EB-5 Investors’ Children in the U.S. Education System

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program grants U.S. permanent residency to foreign investors and their dependent family members in exchange for their investment in the U.S. economy.

One of the primary reasons foreign investors choose to participate in the EB-5 program is to secure their children’s future. In the case of EB-5 investors already in the U.S., dependent family members can adjust status along with the principal applicant’s I-526E and I-485 petitions. Once these petitions are approved, the EB-5 investor, their spouse, and their dependent children will receive conditional Green Cards, opening them all to the benefits of being U.S. permanent residents.

Among the various benefits of the EB-5 visa, one of the most significant for EB-5 investors’ children is access to the U.S. education system. Unlike the F-1 student visa or student exchange programs with limited duration and allowances, EB-5 investors’ children enjoy unlimited access to almost every educational benefit available to U.S. citizens.

In this article, we’ll explore in detail the educational benefits the EB-5 program offers to investors’ children.

Educational Benefits of an EB-5 Green Card for Investors’ Children

An EB-5 visa grants lawful permanent resident status to qualifying foreign investors and their dependent family members. To be eligible for the EB-5 Green Card, interested individuals must invest a minimum of $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) or $800,000 if the NCE is in a targeted employment area. The enterprise must then use this investment to create a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

A successful EB-5 petition means an EB-5 investor’s dependent children—or unmarried children under the age of 21—will also become legal permanent residents. And as permanent residents, they will enjoy nearly the same educational benefits as U.S. citizens.

Access to Free Public Basic Education

Upon receiving conditional permanent resident status, EB-5 investors’ young children can benefit from free lower public education in the U.S. Just like U.S. citizens, they can attend any public grade or high school for free and obtain a U.S. high school diploma.

While foreign children can attend a U.S. public school via an exchange program, this option is restrictive. Notably, a high school exchange program only lasts for one year. If you want your child to complete high school in the U.S. as an international student, you must enroll them in a private school. And private schools in the U.S. typically cost between $12,000–$20,000 for each child per year.

These factors make the EB-5 Green Card a more secure option for parents who want their children to receive a U.S. education. Through the EB-5 program, these children can enjoy a quality high school education, learn English faster, and get better preparation for a U.S. college education, all for free.

Improved Access to Elite Universities and Colleges

The U.S. has some of the highest-ranked and sought-after universities worldwide, such as Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to name a few. By obtaining a Green Card through the EB-5 program, EB-5 investors’ children will not be considered international students and therefore will not be subjected to the international admission quota when they apply to these institutions.

While holding an EB-5 Green Card does not guarantee acceptance, it does increase their chances of acceptance into these universities. This is because the acceptance rate for U.S. permanent residents is higher than that of international students.

Lower Tuition Rates

University education is generally expensive, but it is even more so for international students. As permanent residents, though, EB-5 investors’ children can benefit from lower tuition fees.

Many public universities and colleges offer discounted tuition rates to in-state applicants, and permanent residents also qualify for in-state tuition in most federal and state colleges, significantly reducing the cost of university education.

Even if your child wants to study at an out-of-state institution, U.S. permanent residents’ tuition is still lower than the steep rates international students must pay.

No matter where the university they attend is, these lower rates increase your children’s chances of affording a school that would have been otherwise too expensive.

Scholarships and Federal Grants

Aside from the fact that permanent residents enjoy lower tuition rates than F-1 students, they also have better access to financial aid opportunities. Importantly, like U.S. citizens, Green Card holders can apply for most state and federal scholarships and grants. They can also benefit from institutional scholarships and grants offered by various entities.

Moreover, EB-5 investors’ children can apply for financial aid through programs like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This makes university education even more affordable for permanent residents.

While F-1 students can benefit from institutional scholarships and grants, their financial aid options are comparatively limited, as they are not eligible for U.S. state or federal government aid and may have to fund their entire education out of pocket.

Work-Study Opportunities

U.S. permanent residents are eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program, which helps college students earn financial funding through part-time employment. As U.S. Green Card holders, EB-5 investors’ children can participate in the program and work for any qualifying organization to earn money to fund their university expenses. Through this program, they can work for their school, local or state agencies, non-profit organizations, or local businesses.

On the other hand, F-1 students have limited work opportunities. They do not qualify for the work-study program and can work only on campus in their first year. They can work off-campus in subsequent years, but it must be an optional practical training (OPT) or a curricular practical training (CPT) in line with their course of study. This limits their ability to earn money and support their education.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Many university students take advantage of various internships to boost their experience level in preparation for the job market. However, international students often face significant difficulties getting internship placements in large organizations because many of them only accept U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

By enjoying better access to internship opportunities, U.S. permanent residents also increase their chances of employment when they complete their studies. This means that an EB-5 Green Card may give your child a stable footing to compete in the job market.

Additionally, since most employers do not want the hassle of petitioning for a visa and work permit on behalf of their employees, many will pick a Green Card holder over a similarly qualified candidate who needs sponsorship.

Gift Your Kids a More Secure Future With the EB-5 Visa

The EB-5 legal permanent resident status permits EB-5 investors’ children to study anywhere in the U.S. and benefit from numerous financial aid options available to permanent residents—but not to those on student visas. This is why an EB-5 Green Card is one of the best gifts you can give your children, as it will secure their future and open them to a world of endless possibilities.

EB5AN can guide you through the process of obtaining EB-5 Green Cards for your family. In over a decade of practice, we’ve helped over 2,300 families from more than 60 nations relocate to the U.S. as legal permanent residents. We offer our clients first-rate, low-risk EB-5 regional center projects with a 100% USCIS approval rate.

To learn more about the EB-5 process and how you can create a secure future for your kids via the program, book a one-on-one consultation with our EB-5 experts today.