Advantages and disadvantages for immigrant investors

The path towards US green card which is least famous and sparingly used is through the EB-5, the fifth employment-based preference for immigrant investors. In order to qualify for this program, an investor needs to set up a new commercial enterprise with a minimum investment of $1 million under normal circumstances. In addition to this, a minimum of 10 full-time jobs must be available for citizens of the US, permanent residents, or any other immigrants who are authorized workers in the US. Also, the investor must be a part of the management of the enterprise.

But the problems with this program are the stringent requirements and so, foreign investors are compelled to look towards other developed nations which are more welcoming such as Canada.

In its quest to bring in more investors from overseas and thus more foreign funds into the United States, Congress introduced the immigration investor pilot program by omitting some EB-5 preference requirements.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages after the change.

Advantages:
1. The most noteworthy part of the Regional Center program is the relaxation in the requirement of job creation. In order to qualify under the EB-5 Regional Center program, there is no requirement for the investor to show that he or she has created or saved 10 full-time jobs, as was required earlier.
2. There is minimum requirement of management for the EB-4 Regional Center program.
3. Under the Regional Center program, it is not mandatory for the investor to stay in the place of investment. The investor can live anywhere he wants to live in the United States.
4. Regional Center applications are to be given priority by the USCIS according to the 2003 amendment. This will ensure faster approval of the applications and can easily provide a green card to the investor in less than one year.
5. The investor does not require getting the immigration petition signed off by an individual sponsor or any company. After meeting the basic requirements, the investor is authorized to self-petition an immigrant visa an immigrant visa for self and family members.

Disadvantages: - In spite of the fact that there have been many advantages and flexibilities in the EB-5 Regional Center program, there are many disadvantages as well.

1. The fact that makes this program least attractive is that there is no surety that that green card would be provided after completion of the two years conditional residency.
2. With minimal managerial requirement, even the control of investors over their investment is minimal.
3. Cost of applying through the EB-5 program for permanent residency catches up to tens of thousands of dollars which is very discouraging.
4. Even the area available for investor for his investment is very restricted by the USCIS.