Identity planning is no longer a multiple-choice question, but a part of family strategy

In the past, when it came to overseas immigration, many people's first reaction was to "relocate their families and leave completely". But today in 2026, the connotation of identity planning has undergone significant changes. More and more high net worth families are starting to view overseas status as a "configuration" rather than a "migration" - retaining their domestic career and life focus while having one or more overseas statuses as an alternative option.

There are several driving factors behind this change: firstly, the demand for children's education. Many families plan their overseas status in advance to provide their children with more flexible paths for further education; The second is the need for asset allocation, which involves coordinating overseas identity with overseas asset allocation to achieve diversified distribution of household wealth; Thirdly, for the convenience of travel, certain overseas identities can enter more countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival, making business and travel more convenient.

According to the 2026 Private Wealth Migration Report released by Henley Partners, Singapore and New Zealand rank high in wealth mobility competitiveness, while countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Greece in Europe continue to attract investment immigration applicants from around the world.

European Investment Immigration: Latest Changes in Golden Visa Policy

Europe has always been a key focus area for Chinese high net worth families when planning their identity. In recent years, the golden visa policies of several European countries have undergone adjustments, and applicants need to be informed of the latest thresholds and requirements in a timely manner.

Greece's golden visa program remains one of the lower threshold options within Europe. By purchasing eligible properties in Greece, the applicant and their spouse, children, and parents can obtain a residence permit in Greece. As a member state of the European Union, Greece can freely travel within the Schengen area after obtaining Greek residency status, which is very attractive for families with frequent European travel needs.

The golden visa program in Portugal has undergone reforms in recent years, shifting the investment path from primarily purchasing homes to primarily investing in funds. This change means that applicants no longer need to directly hold property, but instead meet investment requirements by investing in eligible Portuguese funds. The investment methods of funds have their own characteristics in asset management and exit flexibility, which are suitable for applicants who do not want to directly manage overseas properties.

Malta and Cyprus are also important options for European identity planning. The permanent residency program in Malta is open to applicants from non EU countries who can obtain residency status through property leasing, purchase, and government donations. Cyprus provides a pathway to EU status, suitable for families who wish to obtain long-term EU status.

North America and Oceania: Policy Dynamics of Traditional Immigration Powers

The United States and Canada are still the preferred destinations for many families when making immigration plans. The EB-5 investment immigration program in the United States has undergone reforms in recent years, with adjustments to the minimum investment amount. Rural projects and high unemployment projects have certain advantages in scheduling. For families hoping to obtain a US green card through investment, choosing the appropriate project type and regional center is crucial.

Canada's immigration system is relatively diverse, with various pathways including provincial nomination programs, federal skilled immigration, and experience based immigration, in addition to traditional investment immigration programs. For applicants under the age of 40 who have a certain level of English proficiency, the cost of the technical immigration channel is relatively low, but the competition is also fierce.

There will also be some new adjustments to the immigration policies of Australia and New Zealand in 2026. The list of skilled immigrants in Australia continues to be updated, with nursing, engineering, IT and other majors still on the list of scarce occupations. New Zealand attracts applicants with funding and business experience through investment immigration and entrepreneurship immigration programs.

Emerging Asian choices: Singapore and Dubai's increasing attractiveness

In addition to traditional European and American countries, several identity options in Asia have received increasing attention in recent years.

The family office program and global business investor program in Singapore have attracted a large number of high net worth families from China. Singapore's advantages lie in its geographical proximity, Chinese social environment, high-quality educational resources, and stable rule of law environment. Although the investment threshold in Singapore is relatively high, it is still a priority option for families looking to do identity and asset allocation within the Asian region.

The golden visa program in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, provides another way of thinking. By purchasing property in Dubai or meeting specific investment conditions, applicants can obtain a long-term residency visa. Dubai has no personal income tax and an open business environment, which holds unique value for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business hub between the Middle East and Asia.

Identity planning needs to be combined with the overall needs of the family

The most taboo thing when planning for overseas identity is to only look at one country and listen to one agent. Every family's situation is different. Some families value their children's education the most, some families are more concerned about tax planning, and some families just want a convenient backup identity for travel.

A reasonable identity planning usually needs to consider the following dimensions: first, the age and educational planning of the child. If the child is approaching the secondary school stage, priority should be given to countries with good educational resources and relaxed immigration supervision requirements; Secondly, the asset size and income structure of households vary greatly in terms of investment thresholds and tax residency definitions across different countries; The third is the career focus of both spouses. If the domestic business is still on the rise, they should choose projects with low immigration supervision requirements and no need for long-term residence.

Because identity planning involves many factors, many families choose to participate in industry exhibitions before making decisions, connect with licensed institutions and professional consultants from multiple countries at once, and make horizontal comparisons before making decisions.

Come to Shanghai Overseas Immigration Expo and consult various countries' solutions face-to-face

From November 20th to 22nd, 2026, the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center will host the Overseas Immigrant Study and Property Expo, as well as the Enterprise Overseas Development and Financial Services Expo. The overseas immigration section of this exhibition has invited licensed immigration agencies, law firms, and educational consultants from multiple countries and regions including Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia to attend.

You can learn about the latest immigration policies of popular destinations such as Greece, Portugal, Malta, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Dubai, etc. on-site, communicate face-to-face with licensed consultants, and evaluate suitable solutions based on your family situation. The exhibition will last for three days and is expected to attract around 8000 attendees, including high net worth individuals and families with overseas identity planning needs.

Whether you are just starting to learn about overseas immigration or have already compared several different national programs, you are welcome to visit and consult on-site. Exhibition hotline: 13681692751 (same as WeChat), official website: www.qs-expo.com.