Welcome to Hong Kong & Singapore – They Want You

Some few countries in the world have special immigration programs that welcome foreigners as residents and eventual citizens if they are willing to invest and create local jobs. Although not generally known, both the United States and Canada have such programs, but so do Singapore and Hong Kong, financial hubs in the heart of the Asian growth area.

Both economies consistently rank as the world's freest. In its 2006 Index of Economic Freedom, drawn up by the US-based Heritage Foundation think tank, Hong Kong and Singapore were first and second respectively in rank for the freest economies. Having visited both of these vibrant city-states I can attest to the fact that life there would be not only be comfortable, but highly interesting and potentially very profitable.

Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Plan

Hong Kong remains one of the freest economies in the world, as well as a major offshore financial center with a strong common law system governing banking and finance, even though it is controlled ultimately by a Communist government in Beijing. On balance, semi-democratic Hong Kong remains relatively free, a reflection of Beijing's need for this historic city-state as a financial powerhouse and gateway for business with the world.

Although the Communist government in Beijing has ultimate control, the Special Administrative Region (SAR), as Hong Kong is called, continues to enjoy its freedom and sets its own immigration controls. It has a very liberal visa policy for visitors. People from more than 170 countries and territories may come to Hong Kong visa-free for visits ranging from seven to 180 days. Professionals and businessmen are welcome to work and invest in Hong Kong. Persons applying for permission to reside, work or study, or invest for more than 180 days are required to obtain visas or entry permits before arrival.

For wealthy investors, Hong Kong is also a residential haven. If you are prepared to invest the equivalent of US$833,000 in the local economy, and pass a background check, under a special investors immigration program you can obtain a renewable residence visa. But don’t expect to find a cheap apartment, property prices are among the highest in the world. But there are also other less costly programs for would be immigrants. Since 1997, over 200,000 talented professionals have come to Hong Kong to work or reside through various immigration admission plans.

To further enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness amid the world's economic integration, the HKSAR Government launched in June 2006 the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme ("QMAS"). (The QMAS is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam). The QMAS is an entrant plan on a quota basis. It seeks highly skilled and talented individuals from Mainland China, but also from overseas who are new entrants that do not otherwise have the right to enter and remain in Hong Kong under other plans.

---

Grow Your Wealth in the World's Freest Economy

Long ago and far away, there was a place where capital gains escaped the greedy arms of government. Sounds like a fairytale, doesn't it?

Well, you'll be pleased to know that this land of plenty is located in the here and now of 2006. The Wall Street Journal, Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation have rated it the world's freest economy.

Here's why:

*Tax-free capital gains!
*Corporate tax rate of 17.5%
*Personal income tax rate of just 15.5%
*One of the world's shortest tax returns -- just two pages

All this and a political climate that will welcome you with open arms. To learn more about this 'Jewel of the Orient,' click here.

---

Most immigration policies in HK have focused on applicants finding employers first and obtaining visas through their jobs. These applicants cannot settle in HK unless they have lived there for at least seven years and apply for the right to establish residence. Qualified QMAS applicants that meet specified criteria are allowed to settle in Hong Kong, without the requirement of securing an offer of local employment in advance before entering Hong Kong.

QMAS applicants must: 1) be between 18 and 50 years old at the time they file a QMAS application; 2) demonstrate that he or she has financial resources to support himself/herself and his/her dependants, if any, without relying on public assistance during his/her stay in Hong Kong.; 3) be of good character; 4) be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English; 5) have a good educational background or good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence.

After meeting these requirements, applicants may choose to be considered either under a "General Points Test" or an "Achievement-based Points Test." Applications are ranked according to point scores. High scoring applications are listed for immediate further assessment and compete for quota allocation with other applicants. Successful applicants under QMAS may bring their spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong.

Permanent Residence Status in Singapore

Lonely Planet travel tells us: "Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a Singapore Sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel. At first glance, Singapore appears shockingly modern and anonymous, but this is an undeniably Asian city with Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions from feng shui to ancestor worship creating part of the everyday landscape. It's these contrasts that bring the city to life."

Under the “Scheme for Entrepreneurs,” potential immigrants pledge to invest a minimum of S$1 million, (about US$600,000), half of which must be in approved industrial, commercial, or residential property, for a minimum period of five years. Foreign nationals with investment residence status are eligible to apply for naturalization after two years. There is no requirement that the entire time be spent in Singapore, but a home must be maintained.

Singapore does not recognize dual nationality. Foreign investors who want to invest in Singapore may apply for Permanent Residence status for themselves and their immediate family (spouse and unmarried children 21-year and below). Singapore has even gone so far as to designate a special waterfront area where luxury homes are being built for wealthy foreigners who move there.

Foreign investors can choose either of the following investment options scheme when applying for the Permanent Residence status: 1) invest at least S$1 million in a new business or expansion of an existing business operation or; 2) invest at least S$1.5 million on new business, or expansion of an existing operation, or approved locally incorporated venture capital fund or locally incorporated foundation or trust that focuses on economic development; or 3) invest at least S$2 million in a new business, or expansion of an existing operation, or approved locally incorporated venture capital fund or a locally incorporated foundation or trust that focuses on economic development.

Residential property can be purchased with not more than 50% of the investment amount. PS:  This October 12 - 25, you're invited to join Eric Roseman and Mike Burnick as they mine for these largely untapped investment possibilities in Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. While in Hong Kong, Sentosa, Bangkok and other incredible cities, we've invited the best local financial experts to tell you everything you need to know to set up your business in Asia, open a local bank account or invest in the hottest investment region on the planet. Interested? You'll want to hurry. We can only take a few privileged guests along with us on the tour. Also, this week is your last chance to save with your early bird discount. After Thursday, you'll pay hundreds more to join us on this unprecedented tour.

Click here to learn more LINK: http://www.sovereignsociety.com/offshore2227.html