusts, and estate planning. For many families, the immediate objective is flexibility. A second residence can provide improved mobility or a safe haven if circumstances change. Education decisions can be planned with a child's future career in mind. Tax and lifestyle considerations may also come into play when contemplating relocation.
The Role of Global Indian Families
Global Indian families are driving the demand for residence and citizenship planning. International businesses, overseas education, cross-border assets, and family members living in different countries are making these plans more relevant. Many high net worth (HNW) families want additional residence rights or mobility without any immediate plan to leave India. European residence programs, for instance, can offer Indian nationals easier access to the Schengen Area, while other programs provide different residence or citizenship benefits.
The Importance of Optionality
Optionality is a major client objective. A second residence can provide a contingency plan, especially in the face of geopolitical and policy uncertainty. For many Indian clients, the attraction lies in having another option available without committing to an immediate move. This is particularly relevant in the context of the Indian passport, which may face visa requirements across several major destinations, making European residence programs especially appealing.
Education and the Next Generation
Education is a significant source of demand from India, especially when families are looking at the US. Henley & Partners' education advisory team works with families considering schools and universities across the US, UK, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, as well as Singapore, Dubai, and Australia. However, families should think beyond the admissions process. A student visa may allow a child to complete a degree, but the family may also want that child to gain work experience and establish a career in the same market.
Tax, Lifestyle, and Legacy
Tax considerations come into play mainly where a client is open to physically relocating. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, and Hong Kong are attractive jurisdictions for wealthy international families. However, the tax outcome depends on whether they do so and on the residence rules that apply to their circumstances. Lifestyle factors, such as climate, air quality, healthcare, community, and eventual retirement plans, can also influence where families choose to establish a base.
Finding the Right Programme
Well-known programs tend to dominate the conversation, but the available choices are much wider. Henley & Partners works across more than 60 residence and citizenship options and describes its approach as program agnostic. The starting point is the client's situation and what the family wants the additional residence or citizenship to achieve. This can produce very different answers depending on whether the family is looking for easier Schengen travel, planning a child's long-term future in the US, or preparing to relocate.
The Role of Advisers
Henley & Partners works with advisers through referrals, joint mandates, and meetings where its specialists sit alongside the client's existing advisory team. The presentation stressed that Henley's role is intended to complement the adviser rather than take over the wider relationship. Some advisers prefer to introduce the client and leave Henley & Partners to handle the specialist work, while others remain closely involved because the residence decision is being considered alongside tax, wealth structuring, succession, or another part of an existing mandate.
Conclusion
Residence, citizenship, and education planning will not be relevant to every Indian family. However, for those whose businesses, children, and assets are already international, it is becoming a practical part of planning what comes next. In my opinion, the key takeaway is that these plans are not just about the immediate objective but also about building flexibility and optionality for the future. As Dominic Volek emphasized, ignoring this topic does not mean it disappears; it will be discussed elsewhere.
