EB–5 Immigrant Investor Visa
Contact Sarah S. Rama, ESQ., LL.M. for a Consultation
The EB-5 is a special program designed to allow people to invest money
toward their green cards. Instead of waiting years and jumping through
several hoops, international investors can take a different route to U.S.
citizenship by investing in a U.S.-based business. Here, we have broken
down the basics of the EB-5 visa to help you better understand the process
and its requirements.
The immigrant program allows immigrants to “Invest” in a Visa.
Invest over $500,000, get a Green Card!
Qualifying for the EB–5 Immigrant Investor Program
The United States Congress created the EB–5 Immigrant Investor Program
in 1990. The program is administered by the United States Citizen and
Immigration Services (USCIS). Through the program, a certain number of
EB–5 visas were set aside for investors with proposals for projects
expected to stimulate the U.S. economy and promote economic growth. To
qualify for an EB–5, you must:
Be an Investor in a U.S. Business
International investors seeking to immigrate to the U.S. via this program
need to invest in a new for-profit business established after November
29, 1990. Business types include sole proprietorships, partnerships, holding
companies, joint ventures, corporations and publicly or privately held
business trusts.
Are you involved with a U.S.-based business that was established before
November 29, 1990? You can still be considered for an EB–5 visa
if your business was expanded or restructured after this date.
Create jobs for U.S. Citizens
Businesses that qualify for consideration for an EB–5 visa must also
create jobs, as this is an important part of stimulating the economy.
The program requires that a business owned by a foreign investor seeking
an EB–5 visa employ at least 10 U.S. citizens on a full-time basis
to qualify. These jobs can be created within two years of the immigrant
investor’s admission to the U.S. The jobs need to be created in
a growing business or protected in a distressed business.
Invest capital in a U.S. Business
Capital can be cash, equipment, inventory, or other tangible property you
own and are personally liable for. The capital amount expected to qualify
for an EB–5 visa is $500,000. While the EB–5 isn’t for
everyone, this method of obtaining entry into the U.S. as a permanent
conditional citizen can be an excellent option for international investors.
Have questions?
The skilled and experienced professionals at Sarah S. Rama, ESQ., LL.M.
can help you determine whether you qualify for an EB–5 visa.
Contact our team to learn more. We are here to help distill complicated legal terms and
concepts, putting them into plain terms for you!