How Does the EB-5 Visa Work?
If you have the money and the ability, the EB-5 immigrant investment program is one of the easiest ways to obtain a US visa. You might also hear this visa type referred to as a “golden visa.”
You must meet several stringent requirements to ensure that your investment is helping to build the United States economy.
Instead, you must make a minimum investment of either $1,800,000 or $900,000 in a US company. You can make a lesser investment if you’re investing in an economically depressed area known as a targeted employment area, which will usually be a rural area in need of economic aid. The investment must lead to the creation of 10 full-time jobs for qualified US workers.
You must also meet additional requirements, including:
- You must be able to show you obtained the investment funds lawfully.
- You should be able to show that the company is spending the investment.
- You must show you will be involved in managing the business.
- You must be able to show exactly how your investment will help create jobs.
So, if the new venture is a hotel, you could buy the land where the hotel will be built. You’d then show that you’ll be employing front desk employees, housekeeping employees, and maintenance employees who will be running the hotel once it is fully built.
You also have the option to invest in an EB-5 Regional Center. A Regional Center sponsors new companies by gathering investment funds from EB-5 investors and funding projects in their area. You still become the partial owner of the project you choose to invest in, but the Regional Center will be responsible for complying with all the EB-5 requirements, and you can reduce your role to investing.
Remember that when you apply for an EB-5 visa, you must still meet other eligibility requirements for permanent residency. For example, you must still have a clean criminal record. Your money alone will not be enough to get you a green card if you do not meet the other requirements.
While this visa might seem easy to obtain, launching your EB-5 visa application remains a complex legal matter. Ensure your investment does what you hope it will do by working closely with Hykel Law. We are experienced immigration lawyers, and we’re ready to help.
It’s a great time to take advantage of the EB-5 visa, as there is a good chance the minimum investment will rise in the future. Contact us to start the process today.
See also:
Can You Get a US Visa by Investing in Philadelphia Real Estate?