EB-5 vs Greece Golden Visa: Pros and Cons

Choosing between the US EB-5 Investor Program and the Greece Golden Visa requires a careful comparison of investment requirements, processing times, and long-term benefits. Both offer pathways to residency, but their structures cater to different investor goals.

Understanding the Programs

The EB-5 program focuses on job creation within the United States, while the Greece Golden Visa emphasizes real estate investment for residency in a Schengen Area nation.

EB-5 Program Overview

The US EB-5 Investor Program grants a path to permanent residency (Green Card) based on a significant capital investment that creates or preserves at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers.

• Investment Thresholds: Typically requires a minimum investment of $1,050,000, or $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).
• Path to Green Card: Conditional residency is granted first, followed by removal of conditions after two years, leading to permanent residency.
• Processing Time: Can be lengthy, often spanning several years depending on visa backlogs.

Greece Golden Visa Overview

The Greece Golden Visa offers residency permits renewable every five years through various investment routes, primarily real estate.

• Investment Thresholds: The standard real estate investment is €250,000 (though this is increasing in strategic areas). Other options include capital contributions or government bonds.
• Residency Benefit: Provides residency for the investor and their family, allowing visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.
• Path to Citizenship: Citizenship can be applied for after seven years of legal residency, provided language and integration requirements are met.

Key Comparison Points: Pros and Cons

EB-5 Advantages and Disadvantages

The primary draw of EB-5 is the direct path to US permanent residency, but it carries higher financial risk and longer initial processing.

The EB-5 is a commitment to the US economy, directly tied to job creation metrics.

1. Pro: Direct path to US Green Card and subsequent citizenship.
2. Con: High capital requirement and inherent risk associated with the specific business venture.
3. Con: Longer initial wait times for visa processing compared to Greece.

Greece Golden Visa Advantages and Disadvantages

The Greek program is attractive due to its lower entry cost and the immediate benefit of Schengen access.

Advantages:

• Low Entry Cost: Significantly lower minimum investment, especially in real estate.
• Speed of Residency: Residency permits are generally processed much faster than EB-5 petitions.
• No Physical Presence Requirement: Minimal physical presence is required to maintain the visa status.

Disadvantages:

• No Direct Path to US: Does not automatically lead to US residency or citizenship.
• EU Citizenship Timeline: Citizenship requires a minimum of seven years of residency.

Immigration Goals and Suitability

The choice largely depends on the investor's primary objective:

If the primary goal is US residency/citizenship: The EB-5 is the appropriate, albeit more demanding, route. If the primary goal is EU residency and Schengen access with lower investment: The Greece Golden Visa offers a more accessible and faster solution.

Investors must also consider the ongoing compliance requirements. For EB-5, maintaining job creation is crucial. For Greece, renewing the residency permit based on the continued investment (e.g., holding the real estate) is necessary.

In conclusion, while the EB-5 offers the ultimate prize of US permanent residency, the Greece Golden Visa provides a significantly lower-cost and faster entry point into Europe.