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

Do you and your family want to immigrate to Kentucky or elsewhere in the United States? Or perhaps you’re an immigrant already living in Kentucky, 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
Kentucky. If you live in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• 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.
• As of 2024, Kentucky has a flat individual income tax rate of 4%, a 0.5% reduction from the previous year, to reduce the tax burden on its residents. The state also plans to reduce the rate by another 0.5% by January 2026, so most Kentuckians keep more of their hard-earned money.

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 Midwest Regional Center

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

The EB5AN Midwest Regional Center contains 120 counties within Kentucky, including Louisville, the state’s largest city and Lexington, the second most populous city, which is known for its horse farms.

EB-5 Investors Based in Kentucky

EB5AN has EB-5 investment projects available to people already living in the United States, including Kentucky. 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 Kentucky

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

Cultured Cities

Kentucky has the following main cities:

• Louisville
• Lexington
• Bowling Green
• Owensboro
• Covington
• Georgetown

It is also home to the following attractions:

• Louisville Mega Cavern
• Ark Encounter
• Mammoth Cave
• Kentucky Derby Museum
• Churchill Downs

Kentucky is a cultural hub known for its horse heritage, rich history, and strong traditions. Cities like Louisville and Lexington host cultural festivals, music events, and art exhibitions. The state’s Bourbon industry also attracts both locals and tourists, offering a unique regional charm.

Low Cost of Living

Housing expenses in Kentucky are significantly lower than the $462,206national average, making it one of the cheapest states to live in at $282,800 a year. Because of this, people wishing to acquire homes or lower their overall living expenses will find it appealing.

Compared to many other U.S. regions, cities like Louisville and Lexington provide metropolitan amenities at a lesser cost, with Kentucky ranking 40th for cost of living among all U.S. states. This affordability includes housing, groceries, and transportation.

Growing Economy

Kentucky’s economy is experiencing growth and is driven by diverse industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture. Major companies such as Toyota, Ford, and Amazon have large facilities in the state. The state’s focus on vocational training and apprenticeships is helping build a skilled labor force to meet the needs of these industries.

Education

Kentucky has a growing number of education opportunities. The state’s flagship universities, such as the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, offer strong programs in fields like medicine, engineering, and law.

The state has also increased efforts to improve public education at the K-12 level. The Kentucky government has significantly increased education funding, adding $812 million annually, as part of the “Big Bold Ask” initiative aimed at improving K-12 education. Efforts include fully funding all-day kindergarten, enhancing school transportation funding, and supporting teacher quality through the Read to Succeed Initiative.

Kentucky: Population and Income Demographics

According to the lates data from the U.S. Census Bureau at the time of writing, Kentucky has a population of approximately 3.63 million people over the age of 16. Approximately 2.19 million of them are in the labor force—of these, 2.08 million are employed, and about 89,000 are unemployed.

Kentucky also has a significant rural population, with a significant part of its residents living in rural areas compared to the national average.

Kentucky: General Economic Facts

• Kentucky extends across 40,396.7 miles (land and water), with an average population density of 111 people per square mile of land. It is the 36th largest state by area.
• Kentucky is bordered by Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Missouri.
• The capital of Kentucky is Frankfort, which is one of the smallest state capitals in the U.S. by population, with just over 28,000 residents as of 2023. Despite being the state capital, it’s much smaller compared to cities like Louisville or Lexington.
• Kentucky’s 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) was $229.9 billion. The main drivers of Kentucky’s economy include coal, hardwood, and agriculture.

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

With its historic centers and affordable living, the state of Kentucky 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.