The Benefits of Living in the United States as an EB-5 Green Card Holder

Every year, millions of people around the world leave their home countries and move abroad. And no country has a higher demand for immigration than the United States. United Nations data for 2020 shows that the U.S. is home to 50.6 million foreign residents. This represents, by far, the largest number of foreign residents in any single country. Germany, with the second-highest share, had only 15.8 million foreign residents in 2020.

The United States offers a variety of unique benefits that appeal to foreign nationals of all different backgrounds, age groups, and nationalities. This article will outline the numerous benefits of gaining permanent resident status in the United States—often referred to as a U.S. Green Card—and why the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is one of the most efficient ways to do so.

Six Benefits of Becoming a U.S. Green Card Holder

There are many benefits to obtaining a U.S. Green Card, especially through the EB-5 visa program. Some of the most pronounced benefits are:

1. World-Renowned Academic Institutions

U.S. Green Card holders can enroll more easily in many of the top colleges and universities in the world. This incentive is particularly important for families with children. In fact, in the rankings released by Top Universities for 2023, five of the top ten universities in the world are located in the United States: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and the University of Chicago.

Leading U.S. universities often favor applicants who are permanent residents as opposed to international students, and these schools typically set limits on the number of international students who can enroll each year. Green Card holders can expect to be around 9% more likely to be accepted to a top U.S. university than international students.

The cost of higher education can also be significantly lower for U.S. Green Card holders thanks to in-state tuition rates, which can save students as much as $20,000 on an annual basis when compared to out-of-state rates. Grants, scholarships, and other financial aid such as the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) are also more likely to be available to U.S. Green Card holders.

Students who hold Green Cards can also work freely in any business of their choosing. This includes internships and off-campus jobs. Furthermore, after graduation, Green Card holders can expect to have more promising career opportunities waiting for them in the United States. In contrast, student visa holders are subject to an expiration date and can rarely work off-campus while enrolled at a university. Students often find that renewing their visas can be a lengthy process, and in many cases, they must leave the United States after graduation.

2. Improved Career Opportunities

Non-immigrant visas for workers are often temporary and impose significant limitations on types of employment. The H-1B visa, for example, only allows its holders to work for a specific employer, and the number of H-1B visas made available each year is not nearly enough to cover the high demand.

Green Card holders, on the other hand, can work for any employer regardless of where they live in the United States. Permanent residents enjoy the freedom of limitless career opportunities, including working at several of the world’s leading companies based throughout the country.

In addition, the United States is considered a meritocracy—professional advancement is not determined by an individual’s social status or wealth, but by their skill and work ethic. The United States abounds with success stories of individuals from low-income backgrounds who have forged impressive careers by virtue of their achievements and talent.

This potential for growth can be a major incentive for foreign nationals seeking a U.S. Green Card, who often come from countries where success is inextricably linked to factors outside their control, such as one’s social standing or family wealth. Indeed, American ingenuity in the face of adversity has often resulted in tremendous professional success and innovative solutions to social issues.

Many members of EB5AN’s team have personally benefitted from the U.S. meritocracy. Co-founder and managing partner Sam Silverman, originally from Florida, completed his undergraduate studies at Yale, earning a BA in economics with a concentration in Mandarin Chinese. He later went on to earn an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business before working at the Boston Consulting Group, one of the top management consulting and business strategy firms in the world with an annual revenue of nearly $12 billion.

Co-founder and managing partner Mike Schoenfeld, who attended public schools, earned a BA in economics and a BS in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also went on to work at the Boston Consulting Group, as well as in private equity.

Jake Hoyle, EB5AN’s vice president, attended Columbia University, one of the leading higher education institutions in the world, and is also a successful épée fencer who represented the United States in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Many other members of our team have also found professional success after attending leading universities, including Princeton, John Hopkins, and Stanford.

3. Safety, Security, and Diversity

The United States government provides various social assistance programs to its citizens, as well as to its Green Card holders, providing cash assistance or other forms of aid. Many of these local, state, and federal aid programs can help Green Card holders confront financial difficulties. Some of these programs include:

• Social Security benefits
• Medicaid, which helps low-income individuals cover healthcare expenses
• Unemployment aid
• Disability assistance, such as Supplemental Security Income
• Aid for first-time homebuyers, such as the First-Time Homebuyer Act of 2021

In the event of an economic downturn, unexpected health problems, or other difficulties, Green Card holders can rest assured that they will not have to face these challenges alone thanks to social security benefits, unemployment assistance, disability aid, and more.

Moreover, the racial and ethnic diversity of the United States makes for a truly inclusive society made up of Americans as well as people from all over the world. Green Card holders will be able to associate with a wide variety of friends and colleagues in professional, academic, and social settings.

