The United States is the favorite destination for wealthy Chinese.

Almost 82,000 individuals born in China were granted permanent resident status by the U.S. in 2012, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The number was even higher in 2011.

Only Mexico sends more immigrants to the U.S. A program that allows foreigners to invest $500,000 in exchange for a green card has been popular with Chinese, although most are still granted entry for other reasons.

Access to quality education is one of the biggest draws for Chinese hoping to move to the U.S. -- along with cleaner skies and water supplies.

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