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

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

• 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.
• One significant advantage for workers is that the state has no personal income tax.
• Texas is a right-to-work state, meaning employees are not required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment.

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 improves the likelihood of admission to U.S. universities by as much as 350%.
• Green Card holders may qualify for financial aid and scholarships.
• Permanent residents can work while studying, complete internships, and apply for postgraduate positions.
• Texas is home to several highly regarded universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Rice University. The state also invests heavily in public education.

EB5AN’s Southwest Regional Center

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

The EB5AN Southwest Regional Center contains 254 counties within Texas, including the state’s largest cities such as Houston.

EB-5 Investors Based in Texas

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

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 Texas

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

Bustling Cities

Texas is home to several of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the U.S., offering vibrant urban lifestyles, world-class entertainment, and significant business opportunities. Major cities in Texas include:

• Houston
• San Antonio
• Dallas
• Austin
• Fort Worth

It is also home to popular destinations like:

• The Alamo
• Space Center Houston
• Big Bend National Park
• San Antonio RiverWalk
• The Texas State Capitol

Texas’ diverse population has shaped its vibrant cultural landscape. Immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Europe, and other regions have left their mark on Texas, making it a cultural hub for arts, food, and festivals. Cities like Houston are known for their multicultural neighborhoods, where you can find an array of international cuisines, from authentic Mexican dishes to Vietnamese and Indian fare. Texas hosts numerous festivals celebrating different cultures, such as Fiesta San Antonio, a week-long celebration honoring the city’s cultural diversity, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which celebrates Texan culture and the state’s agricultural heritage.

Infrastructure and Accessibility

With an expansive and modern infrastructure, Texas makes travel and transportation easy. Houston and Dallas are major air travel hubs with international airports connecting the state to the world. The state’s extensive highway network ensures smooth travel within and between its cities, and ports in Houston and Galveston facilitate both domestic and international trade. High-speed rail projects are also in development, potentially linking Dallas, Houston, and Austin more efficiently in the future.

Competitive Job Market

The Texas economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by industries such as energy, technology, agriculture, and healthcare. The Lone Star State has no state income tax, making it attractive for both individuals and businesses. Major corporations like Tesla, Apple, and Oracle have recently relocated or expanded their operations in Texas, making it a growing tech hub, especially in Austin. Texas is also known for its strong job market, offering opportunities across various sectors, such as:

Energy: Texas is the leading U.S. state in both oil and renewable energy production.
Technology: Austin has emerged as a tech powerhouse, sometimes called “Silicon Hills” due to the number of tech companies based there.
Healthcare: Houston’s Texas Medical Center is one of the largest medical complexes in the world, creating thousands of jobs.

Texas: Population and Income Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas has a population of over 23.8 million people above the age of 16. Approximately 15.7 million of them are in the labor force—of these, around 14.9 million are employed, and about 680,000 are unemployed.

In 2022, Texas’ population was over 30 million. As such, the state is now one of only two U.S. states with a population of over 30 million, making it the second most populous state in the U.S., second only to California.

Texas: General Economic Facts

• Texas extends across 268,524.8 square miles (land and water), with a population density of 111.6 people per square mile of land.
• The capital of Texas is Austin. Houston is its largest city and metro area.
• Texas’ 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) is $2.2 trillion, and the main driver of the state’s economy is the Gasoline and Petroleum Wholesaling industry, contributing about $486.5 billion to its GDP.

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

With its diverse culture, strong economy, and favorable tax laws, the state of Texas 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.