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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has promoted the EB-5 visa program as a way to stimulate local economies through the invitation of large amounts of foreign capital.

And so far, the results seem favorable. For instance, through 2009, South Koreans alone were estimated to have invested about $400 million in U.S. businesses, according to the Korean news provider Chosun Ilbo.

Overall, the U.S. estimates that the EB-5 investor visa has gained about $1 billion for the economy in its 20-year history, NPR reports.

But as well as a giving American companies an opportunity to drive growth and develop more aggressive business strategies, the immigration visa presents wealthy foreign nationals an array of EB-5 investment opportunities as a means for legally working and living in the U.S.

Those considering applying for the EB-5, may wish to consider the opinion of Cornell University immigration law professor, Stephen Yale-Loehr, who believes that everyone emerges a victor from the arrangement.

“It’s a win for U.S. workers because they’re able to get jobs through this program, and it’s a win for project developers and cities and states because they are able to get money that they wouldn’t be able to tap into otherwise to fund their projects,” Yale-Loehr told the news source.

He concluded, “And it’s a win obviously for the foreign investors because it allows them to get a green card.”

Under the program, the U.S. government may issue up to 10,000 EB-5 visas each year to foreigner financiers who invest at least $1 million in a U.S. company, or $500,000 in an EB-5 regional center or company in which the unemployment rate exceeds the national average by 150 percent.

But besides giving foreign investors and their immediate families access to U.S. green cards, and the chance to either help manage or support an American business, the EB-5 visa program gives immigrants more options as they plan for their families.

Many European and Asian investors have applied to the program so that their children may access the American education system and be raised in a multicultural home.

In addition, a common trend among older Britons has become pursuing investment opportunities in order to retire in Florida, where real estate comes cheap and the weather stays warm.

If any or all of these reasons sounds appealing, an EB-5 investor visa may in fact be right for you.