Are you sure it is $500 at once? what would the point of that be? It is $500 per month.

My paypal is a Premier account and has an income limit of 2500 euros, which i lifted by showing them my business information and Passport photocopy. I think that $500 that you are talking about can be lifted the same way.. They just have problems with the scammers. If you verify everything - no problem.