Benefits of the EB5 Investor Visa
For people wishing to live, work or retire anywhere in the USA that can afford to invest atleast $500,000 for at least five years, the EB5 investment visa is an option worth considering.
EB-5 visas are suitable for a variety of people that have the means to qualify for the minimum EB5 investment.
Professionals, business people, foreign students, retirees and current non-immigrant visa holders are amongst people that choose the EB5 Visa route to permanent residency in the US.
Simply put, the EB-5 visa gives you the flexibility to do what you want in the USA.
EB-5 Visa Benefits
- A direct route to a Green Card which provides permanent residence in the USA
- No day-to-day business management
- Permanent residency in the United States (green cards) for you, your spouse and any children under 21
- Live, work or retire anywhere in the United States
- Study in the USA with reduced education costs
- No requirement to continually renew and re-qualify visa status for EB5 Visa permanent residents
- Become a U.S Citizen after 5 years of being a green card holder
- No Quota Backlogs
- No Sponsor Needed
Most regional centers are limited partnerships, if the petitioner is a limited partner under the Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the investor will be considered sufficiently engaged in the management of the enterprise to satisfy USCIS that the investors would be engaged in the "management" of the enterprise as opposed to maintaining a "purely passive role".
The EB5 program allows the foreign investor, their spouse and all unmarried children under the age of 21 to immigrate to the US
The foreign investor and his family are not required to live in the area of their investment and may live or work anywhere in the U.S.
Foreign nationals who wish to study in the US receive great cost savings, as much as 75% by being a permanent resident, and can take advantage of in-state tuition rates, grants and scholarships.
After the I-829 'removal of conditions' approval, the EB5 investor and qualifying family members then receive permanent US residency without the need to continuously meet a qualification criteria such as with the E-2 visa.
As a Green Card holder, you will have all the rights granted to citizens (with the exception of voting) and will be eligible within 5 years to become US citizens providing they meet 'Physical Presence' requirements.
There are many delays and backlogs for employment and family based green card categories but there is no backlog for the EB5 Visa Investor category.
Foreign investors use their own personal funds and do not require sponsorship from either an employer or a family member.
EB-5 Visa Disadvantages
- Maintaining Permanent Residence
- Tax on Worldwide Income
- No Business Management
Green Card holders must establish residence in the U.S., and they must be present in the U.S. at least 6 months per year
Green Card holders must declare their worldwide income and assets in the U.S. for tax purposes.
Generally, under the Regional Center/Limited Partnership structure, the investor takes a more passive role and is limited to policy/decision making.