Luxury Immigrants? An Exploration of the Practical and Symbolic Motivations of Chinese Beneficiaries of the Canadian Citizenship by Investment Programme

Abstract

What were the motivations of people who chose to acquire Canadian citizenship through the Federal Immigrant Investor Programme? To answer this question, we draw on a series of nineteen semi-structured interviews conducted with people of Chinese origin who obtained Canadian nationality through this programme. Based on the concept of nationality as a system of social stratification on a global scale, this research shows that children’s education, access to spacious housing, and a good quality, health environment topped the list of reasons given by interviewees. Increased mobility, which is much discussed in the academic literature, is sought only insofar as it gives access to these goods. The desire to acquire a privileged status within the global capitalist system is also a source of motivation, with the Canadian passport representing an object of social distinction and a sign of belonging to one of the richest nations.