In recent years, with the acceleration of globalization, immigration has gradually become a focus of public attention. Social media is rife with success stories of “easy immigration,” suggesting it’s become readily accessible. However, a deeper analysis of the complex processes and real-world challenges of immigration reveals that the assertion that “immigration is easy” is often overly simplistic. This article will reveal the true nature of immigration from three dimensions: policy thresholds, economic costs, and cultural adaptation.
Policy Thresholds
Immigration policies are the first hurdle for countries to select talent. Singapore, for example, has one of the strictest immigration policies globally. For wealthy immigrants, their companies must have an annual turnover exceeding RMB 1 billion or their personal investable assets must reach RMB 1 billion. For skilled immigrants, applicants must earn a monthly salary of SGD 30,000 (approximately RMB 150,000) and work for a well-known company with a market capitalization exceeding SGD 700 million (approximately RMB 3.5 billion). These stringent standards exclude the vast majority of ordinary applicants.
Even in traditional immigration powerhouses, the thresholds are rising year by year. The US EB-1A Extraordinary Ability immigration program requires applicants to meet three out of ten criteria, covering areas such as international awards, media coverage, and patent inventions. Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) points system, requiring applicants to accumulate sufficient points in areas such as age, language proficiency, education, and work experience to be considered for an invitation. These policy designs demonstrate that immigration is not a matter of simply “wanting to immigrate,” but rather requires applicants to possess outstanding personal strengths.
Economic Costs
The economic costs of immigration far exceed the apparent application fees. For example, the US EB-5 investor immigration program requires applicants to invest $800,000 (approximately RMB 5.6 million) in a designated project, plus additional costs such as legal fees and project management fees. While the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program in Canada is now closed, it previously required applicants to have a net worth of CAD 1.6 million (approximately RMB 8 million) and invest CAD 220,000 (approximately RMB 1.1 million) in a government-designated fund.
Hidden costs are equally significant. After obtaining permanent residency, applicants are subject to the tax obligations of the target country. US green card holders are required to declare their global income and pay federal and state taxes; Australian permanent residents who leave the country for an extended period may have their eligibility for benefits such as health insurance affected. Furthermore, long-term expenses such as children’s education and property purchases can create financial pressure. For example, the median price of a home in a good school district in New York is $840,000 (approximately 5.88 million RMB), far exceeding the level of first-tier cities in China.
Cultural Adaptation
The issue of cultural adaptation after immigration is often underestimated. Language proficiency is the primary obstacle. Canadian federal skilled worker immigration requires applicants to have an IELTS score of 6 or higher, while in the actual workplace, local employers prefer candidates with no language barriers. Professional certification is also difficult; Chinese doctors, engineers, and other professionals need to pass additional exams or undergo training to obtain professional qualifications in the target country, a process that can take several years.
The challenges of social integration are more subtle. Research shows that about 50% of immigrants choose to return to their home country due to their inability to adapt to cultural differences, with the main conflicts concentrated on value clashes and rebuilding social circles. For example, Western countries emphasize individualism, while Eastern cultures value collective harmony; this difference can lead to tense workplace relationships or family conflicts. Furthermore, discrimination persists in some sectors, and ethnic minority immigrants may face employment discrimination or social prejudice.
Immigration is not a spontaneous trip, but a comprehensive test involving policy, economics, and culture. Those intending to immigrate should prepare in three ways: first, objectively assess their own circumstances and choose an immigration program that matches their capabilities; second, develop a detailed financial plan, reserving at least 6-12 months’ worth of family living expenses; and third, learn about the culture of their target country in advance, improving their adaptability through language training and cross-cultural exchange.
