In recent years, the “Golden Visa” system (obtaining residency or citizenship through investment in real estate, donations, or investment funds) has been popular in many European countries, attracting a large number of wealthy non-EU investors. However, with rising housing prices, increasing housing pressure, and growing concerns about money laundering, tax evasion, and security risks, more and more European countries are tightening or canceling these programs. This article aims to review recent changes in major countries, analyze trends, and explore the underlying driving forces and potential impacts. Which countries are tightening or canceling them?   Spain: Complete cancellation of Golden Visas   Spain officially terminated its “Golden Visa/residency by investment” system on April 3, 2025. Since its introduction in 2013, this system has attracted a large number of foreign investors, primarily through real estate investments of at least €500,000 in exchange for residency permits. The Spanish government stated that the main reason for canceling the program was that the system exacerbated rising house prices, impacting the housing affordability of local residents.   Portugal: Cancellation of Real Estate Investment Option, Only Limited Alternative Pathways   Portugal removed the option of obtaining residency through real estate investment in 2023. The existing Golden Visa program was restructured, allowing applications only through investment funds, job creation, scientific research, or cultural heritage. In other words, the previously most popular “buy a house, get a visa” pathway is no longer applicable—reflecting the Portuguese government’s policy adjustments to alleviate the real estate market bubble and housing pressure.   Greece: Significantly Increased Investment Threshold, Substantial Tightening   While Greece has not yet completely canceled its Golden Visa program, it has made strict adjustments to the real estate investment pathway. From August 2024, the minimum investment threshold for popular areas (such as the capital and tourist hotspots) will increase from…

Driven by globalization, immigration has become a significant choice for many seeking new career opportunities and realizing their life’s value. Immigration expos, serving as a crucial bridge between immigrant dreams and reality, not only gather immigration policies and lifestyle information from around the world but also provide new immigrants with valuable resources and inspiration for career planning, helping them embark on a new chapter in their careers abroad. The primary task in post-immigration career planning is clarifying one’s career direction. Immigration expos bring together experts and practitioners from various industries and fields, offering not only cutting-edge industry trends but also profound insights into future career directions. New immigrants can participate in various industry forums and career lectures, engaging in face-to-face exchanges with industry elites to understand the market demands, skill requirements, and development prospects of their target industries. For example, with the increasing global emphasis on sustainable development, industries such as green energy and environmental technology are experiencing unprecedented development opportunities. New immigrants who can keenly grasp this trend and, combined with their professional background, choose these sunrise industries as their career path will undoubtedly lay a solid foundation for future career development. Skills enhancement and certification are key aspects of post-immigration career planning. Different countries have varying requirements for professional skills, and new immigrants need to enhance their competitiveness by participating in professional training and obtaining international certifications. At the immigration expo, numerous training and certification institutions showcased their services, offering one-stop skills enhancement services for new immigrants. From programming languages ​​and data analysis to project management and marketing, a wide variety of courses were available to meet the diverse learning needs of new immigrants. Meanwhile, international certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) not only enhance the professional resumes of new immigrants but…

Amidst the ongoing global wave of immigration, new immigrants are increasingly focused on welfare benefits as they integrate into their new environments. Immigration expos, serving as crucial platforms connecting new immigrants with the welfare policies of various countries, not only provide a comprehensive overview of welfare benefits but also become key support for planning their immigrant lives and achieving their immigration status transition. Healthcare is one of the most pressing welfare concerns for new immigrants. In many countries, new immigrants who meet certain conditions can enjoy free or low-cost healthcare services. For example, in Finland, all legal immigrants, including work visa and entrepreneur visa holders, are entitled to medical services at public hospitals. Medical insurance covers most medical expenses, and the drug subsidy policy is particularly generous; once annual drug purchases exceed a certain amount, the remaining costs are waived, and patients with serious illnesses only need to pay a small fee. Canada also prioritizes healthcare, with the government investing heavily in healthcare benefits annually. Except for dental and ophthalmology services, residents do not pay for doctor’s visits, lab tests, hospitalization, or surgery. Most prescription drugs are provided free of charge to seniors over 65 and those receiving social welfare, providing a solid safety net for the health of new immigrants. Educational benefits are also a significant factor attracting new immigrants. Many countries offer high-quality educational resources for their children, from kindergarten to university. Finland has a free education system, with students exempt from tuition and textbook fees, receiving a free lunch daily, and university students receiving substantial monthly government subsidies. Low-interest student loans are also available. Canada provides 12 years of free education from first grade to high school graduation, covering regular classes and a wide variety of after-school activities. There are also childcare subsidies for low-income families, easing…

