Migration Group: reviews & investigation
Migration Group sells a very appealing pitch: 11 years of experience, a 9% rejection rate, offices in 6 countries. But the main domain wasn't registered until 2016. The Russian LLC showed up in 2018. And the Moscow office? Yandex Maps marks it as closed. Sounds good on paper. Let's check.
Who is Migration Group and what do they actually sell
Services: Citizenship by investment (Malta, Caribbean, Vanuatu), EU residence permits (Greece, Italy, Spain, France), permanent residency (Malta, Cyprus), real estate sourcing, bank account opening.
Claimed founding: 2014 (on Malta). Domain registered: June 28, 2016.
Service packages: Basic, Optimal, Comfort (from €4,700).
Claimed track record: 67 approved citizenship cases, 9% rejection rate, 98 EU residence permits issued.
Phones: +356 99 76 76 93 (Malta), +30 698 070 3826 (Greece). No published Russian phone number.
Email: [email protected]
Websites: migrgroup.com, migrgroup-caribbean.com, migrgroup-greece.com
Moscow address (claimed): ul. Malaya Nikitskaya, 3. Yandex Maps shows: Malaya Nikitskaya, 27, str. 4 (status: "no longer working").
Malta address: 13, BLK A, Triton Mansion, Touristic Street, Bugibba, St. Paul's Bay.
Key fact: The company claims "11 years of experience." Its Russian LLC was registered in September 2018. That's a six-year gap between the story and the Russian paperwork.
Trust Score
Based on 1.45/5 from verified data points. Scam Detector scores this domain at 65.5/100 ("likely legit, low risk") but that tool measures site age and technical signals, not actual client outcomes.
Who's actually behind Migration Group: checking the paperwork
Russian legal entity
The Russian company is LLC "Migration Group" (Russian: ООО «Мигрейшн Груп»), INN 7703465410. Registered on September 21, 2018. Status: active. The general director is Evgeny Georgievich Bodishtyanu. The registered legal address on file is: 123290, Moscow, Prichalny Proezd, 2, bld. 1, apt. 411 (a residential address, which raises its own questions). The company claims to have been operating since 2014, but this LLC didn't exist until 2018.
Malta legal entity
RM Estates Limited is registered in Malta under company number C 56844, incorporated in 2012. This is the older of the two entities. Licensed Malta agent: Mark Haizler, license number AKM-HYZL-22, verified through the Malta Residency and Visa Agency (MRVA). This is a real, verifiable credential.
Domain records
The main domain migrgroup.com was registered on June 28, 2016 (RDAP data, Hosting Ukraine LLC as registrar). It expires June 28, 2026. The same registrar holds migrgroup-caribbean.com (registered September 2, 2019) and migrgroup-greece.com (registered September 23, 2019). All three use NS servers: NS12/NS22/NS32.INHOSTEDNS.COM/NET/ORG. Check Web Archive for the site's history.
Founders and key people (public record)
The company's leadership is publicly named, which is a positive sign. Evgeny Bodishtyanu is listed as CEO and co-founder. Snezhana Bodishtyanu is a managing partner and an accredited Malta government agent. Sergey Bezukhov is listed as co-founder and CEO on some platforms. Anna Shumskaya runs the Athens office and holds a Greek real estate license. No court judgments, regulatory warnings from Russia's Central Bank, or Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) notices were found against any of these individuals as of our research date.
Date discrepancy summary: The company says "founded 2014." But the domain went live in 2016, the Russian LLC formed in 2018, and the Caribbean site appeared in 2019. The Malta entity (RM Estates, 2012) predates all of this. The most likely explanation is a rebrand or restructuring. But the company hasn't explained the gap publicly.
