In the wave of globalization, immigration has become a popular choice for many seeking a better life, access to better education, and improved career prospects. However, immigration is not a spontaneous trip; it involves complex cost considerations. At the upcoming immigration expo, the cost details of various immigration programs will be a focus, providing comprehensive and in-depth information for families aspiring to immigrate.
Immigration costs go far beyond the outward financial investment. Taking the United States as an example, the EB-5 investment immigration program requires investors to invest $800,000 in principal and bear a series of additional costs, such as legal fees and project management fees, easily exceeding 6 million RMB. This figure is undoubtedly a heavy burden for many families. However, the EB-5 program, with its advantage of quickly obtaining a green card, still attracts many high-net-worth individuals. In contrast, the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability immigration program and the NIW National Interest Waiver program place greater emphasis on the applicant’s talent and contributions, with relatively lower costs; the application process can be initiated with just a few hundred thousand RMB. However, these programs have extremely high requirements for applicants’ backgrounds, demanding academic papers, patents, awards, and other hard skills, making the entry threshold quite high.
For applicants with limited funds and no exceptional talent, the EB-3 unskilled worker immigration program may be a more practical option. The program has virtually no entry requirements; applicants only need to be between 18 and 45 years old, in good health, and have no criminal record. However, the cost is a lengthy waiting period, typically around eight years. During this time, applicants must be patient, waiting for their priority date to arrive before traveling to the US to work for their employer for a year in exchange for permanent residency for their entire family. This “time for space” immigration approach, while time-consuming, remains a worthwhile option for families willing to invest time and seek a stable life.
Besides the US, immigration costs in other countries vary. For example, Greece’s Golden Visa program once attracted many investors with a €250,000 property purchase threshold. However, with policy adjustments, the threshold has increased to €500,000, and coupled with fluctuations in the euro exchange rate, immigration costs have further increased. Families intending to immigrate to Greece need to closely monitor policy developments and exchange rate changes to formulate appropriate investment strategies. Australia’s immigration programs are more diversified, with skilled migration, employer-sponsored migration, and talent migration each offering its own advantages and varying costs. Skilled migration has relatively low costs but requires applicants to have excellent professional backgrounds and language skills; employer-sponsored migration focuses more on the match between the applicant and the employer, and costs vary depending on the employer; talent migration has higher requirements for the applicant’s qualifications, but once approved, applicants will enjoy many preferential policies.
At the immigration expo, immigration agencies from various countries will showcase their unique immigration programs and cost advantages. This is undoubtedly a rare opportunity for families aspiring to immigrate. They can gain in-depth understanding of the immigration policies, cost details, and application processes of different countries through in-depth communication with immigration consultants, thereby developing the most suitable immigration plan for themselves. At the same time, the immigration expo also provides a platform for immigration agencies to showcase their capabilities and attract clients, contributing to the healthy development of the immigration industry.
The path to immigration is full of challenges, but as long as we understand the costs of immigration, develop a reasonable immigration plan, and put in the effort and patience, we will surely find our own new world. At the upcoming immigration expo, let us explore the infinite possibilities of immigration together and begin a new chapter in our lives.
