PR85532

LONDON, September 15, 2020, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

The massive volatility driven by Covid-19 has pushed the steady growth in

investment migration into overdrive, with a nearly 50% increase in enquiries

overall as the pandemic coursed around the globe in the six months to June 2020

compared to the same period last year. While the surge in interest shown by

citizens of emerging economies such as India and Nigeria is somewhat

predictable, a fascinating turn of events is the growing attention from

nationals of leading developed nations. Most notable is America, with a

dramatic 100% increase in enquiries from US citizens in the first six months of

2020 compared to the same period in 2019, along with significantly greater

interest shown by Canadians and UK citizens.  

"The tumultuous events of 2020, including the unplanned pause during the Great

Lockdown, have resulted in people reconsidering how they wish to conduct their

lives and — for those fortunate enough — choosing where they want to live by

opting for investment migration," says Henley & Partners [https://www.henleyglobal.com/ ]

CEO Dr. Juerg Steffen [https://www.henleyglobal.com/key-people-details/dr-juerg-steffen/ ].

"The relentless volatility in terms of both wealth and lifestyle has resulted in a

significant shift in how alternative residence and citizenship are perceived by

high-net-worth investors around the world."

In terms of the total number of enquiries made in the first six months of 2020,

Indian nationals outstripped all other nationalities by a long stretch. Henley

& Partners received 96.5% more enquiries from Indian nationals than Nigerian

nationals, who were placed second, followed by Pakistan and, startlingly, the US.

Several countries that host investment migration programs rank high on

prominent indexes such as the 2020 Global Peace Index (GPI), the World Bank's

2020 Ease of Doing Business ranking, and Deep Knowledge Analytics' Covid-19

Regional Safety Assessment ranking. For those seeking the comfort of an

alternative residence option in times of crisis, New Zealand

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/newzealand-overview/ ] comes out on top,

impressively ranking 1st in both the GPI and Ease of Doing Business index and

2nd in the Covid-19 Regional Safety Assessment ranking. Other secure

alternatives for high-net-worth families are Singapore

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/residence-singapore-overview/ ], which ranks 7th

in the GPI, 2nd in the Ease of Doing Business index, and 10th in the Covid-19

Regional Safety Assessment ranking, and Australia

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/residence-australia/ ], which ranks 13th, 14th,

and 6th in the three indexes, respectively.

In terms of alternative citizenship options in Europe, Austria

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship-austria/ ] is the top option, ranking

4th in the GPI, 27th in the Ease of Doing Business index, and 8th in the

Covid-19 Regional Safety Assessment index, while Montenegro

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship-montenegro-overview/ ] ranks 69th,

50th, and 83rd in the three indexes, respectively. The GPI omits the Caribbean

small-island nations, but St. Lucia

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship-stlucia-overview/ ] ranks 93rd in the

Ease of Doing Business index and 127th in the Covid-19 Regional Safety

Assessment ranking, making it the Caribbean investment migration program of

choice for high-net-worth individuals.

"Once 'nice-to-have' assets of convenience and privilege that enhanced travel

freedom and provided vacation or second homes, alternative residence and

citizenship have rapidly become 'must-have' essential assets, not just to

survive, but to thrive in the 21st century," says Henley & Partners

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/ ] Group Head of Sales Dominic Volek

[https://www.henleyglobal.com/key-people-details/dominic-volek/ ], who points

out that 19 of the G20 nations offer some form of mechanism to encourage inward

investment in exchange for residence rights. The 20th member is the EU, and 60%

of EU member states offer investment migration options.

Media Contact

Paddy Blewer

paddy.blewer@henleyglobal.com

SOURCE: Henley & Partners