EB–5 Immigrant Investor Visa
CONTACT SARAH S. RAMA, ESQ., LL.M. FOR A CONSULTATION
Immigration Lawyer Sarah S. Rama, ESQ., LL.M. – Global Immigration Results – LL.M. Masters of International Law & Finance Attorney.
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!