International Insights, Global Perspective
Hong Kong's New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has attracted nearly 3,200 applications worth HK$95 billion in two years. From March 1, 2026, a key rule change removes the six-month incorporation requirement for private holding companies, creating a direct link between investment migration and family office tax planning. Here's the full breakdown.
From January 1, 2026, Malaysia doubled the stamp duty on residential property transfers for foreign buyers from 4% to a flat 8%. For a RM2 million property, that alone adds RM80,000 in costs. This article breaks down the new tax rules, total acquisition costs, regional comparisons, and what it means for overseas Chinese investors.
From December 1, 2025, Singapore PRs overseas without a valid Re-Entry Permit have just 180 days to apply for a new one — or lose PR status permanently with no reinstatement. An upstream No-Boarding Directive from January 30, 2026 adds pre-flight screening. Here's what overseas Chinese PRs need to know.
The UAE has expanded its Green Visa to cover freelancers and remote workers, while maintaining a tiered property investment visa system starting from AED 750,000—offering overseas Chinese investors and digital nomads new residency pathways in a zero-tax jurisdiction.
Hong Kong's 2026-27 budget raises stamp duty on residential properties above HKD 100 million from 4.25% to 6.5%, while introducing a stamp duty waiver for non-residential property transfers into REITs—a dual signal of fiscal tightening and market development.
Japan's Tax Commission has proposed a major overhaul of real estate inheritance tax valuations, replacing traditional government-assessed values with purchase-price-based methods adjusted for market trends—effectively closing the infamous "tower mansion" loophole.
Singapore's MOM announced comprehensive work pass reforms in Budget 2026: EP minimum salary rises to S$6,000 from 2027 (S$6,600 for financial services), S Pass to S$3,600; COMPASS benchmarks updated from January 2026; a new ONE Pass (AI & Tech track) allows stock options to count toward salary criteria. The Local Qualifying Salary also rises to S$1,800 from July 2026, directly impacting foreign worker quotas. Chinese professionals planning Singapore employment migration need to reassess salary planning and timing immediately.
