In many ways, the benefits of the EB-5 investor visa will depend on your goals in coming to the United States. Primarily, of course, you will likely apply for an EB-5 in order to invest in an American business.
But the program itself comes with perks you might not have known about, including certain freedoms. Whether you hope to improve your education, travel the United States or aid your family in their immigration needs, EB-5 visas are what you make of them.
- Citizenship – Your EB-5 visa can make you eligible to apply for a green card and obtain permanent residency, if you meet certain qualifications. Under this program, your spouse and children under 21 would also be eligible to apply. After five years of continual residence in the United States, you may pursue naturalization.
- Healthcare – As a visa holder, you can qualify to apply for U.S. health insurance services. Note, however, that you should take care with your health insurance choices, as many have high rates and may not cover all your needs.
- Employment – EB-5 visa holders have few employment restrictions. You may work in any discipline, and your workplace does not have to be in the same state as your investment. Additionally, you also may live anywhere in the country.
- Education – Depending on the state in which you reside, you may also receive in-state status for college tuition rather than pay the standard foreign student tuition amount. This could potentially save your family thousands of dollars. Washington even allows for undocumented immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition.
If you have not yet applied for an EB-5 visa and you are curious about the required steps, know that it can be a complex process that requires a keen attention to detail. Due to the national cap on investor visas, the processing for the EB-5 can take anywhere from months to years, depending on your situation. But the advantages are often well worth the investment.