EB-5 green card for investors
EB-5 visa provides an opportunity for foreign citizens to obtain green cards through investments in the US economy. The investment must guarantee creation of minimum 10 full-time jobs. The spouse of EB-5 investors and their unmarried children under 21 years old can also receive green cards and eventually US passports.
There are two options to obtain an investor EB-5 visa:
- Direct investment into a new or existing business in the United States.
- Investment through Regional Centers.
The investment amount depends on the location of the investment project.
Main requirements for EB-5 investors:
- A minimum investment of $ 800,000
- The project must create 10 full-time jobs
- Investment money comes from legal sources.
How to qualify for visa EB 5:
- Start a new business and invest in it
- Invest through one of the approved regional centres, who develop and manage investment projects
Things you have to know about the regional centers:
- The purpose of the RC is to boost the region’s economy, create new jobs, increase investment in enterprises located in the assigned geographical area
- Investors should always take into account that although there is a list of USCIS-approved regional centers, the government does not guarantee approval of green cards through their projects
- There is no guarantee that the Regional Center project will be profitable, or there will be return of investment
- There are investment risks involved
- Investors are advised to carefully assess all risks before making an investment of $900,000 and over. In case of the project bankruptcy, the investor may lose their investment and their green card
- You have to be careful when selecting a regional center
EB-5 application process
- Hire an immigration attorney. EB 5 visa application requires a thorough preparation of the documents
- Select an investment project
- Submit the I-526 petition
- Processing time for EB-5 visa is up to 16 months
Getting your green card and US citizenship through EB-5 process
Upon approval of the I-526 petition, the petitioner and their family receive a conditional green card valid for 18 months enabling them to live and work in the US.
Upon 21 months, by filing a form I-829, the investor shall apply for removal of conditions on their green cards. The application shall include business plan of the project, current investments (the funds have not been withdrawn). Creation of additional full-time jobs will be advantageous.
Approval of I-829 form leads to receiving a permanent green card.
Overall process (application – green card – citizenship) may take up to 5 years.