It can be difficult to get healthcare access as an EB-5 immigrant in the United States. You won’t be eligible to get benefits through the Medicaid or CHIP programs. You also won’t have the right to purchase health plans through the ACA.
Fortunately, there are other ways that you can get healthcare benefits. We are going to cover some of them, but you will first need to understand what the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is in the first place. You may also want to read our other article on dealing with immigration police while going to the hospital.
What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a popular pathway for foreign nationals seeking to obtain permanent residency in the United States, often referred to as a “Green Card” or “Carte Verte” in French. This program allows individuals and their families to invest in U.S.-based businesses in exchange for lawful permanent residency, offering an opportunity for those seeking to live, work, and raise their families in the U.S. In this blog, we will outline how to obtain a carte verte eb-5 program, including eligibility criteria, investment requirements, and the process involved.
The carte verte eb-5 program, created by the U.S. government in 1990, grants eligible foreign investors and their immediate families (spouse and children under the age of 21) a Green Card in exchange for a significant investment in the U.S. economy. The goal of the program is to stimulate economic growth and create jobs by encouraging foreign investment in U.S. businesses.
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The EB-5 Application Process
Obtaining a Carte Verte through the EB-5 program involves several steps:
1. Choose an Investment Option
You can either invest directly in a new or existing U.S. business or through a Regional Center. Regional Centers are organizations designated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that manage investments in designated projects and handle much of the administrative work involved in job creation. Many investors prefer Regional Centers due to the lower involvement required on their part.
2. Make the Investment
Once you have selected your investment option, you must transfer the required capital to the chosen business or Regional Center. This investment must be fully “at risk” and must be documented to ensure that the funds are legally obtained.
3. File Form I-526: Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor
The next step is to file Form I-526 with USCIS. This petition provides evidence of your eligibility for the EB-5 program, including proof of investment, job creation, and the legal source of funds. The processing time for I-526 petitions can vary but typically takes around 12 to 24 months.
4. Approval and Conditional Green Card
If your I-526 petition is approved, you and your immediate family members (spouse and children under 21) will be granted a conditional Green Card. This allows you to live and work in the U.S. for two years but does not grant permanent residency yet.
5. File Form I-829: Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions
To remove the conditions on your Green Card, you must file Form I-829 before the two-year period expires. In this petition, you must demonstrate that your investment has created the required 10 jobs and that the investment is still active. If USCIS approves this petition, you and your family members will be granted a permanent Green Card, or Carte Verte.
What Are Some of Your Options to Get Health Coverage as an EB-5 Immigrant?
There are several things that you can do if you want to get health benefits as a member of the EB-5 Immigrant program. The Center for Budget Policy Proposals has some ideas worth looking into. You will want to consider the following:
- Try a lookalike Medicaid program. While Medicaid itself can’t offer health plans to immigrants, many states have started offering similar programs.
- Some states have also started requiring insurers on the ACA exchange to offer similar plans on a separate exchange. Since these plans are not using federal dollars, they are not violating federal law.
- There are a lot of independent healthcare programs that offer urgent or even emergency medical care to low-income people without insurance. These programs may be available to EB-5 immigrants.
There are a lot of great options if you want
Final Words
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a pathway to a Carte Verte (Green Card) for foreign nationals who are willing to make a substantial investment in the U.S. economy. By following the steps outlined above, meeting the investment and job creation requirements, and navigating the application process, investors can obtain lawful permanent residency for themselves and their families. However, it is important to understand the risks and responsibilities involved in the program, and working with an experienced immigration attorney and financial advisor can help ensure a smoother process and better outcomes.