In 2018, the global immigration landscape was marked by volatility, with unpredictable changes to immigration policies and requirements across many countries. So, what trends will shape the immigration market in 2019? Recently, WorldWay Group released the "Six Major Immigration Trends of 2019," which attracted widespread attention from the industry and numerous domestic media outlets. Major media platforms such as Sina, NetEase, Sohu, and Caijing have all republished and reported on these trends. This marks the fourth consecutive year that WorldWay Group has forecasted immigration trends, with each instance becoming a focal point for both industry professionals and the general public.
Based on the development of the immigration industry in 2018 and the trends in various countries' immigration policies, the WorldWay Group expert panel has conducted thorough research and analysis, kept a pulse on policy dynamics, and consulted with immigration experts and investors in relevant countries. We have provided the following forward-looking predictions for the investment immigration industry in 2019:
1. The Moldova Citizenship-by-Investment Program is emerging as a leader and will become a mainstream, popular choice in the investment immigration market.
Since the official launch of the Moldova Citizenship-by-Investment program at the "12th Global Residence and Citizenship Conference" in November 2018, it has rapidly gained global attention and popularity. As the first fast-track passport program for a continental European country, it requires an investment starting from only 100,000 euros. With a price point similar to Caribbean and South Pacific island nations, it allows three generations of a family to quickly obtain a continental European passport with a fast approval process. Currently, Moldova has signed free trade agreements with the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia, Turkey, and other countries and regions, and is set to sign one with China, which is highly conducive to business. Combined with its favorable tax system, eligibility to apply for the U.S. E-2 visa, and a strong national reputation, this program stands out and is set to become a mainstream, popular choice in the 2019 investment immigration market.
2. The focus of citizenship-by-investment programs will shift from Commonwealth island nations to continental Europe.
In recent years, Commonwealth citizenship-by-investment programs in the Caribbean and South Pacific have attracted increasing attention from investors, turning these once-obscure island nations into household names. In 2018, countries around the Balkan Peninsula in continental Europe began to launch or adjust their citizenship-by-investment policies. For example, Moldova launched its program starting from 100,000 euros; Montenegro introduced a program starting from 550,000/350,000 euros; and Turkey adjusted its policy, reducing the investment threshold by 75%, allowing for citizenship with a real estate purchase of as little as 250,000 USD. In 2019, more continental European countries in the Balkan region are expected to introduce or adjust their citizenship-by-investment policies. Citizenship-by-investment programs are no longer the sole domain of island nations, and more investors will be inclined to invest in these continental European countries for the same cost.
3. The EB-5 investment immigration market in mainland China will gradually recover in 2019.
The U.S. is gradually implementing stricter non-immigrant visa policies, including tightening the issuance of visas to international students from mainland China, particularly those studying in sensitive or technological fields. In 2019, the U.S. plans to implement the largest reform of H-1B visas since 1990 (including raising qualification standards, changing the lottery rules to increase the success rate for master's degrees and above, and eliminating work eligibility for H-4 visa holders). This will further stimulate the growth of rigid demand in the mainland China EB-5 market, and mainland Chinese investors, having gained understanding over recent years, have gradually accepted the reality of EB-5 visa retrogression.
At the same time, after years of discussion, a price increase for the EB-5 program is highly likely to be implemented in 2019. This will significantly reduce the demand for investment immigration from the Vietnamese and Indian markets, thereby alleviating the EB-5 visa retrogression for mainland Chinese investors to some extent.
4. The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program will experience a rational warming.
In 2018, the Portuguese government successively introduced open immigration incentive policies. On July 6, the latest "Amendment to the Portuguese Nationality Act" came into effect, relaxing citizenship requirements by reducing the residency time requirement from 6 years to 5 years. On October 1, the new Decree-Law No. 9 came into effect, allowing Golden Residence visa holders and their dependents to apply for permanent residency after 5 years of holding the visa, with the residency time requirement waived after obtaining permanent residency. Meanwhile, the investment path of purchasing property from 350,000 euros for three generations of a family to obtain a Golden Residence permit will become more mature and diversified in 2019. Investment methods involving the purchase of funds starting from 350,000 euros that meet immigration requirements will attract widespread attention from investors and become widely accepted. Due to these immigration policy adjustments, the value of the Portugal Golden Residence visa will be re-evaluated by immigration investors, all of which will promote a rational warming of the program.
5. Following Brexit, EU passport programs will be highly sought after.
Official news from the UK confirms its withdrawal from the EU at midnight on March 29, 2019. On November 25, 2018, leaders of the 27 EU countries, excluding the UK, officially passed the previously negotiated Brexit agreement draft at a special EU summit. The EU Settlement Scheme will be fully implemented on March 30, 2019. As long as applicants obtain residency in the UK as EU citizens before the deadline of June 30, 2021, they will not be affected by Brexit and can continue to reside, live, work, and study in the UK.
As a member of the EU, Cyprus offers an EU passport through property purchase. Holders of a Cyprus passport can apply for residency in the UK provided they meet the UK's residency requirements, and can apply for British citizenship after meeting certain conditions. Thanks to Brexit, the Cyprus EU passport program will be highly popular.
6. Status planning will become an important motive for immigration.
Currently, the trend of internationalizing asset allocation is becoming more apparent. Investors have shifted their focus from simple tax and wealth planning to status planning—putting status planning ahead of asset allocation. When status planning becomes a key consideration for immigration and asset allocation, it relates to many aspects of life, such as birth planning, family planning, education planning, health planning, retirement planning, vacation planning, tax planning, wealth planning, and business planning. In 2019, more investors will make immigration decisions based on the need for status planning, and it will become an important motive and a new trend in investment immigration.
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