Migration Group risk analysis: 5 things to know before paying
| Area | Risk | What we found | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | high | Service fees not published on any website. The Comfort package starts at €4,700 but total costs include government fees, due diligence fees, real estate or donation requirements, translation, notarization, and travel. For Malta, total outlay can exceed €800,000. For Caribbean programs, minimums start at $100,000 in investment plus service fees on top. | Request a full, itemized cost breakdown before signing anything. Ask specifically what's included in the service fee and what gets billed separately. |
| Contract | medium | The company works via a formal Service Agreement with an NDA clause. Pricing is fixed in the contract. The NDA prevents clients from discussing terms publicly, which limits independent review of contract quality. | Get the full contract text before paying. Have a lawyer outside Migration Group review it. The NDA is standard in premium immigration consulting but does reduce transparency. |
| Timelines | medium | Ranges vary widely: Vanuatu citizenship claimed at 45 days, Malta at 12 to 36 months, Bulgaria at up to 6 years in the standard track. The company does not publish client-specific timeline histories. | Ask for a written timeline specific to your program. Get the worst-case scenario in writing. Government delays are common and typically fall outside the company's control or refund obligations. |
| Risks | high | The Moscow office appears closed per Yandex Maps. The founding date story doesn't match the registration records. Caribbean license numbers are not disclosed. A July 2025 critical article alleges lack of financial transparency. No Trustpilot or Google reviews exist despite the firm claiming 11 years of operation. | Verify current office status by calling ahead. Request proof of Caribbean program authorization in writing. The absence of public reviews for a company this size is unusual and worth investigating before committing funds. |
| Refunds | high | The company claims refunds are available if rejection is caused by company error. But according to the company's own FAQ, Caribbean program prepayments are non-refundable on government rejection, regardless of who is at fault. | If you're applying through a Caribbean program, your upfront payment may be gone if the government says no. Read the refund clause three times. Ask what specifically counts as "company error" and get the definition written into the contract. |
Migration Group: red flags and green lights
| ✅ | Verifiable Malta license: Agent Mark Haizler holds license AKM-HYZL-22, checkable through the Malta Residency and Visa Agency official registry. This is a real credential, not a made-up title. |
| ✅ | Two active legal entities: LLC "Migration Group" (Russia, INN 7703465410, active since 2018) and RM Estates Limited (Malta, C 56844, active since 2012) are both registered and in good standing based on public registry data. |
| ✅ | Named leadership with verifiable identities: Founders Evgeny and Snezhana Bodishtyanu, Sergey Bezukhov, and Anna Shumskaya are named publicly. No criminal records or regulatory warnings were found against any of them. |
| ✅ | Corporate email on own domain: The company uses [email protected] rather than free email services. All three domains (main, Caribbean, Greece) are hosted consistently through Hosting Ukraine LLC. |
| ⚠️ | Moscow office status unclear: Yandex Maps lists the address at Malaya Nikitskaya, 27, str. 4 with a "no longer working" tag. The company's marketing still shows a Moscow presence. These two things don't match. |
| ⚠️ | Caribbean license numbers not disclosed: Migration Group claims official agent status for multiple Caribbean citizenship programs but doesn't publish the specific authorization numbers on its websites. Ask for them in writing before signing. |
| ⚠️ | Very few independent reviews for an 11-year operation: Only 3 reviews on migrating.pro (rating 3.7/5). Zero reviews on Trustpilot, Google, or major international platforms. For a firm that claims 67 citizenship approvals, that's a thin public trail. |
| ❌ | Founding year doesn't match the paperwork: The company says "founded 2014." But the main domain was registered June 28, 2016, and the Russian LLC appeared September 2018. A two-to-four year gap between the story and the records requires an explanation the company hasn't given publicly. |
| ❌ | Non-refundable Caribbean prepayments: The company's own FAQ confirms that upfront payments for Caribbean programs are not returned if the government denies the application. This is a significant financial risk for clients. The company frames it as "guarantees a refund if rejection is our fault" but government rejection is the most common outcome for problematic applicants, not company error. |
| ❌ | Critical investigative article published July 2025: A piece titled "Fake Hopes: Exposing the Immigration Company Migrgroup" alleged lack of transparent financial reporting and slow client responses. This hasn't been addressed publicly by the company. |
| ❌ | Zero presence on major international review platforms: No Trustpilot profile, no BBB listing, no Google Business reviews in English-language markets. Given that the firm targets international clients with $100,000+ investments, this absence is hard to explain. |
Migration Group vs competitors: which is better value
The highlighted column is the company under review. best = best in category, worst = worst in category, mixed = depends on case.
