As a premier event for China’s overseas asset allocation and international lifestyle, the Wise 21st Overseas Property & Immigration & Investment Exhibition (Shanghai 21st Overseas Property & Immigration & Investment Exhibition) was successfully held at the Shanghai World Trade Center Exhibition Center from March 30 to April 2, 2025. Themed “Global Vision, Precision Allocation,” the four-day exhibition brought together 305 exhibitors from 51 countries and regions, attracting 90,216 professional visitors and high-net-worth individuals, becoming a vital window for connecting China with the world in the post-pandemic era.
Scale and Influence
This year’s exhibition spanned 12,000 square meters and covered four core sectors: overseas property, immigration services, international education, and cross-border investment. The number of participating countries increased by 23% compared to the previous edition, encompassing major markets such as North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Projects such as the Portugal Golden Visa, Canadian entrepreneurial immigration, and Singapore family offices were highlighted. Among the 305 exhibitors, 42% were overseas real estate developers, 28% were immigration agencies, 15% were international schools and educational institutions, and 15% were supporting service providers such as legal and financial institutions, forming a complete international lifestyle service ecosystem.
The number of VIP visitors exceeded 90,000, a record high. According to the organizing committee, 65% of attendees were high-net-worth families, 25% were business owners and executives, and 10% were representatives of professional investment institutions. Visitors came from core economic regions such as the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, extending to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, highlighting the strong demand for global capital allocation in China.
Core Sections
- Overseas Real Estate: Direct Sourcing of Premium Global Assets
The exhibition focused on showcasing overseas apartments, villas, commercial properties, and specialty real estate projects. Investment projects in US EB-5 regional centers, waterfront apartments in Lisbon, Portugal, and school district housing in Melbourne, Australia were popular targets. One exhibitor’s “Phuket, Thailand Ocean View Villa + Immigration Package,” offering a dual “purchase and investment” approach, exceeded expectations in terms of contract volume within three days.
- Immigration Services: Policy Interpretation and Customized Solutions
Over 40 immigration agencies provided a wide range of services, from investment immigration and skilled worker immigration to family reunion. Representatives from the Quebec Immigration Department made their debut, providing a detailed explanation of the changes to French language proficiency requirements under the new policy. Experts from the Singapore Economic Development Board provided on-site analysis of the asset threshold adjustments for the Global Investor Program (GIP). The legal consultation area saw over 300 visitors daily, with topics such as cross-border tax planning and inheritance of second identities attracting significant attention.
- International Education: Seamless Integration of Study Abroad and Career Development
Overseas primary and secondary schools, universities, and language training institutions occupied separate exhibition areas. Admissions officers from prestigious schools such as Harrow School in the UK and Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland conducted on-site interviews and issued pre-acceptance letters. An education group’s “UK Private School + Undergraduate Guaranteed Admission Program,” combining A-Level courses with Oxford and Cambridge tutor resources, attracted hundreds of families to inquire.
- Cross-Border Investment: Diversified Asset Allocation Strategies
Banks, funds, and international investment institutions showcased products such as offshore accounts, overseas funds, and family trusts. A Hong Kong private bank launched a “USD fixed deposit + US stock ETF portfolio” with an expected annualized return of 6.8%, with contracts exceeding 200 million RMB signed on-site. Emerging projects such as African mineral investments and Southeast Asian infrastructure REITs also attracted attention.
Innovative Experiences
- Digital Tools Improve Efficiency
The expo introduced its first AI-powered matching system, allowing visitors to scan a QR code and submit their requirements for real-time personalized project recommendations. An immigration agency used VR technology to recreate life on a Canadian farm, allowing visitors to experience daily life after immigration, resulting in a 40% increase in consultation conversion rates.
- Summit Forums Insight Trends
The main forum, “Global Asset Allocation and Identity Planning,” invited Nobel laureates in economics, immigration officials from various countries, and CEOs of multinational companies to discuss tax optimization under the CRS policy and the impact of geopolitics on investment. The sub-forum, “Tightening European Immigration Policies and Response Strategies,” attracted over 500 participants. An on-site survey showed that 83% of attendees believed that “diversified identity configuration” is key to coping with uncertainty.
- Precise and Efficient Business Matchmaking
The organizing committee established a “one-on-one negotiation area” to match supply and demand through big data. A Chinese real estate company partnered with a Portuguese developer to develop a community exclusively for Chinese investors in Lisbon; a Singaporean fund signed a $50 million overseas asset allocation agreement with a Chinese family office.
Social Value
This exhibition not only provides individuals with international living solutions but also serves as a bridge for economic and cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world. A delegation from an African country used the exhibition to connect with Chinese infrastructure companies, promoting collaboration on local port projects; and European educational institutions signed joint training agreements with Chinese universities, facilitating talent flow along the Belt and Road Initiative. According to statistics, over 1.8 billion RMB worth of cooperation agreements were reached during the exhibition, covering a variety of sectors, including real estate, education, and technology.
With the proportion of overseas assets allocated by high-net-worth individuals in China rising to 37%, the Wise Exhibition plans to add dedicated “Green Investment” and “Digital Assets” zones by 2026 and launch an online exhibition hall to provide year-round service. The organizing committee director stated, “We will continue to deepen the integration of global resources to help Chinese investors seize opportunities in a complex and changing world and achieve both wealth and value in their lives.”
