According to data released by the U.S. Department of State, the number of approved U.S. EB-5 (investment immigration) visas in fiscal year 2009 increased by three times year-on-year, surging from 1,443 to 4,218. Among them, the number of investment immigrants from China saw the most rapid growth, reaching 1,979, making China the largest source country for U.S. investment immigration. Entering 2010, which industry insiders call the “year of price hikes,” U.S. investment immigration has further heated up against the backdrop of several popular investment immigration destinations—such as Australia, Canada, and Singapore—successively raising their thresholds. Numerous signals indicate that the “American era” of investment immigration has arrived.
Experts state that looking back at the development of U.S. investment immigration policy, now is the best opportunity to invest and immigrate to the United States. The reasons for this, aside from strong support from the U.S. government and relatively mature operational models, include the significant decline in domestic consumption levels and housing prices in the U.S. caused by the economic crisis, which has greatly reduced the cost of property investment after immigration. Overall, choosing U.S. investment immigration at this time is the most “cost-effective” option.
However, experts also caution that investment immigration is a major life decision that will have profound impacts on oneself, one's children, and future generations. Therefore, it is essential to combine clear immigration goals with detailed family planning, consider all factors comprehensively, and respond rationally. In terms of selecting U.S. projects, one must be particularly prudent.
