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Thursday, June 20, 2013

More Chinese immigrants move to developed economies




[By Fu Jing in Brussels ( chinadaily.com.cn)]

The number of Chinese immigrants to developed economies has picked up slightly from 2009, and made China the "leading country of origin" according to a report published on Thursday in Brussels.

But given its 1.4 billion population, the rate is far lower than most other countries in the world. And its ability and insight into attracting expertise has won warm appreciation from the OECD chief.

As the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released the International Migration Outlook 2013, the organization's secretary- general Angel Gurria praised China for implementing "very smart" measures to attract expertise. 

China's immigration into OECD countries reached 529,000 in 2011.

In 2009 the number declined to 460,000 from 518,000 in 2007. 

Based on 2011 figures, major immigration countries following China are Romania, Poland, India, Mexico, Philippines, United States, Germany, Morocco and the UK, each of which all has immigration of above 100,000.

See complete report: Slight rise in Chinese immigrants to developed economies



Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wealthy Mexicans' Investment In The United States Increased in 2012

 
Mexican investment in the U.S. grew 11 percent in 2012, reaching $27.9 billion, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. The U.S. issued almost 4,000 investor visas to Mexicans in 2012, with only Japan and Germany exceeding that amount. Mexico and the U.S. have always had strong economic ties, though investment has traditionally flowed North to South, with U.S. companies outsourcing manufacturing operations to Mexico. In a balancing of the scales, Mexican businesses are now expanding north. The U.S. Embassy says that the U.S. is an attractive location for Mexican businesses and private investors.

Complete Forbes article: Wealthy Mexicans' Investment In The United States Sharply Up in 2012

Monday, June 10, 2013

Chinese with high net worth emigrating overseas consider the EB-5 program


A few main reasons for Chinese to consider USCIS EB-5 program:
  1. Diversifying investments; with tough governmental restrictions on Chinese real estate market and declining gold price,  many Chinese investors are considering international investment strategies. Investing in foreign real estate, including residential properties, is a top priority approach for many investors.
  2. Sending children for a better education; many Chinese teens are coming to private high schools in the US. Currently there are nearly 200,000 Chinese students enrolled in the US schools, colleges and universities.
  3. Avoiding potential social and political instabilities; with a new regime in power, many wealthy investors feel more uncertainty and discomfort about which direction China is to be headed. The vast gap between the rich and the poor has further pushed the investors for outbound opportunities.
  4. Seeking a better life; with numerous reports on food safety issues, environment pollution problems across China, Chinese investors are simply searching for exit strategies.

Empire State EB-5 Regional Center has projects ranging from the healthcare to manufacturing to bio-technology industries. Contact us today to gather more information on these exciting new projects.
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Friday, June 7, 2013

China Mainland to top Japan in millionaire stakes


(Source: China Daily, by Michael Barris)  

The Chinese mainland is poised to overtake Japan this year as the economy with the world's second-largest number of dollar millionaire households, behind the United States. 

And the Asia-Pacific region will surpass North America in four years as the world's wealthiest region, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group. 

In its annual study of the world's wealth management industry, the global management consulting firm said worldwide wealth grew faster last year than in the previous two years. 

But it predicts that revenue growth and profits at wealth management firms will fall over the next five years, as the faster creation of wealth in Asia-Pacific and other developing regions poses challenges that will rob firms of the momentum they started to gain in 2012. 

BCG calculates millionaires by their investable assets excluding a primary residence or business. In 2012, the US had the most millionaire households, with 5.9 million, followed by Japan with 1.5 million and the Chinese mainland with 1.3 million. 

Complete report of China Mainland to top Japan in millionaire stakes


Monday, June 3, 2013

USCIS Issues Final EB-5 Policy Memo


[By Jennifer Hermansky on May 31st, 2013/ Greenberg Traurig]

On May 30, 2013, USCIS finally issued the much anticipated Final EB-5 Adjudications Policy Memorandum.  The Final EB-5 Adjudications Policy Memorandum makes significant changes to and provides clarifications for the EB-5 Program.  Here are some of the highlights:
  • Less Regional Center Amendments: The new memo states that USCIS does not require formal amendments to regional center designation when an RC changes its industries of focus, its geographic boundaries, its business plans, or its economic methodologies.  Previously, the I-924 listed “acceptable amendments” to include some of these. The memo clarifies the non-mandatory nature of these business changes.
  • An RC’s Geographic Area is Determined by Reasonableness:  For the first time, USCIS outlined that determinations on the geographic area of a regional center are based on the RC’s ability to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the proposed economic activity will promote growth in the proposed area. This means that the RC must show that the proposed area contributes significantly to the supply chain and labor pool of the proposed projects.
  • Defines Hypothetical, Actual and Exemplar Projects: The memo states that if a project complies with the requirements of a Matter of Ho business plan, it is an “actual project.” If the project does not comply with Matter of Ho, it is “hypothetical.”  Additionally, an actual project requires more detail than a hypothetical. Finally, the memo defines an “exemplar” as an actual I-526 petition for a project that USCIS will review for EB-5 compliance, including all transactional documents (such as the offering materials).  This is important because if USCIS approves an “actual project,” USCIS will give deference to the later filed I-526s.  Hypothetical projects are not accorded deference at the I-526 stage.
  • We decided that already! Deference to Prior Decisions: Deference to already adjudicated matters is one of the most significant changes contained within the memo. For example, if USCIS approves an I-924’s Matter of Ho compliant business plan, it will give deference to this at the later I-526 stage.  I-924 approval notices should state whether a project has been approved as an exemplar or actual project, thereby being accorded deference in future adjudications.
  • Approved the Use of Escrow Accounts: USCIS explicitly approved investor’s use of escrow accounts as long as release of funds is immediate and irrevocable upon approval of the Form I-526 and acquisition of an immigrant visa or approval of Form 1-485 (adjustment of status).
  • Bridge financing Permitted If You Just Can’t Wait: If a developer uses bridge financing prior to receipt of the EB-5 capital, this will not affect the job creation calculation      whether or not said financing was contemplated before the EB5 financing.  However, it is always a best practice to have contemporaneous evidence of the intent to use EB-5 capital.
  • USCIS Defers to State Adjudications of TEAs: USCIS will review state determinations of TEAs to see whether they used reasonable methodologies, but will otherwise defer to state determinations.
  • Eventual Acquisition of an Asset Does Not Count as “At Risk” Investment: If the investor is individually guaranteed the right to eventual ownership or use of a particular asset in consideration of the capital contribution, then the expected present value of the guaranteed ownership or use does not count toward total amount of the investor’s capital contribution in determining the amount of money truly at risk.
  • Restructure or Reorganization Means (probably) a Total Remodel or Significant Addition: Plans to convert a restaurant into a nightclub or add crop production to a livestock operation would constitute restructuring. This seems to mean USCIS wants a complete remodeling or significant addition to the existing business. “Reasonable time” to Create Jobs at I-829 is Not a Free Pass: Investors need not have created all the jobs at the I-829 stage, but need to be in “substantial compliance” and show that they will create jobs “within a reasonable time.”  This is not an open-ended allowance, but does provide some flexibility. After this time, jobs will not be considered unless there is a force majeure. 
  • Material changes at I-829 stage? Don’t Fret: An individual investor can proceed with their Form I-829 petition to remove conditions even if within the time between I-526 approval and submission of the Form I-829 a material change occurred to the business plan.  As long as the investor can show that they satisfy the conditions for removal of conditions, USCIS may still issue an approval.



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