EB-5 Regional Center: Gain Permanent Residency by Investment in the United States, including Oregon

Do you and your family want to immigrate to Oregon or elsewhere in the United States? Or perhaps you’re an immigrant already living in Oregon, and you want to gain permanent U.S. residency? One of the best ways to achieve this is through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which enables you to obtain a U.S. Green Card by investing in the country’s economy.

Although you can invest anywhere in the United States, there are certain benefits to investing in Oregon. If you live in Oregon or plan on moving there, you might also wish to invest in a project located close to home.

Just like in other parts of the United States, the easiest way to make an EB-5 investment in Oregon is through a regional center. This article explains everything you need to know about this process.

What Is the EB-5 Program?

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a program that allows foreign investors to gain permanent residency in the U.S. by investing in a new commercial enterprise (NCE). If, after two years, you are able to prove that your investment has generated and maintained 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, you can apply for an unconditional Green Card.

Read our article on the steps you need to take to obtain an EB-5 visa to learn more about the application procedure.

Primary EB-5 Investment Requirements

Investments made under the EB-5 program are required to meet certain criteria. These include:

• • ✔️ Investing a minimum of $1,050,000 in a project or business venture, or a minimum of $800,000 in an infrastructure project, or in a project or business venture located in a targeted employment area (TEA). All of EB5AN’s projects are located in TEAs and therefore qualify for the lower investment amount.
  • ✔️ Creating at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers and sustaining these jobs for a minimum of two years. Those who invest through a regional center can count indirect and induced jobs towards job creation. We discuss this in greater detail later in this article.

• ✔️ Investing in a new commercial enterprise.
• ✔️ Maintaining the at-risk status of the investment and using lawfully sourced investment funds.

What Is a Regional Center?

EB-5 regional centers streamline the EB-5 investment process for potential EB-5 applicants. Investing through a regional center has several benefits:

Indirect Job Creation Counts Toward Your Total Job Creation

Investments that aren’t made through a regional center can only count full-time jobs created by their project—direct jobs—toward the required total of 10. If you invest through a regional center, however, full-time jobs generated because of your project—indirect jobs—also count.

Faster Form I-526E Approval for Rural TEA Projects

Once you have invested, you can apply to the EB-5 program by completing Form I-526E. This form requires you to provide details of the project you are investing in. A rural TEA project qualifies for priority processing, meaning your application will likely be processed faster.

Passive Management

Project managers acting for or on behalf of the NCE or the job-creating entity that owns and develops the project handle most of the business and fund management on behalf of investors. This is great if you want to avoid the hassle of managing a business yourself.

Why Invest in a Regional Center?

Potential EB-5 investors may select EB-5 investments located anywhere in the United States. However, opting for an EB-5 investment in Oregon offers several advantages:

Residency benefits are granted to all direct and indirect (via a regional center) EB-5 investors, irrespective of where in the United States the project is located; however, certain advantages apply to investing and living in Oregon.

• The EB-5 program is one of the fastest ways to gain U.S. permanent residency for the EB-5 investor, their spouse, and their unmarried children under 21 years of age.
• Retired Green Card holders can access their pensions earned abroad and in the United States. They may also qualify for Medicare and other social welfare programs.
• Green Card holders may apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of established permanent residency in the United States.

Employment Benefits

• Green Card holders are free to live and work anywhere in the United States.
• The EB-5 program does not require a visa sponsor (like a family member) or an employer sponsor.
• Green Card holders do not need an H-1B work visa to work.
• State employees benefit from the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), which includes a pension plan and an Individual Account Program (IAP) that supplements retirement income. This system rewards long-term service with enhanced retirement benefits.

Travel Benefits

• Green Card holders can leave and enter the country without being denied reentry. However, some travel restrictions apply.
• A bona fide resident and Green Card holder is free to travel to any part of the United States.

Education Benefits

• Green Card holders have free access to public elementary, middle, and high schools and lower-cost in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
• U.S. residency significantly improves the likelihood of admission to U.S. universities.
• Green Card holders may qualify for financial aid and scholarships.
• Permanent residents can work while studying, complete internships, and apply for postgraduate positions.

