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

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

• 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.
• Tennessee does not impose state income tax on salaries and wages, and a limited income tax on interests, and dividends.
• Businesses with under $100,000 in taxable sales are exempt from state business tax and municipal business tax if sales are sourced to that county or municipality.
• Tennessee does not impose tax on inheritance, estates, and Social Security benefits, making it financially advantageous for retirees.
• Tennessee’s property tax system contributes to its reputation as a tax-friendly state. In 2024, Tennessee ranked 41st among all U.S. states for the highest property tax paid.

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.
• Tennessee residents can utilize the various educational opportunities available to them to develop professionally, such as the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, the Tennessee Student Assistance Award, and the Public Employee Tuition Discount.

EB5AN’s EB5 Affiliate Network Southeast Regional Center

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

The EB5AN’s EB5 Affiliate Network Southeast Regional Center contains 95 counties within Tennessee, including Memphis, the state’s center for media and entertainment.

EB-5 Investors Based in Tennessee

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

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

Bustling Cities

Tennessee has the following main cities:

• Nashville
• Memphis
• Chattanooga
• Knoxville
• Gatlinburg

It is also home to the following attractions:

• Graceland
• Dollywood
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery
• The National Civil Rights Museum

Favorable Business Climate

Tennessee’s central location in the United States and tax-friendly system make it the perfect destination for business owners and investors. Key transportation routes, including highways, airports, and railroads, run through the state, facilitating easy access to goods and services.

Tennessee has one of the lowest tax rates in the U.S. The state imposes a 6.5% corporate income tax, which is fair compared to other states, especially considering the significant federal corporate tax rate. This structure is relatively competitive, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to minimize their overall tax burden.

Amazing Educational Opportunities

Tennessee is home to about 50 private and public universities, offering residents easy access to quality education. The notable Vanderbilt University in Nashville is ranked 17th out of 436 national universities. Other universities, such as the University of Tennessee and Middle Tennessee State University, contribute to the state’s reputation as a strong academic environment.

Additionally, Tennessee has made progress in improving K-12 education, introducing initiatives to enhance teacher training, educational equity, and student achievement. Initiatives like the Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect aim to increase college access and completion rates, particularly for high school graduates and adults seeking to return to school.

Great Living Conditions

The quality of life in Tennessee is generally considered high, with various factors contributing to its appeal to residents. For example, Tennessee ranks 45th among all 50 U.S. states for cost of living, making it much more affordable compared to the national average. Also, residents enjoy easy access to quality healthcare services, with major hospitals and medical centers in cities like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville.

In addition to the low cost of living, the state boasts diverse landscapes, including the Great Smoky Mountains, lakes, and rivers. Tennessee is also rich in cultural heritage, particularly music, arts, and history.

Tennessee: Population and Income Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tennessee has a population of approximately 5.75 million people over the age of 16. Approximately 3.6 million of them are in the labor force—of these, 3.44 million are employed, and 142,081 are unemployed.

As of 2025, Tennessee’s population was approximately 7.3 million, with steady growth of about 10% over the last decade..

Tennessee: General Economic Facts

• Tennessee extends across 42,129 miles (land and water), with an average population density of 168 people per square mile of land. It is the 36th largest state by area.
• Tennessee is bordered by Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Georgia, and Kentucky.
• The capital of Tennessee is Nashville.
• In 2024, Tennessee’s gross domestic product was $440.200 billion. The main drivers include automotive manufacturing, finance, healthcare, logistics, and insurance, contributing to a varied economic landscape.

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

With its great living conditions and favorable business climate, the state of Tennessee 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.