EB-5 Investors from Clearwater, Florida Seeking EB-5 Investment

Prospective EB-5 investors living in Clearwater, Florida should consider investing in an EB5AN EB-5 visa project. A successful investment project will grant an investor and their immediate family members U.S. permanent residency and other Green Card benefits.

From Countryside Northridge to Clearwater Beach, the city of Clearwater enjoys complete geographic coverage from our EB5AN Southeast Regional Center.

Why Most EB-5 Investors Use Regional Centers

All successful EB-5 investment projects must generate enough employment. To receive U.S. permanent residency, each EB-5 investor must demonstrate that their investment created or preserved at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. In addition, these job positions must be maintained for the duration of the investment.

Foreign nationals who choose the direct EB-5 investment model are responsible for demonstrating their investment’s job creation. On the other hand, EB-5 regional centers may use the indirect method of job calculation through an approved economic methodology. This means that EB-5 investments sponsored by regional centers may count direct and indirect jobs to meet the job creation requirement, whereas direct EB-5 investments may count only direct job positions. In other words, regional center EB-5 investors must show only that their invested capital was spent according to the business plan rather than documenting that enough W-2 employees were hired.

In short, EB-5 regional centers streamline the EB-5 investment process for investors and make it easier to demonstrate employment generation.

EB5AN owns and operates multiple USCIS-approved regional centers with broad geographic coverage, allowing it to immediately sponsor strong EB-5 projects in cities across the United States, including Clearwater, Florida.

The EB5AN Southeast Regional Center

Prospective EB-5 investors may choose EB5 projects located anywhere in the United States. However, those living in Clearwater may instead wish to invest in projects located within the state, and EB5AN already has a USCIS-approved regional center that covers Clearwater.

Fortunately for foreign nationals living in Florida, our EB5AN Southeast Regional Center provides complete coverage of the entire state, including Pinellas County and Clearwater. Foreign nationals who meet EB-5 eligibility criteria can choose an EB-5 investment project under our EB5AN Southeast Regional Center to obtain U.S. permanent residency through the EB-5 program.

Green Card Benefits for Clearwater EB-5 Investors

Upon project success, Clearwater-based EB-5 investors will receive the following Green Card benefits:

Citizenship and Residency Benefits

The EB-5 visa offers one of the fastest pathways to U.S. permanent residency. An EB-5 investor, their spouse, and their unmarried children under 21 years of age are all eligible for an EB-5 Green Card.
Green Card holders may apply for U.S. citizenship after maintaining permanent residency in the country for five years. However, additional conditions do apply.
Retired Green Card holders can access their pensions earned abroad as well as in the United States. They may also qualify for social welfare programs, such as Medicare and Social Security.

Employment Benefits

Green Card holders are permitted to live and work anywhere in the United States, without restriction.
- Live anywhere, from the stunning coastlines of California and Hawaii to the beautiful mountains of Colorado; from a quiet, rural town to the hustle and bustle of a big city.
- Live in states such as Alaska or Texas with no state income tax.
There is no visa or employer sponsorship requirement for EB-5 applicants.
Green Card holders do not need an H-1B visa to find employment in the United States.

Travel Benefits

Green Card holders can freely leave and reenter the United States. However, some travel restrictions apply.
Green Card holders may travel to any part of the United States.
In the event of a political change or significant event in the investor’s home nation, the investor and their 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

All successful EB-5 investors must satisfy the following requirements:

Invest the required minimum investment amount. Standard projects require an investment of $1,050,000, whereas projects located in areas designated as targeted employment areas (TEAs) require a reduced amount of $800,000.
- Fortunately, all of EB5AN’s EB-5 investment projects are located in TEAs and qualify for the lower investment threshold of $800,000.
Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
- These job positions must last for at least two years.
Investing in a qualifying new commercial enterprise or a troubled business.
Maintaining the investment’s at-risk status and using lawfully-sourced investment capital.

How to Evaluate EB-5 Investment Projects

EB-5 investors based in Clearwater and the surrounding areas in Florida are advised to thoroughly evaluate financial and immigration risk when selecting an EB-5 investment project. Doing so helps match investors with their ideal project and increases the likelihood of success.

In every successful EB-5 investment project the investment capital must be at risk for the lifetime of the investment. This requirement serves to ensure investors actually invest their funds into the U.S. economy and are not simply “buying” their way to U.S. permanent residency.

Contrary to what its name may suggest, the “at risk” requirement does not mean that EB-5 investors must invest in “risky” projects. EB-5 investors are strongly advised to conduct thorough due diligence to minimize their exposure to financial and immigration risk.

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

Download our EB-5 Project Risk Assessment Questionnaire

EB-5 Investment in Clearwater

Clearwater: Population and Income Demographics

The city of Clearwater spans roughly 36 square miles and houses 117,292 residents, rendering a population density of approximately 4,488 people per square mile. Clearwater also ranks as Florida’s 19th-most populated city. Furthermore, the city has a long term average unemployment rate of 5.2% and a median household income of $54,182.

Because of Clearwater’s population, an EB-5 investment with EB5AN in the city could help catalyze significant change in the surrounding community. A new EB-5 investment in Clearwater would help create new full-time jobs, reduce Clearwater’s unemployment rate, and inject investment capital into the local economy.

The Culture and Economy of Clearwater, Florida

Situated between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater is known for its sunny weather and Clearwater Beach, a three-mile stretch of instantly recognizable white sand. The city is home to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a small non-profit institution that works to rehabilitate injured sea life. It has also featured as the main setting of the American movie series Dolphin Tale. Thanks to its dazzling coastline, fine-dining, and recreational activities, Clearwater’s economy is heavily tied to tourism, accommodation, and food services. Other major industries include finance, technology, manufacturing, health care, and retail trade. On top of that, Clearwater sees the EB-5 Regional Center Program as a fantastic way to boost the U.S. economy and to facilitate the immigration process for foreign investors who wish to enrich our country.