Ever wondered if becoming a green-card holder is possible with just an investment? Wonder no more, because that’s actually the case for many foreign nationals and business owners. In fact, around 40,000 foreign nationals were granted permanent residency every year since the program’s inception in 1990.
The Eb5 Visa Investors Program program allows foreign investors who create jobs in the United States to immigrate to the country. It’s a type of visa program created by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that gives green card holders permanent residence status after making an investment of at least $1 million in job creation or enterprise development.
What is the EB-5 program? And why should business owners and entrepreneurs get involved? Here’s everything you need to know about this visa program and how you can be eligible to apply for it.
What is the EB-5 Program?
The EB-5 program is a visa program created by Congress in an effort to stimulate the U.S. economy by attracting capital investment and job creation by foreign investors. The program requires these investors to invest $1 million or more in commercial enterprise that creates or preserves a minimum number of full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers. Applicants must also have invested at least $500,000 in direct employment investment and must have permanent resident status (a green card) or lawful permanent resident status (a visa). The program also allows regional center organizations (R-COSO) to file immigrant investor visa petitions on behalf of eligible immigrants.
The program has undergone several revisions since it was first enacted. As part of the 2017 immigration reform, the EB-5 program has been expanded to include regional centers and rural area corporations as R-COSOs, which helps them offer comprehensive services to potential immigrant investors. The visa petition filing process has also been shortened from two years to 90 days, making it easier for potential immigrant investors to apply for green cards through this program. Through these reforms, the EB-5 program is no longer just for high-skilled immigrants but for all categories of green card holders looking to immigrate to the U.S.
But before applying for green card through EB-5, prospective immigrant investors should carefully research eligibility requirements and eligibility categories, as well as all other relevant factors of the green card application process to ensure their eligibility and eligibility for Green Card under EB-5 program |
Benefits of Investing with the EB-5 Program
– The EB-5 visa program provides foreign investors with the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
– There are no job offer or labor certification requirements for EB-5 visa holders.
– Investors have the potential to receive a green card if they meet program’s requirements, including investing at least $800,000 in a targeted employment area (TEA), and creating 10 or more jobs for U.S. citizens.
– The minimum investment requirement is also high, but it can be lowered by making improvements to an employment center regional center’s area of economic growth.
Requirements to Qualify for the EB-5 Program
-The investment must be in a commercial enterprise in the U.S.- such as a business, real estate development, or farming- that creates or preserves at least 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified US workers
-To be eligible for the EB-5 program, an investor must make a minimum $1.5 million investment in a commercial enterprise in the U.S.
– This investment must create or preserve at least 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers
– The investor must also be legally present in the U.S. by the time of application
– The minimum necessary investment to qualify for the EB-5 program is $1,050,000, or $800,000 if funds are invested in high unemployment or rural areas
-This visa program allows foreign investors to obtain green cards and permanent resident status in the United States if they invest capital into commercial enterprises that create or preserve ten permanent full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers
-Investment funding from regional center programs is also an option for investors who qualify under this program
-It is important to note that no single investor program can provide green card guarantees and capital investment immigration has become increasingly competitive and complicated
For green card seekers, regional center programs are a viable option and may help investors qualify for immigration under either of these two visa programs -EB-5 immigrant investor visa program or regional center immigrant investor visa program -based on individual circumstances.
How to Apply for the EB-5 Program
– To apply for the EB-5 program, foreign investors must invest in a new commercial enterprise and make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States- this includes purchasing capital assets, hiring employees, or making loans.
– Investors must also demonstrate that they have obtained capital from banks or other finance institutions or other sources of financing of at least $500,000.
– Eligible applicants can apply for a two-year conditional green card. The program requires an investment of $800,000 in high unemployment areas and $1,050,000 outside those areas.
– Applicants must file the I-532 and I-539 forms to apply for the EB-5 program.
– There is no minimum investment required for EB-5 visa petitions. However, foreign investors must show that their investment has been made with their own funds and that no federal funds were used to make the investment.
– The program is open to anyone who has a job offer from a U.S. business with direct financial backing from abroad and who will generate jobs and economic growth in targeted employment areas within two years of receiving a green card under the program.
Understanding the USCIS Application Process
– The first step in obtaining a US EB-5 investor visa is to submit Form I-526 to the USCIS with evidence showing the investment meets the criteria required by the immigration agency.
– The applicant must show that the new venture will create at least 10 jobs and not dip below pre-investment job levels.
– Submitting USCIS Form I-526 is the main form when applying as a foreign investor. The applicant does not need employer sponsorship. After submitting Form I-526, the applicant will receive a decision if they can proceed with visa application process.
– After entering the US, the applicant can apply for permanent green card status with an I-829 application. This visa provides eligibility for permanent residency in the US for those with high-skilled employment or economic investment.
Tips for a Successful EB-5 Investment
The EB-5 program offers foreign investment visa to foreign investors. As per the program, foreign investors may apply for immigrant investor green card through investing $500,000 in an area of high unemployment, job creation, or economic growth.
The investment must be made into a commercial enterprise that is creating jobs and must be debt-financed with 10-year fixed-term regional center loans from commercial banks.
All these conditions help foreign investors to qualify for green card as per the program. However, there are many factors to consider before making an investment decision. It is essential to understand the investment visa process and requirements thoroughly before making an investment decision.
Through the EB-5 visa program, foreign investors can secure green cards for themselves and their family members. The visa allows foreign investors to invest $500,000 in a commercial enterprise or $1 million in a regional center (for regional centers, the investment must benefit regional employment) and create jobs for U.S. workers. Investors also have the option of securing conditional permanent resident status for themselves and their family members upon making such investments. Though it requires some paperwork and knowledge of business investment, applying for the visa program is relatively simple, as it only takes a minimum of two business days to process your application at the USCIS center nearest you. If you’re looking to invest in the U.S., utilizing this green card visa program is your best bet!
