EB-5 Investors from Sugar Land, Texas Seeking EB-5 Investment

EB-5 investors from Sugar Land, Texas, seeking an EB-5 investment should consider the benefits of investing in an EB5AN EB-5 visa project.

Sugar Land is a wise location to invest in an EB-5 project, as it attracts both tourists and businesses. From the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center to Brazos River Corridor, there is something for everyone in this Texas town.

The EB5AN Sugar Land, Texas Regional Center

Potential EB-5 investors may select EB5 investments located anywhere in the United States. Those living in Sugar Land, however, may simply want to invest in projects located within the state, and EB5AN already has a USCIS-approved regional center that covers Sugar Land.

Our EB5AN State of Texas Regional Center provides coverage of the entire state of Texas, including greater Houston and Sugar Land. Eligible foreign investors who desire U.S. permanent resident status can select an EB-5 investment under our Texas EB-5 regional center or another EB5AN owned regional center to obtain permanent residency through the EB-5 investment program.

Why Do Most EB-5 Investors Use Regional Centers?

EB-5 regional centers streamline the EB-5 investment process for potential EB-5 applicants and make it easier to demonstrate required job creation. Specifically, only regional centers may use the indirect method of calculating jobs through an approved economic methodology. This means that EB-5 investors must show only that their invested funds were spent according to the business plan rather than documenting that full time (W-2) employees were hired and remained employed for at least two full years.

EB5AN maintains multiple USCIS-approved regional centers with broad geographic coverage, enabling it to immediately sponsor strong EB-5 projects in cities across the United States, including Sugar Land, Texas.

Green Card Benefits for Sugar Land EB-5 Investors

The direct benefits for a Sugar Land based EB-5 investor of making an EB-5 investment include the following:

Residency and Citizenship Benefits

EB-5 is one of the fastest methods to gain permanent residency in the United States for the EB-5 investor, his or her 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 a minimum of 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, without restriction.
Live anywhere, from the beaches of California and Hawaii to the mountains of Colorado, from a quiet, rural town to the hustle and bustle of New York City.
- Live in states such as Florida and Texas with no state income tax.
- The EB-5 program does not require a visa sponsor or employer sponsor
Green card holders do not need an H-1B work visa in order to work

Travel Benefits

Green card holders can leave and enter the country without being denied reentry, although some travel restrictions apply.
Green card holders are free to travel to any part of the United States.
In the event of a political change or significant event in the investor’s home country, the investor and his or her family can immediately gain entry to 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 improves the likelihood of U.S. university admission by as much as 350%.
- Green card holders qualify for in-state tuition, financial aid, and scholarships.
- Permanent residents can also work while studying, complete internships, and apply for postgraduate positions.

Primary EB-5 Investment Requirements

The primary EB-5 investment requirements can be summarized as follows:

Investing a minimum of $800,000 for EB-5 investments made in rural or high unemployment areas designated as targeted employment areas (TEAs). Projects outside of TEAs require an investment of $1,050,000, but all of EB5AN’s EB-5 investment projects are located in TEAs and qualify for the lower investment threshold of $800,000.
Creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers that last a minimum of two years.
Investing in a new commercial enterprise or a troubled business.
Maintaining the at-risk status of the investment and using investment funds that have been lawfully sourced.

EB-5 Investment in Sugar Land

Sugar Land: Population and Income Demographics

Sugar Land is in Eastern Fort Bend County and just 20 miles from downtown Houston. It was originally a sugar plantation in the 19th century and became incorporated in 1959. Corporate headquarters in the city include Minute Maid, Tramontina USA, and Noble Drilling.

The city encompasses almost 43 square miles. Easily accessible to Houston, it’s the 49th-biggest city in Texas, and its moderate population size makes it a favorite for commuters and those who want a quieter community.

It’s also known as being one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing cities in the state. The population jumped 158% between 1990 and 2000, and there’s been a 46% increase in jobs from 2000 to 2007.

The Culture and Economy of Sugar Land, Texas

Visitors, university students, and investors flock to Sugar Land — it’s a popular city. In 2003, Sugar Land officially became a principal city and ousted Galveston in the rankings of most important city in the Houston metro area. To keep up with the booming economy, educational facilities are also being prioritized. The University of Houston System at Fort Bend relocated to a nearby 250-acre campus in 2002.

How to Evaluate EB-5 Investment Projects

EB-5 investors based in Sugar Land and the surrounding areas in Texas should evaluate both financial and immigration risk when selecting an EB-5 investment project.

One of the requirements of a successful EB-5 visa investment is that the investment capital must be at risk for the duration of the investment. This is to ensure investors actually invest their capital and are not simply “buying” a U.S. green card.

“At risk” does not mean that EB-5 investors are required to invest in “risky” projects. Quite the contrary—EB-5 investors are strongly recommended to conduct thorough due diligence to minimize their exposure to financial and immigration risk.

EB5AN, in collaboration with Klasko Immigration Law Partners, has developed an EB-5 Project Risk Assessment Tool for EB-5 investors. This highly functional, easy-to-use tool guides investors through the initial diligence of EB-5 projects from both financial and immigration risk perspectives.

Download our EB-5 Project Risk Assessment Questionnaire