Passport Rank
8
There are many reasons why the United States is an attractive option for international investors looking for residency options. One key reason is the stability and predictability of the U.S. legal system. The United States has a long history of respect for property rights and the rule of law, making it an attractive destination for investments. Moreover, the United States offers a number of visa programs that provide international investors with an opportunity to live and work in the United States. Two popular visa programs are the EB-5 and E-2 investment visas. Both of these visa programs offer significant benefits to international investors looking to live and work in the United States.
The EB-5 visa allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residency in the United States by investing at least $800.000 in an approved target area location through an approved regional center.
Investors can choose to invest in a US regional center, which is an entity that has been designated by the US government as having a positive impact on economic growth. Regional centers are typically located in areas of high unemployment or low economic activity, and they are required to create 10 new jobs as a result of the investment. Minimum investment amount is $800,000.
The direct EB-5 option differs in the sense that the investor has to manage the business and present a business plan, versus a passive investment like the EB-5 Regional Center option.
The EB-5 visa direct option allows foreign investors to obtain a green card by making a direct investment in a U.S. business. The minimum investment is $1 million, and the investor must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
The E-2 visa allows foreign investors to live and work in the United States by investing a minimum of $100,000 in a new business venture. Only E-2 treaty country citizens can apply, and each treaty country has a different visa renewal date. The E2 visa can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues normally in the US. This visa does not lead to permanent residency, and once dependent children turn 21 they will have to look for an additional visa in order to stay in the US.
Even though there is no minimum, the business investment must be "viable", and therefore should be in the range of at least $120-$150k.
According to the SovSpot Passport Ranking Index, the American passport is now ranked eighth. It allows anyone to travel to 189 countries without needing a visa. As a result, it is one of the world's most sought passports, having a very high mobility score. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry is available to American passport holders in countries such as Brazil, Japan, Peru, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the whole European Union, allowing for nearly quick travel around the world. However, over 40 countries throughout the world, including Russia, China, and Iran, demand visas for American passport holders.
8
189
The number of countries United States of America passport holders can enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries) is added to the number of countries United States of America passport holders can enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) or an electronic travel authorization (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) (eTA). There are now 141 visa-free countries for US passport holders, 44 visa-on-arrival countries for US passport holders, and four eTA destinations. US passport holders can visit a total of 189 countries without a visa, via a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. As a result, the passport of the United States of America is ranked eighth in the world. Apart from the visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries, there are another 40 countries where US passport holders will require a physical visa or an eVisa (i.e. visa required countries).