Many wealthy families strive to secure asset preservation, particularly those residing in regions marked by economic and political uncertainty.

As a high-net-worth individual or investor based in a country facing an uncertain future, several options are available to you for preserving your financial assets, including the stock market, geographical diversification, and investing in real estate.

One particular niche is attracting an increasing number of high-net-worth investors who seek to avoid the kind of unpredictable fluctuations that have characterised the stock market over the past few years: the financial products of the exempt market form excellent examples of alternative investments.

High net-worth individuals (HNWIs) often have a great deal of income at their disposal but are not able to put it to effective use within their home country. As a participant in a citizenship by investment Program, a HNWI is afforded a significant amount of freedom and flexibility -- attractive advantages for you and your family if you currently reside in a country that has a volatile economic or political landscape.

While each individual's situation can vary widely, there are three general types of HNWIs that tend to look for a citizenship by investment program. 

Located in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda attracts tourists from all over the world in search of an unforgettable holiday: cruise, sailing, scuba diving, cricket and golf, romantic getaway, rest on a bright white sand beach and turquoise water, carnival show, etc.

Apart from the undeniable touristic attraction of this country, it is the acquisition of a villa in Antigua that encourage affluent families to become more and more interested in this Caribbean gem: indeed, buying a luxury property approved by Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program allows these families to apply for a passport enabling them to travel to more than 130 countries without a visa, while enjoying a peaceful place for their vacation or a potential rental income.

As a high net-worth investor,  you have many options when it comes to selecting a country in which to settle with your family.

Numerous countries around the world offer business immigration programs, all with different admission criteria and advantages. These include Canada, the United States, Australia, and several countries in Europe, as well as certain Caribbean islands, such as Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and others.

Over the past 20 years, in the global financial system, the alternative investments industry has become a key component in the wealth preservation strategy of investors. As reported by the World Economic Forum in their 2015 issue ''Alternative Investment 2020: An Introduction to Alternative Investments'', the alternative investment industry today represents more than $7 trillion in capital invested across the globe and is increasing at an impressive rate (see below chart) ¹.

Many parts of the world have been affected by recent economic crises and political uncertainty. If you are a high net-worth investor living in a country whose situation is unstable and lacking in growth, you have at least five good reasons to seek permanent residence elsewhere, in order to safeguard not only your family’s future, but also your financial assets.

It's easy to look around at all the ways in which technology has made modern life better and assume that the world has become a safer, kinder place. Unfortunately, political strife and war are still very much a part of the global landscape — and families must be prepared.

Even if you live somewhere that you consider to be stable, there's just no telling how quickly changes in governments or social uprisings can turn a peaceful society into one that pits the "haves" and "have-nots" against each other. If you're not prepared with a safety plan for both your loved ones and your assets, the time to build one is now.

An increasing number of wealthy individuals seek to obtain a second nationality through a program of citizenship by investment, as a means to safeguard their future.

Westmount, Montreal, Quebec

As a wealthy family looking to establish yourself in Canada, you will first have to find the best place to live. Security, beautiful landscape, renown private schools, peaceful parks and a great cultural life are some of the aspects to consider before deciding on buying a property, for a better quality of life. You will certainly find these advantages in Canada’s most luxurious districts.

The world feels like a very different place today than it did even just six months ago, and it can be incredibly difficult to predict where the geopolitical scene is heading in the future. Conventional wisdom, after all, didn't accurately predict Brexit and the European Union's uncertain future, nor did the media correctly assess the political movement that elected Donald Trump in November 2016.