A new study says as many as 8,000 high net worth individuals are expected to migrate out of India in 2022. Stringent tax rules and reporting requirements in India along with the desire for stronger passports remain the biggest drivers for the migration, said the latest Henley Global Citizens Report, which tracks private wealth and investment migration trends worldwide.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

NEW DELHI – A new study says as many as 8,000 high net worth individuals are expected to migrate out of India in 2022.

Stringent tax rules and reporting requirements in India along with the desire for stronger passports remain the biggest drivers for the migration, said the latest Henley Global Citizens Report, which tracks private wealth and investment migration trends worldwide, reported Time of India.

The report said that young tech entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly transnational as they remain aspirational about accessing global business and investment opportunities, displaying ever increasing risk appetite.

Separately, the report revealed that the number of US dollar millionaires and billionaires in India will grow by 80% over the next 10 years compared to just 20% in US and 10% in France, Germany, Italy, and UK.

However, the latest projected 2022 net inflows and outflows of US dollar millionaires (namely, the difference between the number of high net worth individuals who relocate to and the number who emigrate from a country) show a net loss for India this year of approximately 8,000.

“These outflows are not particularly concerning as India produces far more new millionaires than it loses to migration each year. There is also a trend of affluent individuals returning to India and once the standard of living in the country improves, we expect wealthy people to move back in increasing numbers.

“General wealth projections for India are very strong. We expect the HNWI (high net worth individuals) population to rise by 80% by 2031, which will make India one of the world’s fastest growing wealth markets during this period. This will be fueled by especially strong growth in the local financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors,” said Andrew Amoils, Head of Research at New World Wealth.

The UAE is expected to attract the largest net inflow of HNWIs globally in 2022 (at least 4,000), according to forecast on the Henley Private Wealth Migration Dashboard.

Singapore is placed 3rd after Australia (3,500), with expected net inflows of 2,800 this year.

Fourth on the list is Israel at 2500, followed by Switzerland at 2200 and US at 1500.

“We are also starting to receive considerable interest from families from across Asia who are looking to make Singapore or the UAE their established base. Countries that are providing excellent infrastructure for wealth preservation are likely to remain popular destinations,” said Nirbhay Handa, Group Head of Business Development at Henley & Partners.

But why are India’s rich leaving the country?

While the traditional base of industrialists is unchanged, joining their ranks is a new generation of tech entrepreneurs, who are keen to diversify a portion of their wealth in jurisdictions offering a slew of incentives and high tax efficiencies.

“The appeal of a higher standard of living, including better educational and health facilities for the family, also continues to be a key driver, perhaps even more so in the wake of Covid.

“Increasingly stringent tax residency rules (introduced in 2020 and 2021), with no relief in individual taxation rates for HNWIs, coupled with a desire for visa- free travel are also consistent primary motivators for alternative residence and citizenship,” said Bijal Ajinky, Partner in the Direct Tax, Private Client and Investment Funds Practices of Khaitan and Co.

Where are they migrating to?

For Indians, EU countries and old favorites Dubai and Singapore are emerging as the top choices.

While Singapore is a preferred destination for tech entrepreneurs and also for setting up family offices because of its strong legal system and availability of world-class financial advisors, the Dubai Golden Visa has emerged as a winner in several circles for its ease of procurement and the multiple opportunities it offers.

Others turned to Europe, and especially Mediterranean countries such as Portugal, Malta, and Greece since they provide a gateway to the EU, an aspirational standard of living and, typically, a low physical residence requirement — which is important to those who continue to prioritize their families or business interests in India.

What are the challenges?

“Challenges for Indians include stringent exchange controls for making remittances, inheritance taxes for overseas assets, and Indian residency rules targeting statelessness. Indians are progressively turning to legal and financial advisors for nuanced advice on navigating these obstacles through the use of private trusts, holding entities, separate wills for different jurisdictions, and so on. Individuals are advised to start planning well before they intend moving any capital to avoid any unpleasant surprises,” said Ajinky.

Courtesy Times of India