The United States Permanent Resident Card, also known as the Green Card, is an identification card used to prove that a foreign national has permanent resident status in the United States.
1、Educational Benefits
In the United States, students who obtain Green Card status are entitled to free compulsory education until they turn 18 and enter college. In contrast, students from other countries must study abroad to access these superior educational resources in the U.S. Foreign students attending public colleges typically pay tuition fees ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per year, while U.S. citizens (Green Card holders) only pay a little over $2,000. This indicates that without a Green Card, one would incur significantly higher costs for the same educational environment and resources. Furthermore, the difference in acceptance rates for scholarships and student loans between those with and without a Green Card is even more pronounced.
2、Cost of Living Advantages
The United States is a country dominated by large corporations, with most major companies monopolizing the daily consumption of Americans, resulting in relatively balanced per capita income. Generally, individuals earn around $30,000 to $50,000 annually, averaging about $3,000 per month. Many people in China experience financial strain with this income level, often only managing to cover basic living expenses, leaving little room for other pursuits or entertainment. In contrast, Americans do not share this sentiment and can still save money each year. Why is this?
The primary reason lies in the cost of living in the U.S.
For instance, in daily life, a chicken costs between $3 and $5, and a dozen eggs costs only $2. In China, however, a chicken can cost around 20 yuan (approximately $3.25), and a dozen eggs costs about 8.4 yuan. The price difference is evident. Not only food, but even everyday items like mobile phones show a significant disparity. An iPhone 5 costs only a few hundred dollars in the U.S., while it retails for over 5,000 yuan in China, categorizing it as a high-end device. In various categories such as clothing, tobacco, alcohol, electronics, and luxury goods, prices in the U.S. are generally much lower than in China. Therefore, with similar income levels, living in the U.S. is indeed more comfortable and affluent, allowing access to better products. With lower living pressure and greater satisfaction, a higher standard of living can naturally be achieved.
Now, let’s look at housing prices. Housing prices in the U.S. are related to population distribution; they are cheaper in the Midwest and more expensive on the East and West Coasts. However, even in bustling cities like Los Angeles and New York, $500,000 is sufficient to purchase a 200 square meter single-family home. It is worth noting that the housing price-to-income ratio in the U.S. is generally around 3, meaning that an average person can secure a mortgage after working for 1 to 3 years. In contrast, in Beijing, this ratio has reached 40 for middle-class families, significantly deviating from a reasonable housing price-to-income ratio. For those considering immigration, the pressure to buy a home in the U.S. is relatively lighter than in China. On the other hand, individuals capable of purchasing a home can acquire a comfortable, spacious single-family house with a yard for $500,000 in the U.S., while in China, they can only afford a two-bedroom apartment in a high-rise building, naturally leading to a preference for living abroad.
In this sense, while ensuring a high quality of life for immigrants, the value implied by the Green Card far exceeds the initial investment of $500,000.
3、Employment Convenience
Green Card holders can work in the U.S. without restrictions. It is well-known that the U.S. is a global leader in technology and research, offering numerous excellent employment opportunities. However, for various reasons, many jobs do not open their doors to foreigners. Even highly skilled foreigners may find themselves in an unequal competitive position when job hunting compared to Americans, but having a Green Card alleviates this concern. Additionally, the market value of equally skilled professionals can vary significantly based on whether they possess a "Green Card." For example, an experienced IT professional without a Green Card may earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, while one with a Green Card can expect to earn around $125,000. In China, the same individual might only earn about $20,000, highlighting a substantial disparity.
4、Healthcare and Retirement
It is well-known that the U.S. has advanced medical standards, with pharmaceuticals and medical devices leading the world, which also results in high medical costs. However, if you are a Green Card holder, this is not a concern, as the U.S. healthcare system is very comprehensive, and the insurance market is well-developed. Any low-income or unemployed Green Card holder, such as the elderly, can apply for a medical card after retirement, allowing them to receive medical care with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. For those not classified as low-income, as long as they have a record of tax contributions, they only need to pay a small insurance fee to share the medical costs, incurring very little personal expense. Enjoying high-quality healthcare without the burden of high costs or difficulties in accessing care is a significant benefit of holding a Green Card.
Some have calculated that a typical family would need to spend about 4 million yuan over a lifetime. How is this calculated?
Raising a child to college graduation costs about 300,000 yuan, buying a house and a car costs 1.5 million yuan, family expenses total 1.08 million yuan, leisure activities cost 300,000 yuan, and retirement savings amount to 360,000 yuan. If the couple also needs to support their parents, an additional 450,000 yuan must be saved. This calculation assumes no major illnesses or disasters and a retirement period of 15 years. If the desired standard of living is higher, more savings would be required.
As mentioned earlier, if one is a Green Card holder, healthcare concerns are alleviated. With the average lifespan of Chinese people increasing, a retirement plan of 15 years is evidently insufficient. As U.S. citizens, Green Card holders can enjoy retirement benefits. As long as they have accumulated over ten years of tax records, they can receive a federal pension from the U.S. government after retirement (ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per month), providing a couple with a monthly pension of $3,000 to $4,000. Given the cost of living in the U.S., this amount is sufficient to maintain a good quality of life for a family. This ensures a comfortable retirement without burdening their children, allowing them to live with dignity and freedom throughout their lives, enjoying benefits until the end.
5、Others
Green Card holders in the U.S. can also enjoy the right to apply for Green Cards for relatives, including spouses and children, visa-free travel to many countries around the world, and access to a superior economic environment, among other benefits. The value of these benefits cannot be simply measured in monetary terms.
It is precisely because of the numerous conveniences and rich benefits that come with U.S. identity and Green Card status that the U.S. has become the top choice for Chinese investors seeking immigration. Currently, signals of "price increases" and "backlogs" in the U.S. EB-5 investment immigration program are becoming increasingly strong, with a surge in applicants and high-quality projects becoming "hard to come by." WorldWay, as the exclusive chief agent for the "Kroc City Plaza Expansion Project," offers a threefold employment multiplier advantage, providing reliable assurance for obtaining a permanent Green Card. This project is currently being actively promoted, and we invite you to pay attention to the "Event Announcements" on our website or call 400-138-2929 for more details.
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