EB-5 investors who live in the Salem, Oregon, area and who are seeking program-approved projects should explore the benefits of investing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)-approved EB-5 regional center right there in Salem.
Learn more below about the countless benefits of holding an EB-5 green card and investing in one of the most sought-after corners of the U.S.
Why the Majority of EB-5 Investors Choose Regional Center Projects
One of the primary reasons the majority of our investors choose to work with EB-5 regional centers is that it streamlines the EB-5 investment process. For instance, the EB5AN, specifically, maintains multiple USCIS-approved regional centers across the United States which affords the network an ability to immediately sponsor strong EB-5 projects in cities all over the country–including right here in the city of Salem, Oregon.
Working with a regional center also makes demonstrating the job creation requirement a whole lot easier. How? Regional centers have the privilege of using an indirect method of calculating jobs through an agency-approved economic methodology. So instead of compiling mounds of documentation on full-time (W-2) job creation proving the minimum number of employees were hired and remained working for a minimum of two full years, EB-5 investors must simply show that their investment capital was spent according to the business plan for their selected regional center project.
The EB5AN Salem, Oregon Regional Center
While prospective EB-5 investors have the right to choose an EB5 investment project located anywhere in the U.S., those already living in beautiful Salem, OR, may not want to go very far to invest. Fortunately, EB5AN already has a USCIS-approved regional center that covers this fair city.
This office already provides 100% USCIS-approved coverage of EB-5 projects located anywhere inside the state of Oregon. Any Salem, OR, resident investor seeking U.S. permanent resident status has the ability to explore any program-approved project open for EB-5 investment.
Investors Benefits of Carrying an EB-5 Green Card
When an EB-5 investor based in Salem, OR participants in the EB-5 program and successfully obtains their U.S. permanent resident green card, it comes with a laundry list of benefits. These benefits can be generally classified under one of four categories: residency and citizenship, employment, travel, and education. Get more details about the specific types of benefits related to each below.
Benefits Related to U.S. Employment
Any EB-5 green card holder can choose to work anywhere in the country they wish. From tax benefits to local culture and lifestyle, they are free to enjoy all benefits afforded to other local community members. And EB-5 investors are neither required to carry an H-1B work visa to work, nor maintain a visa or employer sponsor.
Benefits Related to Residency and Citizenship in the United States
Not only do successful EB-5 investors historically find the program to be one of the swiftest ways to access U.S. permanent resident status, but after five years of living stateside as a permanent resident, they and their eligible family members can opt to apply for U.S. citizenship. For those U.S. green card holders who have earned overseas pensions, they have the benefit of accessing those funds while living in the United States. Some are also eligible for social welfare programs such as Medicare.
Benefits Related to Domestic and Foreign Travel
Every EB-5 green card carrier is also eligible to travel anywhere inside the country restriction-free. Besides some international travel restrictions, in most cases they may also leave and re-enter the States without fearing re-entry denial. Furthermore, if any EB-5 investment participant faces precarious home country circumstances—political change, catastrophic events, etc.—they and eligible family members are also granted immediate U.S. entry.
Benefits Related to Education in the United States
One of the most common reasons foreign investors even consider the EB-5 residency-by-investment program is for the public education benefits. They and their children have access to a free public education from pre-kindergarten all the way up through high school. Then, post-secondary students living in Salem, for instance, are granted the same savings as native citizens on in-state tuition if they attend college in Oregon. They may also apply for a variety of local and national scholarships and other types of financial aid related to public college and university attendance. They may also simultaneously attend school, work, internships, and interviews for post-graduate employment without any issue.
Requirements for Investing in the EB-5 Program
The main requirements for a successful EB-5 investment in a program-approved project can be summarized as this :
- Invest $800,000 minimum in an EB-5 project located in a rural or high unemployment area, also recognized by USCIS as a targeted employment area or TEA. (Note: Projects located outside of TEAs require a $1,050,000 investment. However, all EB5AN regional center projects fall within designated TEAs, qualifying for the lower investment threshold.)
- Create (or preserve) a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers and last at least two years.
- Invest in a new commercial enterprise or program-approved troubled business.
- Maintain at-risk status on the EB5 investment and use investment funds that can be proven to have been lawfully sourced.
Evaluating Prospective EB-5 Investment Projects
One requirement that can often be the most difficult to meet is maintaining at-risk status on your EB5 investment. Investors in the Salem, OR, area stand to face risks both financially and to their immigration status if they cannot meet this requirement. For this reason, it is of utmost importance Salem-based EB-5 investment participants pay careful attention when evaluating prospective projects.
This investment rule was established in order to maintain the integrity of the residency-by-investment program. It ensures that every EB-5 investor actually invests their capital in projects benefiting the U.S. economy instead of lending to an idea that that may be simply “buying” U.S. green cards.
It is also important to recognize that “maintaining at-risk status” does not signal participation in risky business. What it does mean is EB5 investment capital must remain subject to both financial gains and losses throughout the time it is invested in a project. As a prospective investor, your job is to conduct the proper and thorough due diligence in your project selection in order to minimize exposure to negative risks.
Ultimately, your success as an investor is a testament to program success. Everyone involved stands to benefit from your EB-5 investment and EB5AN understands this. As such, they have partnered with Klasko Immigration Law Partners on the development of an EB-5 Project Risk Assessment Tool to help EB-5 investment participants evaluate those risks.
This highly functional, easy-to-use tool guides investors through the initial diligence of EB-5 projects from both financial and immigration risk perspectives. Click the link below to learn more about it:
Download our EB-5 Project Risk Assessment Questionnaire
EB-5 Investment in a Booming Salem, OR Economy
A city attracting many tourists and new students from around the country (and the world) every year, Salem can provide EB-5 investors unmatched opportunity. Landmarks like Willamette Heritage Center and the Hallie Form Museum of Art and the stark beauty of the Pacific Northwest are just three examples of why EB-5 investors find their way to Salem over and over again.
Salem also welcomes its EB5 investment participants with open arms, having specifically endorsed the EB-5 Regional Center Program as a benefit to both immigrant investors and the local economy there. Find a snapshot of Salem’s population and income demographics below:
Population and Income Demographics in Salem, OR
Salem boasts a population of 167,419 across 48.5 square miles, ranking as the 330th most densely populated U.S. city. Plenty of metropolitan hustle and bustle, but certainly room to breathe. Its sizeable population also ensures greater benefits to the EB5AN projects available to its investors.
In addition to Salem, OR, the USCIS-approved EB5AN State of Oregon Regional Center provides total geographic coverage of Cherry City, in both Polk and Marion Counties. We are capable of offering investment opportunities to immigrant investors seeking U.S. permanent resident status in surrounding areas of Keizer, Dallas, and Turner as well.
To learn more about affiliation with this EB5AN regional center, reach out to us by phone at 1-800-288-9138 or e-mail at info@EB5AN.com.
