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8 Key Benefits of Obtaining a U.S. Green Card Through the EB-5 Program

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers foreign investors with the required capital a simple path to U.S. permanent residency. The program is open to anyone who can meet its requirements—investing $900,000 or $1.8 million in a new commercial enterprise, with the investment creating 10 full-time, permanent jobs for U.S. workers. Applicants don’t need to be sponsored by a U.S. employer, and they don’t need any specific knowledge, skills, or experience.

Becoming a U.S. permanent resident, or a U.S. green card holder, holds numerous benefits for immigrants and their family members. The video below offers a brief overview of these benefits.

For a more comprehensive overview, download the EB5 Affiliate Network summary of the benefits of U.S. permanent residence.

Download Summary of the Key Benefits of Holding a U.S. Green Card

By securing a U.S. green card, new members of the diverse population of the United States benefit in all aspects of life, from expanding their education and career opportunities, to being able to live anywhere in the country, to ensuring the financial and physical safety of their families while they work and after retirement.

1. Permanent Residents Face No Employment Restrictions

U.S. green card holders are free to work for whomever they please, wherever they please. Because they’re not bound by visa restrictions, permanent residents can work for start-ups and smaller organizations, and they can work anywhere in the United States. They don’t need to secure sponsorship with an employer when changing jobs—and they can even start their own businesses. This makes the EB-5 visa a particularly attractive option for professionals currently on an L1 or H-1B visa, as it allows them greater career mobility and advancement. Of course, these benefits also extend to the children of EB-5 immigrants who qualify for permanent residence. Finally, immigrants who secure permanent residence through the EB-5 program have the option of applying for U.S. citizenship after holding a green card for five years, making them eligible for government employment opportunities.

In contrast, foreign nationals working in the United States who are not permanent residents are forced to limit their job search to larger corporate organizations, and they are often forced to find work outside their areas of interest. They may also face geographic limitations when searching for work, and they are ineligible for government positions. And those without green cards constantly need to monitor and adjust to changes in immigration rules, which makes it difficult to settle down.

2. The Children of Permanent Residents Can Access the U.S. Public Education System

One of the facets of the EB-5 program that makes it so attractive is that EB-5 investors can secure visas for their unmarried children who are below the age of 21 when United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives the family’s I-526 petition. This allows investors to secure a better future for their children, not only through improved employment opportunities but also through access to high-quality education without incurring additional costs.

The U.S. education system is known for providing a holistic education focused on children’s overall well-being and development. Permanent residents can attend U.S. public schools for free, so they can gain a U.S. education without the cost of international exchange programs. In addition to giving them the opportunity to develop excellent English skills, by completing their primary and secondary schooling in the United States, children develop a strong, valuable peer network and are better prepared for the U.S. college system.

3. U.S. Residency Improves the Likelihood of College Admission

University applicants who hold green cards are not considered international students. Because of the stiff competition for the limited number of positions available for international students, applying as a domestic applicant increases a student’s chances of admission by as much as 3.5 times. While this is a significant benefit in itself, green card holders also benefit from reduced college tuition, as they can qualify for in-state tuition, financial aid, and scholarships. Because they aren’t subject to the same restrictions as international students, they can also work while studying, complete internships, and apply for postgraduate positions.

4. Green Card Holders Have Access to Technologically Advanced U.S. Health Care Services

According to a 2020 analysis conducted by Newsweek, the United States boasts four of the 10 best hospitals in the world: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. U.S. medical facilities are known for their cutting-edge research and innovation, which is good news for immigrants from countries where medical services lag behind those in more developed countries.

5. Permanent Residents Can Travel Freely Domestically and Abroad

The United States is characterized by diversity, not only in terms of its population but also in terms of its climates, geography, and lifestyle options. Permanent residents can choose where they want to live and work, whether they prefer the beaches of California and Hawaii, the mountains of Colorado, or the hustle and bustle of New York. They’re also free to travel to any part of the United States.

Whether green card holders need to leave the United States for business or leisure, they can leave and enter the country without fear of being denied reentry, although some travel restrictions apply. Additionally, certain countries allow U.S. residents and citizens entry without the need to apply for a visa, making international travel much easier.

6. Green Card Holders Qualify for Additional Support When They Retire

U.S. permanent residents are eligible for additional support through retirement. Retired green card holders can access their pensions earned abroad and in the United States. They may also qualify for Medicare and other social welfare programs.

7. Permanent Residency Benefits the Entire Household

Through a single passive investment—of $900,000 in a project in a targeted employment area or $1.8 million in a project elsewhere—an EB-5 investor can secure U.S. green cards for their spouse and their unmarried children under the age of 21. Additionally, holding permanent resident status makes it easier to establish a stable household in the United States. It’s easier to secure a mortgage and gain health and life insurance as a green card holder.

8. The United States Is a Safe Haven for Immigrants from Politically or Economically Unstable Countries

For many people across the world, political instability and economic uncertainty are parts of everyday life, and they deal with government corruption, infrastructure problems, a lack of access to education and health care, economic volatility, and similar problems as a matter of course. The United States offers a haven because of its economic stability, democratic government, and strong infrastructure. While permanent residency does come with some travel restrictions, green card holders can apply for citizenship after five years, after which they can spend as much time as they want between their country of origin and the United States.

Contact EB5AN to Start the Journey to U.S. Permanent Residence Through the EB-5 Program
The EB-5 program offers a clear path to U.S. permanent residence for a wide variety of investors. Contact EB5AN today to learn how you can become an EB-5 investor and protect your investment funds while successfully completing the EB-5 immigration process.