Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Quick background; I'm a British expat living in S.E. Asia, been out here for 20+ years. Married with two young children. Recently sold my business and looking for a better quality of life, not happy with the local international schools and wife not happy at all about the boarding school option. May work again, may not, currently I consider myself to be in early retirement. We're considering warmer parts of the U.S., drawn to Florida at the moment, in particular the Ft. Lauderdale and Naples areas as it's a similar climate to where we are now. Have visited before, will be going again in July for a holiday as well as to take a closer look at certain aspects of life out there. Nothing set in stone, simply considering it at the moment.

I've read through some of the previous threads about the EB5 visa and I'm not so interested in bothering people about the mechanics of the actual process itself, rather I'm more interested in a few more general questions.

One poster made a comment on these forums that was of interest, the subject being discussed was whether or not an EB5 investor should consider becoming naturalised or not. Another poster mentioned that he was of the belief that there were good tax related (preservation of wealth) reasons not to do this. Can anyone shed any light on this?

What wealth preservation methods did you enact before starting the process? Trusts? Where they U.S. based or foreign? Offshore Companies in accepted jurisdictions?

Did you use tax accountants/lawyers in the U.K. or the U.S. to structure your financial arrangements before you left?

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

These aren't really visa related questions and you'll find plenty of threads with some answers in the main US forums.

Anyway, off shore ownership is a hassle if you're residing in the US as you've got to declare all that guff, regardless of being a LPR/USC or not.

Biggest issue is often medical insurance, especially for those getting towards retirement and are not working.

Half a mill is a lot of change to piss away for a bit of sun. Have you considered South America? Paraguay, Uruguay, places like that for the life style you might want would be a cheaper buy in.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

I have a Canadian friend who is still a LPR decades after moving here. His reason was inheritance tax. Apparently more generous in Canada.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Fair comment about visas. I have searched and read many threads, but failed to find a definitive answer.

Understood, hence I wondered if people are restructuring their arrangements prior to applying for the EB5. It occurred to me that there might be benefits to setting them up on U.S. soil, so to speak.

There's always a price to pay with any country!

Yes and no. Tax regimes differ as we all know, I believe the tax liability can be reduced significantly with the aid of professionals, to what extent I'm somewhat unsure.

No, South America doesn't really appeal to me. I've only looked at (primarily) english speaking countries so far. Did have a look at Spain though.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Interesting, from what I've read the U.S. is pretty generous as well. I find Canada as a destination very interesting, just the wrong lattitude!

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

The language should be least of your concerns though. Hell, Spanish or Portuguese are probably just as prevalent or more so in some parts of the US :lol:

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Certainly Spanish in Florida.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Indeed, there is quite a sizeable minority who do speak Spanish in South Florida, but it's not a requirement and certainly not necessary to speak it. For us it's more a case of "integration". I've read numerous comments about Brits moving to Spain, not integrating and subsequently not enjoying life quite as much as they had hoped.

To put it bluntly, I really can't be arsed to learn a foreign language at this stage in my life!:D

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

American is sort of a foreign language.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

A karma-worthy post if ever there was one!

Ian

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Penny: Sing "Soft Kitty" to me.
Sheldon: But you're not sick. Soft Kitty is for when you're sick.
Penny: Drugged and in pain is a KIND of sick...
Sheldon: Oh, all right...

Rene :)

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

We looked at Spain as well but wanted English and a very developed country with high service levels. We also think that it is a plus for our children to grow up in the US in the current times. We live in Southwest Florida and absolutely love it here. No need for any Spanish here, not now and in MHO not for the foreseeable future either. People here are mostly from the MidWest and they are very friendly and inclusive. This is how we like it but if you want some more action you will have to be on the East Coast.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

Thanks for posting John, it's interesting to hear what people have to say.

Are you anywhere Naples? My only concern about that area is the schools, I've read some discouraging reports. I wonder if you have any insight on that?

Your first sentence rings very true to me!:)

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

I have sent you a PM.

Re: Contemplating EB5 route - have a few questions...
 

And you haven't read numerous comments about Brits moving to the US, not integrating and....?

Read more on this site! :eek: