China has seen a rapid rise in the number of so-called "investment immigrants" putting down roots abroad over the past three years, according to a report on China's migration status released Wednesday.

The Annual Report on Chinese International Migration 2014 revealed that an increasing number of Chinese people are buying properties abroad to obtain permanent residency there.

The report, put out by the Center for China and Globalization and the Social Sciences Academic Press, notes that China became the second-largest overseas property buyer in the US.

It quotes statistics from the US State Department showing that 6,124 Chinese applicants obtained the EB-5 investment immigration visa to the US in 2012, nearly 8 times the number in 2010.

The report also revealed that most Chinese investors chose to purchase properties for the future educational needs of their children.

Martin Lawler, a San Francisco immigration lawyer, told China Daily that many of his Chinese clients are considering buying a house in California, even though they don't live in the country for the whole year, because of their business in China.

The Chinese investors are not only preparing for their retirement but also making a good investment for their children who are currently seeking education opportunities in the United States, he said.

yuran@chinadaily.com.cn