Special visa allows the rich and famous to move to Australia

Welcome to the cash-soaked world of an A-list invasion as some of America’s richest ‘one-percenters’ flock to Sydney in ­record numbers.

Secret deals with private homeowners, non-disclosure agreements and hundreds of millions in prime, blue-chip eastern suburbs real estate.

Welcome to the wild, cash-soaked world of an A-list invasion as some of America’s richest ‘one-percenters’ — inspired by news reports and paparazzi photos of Hollywood superstars in paradise — flock to Sydney in ­record numbers.

Natalie Portman has settled into Sydney life.

Julia Roberts and her family are in the country.

In a market that was once strictly dominated by the Chinese mega-wealthy, it is now mostly US citizens who are bombarding Sydney’s high-end real estate market, with some of the city’s finest mansions being snapped up in a no-expense-spared buying and renting free-for-all.

It’s a scenario made possible for only the uber-rich, with visiting movie stars, including Natalie Portman, Melissa McCarthy and Julia Roberts, able to bunker down long-term and even purchase real estate under a “high net worth” visa which allows US citizens to move here and invest in property provided they invest at least $5 million in local, government-approved funds.

It’s understood the federal government, spurred by a COVID-shaped hole in the economy, more than doubled the amount of these visas granted in the past 12 months, jumping from 6000 to 14,000.

Pictures like this one of actors Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone inspire other US citizens to come Down Under. Picture: Nathan Edwards

The result has seen the arrival of high net worth US citizens in record numbers, according to Sarah Hegarty, executive director of new resident solutions for James Packer’s Ellerston Capital — a company which specialises in managing accounts for wealthy overseas investors looking to relocate.

“This was a visa that, until pretty recently, was probably 93 per cent used by the Asian market, most of that China,” Ms Hegarty said.

“But post-COVID we have seen a real diversification in the nationalities coming where and we are definitely seeing a huge American influx in the past few months. Prior to that we would get maybe one or two Americans per year.”

Zac Efron and brother Dylan Efron at Kangaroo Island Australia. Picture: zacefron/Instagram

And there is no doubting the “Efron Effect”. Cashed-up US residents seeking a lifestyle alternative have, according to Ms Hegarty, genuinely been inspired by the likes of celebrities Zac Efron and Portman (the latter was recently sighted househunting in the Southern Highlands), who arrived here as major film and TV productions sought a COVID escape and set up shop in Sydney last year.

“It does sound too simple but from speaking to people who are looking to come out … that’s exactly what it is,” she says. “People are seeing these ­images of celebrities walking around without masks, at the beach, enjoying what seems to be this extremely liveable place and they’re saying; “Hey what are we waiting for’.

“And prior to COVID, Australia still was, to a certain extent, seen as a bit of a Crocodile Dundee location. But that has all changed now.”

Singer Rita Ora rented this palatial waterfront home.

And while movie stars and studio heads (including, it’s rumoured, Marvel boss Kevin Feige) have led the way, it is now also business and tech titans joining the migrations, with some of Silicon Valley’s biggest-name billionaires said to be eyeing some of Sydney’s best real estate.

“Names you wouldn’t believe,” Ms Hegarty said.

Mega-rich Americans can also apply for the slightly more exclusive “global talent visa” — a newly introduced fast track bequeathed only on those who are deemed an internationally regarded star. Oscar-winner Portman is believed to be among those who have qualified.

Overseen by a selected panel, the permanent residency visa can be granted within as little as nine days, allowing for some of the world’s biggest names in film, music, tech and science to gain instant entry into what has become the world’s most in-demand spot — Sydney’s east.

President of Production at Marvel Studios Kevin Feige. Picture: AAP Image

Double Bay real estate broker Jeremy Clinton says that waterfront is also king, with some US luminaries making moves on homes that aren’t even on the market.

“Put it this way, we have a few secrets on our books,” said Mr Clinton, who says it’s not uncommon to approach a private homeowner in search of a temporary or permanent home for a visiting celebrity.

“More often than not the homeowner will be quite receptive because you’re dealing with individuals for whom money really is no object. And they also get the bragging rights.”

And there seems to be no end in sight for mega-rich migration.

“I am approached by clients looking to arrive in six, twelve, 18 and 24 months down the track,” Mr Clinton said.