Steve Camarota, of the Center for Immigration Studies, says that kind of system threatens to enshrine a subclass of foreign workers.

NPR: Immigration Plan Puts Price on Visa

The special Australian visa itself has a unique number, 188, making it distinct from the traditional 457 subclass given to most temporary foreign workers.

WSJ: Australia Attracts More Than $1 Billion in Potential Investment Under Visa Program

The special Australian visa itself has a unique identifier number "188, " making it distinct from the traditional "457" subclass given to most temporary foreign workers.

WSJ: Australia Offers Visa for Millionaires

Adding to the allure of the visa, the government has created a new subclass of permanent visa to go along with the program, "888, " a number many Chinese associate with wealth.

WSJ: Australia Offers Visa for Millionaires

Adding to the allure of the investor visa, the government has created a new subclass of permanent visa to go along with the program, "888, " a number many Chinese associate with wealth.

WSJ: Australia Offers Visa for Millionaires