EB5 is not foreign concept to most Chinese immigrant-to-be. 80% EB5 immigrants have been Chinese. Those who are still wondering have legitimate concerns as to the safety of funds if invested to EB5 regional centers, commercial companies whose business plans are pre-approved by USCIS as eligibility of designation.
Other than retaining professionals to conduct thorough research about the EB5 regional centers and their offerings, there is a solution to immigration visa for some of foreign investors. This solution is to open a franchise company.
Franchise is a legal right to use an established brand, trademark, and product line or service of a company. Many times franchise means a jump start of business adventure because franchisees are handed result of marketing and branding work and enjoy ongoing marketing efforts of the company. Of course, the price for such is to pay royalty fee, which varies from company to company. As a matter of fact, franchise is backbone of prosperous economy of US. To name a few influential franchises, they are Pizza Hutt, McDonald, Subway, KFC. ...
Because franchise companies provide extensive training and operating guidance, foreign investors who want to invest directly with help of a couple trusted hands, but who do not have extensive prior business experience in US, a franchise can be a helpful way to establish a business and invest in the United States while pursuing permanent resident status. As long as an alien makes the required investment amount from lawfully obtained funds and creates at least 10 full-time employment positions, a franchise may qualify for an EB-5 visa.