4. Access to World-Class Healthcare Facilities

Gaining a U.S. Green Card also grants access to the United States’ elite healthcare facilities. Perhaps the most appealing factor of the American healthcare system is its leading hospitals and doctors, as the country has some of the most well-funded and advanced medical institutions in the world.

The prevalence of leading medical schools in the United States has created a large workforce of highly skilled doctors, researchers, and other medical practitioners.

The high standard for healthcare in the United States is reflected in Newsweek’s “The World’s Best Hospitals” list for 2022. Five of the top ten institutions are located in the United States:

• Mayo Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• John Hopkins Hospital
• UCLA Health Ronald Reagan Medical Center

Of the 100 hospitals on the list, 25 are located in the United States. Furthermore, since 1975, 90% of all medical innovations can be credited to research performed in the United States.

5. Economic and Political Stability

The United States has consistently been ranked as the world’s richest country. Despite occasional economic downturns, global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and other factors detrimental to the world economy, the United States has continually shown its resilience.

The World Bank ranks the United States as the world’s largest economy with a GDP of $20.89 trillion and a disposable income per capita (income remaining after subtracting payments for income taxes) of $54,854—both the highest in the world.

Moreover, the U.S. dollar is one of the world’s strongest currencies and holds a preeminent position in global markets. It is the world’s reserve currency; the International Monetary Fund reports that central banks hold 59% of their reserves in U.S. dollars. While currencies in other countries can be extremely volatile and lose value very quickly, the U.S. dollar offers an unparalleled level of financial stability for Green Card holders.

Furthermore, many foreign nationals live in countries with dysfunctional or corrupt judicial systems. The United States offers a better alternative, with a sophisticated judicial system that ensures everyone receives justice.

6. Geographic Diversity

The United States is the third-largest country in the world at nearly 4 million square miles (or almost 10 million square kilometers). This makes the United States approximately:

• 18 times larger than France
• 3 times larger than India
• 30 times larger than Vietnam

The sheer size of the United States makes rural areas abundant, keeping land throughout much of the country extremely affordable. Those who would prefer to live in an urban area can choose from several densely populated cities, many of which constitute major financial, technology, medical, or cultural hubs.

The geographical diversity of the United States provides a variety of climates, ecosystems, and lifestyles to choose from. Opportunities to enjoy nature are also abundant, with numerous national parks and natural attractions. These include:

• The Grand Canyon National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Denali National Park
• Niagara Falls
• Crater Lake
• The Great Sand Dunes

What Is the EB-5 Visa Program and Why Is It an Attractive Way to Obtain a Green Card?

The purpose of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is to stimulate the United States economy and drive job growth for U.S. workers by attracting foreign investment. In exchange for U.S. Green Card status, investors from all over the world can live and work in the United States on a conditional basis while going through the process of becoming a U.S. Green Card holder. An EB-5 visa allows the investor’s spouse and any dependent family members to become Green Card holders, as well.

EB-5 visa program applicants must invest in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) in order to create 10 new full-time jobs for U.S. workers. If the selected NCE is based in a targeted employment area (TEA)—an area of the U.S. with a population below 20,000 people and an unemployment rate of at least 150% of the national average—then an investment of only $800,000 is required. Otherwise, the minimum investment amount is $1,050,000.

There are several steps in the process of becoming a U.S. Green Card holder through the EB-5 program, which typically takes at least two years to complete. However, investors and their families are able to live and work in the United States throughout that entire time as conditional U.S. Green Card holders.

In the final 90 days before the end of the two-year conditional period, the EB-5 investor must file an I-829 petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), at which point they will be granted permanent resident status and become a U.S. Green Card holder. If desired, eligible EB-5 investors who become Green Card holders have the option to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization just five years later.

While navigating the EB-5 process can be challenging, and professional guidance from program experts and experienced immigration attorneys is highly recommended, it remains one of the most efficient and reliable ways to obtain a U.S. Green Card, and gain access to the many benefits that it provides.

Obtain a U.S. Green Card Through the EB-5 Program

These are just some of the many incentives that encourage people worldwide to move to the United States. Foreign nationals interested in relocating, however, are often faced with uncertain or lengthy immigration processes. The EB-5 visa program stands out as a straightforward and efficient way to become a Green Card holder while offering a pathway to apply for U.S citizenship.

EB5AN has helped more than 2,300 families from 60 countries obtain U.S. Green Cards. Our expert team has more than a decade of experience, and offers clients first-rate, low-risk EB-5 projects in which to invest, with a 100% USCIS project approval rate to date.

To begin your family’s journey toward becoming U.S. Green Card holders, schedule a free meeting with EB5AN today.