From May 17 to 19, 2024, the 20th Wise Overseas Property & Immigration & Investment Exhibition grandly opened at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. As one of the most influential industry events in China’s overseas asset allocation sector, this year’s exhibition, themed “Global Vision, Precise Layout,” attracted 209 leading companies from 49 countries and regions, and welcomed a record-breaking 39,918 VIP visitors over three days. This exhibition, which brings together global resources and connects with Chinese needs, has not only become a benchmark for asset allocation among high-net-worth individuals but also promoted in-depth dialogue between Chinese investors and the international market.
Scale and Influence
This year’s exhibition spanned 28,000 square meters, covering the entire Shanghai Exhibition Center. The number of participating countries increased by 23% compared to the previous edition, encompassing major immigration and investment destinations such as Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Traditional immigration powerhouses like the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Greece showcased their latest policies, while emerging markets like Singapore, Dubai, and Malaysia attracted attention with features like “low investment barriers” and “tax optimization.”
The exhibitors were an all-star lineup: top global real estate agencies like CBRE and Knight Frank, experienced service providers with deep roots in the Chinese market like Henry International and Qiaowai Immigration, and official organizations like Singapore’s EDB Economic Development Board and Portugal’s SEF Immigration Bureau provided on-site policy interpretation. According to statistics, of the 209 exhibitors, overseas developers accounted for 41%, immigration service agencies 37%, and investment consulting firms 18%. The remainder comprised supporting service providers like legal and tax services, forming a complete, closed-loop industry chain.
Core Themes: Four Key Sectors Targeted at Meeting Demand
The exhibition focused on four core areas: overseas real estate, immigration planning, international education, and cross-border investment. Through themed forums, project roadshows, and one-on-one consultations, it provided visitors with a one-stop solution:
- Overseas Real Estate Zone: Showcasing over 300 premium real estate projects worldwide, including school district housing, investment apartments, and vacation villas. Projects such as Orlando Disney Resort properties, Portugal Golden Visa properties, and Bangkok CBD apartments were prominent. Some developers offered “exhibition-exclusive discounts,” and on-site contract signings tripled compared to normal sales.
- Immigration Planning Zone: Official interpretations of immigration policies in 27 countries were provided. Inquiries for programs such as Canada’s Federal Entrepreneur Visa (SUV), Greece’s €250,000 home purchase program, and Malta’s permanent residency program surged. A special “Policy Change Alert Zone” was also featured, where a team of experts provided strategies for addressing trends such as revisions to immigration laws and extended approval times.
- International Education Zone: On-site interviews with admissions officers from prestigious universities in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia were offered, along with a dual “study abroad + immigration” planning service. Institutions such as the National University of Singapore and the Swiss Hotel School participated in the exhibition for the first time, attracting a large number of family inquiries.
- Cross-border Investment Zone: Focusing on the needs of high-net-worth individuals, such as those involved in overseas funds, family trusts, and offshore companies, Deloitte, PwC, and other institutions held sold-out seminars on “Global Tax Compliance” and “CRS Response.”
Data and Results
According to statistics from the organizing committee, during the three-day exhibition:
- VIP Visitor Composition: Of the 39,918 professional visitors, 62% were business owners or executives, 28% were high-net-worth families, and 10% were industry professionals;
- Consultation Volume: Over 120,000 consultations were received, with an average stay of 2.3 hours per person, far exceeding the industry average;
- Transaction Data: On-site real estate transaction volume exceeded RMB 870 million, 1,243 immigration service contracts were signed, and the number of study abroad applications increased by 40% year-on-year;
- Media Exposure: 127 domestic and international media outlets participated in the coverage, the Weibo hashtag #WiseShanghaiImmigrationExpo# reached 230 million views, and the Douyin livestream exceeded 5 million views.
As a benchmark exhibition for overseas asset allocation in China, the Wise Shanghai Exhibition has been held for 20 consecutive years. Its success reflects the profound changes in the needs of China’s high-net-worth individuals: from single-property investment to diversified allocation of “identity + assets + education,” and from passive following to proactive planning. A representative from Shanghai Fumaote Exhibition Services Co., Ltd., the organizer of the exhibition, pointed out: “We are not only an information display platform, but also a resource integrator. By introducing official institutions, carefully selecting exhibitors, and providing customized services, we help Chinese investors avoid risks and achieve steady growth in global assets.”
