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

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

• 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.
• Maine offers residents multiple tax credit options ranging from Child Care to Earned Income tax credit.

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 Northeast Regional Center

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

The EB5AN Northeast Regional Center contains 16 counties within Maine, including the state’s largest cities, ranging from the historic Bath to the economic hub of Portland.

EB-5 Investors Based in Maine

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

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

Bustling Cities

• Portland
• Bangor
• Lewiston
• South Portland
• Auburn

It is also home to popular destinations like:

• Acadia National Park
• Portland Head Light
• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
• Old Orchard Beach
• Cadillac Mountain

Maine offers stunning natural beauty, a strong sense of community, and a slower pace of life.

Booming Fishing Industry

Maine’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provides access to rich fishing grounds, supporting a vibrant seafood industry. Lobster and other seafood contribute significantly to local economies, creating jobs and attracting tourism.

This thriving sector not only sustains coastal communities but also enhances Maine’s reputation as a culinary destination. Also, the fishing industry fosters a deep connection to maritime traditions and local culture.

Evergreen Forestry

Forest covers about 89% of Maine’s land area, comprising an estimated 17.5 million acres. Maine boasts the highest percentage of forest coverage of any U.S. state. Maine’s extensive forests, filled with evergreen trees, drive a robust forestry sector that supports logging and paper industries. Furthermore, sustainable practices in forestry help maintain environmental balance while generating economic growth and employment opportunities.

The state’s commitment to conservation ensures that these natural resources remain vital for future generations. Additionally, forestry contributes to Maine’s outdoor recreational appeal, attracting residents and visitors alike.

Maine: Population and Income Demographics

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau at the time of writing, Maine has a population of approximately 1.2 million people over the age of 16. Approximately 733,000 of them are in the labor force—of these, 709,000 are employed, and over 23,000 are unemployed. The Bureau also quotes Maine’s total population as approximately 1.4 million.

Maine: General Economic Facts

• Maine extends across 35,370.4 square miles (land and water), with a population density of 5 people per square mile of land.
• The capital of Maine is Augusta, chosen for its defensive position and strong transportation network, including the Kennebec River.
• In 2024, Maine’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $77.5 billion. The main drivers of the state’s economy include the retail trade, real estate and rental and leasing, and healthcare and social assistance.

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

With its rich forestry and marine resources, the state of Maine 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.