Global Mobility Perspectives: My Top 5 Recommendations for Residency and Investment

Hello everyone, I’m Henry.

Today, I want to address a compelling question proposed by our marketing team: "If you had to recommend five destinations for global immigration and residency, which ones would you choose?"

After careful consideration of the evolving geopolitical landscape, wealth preservation trends, and operational efficiencies for global businesses, I have finalized my top five selections. My recommendations are the United States, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, and Malaysia.

While this list reflects my personal strategic outlook and corporate experience, the underlying logic addresses the diverse priorities of high-net-worth individuals—ranging from asset protection and education to lifestyle and business expansion. Let’s explore the strategic value of each destination.

01. The United States: Unparalleled Opportunity with Strategic Tax Planning

The United States remains a powerhouse of global innovation, economic resilience, and world-class education. For any global entrepreneur or family focused on long-term growth, acquiring a U.S. residency status offers immense strategic advantages.

From a practical standpoint, establishing a U.S. footprint can be straightforward for business owners. For instance, given Globevisa's established corporate presence in the U.S., leveraging the L-1A intra-company transferee visa is a highly efficient pathway that can lead to permanent residency. Alternatively, the EB-5 Investment Program represents an excellent route. Over the years, I have personally visited numerous U.S. cities, evaluated various regional centers, and built strong relationships with top-tier fund managers and CEOs. This deep industry familiarity gives me the confidence to identify high-quality, compliant projects that mitigate risk.

However, the primary consideration for any high-net-worth individual looking at the U.S. is its global taxation system. Once you obtain a U.S. Green Card, your worldwide income becomes subject to U.S. tax. Coming from a low-tax jurisdiction like Hong Kong, this requires meticulous, proactive fiscal planning.

For individuals who want to experience the U.S. market and academic environment before making a long-term tax commitment, a structured alternative is worth considering. For example, enrolling in a specialized executive or postgraduate program at a premier U.S. university grants access to the country's vibrant ecosystem while allowing one to manage physical presence carefully to avoid triggering immediate tax residency status.

02. New Zealand: A Serene Sanctuary for Long-Term Security

In an increasingly volatile global environment, security and stability have become top priorities for affluent families. When looking for a peaceful sanctuary with an exceptional quality of life, New Zealand stands out as a premier choice.

While neighboring Australia has tightened its immigration frameworks significantly over recent years, making access restrictive for many investors, New Zealand continues to offer clear, structured investment pathways. The country’s Active Investor Plus visa framework caters perfectly to sophisticated investors looking to deploy capital into direct investments or managed funds.

What makes New Zealand uniquely attractive is its geographical advantages and lifestyle appeal. Situated safely away from geopolitical hotspots, it offers a level of long-term stability that few places can match. Furthermore, its highly favorable physical residency requirements—specifically, requiring just 21 days of physical presence over a three-year period under the NZD 5 million Growth Category—provide global citizens with the freedom to maintain their international business activities without being constrained by restrictive physical presence rules.

On a personal note, many of my close friends reside in New Zealand. They often share visions of a relaxed retirement, picture-perfect landscapes, and a community-oriented lifestyle. For those planning their next chapter or looking for a secure multi-generational haven, New Zealand is an option that commands serious consideration.

03. Portugal: The Strategic European Hub for Global Operations

When evaluating Europe, Portugal is a highly strategic and pragmatic choice. For global entrepreneurs, it offers the perfect balance of business utility and high-quality living.

One of the most practical factors in global mobility is communication. Navigating a new country without linguistic familiarity can be challenging. While I have spent a decade in Hong Kong focused on expanding our global operations rather than mastering local dialects, I am highly sensitive to language barriers. Portugal excels in this regard; English is exceptionally well-spoken across major urban centers and business communities, eliminating friction for international residents.