| Parameter | Migration Group ★ | Henley & Partners | CS Global Partners | DIY (no consultant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service fee | from €4,700 mixed | $25,000-$75,000+ expensive | $8,000-$30,000 | $0 cheapest |
| Published pricing | Not published opaque | Partial (on request) | Partial (on request) | Government fees are public transparent |
| Independent reviews | 3 reviews total very few | 500+ on multiple platforms verified | Moderate presence | N/A |
| Malta license | AKM-HYZL-22 (verifiable) confirmed | Multiple verified licenses | Verified Malta agent | You apply directly no support |
| Office locations | Claims 6 countries; Moscow office status unclear mixed | 35+ countries, all verified | Multiple offices, London HQ | None needed |
| Refund policy | Non-refundable for Caribbean on gov. rejection risky | Varies by program | Varies by program | Gov. fees rarely refundable |
What to check before paying Migration Group anything
- Contract: Get the full Service Agreement text before transferring a single euro. Look specifically for the refund clause and what qualifies as "company error." If refunds for Caribbean programs are excluded on government rejection, that needs to be in writing and understood upfront.
- License verification: Ask for the specific authorization number for your chosen program country (not just the Malta one). Caribbean CBI programs (Antigua, St. Kitts, Grenada, Dominica) each have their own agent registries. Request the numbers and verify them directly with each government.
- Office check: Call the Moscow number before any meeting and confirm the physical address is operational. Yandex Maps marks it as closed. If you're traveling to meet them, don't show up without confirmation.
- Legal entity: Request the full company registration details for the entity that will sign your contract. INN 7703465410 is the Russian LLC. Check it via the Russian Federal Tax Service EGRUL database yourself. If they want you to sign with a Malta entity, verify C 56844 via the Malta Business Registry.
- Cost breakdown: Ask for an itemized quote separating the service fee from government fees, due diligence charges, translation costs, notarization, real estate acquisition (if required), and any post-approval taxes. Total costs for Malta citizenship can run to €800,000+.
- Timeline in writing: Get the expected processing timeline for your specific program documented in the contract. Include what happens if government delays extend beyond the estimate. Ask whether the service fee still applies if the process takes 3 years instead of 12 months.
- Client references: Ask for contact information for at least two past clients who completed the process end-to-end. A company with 67 approved citizenships should have clients willing to speak with you. If they can't provide this, that's worth noting.
- Payment structure: Understand exactly which milestone triggers each payment. Ask what portion is refundable at each stage and under what conditions. Don't pay in full upfront for any service.
Frequently asked questions about Migration Group
Is Migration Group a legitimate company or a scam?
It's neither a clear-cut scam nor a clearly safe choice. Migration Group has two registered legal entities (Russian LLC INN 7703465410 and Malta company C 56844), a verifiable Malta-licensed agent (AKM-HYZL-22), and named founders with no criminal records found. Those are real positive signals.
But several things don't add up. The company claims a 2014 founding, while the main domain appeared in 2016 and the Russian LLC in 2018. The Moscow office appears closed. There are no reviews on Trustpilot or Google despite claims of 67 successful citizenship cases. A July 2025 article alleged financial opacity. Scam Detector rates the domain 65.5/100, which is "likely legit" but not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Proceed with caution. Verify every claim before signing.
What is Migration Group's Malta license number?
