10 Reasons You Should Pursue an EB-5 Green Card
If you’ve just recently heard about the EB-5 green card, you are not alone. This lesser-known visa category has been gaining more popularity in recent years, even though it was established by the United States Congress in 1990. The EB-5 visa is an immigrant investor visa that provides a direct path to permanent residency in the United States. But this is not the only advantage that makes it so desirable.
Here are 10 advantages of obtaining an EB-5 visa.
1. Obtain a Permanent Green Card
Compared to some of the most common U.S. visas among aspiring immigrants, such as the F-1 student visa and H-1B work visa, the EB-5 visa has some important distinctions. Most notably, the nonimmigrant F-1 and H-1B visas only grant a temporary stay in the U.S., which is limited to the duration of your studies or employment contract. The EB-5 visa, however, provides a path to permanent U.S. residency. In fact, a growing number of H-1B holders are switching to an EB-5 visa due to the recent high denial rates of H-1B petitions and the growing uncertainty with the lottery process.
2. Apply to Any Job or School
Another key difference between the H-1B work visa and the F-1 student visa is the EB-5 visa does not require language proficiency or employer or school sponsorship. In fact, an EB-5 green card allows its holder to live, work or study wherever they like in the U.S. This is quite advantageous as it pertains to one’s career since an EB-5 visa holder may apply to any job they like and move from company to company as they choose. Climbing the corporate ladder is obtainable with an EB-5 green card. And for students, once they graduate school they can continue to live in the U.S. since the EB-5 green card is permanent.
3. Access Top Universities
According to U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Global Universities Rankings,” U.S. universities earned eight of the top 10 spots. It stands to reason that gaining access to a quality education for their children is often a key decision driver among EB-5 visa applicants. Another consideration is that attending college in the United States tends to be more expensive for international students on an F-1 visa than it is for domestic students or green card holders. While living in the U.S. via an EB-5 green card, students can take advantage of cheaper in-state tuition rates if attending a public university in the state where they live. In addition, scholarships and financial aid are available to domestic students adding another way to manage costs. Most importantly, as an EB-5 green card holder, one can remain living in the U.S. permanently whether they stay in school or not.
4. Pursue Competitive Sports
It is no secret that when it comes to sports, the opportunity to develop as a professional athlete is widely attainable in the United States. There are opportunities to train in countless sports with access to top trainers. In fact, many U.S. sports teams like soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball and tennis have immigrants from around the world, including Russia, China, Kenya, Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Argentina, Brazil and many others. And as reported by The New York Times, “Few of these immigrants said they came to the U.S. solely to continue their athletic careers. Mostly, they said, they came for love, opportunity, freedom and education.” The EB-5 visa is a great way for families to move to the U.S. permanently so their children may grow up playing sports here.
5. Capitalize on Entrepreneurship
The United States has been named as the world’s most entrepreneurial country by CEOWORLD Magazine’s Entrepreneurship Index 2019. And the EB-5 visa enables investors to follow their entrepreneurial spirit by allowing them to start a new business or even expand and move an existing business to the U.S. The United States also prides itself as the place where many foreign-born entrepreneurs have established successful companies and have become billionaires, such as South African-born Elon Musk of Tesla Motors, Russian-born Sergey Brin of Google, Ukraine-born Jan Koum of WhatsApp, Turkish-born Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani and many more.
6. Take Advantage of a Strong Economy
The “investor visa” concept is not unique to the United States and is known as the “Golden Visa” in other countries such as Australia, Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom. Requirements and investment amounts vary from country to country, with some investments being non-refundable and others requiring the purchase of real estate. However, the economies in these countries cannot compare to the economy of the U.S. which has retained its position as largest in the world since 1871. The U.S. is often named as an economic superpower backed by advanced infrastructure, technology and an abundance of natural resources. Along with low unemployment, access to capital investment and technological innovation, the U.S. competes as one of the most attractive options among foreign investors interested in a residency by investment program.
7. Earn a Return on Investment
The EB-5 visa is an investor visa and as such, has the opportunity to earn a return on investment. Although most EB-5 projects provide a nominal return on investment, there are some projects which may yield a higher return. It is important for investors to conduct their own due diligence and choose an EB-5 regional center carefully. Working with an experienced real estate investment management firm that specializes in EB-5 projects and has a strong track record can make a big difference. “Unlike traditional EB-5 projects where investors receive a de minimis fixed return with no upside potential, our projects provide an attractive risk-adjusted return on investment,” says Rich Marquard, Executive Vice President of Investment Operations at The LCP Group, L.P., a 45-year-old real estate investment management firm based in New York that specializes in EB-5. “Plus, we have an alignment of interest. We co-invest with you, so our money is at risk too.”
8. Enjoy an Immigrant-Friendly Country
From its inception, the United States has been a country of immigrants. And to this day, it remains one of the most receptive countries for immigrants and is ranked No. 1 on Immi Group’s Top 10 Immigration Friendly Countries list. The biggest migrant groups in the country are from India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines. But one is sure to meet people, experience cultures and find cuisine from many other countries. The many ethnic neighborhoods around the country make it easy for new immigrants to assimilate and feel right at home. And in some cases, even speak their native language throughout their community. Given its diversity, it’s no surprise that the United States is considered “The Melting Pot” and the EB-5 visa is a great way to make the move.
9. Begin a Path to U.S. Citizenship
If your goal is to settle down in the United States, then the EB-5 green card is one of the best options to pursue in order to accomplish that. The EB-5 visa program provides a direct path to U.S. citizenship. Soon after your I-526 application is approved, you and your immediate family can move to the U.S. and receive your two-year conditional green cards (subject to country-specific backlogs). Your immediate family includes your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. After two years, you can apply to have the conditions removed and obtain your permanent green cards. Once you have lived in the U.S. for five years with your permanent green cards, you become eligible to apply for naturalization and can become a U.S. citizen.
10. Live the American Dream
Since its beginnings, America has been known as “the land of opportunity” and it continues to hold that notion. Throughout history, immigrants from different parts of the world have come to the U.S. to seek a better life for themselves and for their families. Since the EB-5 investor visa is permanent and includes your spouse and all unmarried children under age 21, it allows you and your family to explore these opportunities and to pursue your American dream.
So whatever your motivation, the EB-5 visa provides many advantages to you and your family when compared to other immigrant or non-immigrant visa programs. Given all it has to offer, it may be worth learning more about the EB-5 visa so you can decide if it makes sense for your family.
Obtain more information on attractive U.S. investment projects with potential for a permanent U.S. green card.