With increasing globalization, many people are focusing on overseas development, educational resources, cross-border employment, and even long-term residency, making “immigration services” a hot topic. However, many people often confuse several concepts when approaching this field: immigration consultants, immigration law firms, and immigration service agencies. They all seem to do “immigration-related things,” but their roles, qualifications, service boundaries, and responsibilities differ. Understanding these differences not only helps those seeking help choose the right service but also effectively avoids the risks associated with a lack of transparency.   Different Roles The biggest difference between immigration consultants, law firms, and service agencies lies primarily in their roles. Immigration consultants are typically individual professionals who provide consultation, offer solutions, and plan application materials. They focus more on “initial planning” and “information guidance.” Immigration law firms, on the other hand, are primarily composed of teams of lawyers with legal qualifications. They can handle highly specialized tasks such as policy interpretation, legal opinions, and document compliance reviews. Law firms have the legal authority to handle issues involving legal risks, complex materials, or appeals against visa refusal. Immigration service agencies are more like comprehensive service providers, offering a one-stop service including project introduction, document processing, application assistance, and post-arrival services. Their goal is to provide systematic and streamlined services, minimizing the client’s workload and distractions. In other words, these three entities occupy different positions and naturally have different tasks. Significant Differences in Legal Authority Immigration-related information is highly complex and legally sensitive, therefore the qualification requirements for different service providers vary significantly. Immigration consultants in many countries require professional certification or industry registration. While not equivalent to lawyers, they must possess a certain professional background to provide consultation services. Law firms have the highest qualification requirements. Lawyers must pass national legal examinations, possess practicing licenses, and be…

Immigration is not simply “moving to a different place,” but a psychological journey from the “familiar” to the “unknown.” Many people believe that after immigrating, all that’s needed is to solve basic living problems, but the real challenges often come from within—how to cope with loneliness, how to integrate into a new environment, and how to maintain self-identity? These mental issues are more complex than “finding a house” or “handling formalities,” and require more patience and wisdom. Understanding cultural differences Every country has its own cultural customs, such as greetings, table manners, and holiday traditions. Upon arriving in a new environment, you might feel, “This is different from what I expected,” or even think, “Why are they so strange?” At this time, the worst thing you can do is judge others by your own standards.   The correct approach is: observe first, then understand. For example, people in some countries like to hug when they meet, while in others they shake hands; in some places, speaking loudly while eating is considered warm, while in others, quietness is considered polite. These differences are not right or wrong, just “different.” Accepting these differences is the first step to integrating into a new environment.   Building a New Social Circle: Take the Initiative to “Go Out,” Don’t Wait for “Others to Come to You”   Build a new social circle   The most lonely moments after immigrating are often when “no one is around to talk to.” Many people wonder, “Why doesn’t anyone reach out to me?” But in most countries, socializing requires initiative.   Start with a “small circle”: participate in community activities, join interest groups, chat with neighbors while walking your dog in the park. Even if you don’t speak the language at first, you can convey friendliness through smiles and gestures….

Many people think immigration simply means “living in a new place,” but in reality, it’s like a “life-changing test” that requires meeting a series of fundamental conditions. These conditions aren’t meant to create obstacles, but to ensure immigrants can settle smoothly, integrate into society, and maintain local social order and public interests. In short, the “entry ticket” for immigration typically includes four key aspects: financial stability, adaptability, health status, and moral integrity. Immigrants must have a solid financial foundation   The primary concern for immigration authorities is whether you can “support yourself” in the destination country. While this may sound practical, the logic is straightforward: if a family relies on social welfare after relocation, it would place additional strain on local resources. Therefore, most countries require applicants to provide financial documentation, such as bank statements, asset appraisals, or stable income sources.   This economic threshold isn’t about’ money can solve everything, ‘but rather proving your ability to cover daily expenses like rent, education, and healthcare in a new country. For instance, some nations require immigrants to purchase health insurance or invest in local businesses to create jobs. Ultimately, financial stability serves as both a’ lifeline ‘and the’ first line of defense’ for immigration.   Basic language, culture and skills   Immigration is not merely about “moving to a new home,” but requires full integration into a completely new social environment. Therefore, the host country will assess your “adaptability” through three key aspects: Language proficiency (e.g., English, Spanish, French, etc.), with requirements varying by country. While fluency isn’t mandatory, you should at least be able to communicate daily—such as for shopping, medical visits, or neighborhood interactions.   Cultural identity: the host country expects immigrants to respect local culture, laws and social norms. For example, some countries require immigrants to take cultural…

In today’s rapidly globalizing world, expos are no longer simply “product exhibitions,” but rather “super platforms” integrating cutting-edge trends, cross-cultural exchange, and global resource integration. Their core value lies not only in showcasing current achievements but also in anticipating the future and connecting the world. This dual characteristic of “foresight” and “internationalism” makes expos an important vehicle for promoting social progress and fostering international cooperation. What does “foresight” mean in the context of expos?   “Foresight” refers to the expos’ ability to keenly capture current trends and showcase innovative directions that may change lives in advance. For example, technology expos focus on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, new energy, and biotechnology, allowing visitors to glimpse the prototype of “future life”; cultural expos, on the other hand, convey the possibilities of future aesthetics and lifestyles by showcasing the art and design concepts of different countries.   This ability to “see the future in advance” stems from the expos’ integration and distillation of global information. Like a “mirror,” it reflects both current technological and cultural achievements and humanity’s collective imagination of the future. Through expos, ordinary people can intuitively feel that “the future is already here”—for example, intelligent robots, virtual reality devices, and sustainable living solutions. These are no longer scenes from science fiction movies, but tangible realities.   The international nature of expos makes them a “global living room” that breaks down boundaries.   If “foresight” is the “time dimension” of an expo, then “internationality” is its “spatial dimension.” A truly internationally influential expo is not limited to a single country or region, but invites global participants.   This “internationality” is reflected in three levels:   The diversity of participants: From exhibitors to visitors, from businesses to government agencies, expos bring together “voices” from different countries. For example, a previous…

