The journey of an international student in the 21st century is typically accompanied by financial burdens and complex immigration hurdles. The dream of a world-class education in the United States or Europe is often shadowed by the exorbitant out of state or non-EU tuition fees which limit the students' options to follow their academic dreams. However, a growing number of families are finding a strategic solution that gives asymmetrical upside. The investment migration industry offers programs such as the U.S. EB-5 immigrant investor program and various European Golden Visas that can be taken advantage of by prospective international students. These programs have become a powerful tool for securing a family's education and professional future all while making an economic impact within the chosen country.
This post explores stories of students and their families who leveraged these investment pathways and transformed an investment into a multi-generational benefit which included global mobility, network expansion, unrestricted career opportunities and massive tuition savings.
The EB-5 Pathway
The U.S. EB-5 program offers a direct route to a Green Card (Permanent Residency) in exchange for an investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise that creates 10 U.S. jobs for American workers. Many families leverage this program for the life changing financial and immigration benefits.
Story 1: The Boarding School Calculation
For one family, the realization of the EB-5 program's value came from a simple conversation during the parent's weekend at Philips Exeter Academy. The family was already paying a steep price for their daughters' education. They calculated the difference between international and in-state tuition for both the boarding school and the public university both of their children were thinking of attending after they graduated high school. At University of Virginia, an international student could pay $56,000 per year while a Virginia Resident pays $21,000. Over four years, this difference amounted to $140,000 for just one child. They had a younger son whose college journey was still ahead of him who was contemplating a similar route.
The family's father proposed the EB-5 program and invested $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area program. He framed the investment as a strategic financial hedge for his family. By securing the green cards his children could qualify for in-state tuition by the time they both graduated high school. The projected savings totaled over $280,000 which offset a significant portion of the initial investment (which is also expected to be returned after the sustainment period).
The family enrolled in the program during their oldest daughter's freshman year and by the time she graduated they had their conditional green cards. The daughter was accepted to UVA as a resident and saved the family $35,000 per year. The real dividend came after graduation when the daughter joined a biotech startup in San Diego and didn't need an H-1B visa to do so. The family's son attended UVA as well on in-state tuition. The EB-5 investment was a strategic bet on their children's freedom and future and the investment will pay dividends across multiple generations.
Story 2: Enhanced College Admissions
The second family started their EB-5 path when their high school sophomore was initially planning to apply to U.S. colleges on an F-1 student visa. The family recognized the limitations of this path and invested in an EB-5 program so their child could have the best educational experience possible. Their conditional green cards arrived just as their son was ready to go to the United States. As a green card holder, the student had a much higher admission chance than an international student and was eligible for a merit scholarship that is typically unavailable to international applicants.
Story 3: Medical School Dreams
The EB-5 program can provide substantial savings and help the applicant escape the precarious nature of the H-1B temporary work visa. A software engineer from India had been working in the United States since 2014 and had endured the daunting and stressful H-1B renewal process. His primary motivation for seeking the EB-5 route was for career flexibility and for his son's future. He realized that his son's chances of gaining admission to a U.S. medical school would be significantly lower without permanent residency status. The software engineer chose a rural EB-5 project and received faster processing time. Upon receiving his I-526E approval and work authorization he gained the freedom to explore consultancy opportunities and more importantly his son was granted the academic freedom to pursue a medical career without the looming threat of the H-1B lottery after graduation.
The Golden Visa Advantage for International Students
European golden visa programs offer a similar strategic advantage for American families seeking access to the continent's educational system. By securing residency in an EU country, families can unlock dramatically lower tuition rates and gain access to the entire Schengen area.
Story 4: The Portugal Pathway
The Portugal golden visa grants residency in exchange for a qualifying investment and can offer a student educational benefits and savings. Families who obtain Portuguese residency can enroll their children in EU universities at local tuition rates which are often a fraction of the cost for non-EU students and substantially cheaper than American Universities.
An American family reduced their children's tuition from $28,000 to $15,000 per year per child. Over a 10+ year period for two children these savings can be over $250,000+ and dramatically offset the initial investment of the golden visa. The benefits extend beyond Portugal as well. Students can get the right to study freely across the entire European Union once they achieve Portuguese citizenship.
Conclusion
These stories are educational examples based on real world anecdotes about numerous families leveraging investment migration products to create better educational environments for their children. This freedom manifests in multiple ways and the advantages can be life changing. These programs offer a strategic long term solution for families seeking to secure their children's place in the global academic and professional landscape.
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Sources
• EB5 Resources. Why Families Sending Their Children to the US for College Should Consider the EB-5 Visa. https://www.eb5resources.com/blog/why-families-sending-their-children-to-the-us-for-college-should-consider-the-eb-5-visa
• EB5 Visa Investments. My EB-5 Investment Opened Up New Career and Academic Opportunities: Milan's Story. https://eb5visainvestments.com/2024/03/26/my-eb-5-investment-opened-up-new-career-and-academic-opportunities-milans-story/
• Student EB5. Golden Visas vs EB-5 Program for Elite International Students. https://www.studenteb5.com/blog/golden-visas-vs-eb5-elite-students
• IMI Daily. How Portugal's Golden Visa Can Help U.S. Families Save $400K on Education and Healthcare. https://www.imidaily.com/sponsored-feature/how-portugals-golden-visa-can-help-u-s-families-save-400k-on-education-and-healthcare/
• Vida Cap. Portugal Golden Visa Program and Education: How Families Save $288,000 and Gain EU Residency. https://www.vida-cap.com/blog/portugal-golden-visa-program-and-education-how-families-save-288-000-and-gain-eu-residency
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The opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author/presenter. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice. Student EB5 and its contributors do not endorse or take responsibility for any actions taken based on the information presented here. Visitors are strongly advised to consult with qualified immigration attorneys and financial advisors before making any EB-5 investment decisions or taking any actions based on the content on this website.
