Dan Healy, CEO of Civitas Capital Group, a US company that focuses on investment immigration and wealth management, said Chinese parents not only want their children to study in the United States, they also want them to be able to work in the country when their education is complete, but the new 10-year visas won't help to achieve that goal.

Against such a backdrop, wealthy parents often opt to obtain a green card through the Employment-Based Fifth Preference Investment Program, under which foreign investors that create 10 jobs in the US can be granted permanent residence, he said.

In Nov 2013, Tang's family bought a 300-square-meter house near her son's school, and her husband, who runs a company in Beijing, is now considering obtaining green cards for the entire family.

"Our son will pursue high school, undergraduate and postgraduate study, as well as work, in the US in the future, and we want to be near him as much as possible," Tang said.

Contact the writer at zhaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn

LONELINESS AND THE LANGUAGE BARRIER

Few people find it easy to acclimatize to life in another country, but middle-age parents who accompany their children overseas find it especially difficult.

Beijing resident Wu Ping, who has spent more than a year in the United States with her 15-year-old son, said displaced parents usually encounter two main problems. "One is the language barrier, and the other is the loneliness engendered by long-term separation from families back home," the 46-year-old said.

Wu's words rang true to Tang Xiaobing, who accompanied her 14-year-old son to the US in 2013.

The history graduate speaks little English, so she relied on her younger sister, who lives in the US, to communicate with the school about her son's performance.

"I tried to learn the language by listening to tapes, but I made little progress. My poor English kept me from making friends with foreign people, and my only friends were the owner of a Chinese restaurant in town and his family," said Tang, who has now returned to China.

Wu's proficiency in English has saved her a lot of trouble, but she has other concerns. "It's extremely lonely living far from home," she said. "I feel sorry for my husband, who works and lives alone at home in China. He needs my company and care."

She's also concerned that a long separation from his father could cause problems for their son. "Young boys need a lot of love, guidance, and support from their fathers. I'm worried that a long-term separation may result in my son becoming estranged from his father," she said.

PAINTING A BRIGHTER FUTURE?

Tang Xiaobing never imagined that one day she would develop a talent for painting and win praise for her art.

Since giving birth in 2000, Tang's daily routine of housework and looking after her husband and son left little time for any other activities.