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The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides a number of benefits to its participants. Through an investment of $800,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the United States, foreign nationals can receive Green Cards for themselves and their qualifying dependents. Here are the top five benefits of participating in the EB-5 program.

1. EASE OF ACCESS TO AMERICA

The EB-5 program is among the least restrictive migration programs available given that no specialized skills are required to be eligible to participate in the program. As such, foreign investors are not required to show any previous professional experience and language skills.

The key requirements of the program are that (1) the investor’s funds must originate from a lawful source, (2) the investment must be “at risk,” and (3) a minimum of ten full-time jobs must be created for U.S. persons with the investment. The second and third requirements can be easily satisfied by investing in a project hosted by a reputable regional center. A regional center is an economic unit designated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that can pool foreign investors’ funds for the purpose of satisfying the job creation requirements of the EB-5 program.

2. EDUCATION

By participating in the EB-5 program, investors can obtain Green Cards for themselves, their spouses, and their children under the age of 21. Given the many education benefits that a Green Card unlocks for students, many parents participate in the EB-5 program for the benefit of their children.

A Green Card holder has a higher chance of acceptance into U.S. institutions and universities given quotas placed on international students. For instance, the applicant residency overview of the Fall 2019 freshman profile at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shows that the percentage of domestic students admitted to UCLA is higher as compared to international students. The UCLA Fall 2019 admit rate was as follows: 12% for California residents, 16% for out of state domestic students, and 8% for international students. This shows that with a Green Card in hand, students can increase their chances of being accepted into U.S. universities.

In addition to higher acceptance rates, U.S. Green Card holders can benefit from lower tuition costs and better access to merit-based scholarships and government grants. Furthermore, Green Card holders are eligible to apply for any job or internship position, whereas international students are restricted from certain available positions. Moreover, Green Card holders continue to benefit from their status even upon graduation, as they have access to better career opportunities. International students cannot work without first obtaining work authorization and in many instances are placed at a disadvantage given that employers prefer to hire U.S. persons.

3. PATH TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP

The U.S. Green Card provides a path to obtaining U.S. citizenship. While the U.S. Green Card and passport provide many of the same benefits, a passport is stronger and it means that you no longer have to apply for immigration paperwork with USCIS to renew your Green Card or pay for immigration filing fees.

A U.S. passport holder can benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to over 186 countries around the world. U.S. passport holders can apply for federal benefits that are only available to citizens. Additionally, U.S. citizens can apply for Green Cards for their relatives by sponsoring them. Another benefit to having the U.S. passport is that even if your children are born outside of the United States, they will be eligible to receive the U.S. passport and the benefits that come with being a U.S. citizen. Other benefits of being a U.S. citizen include the ability to vote in federal elections, the ability to apply for jobs with the U.S. government, and the ability to run for elected office.

4. HEALTHCARE

With 50% of the top ten best hospitals in the world being located in the United States, the country offers its residents a top quality healthcare system. The hospitals in the country are well-funded and have world-leading medical innovation and advancement ensuring that patients receive the best care and treatment. Additionally, the top pharmaceutical companies in the world have their headquarters in the United States and are successful in developing leading edge technologies and medicines. With the U.S. Green Card in hand, families can ensure that they have access to top quality healthcare.

5. PASSIVE INVESTMENT

The EB-5 Regional Center Program allows foreign investors to invest in a project hosted by a regional center and benefit from a passive investment. Investors need not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the project. By investing through the regional center route, investors can benefit from indirect job creation and can rest assured that the regional center will satisfy the requirements of the program on their behalf. That said, it is important to work with a reputable and experienced regional center to ensure that an investor does not face immigration risk.

If you are interested in finding out more about the U.S. golden visa program and whether you and your family qualify, contact our team today for a free consultation.