Canada is an underrepresented nation when it comes to EB-5 investors, but Canadian investors may be missing out on a valuable opportunity. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers numerous benefits to Canadian investors interested in U.S. permanent resident status.
A Rich Business Landscape
The largest economy in the world, the United States offers Canadian entrepreneurs the optimal landscape for starting new businesses or expanding existing ones. Improving opportunities further, EB-5 investors are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of permanent resident status, which is particularly enticing for Canadians, since both the United States and Canada allow dual citizenship.
Access to the World’s Top Educational Institutes
When it comes to post-secondary education, the United States dominates, with several U.S. universities among the highest-ranked in the world. Canadian investors (and their children) who immigrate to the United States on the EB-5 visa can more easily enroll in prestigious U.S. universities. Even better, if they invest through a regional center, they are not bound to the state of their EB-5 investment, so they may study at any institute in the United States without fear of forfeiting their EB-5 visa.
Warm Weather
Even in the Vancouver area, where Canadians can escape the snow volumes seen in the rest of the country, winter temperatures are nowhere near balmy. Canadian investors looking to permanently enjoy the beautiful weather of California, Florida, or Hawaii year-round can invest in the EB-5 program for their ticket to a nice, warm climate. The United States boasts extreme geographic diversity, so Canadian EB-5 investors can choose the right climate for them.
The Right to Live in the United States
There are a variety of reasons Canadian nationals may want to relocate to the United States. Many Canadians have U.S. relatives and may want to move closer to their family. Major U.S. cities such as New York City and Los Angeles also boast some of the world’s best lifestyle and entertainment options, which entices countless Canadian nationals.
The EB-5 visa program is a solid choice for Canadian investors, regardless of why they wish to relocate to the United States. The main program requirements are $1.8 million ($900,000 if the project is in a targeted employment area, defined as a high unemployment or rural location) and the creation of 10 new full-time permanent jobs. Successful EB-5 investors receive EB-5 visas for themselves as well as their spouse and unmarried children below the age of 21.