The Malta-licensed agent associated with Migration Group is Mark Haizler, holding license number AKM-HYZL-22. You can verify this directly through the Malta Residency and Visa Agency (MRVA) official agent registry at meia.gov.mt.
For Caribbean programs, the company has not publicly disclosed specific authorization numbers. Ask for them before signing any agreement.
How long does Malta citizenship take through Migration Group?
The company states 12 to 36 months, which matches Malta's official MEIN program timelines. The 12-month route requires a minimum contribution of €600,000 (plus real estate and donation). The 36-month route starts at €750,000. These are government-set investment minimums and don't include the agency service fee.
The wide range is real. Due diligence review times vary by applicant background. Get a written estimate specific to your situation.
Can Russian citizens get a Greece residence permit through Migration Group in 2025?
Migration Group says yes, but the path is indirect. Due to sanctions-related banking restrictions, Russian passport holders typically need a second citizenship first (Vanuatu or a Caribbean nation are common routes) before applying for EU programs. This adds cost and time to the process.
Confirm the current legal situation with a licensed EU immigration lawyer before committing any funds. Rules change.
What happens if my application is rejected?
Migration Group claims it refunds service fees when the rejection is caused by company error. But its own FAQ states that Caribbean program prepayments are non-refundable if the government denies the application. So if you pay and the government says no, you may not get that money back.
Read the refund clause in full before signing. Ask specifically: "If the government of [country] rejects my application for any reason, what exactly do I get back, and when?"
Why is the Migration Group Moscow office listed as "no longer working" on maps?
Yandex Maps lists the address at Malaya Nikitskaya, 27, str. 4 in Moscow with the status "no longer working." The company's marketing still mentions a Moscow presence. There's also a discrepancy between the listed address (Malaya Nikitskaya, 3 in marketing materials) and the map entry (27, str. 4).
The company hasn't publicly addressed this. It may mean the office relocated, closed, or never existed at that exact address. Verify current contact details by calling before visiting.
Where can I leave a review about Migration Group?
You can share your experience on proverj.com and on this site, migration.us.com. Both platforms collect independent user reviews of immigration companies. If you've worked with Migration Group and completed a citizenship or residency process, your firsthand account helps others make more informed decisions. Your review can include details about timelines, communication, fees, and whether the promised outcome was delivered.
Expert verdict on Migration Group
I've been in the immigration business since 2011. I've seen investment immigration firms that are rock-solid and firms that collapse mid-process, leaving clients out $200,000 with nothing to show. Migration Group sits in an uncomfortable middle space, and that's worth explaining carefully.
What I do like: the Malta legal entity (RM Estates, C 56844) has been around since 2012. Mark Haizler's license AKM-HYZL-22 is a real, verifiable credential from the MRVA. Named founders with public profiles and no regulatory action on record. These things matter.
What concerns me is the gap between the marketing story and the documents. The company says "founded 2014." The Russian LLC is from 2018. The domain is from 2016. That's not a rounding error; that's a four-year discrepancy. When a company handling $100,000-plus transactions can't get its founding story straight, I want to know why before my client signs anything.
The Moscow office appearing closed on maps is another thing that would stop me. In investment immigration, physical presence and reachability matter. If you wire €4,700 to start and then can't reach anyone, your options are limited.
And the reviews. Sixty-seven approved citizenships. Ninety-eight EU permits. But zero reviews on Trustpilot, Google, or any major international platform. Even one unhappy client usually leaves a trail. The complete silence is unusual.
My honest take: this company probably isn't an outright fraud. But "probably not a fraud" is a very low bar when you're putting in €600,000 for Malta or $100,000 for a Caribbean passport. Before signing anything, get the full contract, verify every license number directly with the relevant government, and find at least one past client who will speak with you on record. If they can't produce that, walk away and look at firms with more transparent track records.
Don't get burned on a $100,000+ decision
Marketing brochures describe the best-case scenario. Real clients describe what actually happened. Read their accounts before you commit.
Read real reviews about Migration Group