Visa Programmes to woo Chinese Buyers.

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1) Visa programmes to woo Chinese buyers

With Chinese investors still the hottest and most sought after market globally, countries around the world are clamouring for their attention. The latest tactic is by revamping visa policies and immigrant investment schemes.

New US visa policy
Excitement swept the world when the US announced its new visa policy, giving Chinese visitors access to its multiple-entry tourist and business visas for up to 10 years, and five-year visa extensions for students from China.¹

The change is expected to benefit US job creation, exports and economic growth. 7.5 million Chinese visitors are projected to visit the US by 2021, and they’re expected to bring in $81 billion to the US economy.¹

The move will also boost investor confidence and propel property investment by Chinese buyers. In fact, we foresee a 15% increase in Chinese investment in the US for 2015.²

The new five-year student visa in particular will significantly impact property investment, Juwai.com Co-CEO Simon Henry tells the LA Times. Some reasons include:

85% of wealthy Chinese desire an overseas education for their children³
19% say education is the driver for greater investments overseas⁴
Buying homes for children studying overseas is their preferred investment

Since the new visa policy came into effect on 12 November, we’ve seen a stunning 35% increase in enquiry on Juwai.com for US properties.⁶

Visa policies in other countries
Australia is targeting wealthy foreign investors with a new Premium Investor Visa (PIV),⁷ which offers an accelerated 1-year path to permanent residency for A$15 million investment⁸ – an attractive option for rich Chinese.
Simon Henry tells ABC News 24 about Parliament’s findings on how Chinese investment like this impacts Australia.

Greece, which already has an attractive Golden Visa programme, has proposed that rich investor immigrants be allowed to receive full Greek citizenship after seven years – granting full EU advantages.¹⁰

Canada will soon roll out a scheme to replace its suspended Federal Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP). Details are to be verified, but the scheme reportedly will accept 50 wealthy migrants each year.¹¹

Although this is a step towards getting their programme back on track, it will not accommodate 45,000 Chinese applications previously on Canada’s wait list – something property agents across the world will sit up and take notice of.

About Jeff Stone

I'm a Licensed RE Salesperson with Douglas Elliman - Port Washington/Manhasset. My designations are Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Resort & Second Property Specialist (RSPS), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Certified Buyer Representative (CBR), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Seller's Representative Specialist (SRS) & Realtor Short Sale Professional (RSSP). I'm the Recipient of the 2104 National, Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Outstanding Service Award. I am a former Executive Chef in the New York Hotel & Restaurant Industry. I was also a Caterer/ Business Owner, supplying foods to the Entertainment, Hotel, Restaurant & for Special Events. I love the Outdoors (kayaking and hiking), Fishing, Cooking, Art, Networking & most of all, Volunteering within my community of Port Washington, NY. Jeffreystone.realtor

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