USA EB5 Investor Visa
The USA EB5 Investor Visa is an immigration program designed to attract foreign investors to the United States and stimulate economic growth. To qualify for the EB5 program, investors must make a minimum capital investment of $1,050,000. However, if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), the minimum investment requirement is reduced to $800,000.
The investment must be made in a new commercial enterprise, including creating a new business or expanding an existing one. That investment in the enterprise must create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs for qualified US workers within two years of the investor’s admission to the United States.
Investors can choose to invest directly in their own business projects or through a USCIS-designated EB-5 Regional Center, which manages investment funds and facilitates job creation.
The EB5 Visa program requires immigrant investors to demonstrate that their investment funds come from lawful sources, such as business profits, real estate sales, inheritance, or gifts.
Once the EB5 petition is approved, investors and their immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, are granted conditional permanent residence in the United States.
After two years, investors must apply to remove the conditions on their Green Cards by demonstrating that they have fulfilled the investment and job creation requirements.
The EB-5 program provides various benefits, including the opportunity to live, work, and study in the United States for investors and their family members.
Successful EB-5 investors can eventually become eligible to apply for US citizenship after meeting residency and other naturalization requirements.
USA E-2 Investor Visa
The USA E2 Investor Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign investors from treaty countries to invest in and operate a business in the United States. To qualify for the E2 visa, investors must be citizens of a country with a treaty of commerce and navigation or a bilateral investment treaty with the United States.
The E-2 visa requires a substantial investment in a bona fide new commercial enterprise, a real, operating commercial business that generates income and provides employment opportunities.
There is no fixed minimum investment amount for the E-2 visa, but the investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of purchasing or creating the business.
The investment must be at risk, meaning the investor’s funds must be subject to potential gain or loss based on the new commercial enterprise performance.
The E-2 visa allows investors and their immediate family, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, to live and work in the United States for the duration of the visa.
E-2 visas are typically granted for up to five years, with the possibility of renewal as long as the qualifying business continues to operate and meets the visa requirements.
Unlike the EB-5 visa, the E-2 visa does not provide a direct path to lawful permanent residence. However, E-2 visa holders can renew their visas indefinitely if they maintain their investment and meet the visa criteria.
E-2 visa holders have the flexibility to travel in and out of the United States and can engage in employment only within the qualifying business.
The E-2 visa does not have strict job creation requirements like the EB-5 visa, but the business should be able to generate enough income to support the investor and their family.
E2 Treaty Countries
E2 Treaty Countries are countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation or a bilateral investment treaty with the United States. The E2 Treaty allows citizens of these countries to apply for the E2 Investor Visa, which allows them to invest in and operate a business in the United States.
Currently, there are over 80 countries that have signed treaties with the United States, making their citizens eligible for the E2 Investor Visa. Some famous E2 Treaty Countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, France, Italy, and Spain.
The US Department of State periodically updates the E2 Treaty Countries list, and it is essential to verify the current status of a specific country before pursuing the E2 Visa.
Each E2 Treaty Country has its own specific requirements and conditions for its citizens to qualify for the E2 visa.
EB-5 Regional Center
The EB-5 Regional Center program is a component of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa program in the United States.
An EB-5 Regional Center is a private or public economic entity designated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the Department of Homeland Security to promote economic growth and job creation in a specific geographic area.
Regional Centers are authorized to pool investments from multiple EB-5 investors into a single project or business, which can help meet the employment creation requirements of the EB-5 visa program more easily.
Investing through an EB-5 Regional Center allows investors to meet the indirect employment creation requirement, where direct and indirect jobs can be counted towards the job generation threshold.
Regional Centers often focus on specific industries or geographic areas, such as real estate development, infrastructure projects, or Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) with high unemployment rates.
Using an EB-5 Regional Centre is a more passive than forthright investment, as it manages the investment project and job yield.
Regional Centers are subject to a rigorous application and designation process by the USCIS to ensure compliance with program requirements and investor protection measures.
Investing through an EB-5 Visa may have additional advantages, such as a potentially lower investment threshold for projects located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).
EB-5 Visa Investment Options
Direct investment in a new commercial enterprise
Investors can make a straightforward investment in their new commercial enterprise. The required minimum investment amount per existing business for this option is $1,050,000, and it must create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers.
Targeted Employment Area (TEA) investment
Investors can invest a reduced minimum amount of $800,000 if the investment is made in a TEA under a commercial enterprise.
Regional Center investment
Investors can also invest through an approved EB-5 Visa. This option allows investors to meet the job generation requirement by indirectly creating full-time jobs in a commercial enterprise.
Green Card Investment
- An investment Green Card offers a pathway to obtaining permanent residency in the United States.
- Green Card holders enjoy benefits such as access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and the ability to live and work anywhere in the United States.
US Citizenship by Investment
- While a Green Card via investment does not directly lead to US citizenship, it can be a significant step in that direction.
- Green Card holders can become eligible to apply for US citizenship after meeting specific residency requirements, typically five years of continuous residency.
- The path to US citizenship involves fulfilling additional criteria, such as demonstrating good moral character, passing English and civics tests, and maintaining continuous residency.
Summary
The Investor Citizenship Card provides a pathway to achieving your dreams of living and thriving in the United States. As you embark on this journey, it is essential to consult with citizenship and immigration services professionals who can guide you through the process and ensure compliance with all requirements of immigration law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Investor Green Card
How much do you need to invest in the US to get a Green Card?
To get a Green Card through investment in the US, you must invest either $1,050,000 or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
How long does it take an investor to get an American citizenship card?
The time it takes for an investor to get an American citizenship card can vary, but it typically takes around 18 to 24 months.
Can you get citizenship in America by buying a property?
Buying property alone does not grant you a US citizen card, but investing in specific real estate projects through the EB-5 program can qualify you for a citizenship card if the investment meets the program requirements.
How do I get an investment-based American citizen card?
To get an investment-based citizenship card, you must choose the appropriate investment program, make the required investment amount, submit the necessary documentation to USCIS, attend an interview if required, and receive a conditional Citizenship Card upon approval.
Should I consult with an immigration lawyer about immigrating to the US through investment?
Investing in the US for residency is complex, with nuances in eligibility and legalities. Experienced immigration lawyers can:
- Assess your eligibility: Ensure you meet program requirements and avoid costly application pitfalls.
- Navigate complex paperwork: Guarantee forms are accurate and complete, maximizing your chances of approval.
- Represent you effectively: Advocate for your case and address any immigration issues that may arise.
Investing in a new future is exciting, but seeking expert legal guidance from an experienced immigration attorney can save you time, money, and stress and boost your chances of being one of the successful applicants.
