What is EB-5 program?

The EB-5 investor program was formulated under the Immigration Act of 1990 with the sole aim of bringing investment into the US economy through foreign investors and offer legal permanent resident status (green card) to them. The investment made by the foreign investors is particularly done in specific areas known as targeted employment areas falling under Regional Centers across US.

The EB-5 investor program ensures that well-to-do established persons from across the world can invest in US economy thereby gain US citizenship. This program offers an excellent opportunity for people to obtain US green card holder as well as become an owner of a business or entrepreneurial venture.

Under the EB-5 program, the investor needs to invest $500,000 in designation regional center programs that leads to creation of ten new full-time permanent jobs. Upon investment in any project of the investor and his family is granted a condition permanent resident visa for a period of 2 years and is free to stay in any part of US and not restricted to only the regional centers where the investment is made. After completing two years on conditional permanent resident visa, it needs to be proved that the investment has not been taken back by the investor and that the regional center has been successful in creating ten full-time jobs. If all things properly fall in line, all the conditions on the conditional permanent residence visa granted to the investor and his family are lifted and he/she can apply for US citizenship.

Different requirements for investment, job creation, and management of business investment are:

• Investing $500,000 in regional center programs that leads to creation of ten jobs through management of daily business by respective regional center programs
• Investing $500,000 in a business that is owned by the investor and showing that the investment has lead to creation of ten permanent full-time jobs in the same business in a "targeted employment area" called as rural area or in high-unemployment urban area
• Investing $1,000,000 in a business that is owned by the investor that leads to creation of ten new permanent full-time jobs in the investor's own business in any location other than targeted employment area

Green Card Benefits

Green card is a commonly used name for Permanent Resident Card for USA, previously known as Resident Alien card.

Permission to start own business and create own corporation. Some jobs require security clearance that only green card holders and U.S. citizens can get. Therefore, a green card provides more jobs opportunities.

Green card holder pay less tuition fees for university and college, referred to as “in-state” tuition or “resident” tuition. Savings are considerable and in most cases, they are 3 to 4 more times lower than what foreigners pay.

Green card holders get social security benefits when they retire, if they worked for 10 years (40 quarters to be precise) before retiring. If you obtain green card for your family, they will be entitled to retain it even if you pass away or lose your job.

Additional Benefits like:

• Retirement benefits
• Disability benefits
• Medicare
• Work incentives Planning and Assistance
• Employment Networks and Vocational Rehabilitation
• Protection and Advocacy

Other help services like:

Protection against future changes in immigration rules that could hurt your temporary permit. Access to security clearances, eligibility for government grants and exemption from export restrictions.

Most legal rights under U.S. law, except for the right to vote which is available after getting US citizenship.

Green card holders can permanently stay in the U.S. anywhere in the 50 states of United States.