International investors remain very interested in obtaining residency in the United States, but the most common approach is both very uncertain and extremely congested. According to a recent report on IMI Daily, 2023 saw a significant increase in applications to the EB-5 Investor Program, but the rejection rate is relatively high and the processing speed is very low.
The EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program from Empowered Startups does not suffer from either of these problems. It is an especially reliable path to a Green Card in the USA, and the program has been earmarked for premium processing. Making the program even more attractive is how much less expensive it is than the EB-5 program, which requires a minimum investment of $800,000 USD.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has continued to offer evidence as to which programs provide preferential pathways to USA residency, and it seems clear that EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program is a more reliable and faster option for accomplished businesspeople and domain experts.
Rejection Rate
As the latest statistics from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicate, nearly 40% of the EB-5 applications were denied in 2023 (1433 out of 3626). That rate is anything but reassuring for those who choose to commit large sums of money for considerable lengths of time only to find out their efforts may be futile.
By contrast, Empowered Startups’ approval rate for the EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program is 100%. Because we work with proven businesspeople who we pair with top-tier institutions in the USA for research and development of their startups, we are able garner support for our entrepreneurs from recognized American professionals through these partnerships. This process of verification and support for both our clients and their ventures creates a definitive case for eligibility in the EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program.
Years vs Days
Like many Golden Visa programs around the world, the USA’s EB-5 program is facing a substantial backlog in processing. A recent report in Chicago claims the current wait time is 50 months for EB-5 processing, which is unsurprising given the most current data released by USCIS.
Though processing efforts have increased for EB-5, over 12,000 applications remained in the queue at the end of last year. When one considers that just over 3,600 applications were processed in 2023, it’s easy to see why it takes years for applicants to have their submissions addressed. In addition to sheer volume, an increased scrutiny for fraud in the EB-5 program also helps explain the lengthy wait times.
Conversely, processing for the EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program is extremely efficient. Our program qualifies for Premium Processing, which means the entrepreneurs we work with get an answer within 45 days of USCIS receiving their applications, though that correspondence usually arrives much faster.
Support SySTEM
In 2022, USCIS updated and clarified its policies regarding the National Interest Waiver (NIW) with respect to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Entrepreneurs are explicitly included in this policy, which provides for international businesspeople pursuing STEM-related startups in the USA to obtain a NIW.
Empowered Startups is extremely skilled at matching accomplished businesspeople with STEM projects. Our relationships with top-tier US research institutions allow us to procure the required support documentation for NIW eligibility along with world-class R&D facilities for the startup. Such collaborations allow our entrepreneurs to utilize their business acumen to better commercialize the innovations created in these leading R&D environments. Empowered believes in stimulating scientific investigation and economic activity through this model, which also facilitates a smooth and efficient immigration journey.
A Qualified Advantage
Investors interested in the benefits that come with US Residency and Citizenship should consider all applicable factors when deciding on their preferred pathway to the USA. But for accomplished businesspeople and domain experts with a proven track record, the EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program is an efficient, advantageous method of earning a Green Card and, ultimately, US Citizenship when compared to the more familiar EB-5 Investor program. If you are eligible, the choice seems obvious.