At immigration expos, a dazzling array of immigration programs from various countries attracts many people dreaming of living abroad. However, immigration is far more than a simple change of status; it involves complex tax issues. Ignoring tax planning can lead to a reduction in wealth after immigration. Therefore, understanding and implementing effective tax planning after immigration is crucial at immigration expos. The determination of tax residency status after immigration is the first hurdle in tax planning. Different countries have vastly different definitions of tax residency and tax obligations. For example, the definition of residency in the United States differs from its immigration law. Even without a green card, if you have stayed in the U.S. for more than 183 days in the previous year, or more than 183 days in the weighted average of the previous three years, you may be considered a U.S. tax resident and required to file taxes with the IRS. Once deemed a tax resident before obtaining a green card, the scope for tax planning will be significantly limited. Therefore, it is essential to plan your residency time before immigrating to avoid becoming a tax resident prematurely. For instance, non-U.S. citizens should ideally not stay in the U.S. for more than 120 days per year to avoid incurring excessive tax obligations due to residency issues. Asset disposal is a crucial aspect of post-immigration tax planning. For assets with appreciation potential, such as stocks and real estate, proper disposal before immigration can reduce the tax burden. For example, if stocks invested in domestically have appreciated significantly, they can be sold before immigration and quickly repurchased afterward, thereby increasing the book cost of the assets and significantly reducing capital gains tax upon future sale. For loss-making investments, disposal can be delayed until after becoming a tax resident, using…

In the wave of globalization, immigration has evolved from a single lifestyle choice to a diversified life plan. Whether for children’s education, asset allocation, or the pursuit of broader development opportunities, precise time planning and efficient process management have become key to successful immigration. The Immigration Expo, as a core platform connecting global immigration resources, provides applicants with a full-cycle solution by integrating policy interpretation, project demonstrations, and one-stop services. Immigration Time Planning: A Precise Logic from Goal Setting to Milestone Control Immigration projects typically span years. For example, the US EB-1A Extraordinary Ability immigration program takes 12-18 months from document preparation to green card approval, while the processing time for the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker immigration program can be as short as 6 months. This difference stems from the underlying logic of immigration policies in different countries: skilled worker immigration focuses on a points-based system and occupation lists, investment immigration emphasizes the source of funds and project compliance, and family-based immigration requires proof of genuine family relationships. The Immigration Expo brings together immigration officials, licensed lawyers, and senior consultants from over 20 countries worldwide to provide applicants with a three-dimensional matching service of “policy-project-personal conditions.” For example, one exhibiting organization customized a solution for a researcher, using a dual-track application process of EB-1A and NIW, reducing the original 3-year cycle to 10 months. The key was accurately grasping the policy window and the document submission process. The core of process management lies in risk prediction and dynamic adjustment. Taking the Australian 188A Business Innovation Visa as an example, applicants need to complete three hurdles: writing a business plan, applying for state government sponsorship, and submitting federal documents. Delays in any step can lead to a reset of the priority date. The digital management system introduced at the Immigration Expo…

In the wave of globalization, immigration has become a crucial choice for many seeking a better life and expanding their careers. However, faced with a dazzling array of immigration programs on the market, selecting truly reliable options has become a major challenge for many immigration applicants. At this juncture, an immigration expo, gathering global immigration information, undoubtedly serves as a guiding light for confused applicants, illuminating the path to their ideal life. As an information feast for the immigration industry, the Immigration Expo not only brings together immigration service agencies, overseas real estate developers, and educational institutions from around the world, but also serves as a comprehensive platform integrating policy interpretation, program demonstrations, and experience sharing. Here, applicants can gain a one-stop understanding of the latest developments in immigration policies of various countries, directly compare the advantages and disadvantages of different programs, and even engage in face-to-face exchanges with successful immigrants, learning valuable lessons and experiences. So, how can one discern the best and most reliable immigration program at an immigration expo? The key lies in comprehensively considering multiple dimensions to form a holistic and in-depth understanding. First and foremost, clearly defining one’s personal immigration needs is fundamental. People choose to immigrate for various reasons. Some do it for their children’s education, seeking an international learning environment; others for asset allocation, aiming for a global wealth distribution; and still others for job opportunities, seeking broader career development prospects. Clearly defining your core needs helps you quickly identify your target among numerous projects, avoiding blindly following trends or missing out on opportunities. Secondly, thoroughly understanding the project details is crucial. At immigration expos, each participating project showcases its unique advantages and highlights, but applicants must remain rational and not be easily misled by superficial appearances. Carefully inquire about key information such…