Residency
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Investor Visa
United States
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a Green Card to qualified investors and their immediate family.
$800,000+
2-5 years
5 years
An EB-5 visa is granted to accredited investors that are willing to make a one time $800,000+ USD investment in a commercial enterprise within the United States.
The program puts you on a path to receive a permanent U.S. green card for you, your spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 with a single investment. It’s more than just a green card program, with EB-5 visa holders able to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of legal residency.
Benefits
The primary benefit of the EB-5 Visa is being granted permanent residency (Green Card) in the United States.
This can be especially advantageous for Indians or others from countries that often phase significant backlog and immigration delays.
Eligible investors can utilize the EB-5 visa to become permanent residents of the United States and bypass any country specific backlog.
A major benefit to the visa is it extends to the investors spouse, and any unmarried children under 21.
If you are interesting in working, living, or opening a business in the United States, the EB-5 visa might be your fastest path.
Here are all the benefits you can expect once you are in the program.
Requirements
Investing in an EB-5 visa comes with certain requirements, mainly around the investment itself. Residents of all countries can apply for an EB-5 visa but the investment itself needs to meet the following requirements:
- You must invest in a “new commercial enterprise.”
- You must invest at least $1,050,000 in the new commercial enterprise. (You may qualify to make a reduced investment of $800,000 if the investment is located in a Targeted Employment Area.
- Your investment must meet the EB-5 job creation requirements of creating at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
- Your investment funds must be “at risk.”
- The funds used for your investment must have been lawfully obtained.
- You must engage in the management of the new commercial enterprise.
Once your investment meets the above requirements it will be considered qualified for you to receive a visa.
Investment Cost & Fees
While the EB-5 visa requires a minimum investment of $800,000 for projects in rural areas and those with high unemployment, or alternatively, the minimum $1,050,00 for projects and businesses that do not fall into this category, that may not be the full amount you end up paying.
It’s crucial to budget for the administrative fees involved with the EB-5 investment visa application. These can range from $60,000 to $100,000 throughout the application process. In addition, you will likely have attorney fees, as well.
There are specific costs involved with an EB-5 visa:
- Form 1-526 fee of $11,160.
- Consular processing fee of $345.
- The cost of a medical exam varies by country.
Most EB-5 visa applicants will choose to invest in TEA areas with the lower $800,000 investment threshold. Non-TEA projects have a higher investment threshold of $1,050,00 but cater to foreign investors with different risk tolerance and investment goals.
As an example, assuming you invest in a Rural TEA project or an HUA TEA project, here is a list of fees you may incur:
| Investment Amount: | $800,000+ |
| Regional Center Fees: | $80,000 |
| EB-5 Lawyer Fees: | $25,000-35,000 |
| Filing Fees (I-526E) I-829 | $11,160 + $9,525 |
| Total | $900,000-$960,000 |
Process
- Choose an EB-5 Project: Decide whether to invest directly in a business or through a Regional Center. Most investors choose Regional Centers for ease and reduced involvement.
- Conduct Due Diligence & Prepare Funds: Work with an immigration advisor and/or legal counsel to review project risks, returns, and legal compliance. Prepare investment capital and supporting documentation.
- File Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition): Submit your petition to USCIS with proof of your investment and job creation plan. Once approved, you can apply for a Green Card.
- Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status: If you are outside the United States, you will need to attend an interview at a U.S. consulate as part of the visa issuance process. If you are already inside the U.S., you can apply to adjust your status to permanent resident by filing Form I-485.
- Receive Conditional Green Card: Once approved, you and your dependents receive two-year conditional permanent residency in the U.S.
- Remove Conditions (I-829 Petition): Within 90 days before your conditional Green Card expires, submit Form I-829 to remove conditions and prove job creation.
- Receive Permanent Green Card: Upon approval of the I-829, you and your family receive 10-year renewable Green Cards with full permanent resident status.
- Apply for U.S. Citizenship (optional): After five years of permanent residency (including time as a conditional resident), you are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Timeline
Application timelines for EB-5 investment visas may vary by individual. The EB-5 visa priority date it starts after completing an I-526 petition that typically takes 2 months. However, depending on your situation, this can take up to eight months.
The timeline depends on how the investor decides what to invest in and how they conduct their due diligence. Investors will have to collect and provide documentation demonstrating their funding source to show they have the resources to make the necessary $800,000 investment.
Why EB-5?
An EB-5 visa is ideal for those who can afford to make a substantial investment in the U.S. economy and want to streamline the immigration process with a path to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship.
After the applicant receives their green card, the invested funds must remain in the project for at least three to seven years, depending on the specific project. The conditional green card period ends after two years, with the conditions removed upon review.
If you’re interested in pursuing a life in the United States and have a net worth of more than $1 million, fill in our form to see if you qualify, you could be an ideal candidate for an EB-5 investment visa.
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