EB5AN’s Far West Regional Center

Although EB-5 investors can make their EB-5 investment in projects located anywhere in the United States, those in Oregon may find it easier to invest in projects located within Oregon. Thankfully, EB5AN already has a USCIS-approved regional center in Oregon.

The EB5AN Far West Regional Center contains 36 counties within Oregon, ranging from Salem to the economic hub of Portland.

EB-5 Investors Based in Oregon

EB5AN has EB-5 investment projects available to people already living in the United States, including Oregon. The EB-5 program is the best way to obtain U.S. permanent residency by investment.

If you are a foreign national considering an EB-5 investment, EB5AN can help you. Schedule a call to learn more about currently available EB-5 investment opportunities and join other bona fide residents who have immigrated through the EB-5 program.

How to Evaluate EB-5 Investment Projects

EB-5 investors should evaluate financial and immigration risks when selecting an EB-5 investment project.

EB-5 visa investment capital must be at risk for the duration of the investment. This regulation ensures that investors invest their capital and are not simply “buying” a U.S. Green Card.

This “at-risk” requirement does not mean that EB-5 investors are obligated to invest in “risky” projects, but rather that there must be a chance of loss. Instead, EB-5 investors are recommended to conduct due diligence to minimize their exposure to financial and immigration risk.

Reasons to Immigrate to Oregon

There are many reasons to choose to live in Oregon and invest there.

Bustling Cities

Oregon has the following main cities:

• Portland
• Salem
• Salem
• Bend
• Hillsboro

It is also home to the following attractions:

• Crater Lake National Park
• Mount Hood
• Willamette Valley
• Silver Falls State Park
• Columbia River Gorge
• Cannon Beach

No Sales Tax

A significant financial advantage of living in Oregon is the absence of a sales tax. This means that the price you see on goods and services is the price you pay, allowing for substantial savings, especially on larger purchases.

For instance, buying a car or home in Oregon can save you thousands compared to states with high sales tax rates. This feature not only boosts your purchasing power but also encourages consumer spending, contributing to a vibrant local economy.

Booming Economy

Oregon’s economy is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by its robust technology sector, particularly in the Portland metropolitan area. The state has established itself as a hub for high-tech industries, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

Additionally, core high-tech employment has reached over 81,000 jobs, showcasing the sector’s resilience and growth potential. Companies like Intel, which operates its largest facility in Hillsboro, have been instrumental in this growth.

Sustainable Living

Oregon has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. Many communities focus on eco-friendly practices like recycling, using renewable energy, and supporting local organic farming.

Residents often participate in conservation efforts and prioritize green building, creating a culture that values protecting natural resources. This dedication to sustainability helps preserve the environment and fosters a sense of community among like-minded people.

Oregon: Population and Income Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Oregon has a population of approximately 3.5 million people over the age of 16. Approximately 2.2 million of them are in the labor force—of these, 2.1 million are employed, and about 108,000 are unemployed.

The total population of the state is approximately 4.2 million, according to 2025 statistics. Additionally, the most populated cities in Oregon are Portland and Salem.

Oregon: General Economic Facts

• Oregon extends across 98,352.6 square miles (land and water), with a population density of approximately 44 people per square mile. It is the 9th largest state in the U.S.
• The capital of Oregon is Salem, but Portland is its largest city and metro area.
• Oregon’s 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) was approximately $263.3 billion.
• The main driver of Oregon’s economy is technology, especially in the Portland area, with companies in software, hardware, and biotech. Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism also play important roles in Oregon’s economy.

EB-5 Investment: Your Gateway to Permanent Residency in the U.S., including Oregon

With its bustling cities and booming economy, the state of Oregon is a great place to live. Investing in the U.S. economy under the EB-5 program is an easy way for foreign nationals to gain permanent U.S. residency status.

Best of all, if you gain citizenship under the EB-5 program, you will be able to live, work and travel anywhere in the United States. Book a free consultation today to find out how EB5AN can help you achieve this.