The EB-5 investment visa program offers a path to lawful permanent residence for foreign nationals who invest in new commercial enterprises that create at least ten full-time jobs. Investors can participate in a regional center or make a direct investment. Investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) expedites the EB-5 process. Here are some of the key benefits of obtaining a green card through this program:
Access to a Large Economy
The central purpose of the EB-5 visa program is to aid economic growth in the United States, especially in rural areas that experience high unemployment rates. To obtain an EB-5 visa, investors must make an at-risk investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten jobs for American citizens. EB-5 visa applicants can invest directly or through regional centers that connect them with developers. Direct investments require that the investor establish or purchase a business. In contrast, regional center investments enable them to pool their funds with other investors to fund projects in the U.S. that create more jobs than would be possible through individual investments.
EB-5 visa green card holders also enjoy expedited processing times compared to other Green Card categories, which can help families begin their lives together in the United States more quickly. Additionally, EB-5 visa holders are not required to disclose their net worth, as with other visa categories, offering more privacy and flexibility. In addition, EB-5 visa holders can take advantage of reduced tuition rates at top universities in the United States, providing their children with a world-class education that can lead to prosperous careers.
Visa-Free Travel
EB-5 Visa Green Card holders can live, work, and study anywhere in the United States. Additionally, they can bring their spouses and children to the U.S. and build their lives together. The visa also allows them to travel freely to most countries worldwide. The EB-5 program has a reduced processing time compared to other immigration categories. This provides an individual and their family a fast, efficient path to citizenship. A person with an EB-5 investment receives conditional residency for the first two years. They can then file a petition to remove these conditions. On average, the EB-5 process takes 13 months from filing the initial petition to becoming a permanent resident. However, this varies by country of origin. Typically, an individual will have to wait longer in countries with more backlogs on USCIS’s EB-5 visa process. This is because fewer investors are pursuing their applications in those nations. In addition, the EB-5 process requires thorough due diligence to protect the investor from fraudulent projects and companies.
Social Security Benefits
EB-5 Visa Green Card Holders have full access to Social Security benefits. This includes Medicare Part A, which covers hospital stays and doctor visits, Medicare Part B, which entails lab work and X-rays; and Medicare Part C, which covers additional facilities. Additionally, EB-5 Visa Green Card holders can apply for a U.S. passport, allowing them to travel worldwide without worry. They can also take advantage of the lower tuition rates for children at universities in the USA.
The EB-5 investment visa allows you and your family to gain permanent residency in the United States after investing in a new commercial enterprise or purchasing an existing company that creates at least ten jobs for U.S. citizens. This visa is an alternative to the EB-2 immigrant investor visa category, with much longer processing times. Unlike some other Green Card categories, the EB-5 Visa does not require applicants to obtain a job offer or labor certification and doesn’t force them to disclose their net worth. This offers a sense of privacy and discretion for investors.
Education for Children
Education opens doors to a world of opportunity and helps kids reach their full potential. But millions of children are unable to access the learning they deserve. Despite the global commitment to education for all, barriers remain on many fronts. Children living in poverty are more likely to experience interruptions in their education, compounded by a lack of adequate nutrition, health and stimulation at home. Many vulnerable groups, such as children with disabilities, girls and those from ethnic minorities, are also at greater risk of being cut off from education. Fortunately, Green Card holders can give their children a head start by enrolling them in world-renowned U.S. universities, where they can benefit from lower tuition rates often reserved for students with Green Cards compared to international students. Plus, they can expedite the process by not having to secure a job offer or labor certification as required in some other visa categories.
Family Reunification
By becoming a U.S. permanent resident through the EB-5 program, you can sponsor family members for green cards. As a result, you can forge a life with your family in the United States. Green card holders can attend public schools and benefit from the American healthcare system. To qualify for the EB-5 visa, you must invest a minimum of $800,000 in a commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Additionally, it helps if you invest in a targeted employment area (TEA), which can accelerate the visa process. In addition, the EB-5 program allows you to forge a new life in the U.S. by sponsoring your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. They will be granted conditional green cards for two years, after which you can file an I-829 petition to remove the conditions on their green cards. It is important to note that permanent residency does not give you the same benefits as a U.S. citizen, such as voting rights and holding certain public office positions. Nevertheless, it is an excellent step towards naturalization.