Compared to other European destinations, Portugal holds unique advantages. While the UK and Ireland offer world-class corporate environments, their climates may not suit individuals who thrive on active outdoor sports and year-round training, such as trail running. On the other hand, while Mediterranean island nations like Malta and Cyprus are beautiful, Portugal provides seamless continental connectivity alongside a sophisticated, relaxed culture that avoids unnecessary administrative formality.

Globevisa has maintained a robust operational presence in Portugal for many years, giving us deep institutional knowledge and a vast network of local legal partners, financial advisors, and developers. This makes navigating pathways—such as the highly regarded D-series residency visas or qualified fund investments like the Oxy Capital fund—incredibly secure and efficient.

Beyond personal residency, Portugal serves as a stellar corporate operational hub. Its strategic time zone bridges Asia, Africa, and the Americas perfectly, allowing businesses to service global clients seamlessly. Its flexible corporate immigration and assignment frameworks allow international firms to deploy talent efficiently, making Portugal an ideal center for future multinational expansions.

04. Singapore: The Ultimate Financial Hub and Wealth Capital

Within Asia, Singapore represents the premier destination for wealth management, corporate structuring, and family office establishment. It is a natural choice for any serious global business leader.

As the home of Globevisa Group’s international headquarters, Singapore’s efficiency is something I experience daily. Setting up and running an active corporate entity here provides unparalleled access to global financial markets. Singapore’s territorial tax system, absence of capital gains tax, and competitive corporate tax rates make it one of the most fiscally attractive jurisdictions worldwide.

For individuals of Chinese heritage, Singapore offers an seamless transition. Its harmonious blend of Eastern cultural values and Western legal infrastructure allows families to adapt instantly. Additionally, Singapore’s progressive urban planning and housing frameworks provide a superior standard of living and urban infrastructure compared to other dense financial capitals like Hong Kong.

While the cost of living and real estate markets operate at a premium, the trade-off is well justified. The unmatched safety, political neutrality, and top-tier educational system make Singapore an intuitive, baseline selection for global asset protection.

05. Malaysia: The Cost-Effective Regional Hub with Exceptional Liveability

My final recommendation is Malaysia, a choice that balances operational cost-efficiency with a high standard of living. When assessing regional integration and cultural adaptability, Malaysia offers outstanding value.

While Singapore serves beautifully as a high-end financial and asset management center, Malaysia acts as an ideal complement for operational back-offices and business scaling. Setting up a corporate entity is straightforward, and the country's immigration and employment frameworks remain highly cooperative for international businesses looking to establish regional operational teams.

From a lifestyle perspective, Malaysia boasts widespread English and Mandarin proficiency, ensuring that international families integrate effortlessly. The climate, infrastructure, and world-class healthcare systems are excellent, and the overall cost of doing business and living is highly competitive.

Regarding residency pathways, programs like the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) offer an exceptional value proposition. The PVIP provides a secure, 20-year long-term residence pass with minimal physical presence requirements, requiring straightforward upfront application fees rather than massive capital lockups. For global citizens seeking long-term stability, predictable frameworks, and regional flexibility, Malaysia is a highly practical and attractive choice.

Conclusion: A Portfolio Approach to Global Residency

In summary, selecting a destination for global residency is no longer about choosing just one country; it is about building a robust residency portfolio that serves your family’s lifestyle, wealth preservation, and corporate goals.

● The United States: Unmatched for economic opportunities and market access, optimized through professional tax planning.

● New Zealand: The ultimate peaceful retreat offering lifestyle insulation and long-term security.

● Portugal: A vibrant, English-proficient European gateway ideal for continental business hubs and active living.

● Singapore: The gold standard for financial infrastructure, asset protection, and corporate governance.

● Malaysia: A highly liveable, cost-effective regional base perfect for operational scaling.

By aligning these options with your specific personal and professional milestones, you can secure global mobility that stands the test of time. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to sharing more insights in our next update.

Disclaimer: Any reference to 'Hong Kong' on this website refers to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(Hong Kong SAR).