Immigrant Investors (EB-5)
As an immigrant investor, you are seeking to obtain a green card in a short period of time and receive priority immigrant visa processing through commercial investments in the United States. Three major steps are required: First, an immigrant investor must file an Immigrant Petition. Once approved, an immigrant investor may obtain status as a conditional resident. Finally, the immigrant investor must file a Petition to Remove Conditions to become a lawful permanent resident. The EB-5 visa will allow you to obtain permanent immigration in approximately 1 to 1.5 years from the date of investment.
Of the 10,000 EB-5 visas available annually to qualified individuals, 3,000 are set aside for those who invest in a United States Citizenship & Immigration ("USCIS") designated "Regional Center." You therefore have two investment options.
First, the Standard Program requires investing $1,000,000 and creating 10 full-time jobs anywhere in the United States. This means you may create a new business, purchase an existing business, or expand a troubled business located anywhere in the United States, so long as you invest $1,000,000 in the commercial enterprise and create 10 full-time jobs (or maintain the number of existing employees at no less than the pre-investment level for a period of at least 2 years if you invest in a troubled business).
Alternatively, you may invest $500,000 in an accredited USCIS Regional Center Program located within specific geographical areas in the United States. The Regional Centers seek to promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, creation of new jobs, and increased domestic capital investment in rural areas or areas with high unemployment. Investors who choose this path will sign a partnership agreement with the Regional Center and are not required to actively manage the partnership since it is sufficient to participate as a passive partner who has an ownership interest.
An attorney can help you navigate through this complex and time consuming process. Contact Wayne today to get your EB-5 visa started!
Immigration Solutions
Standard Program:
>Invest at least $1,000,000 USD;
>in a new commercial enterprise by
>>creating an original business; or
>>purchasing and restructuring an existing business; or
>>expanding an existing business by 140% of the pre-investment number of jobs or net worth, or retaining all existing jobs in a troubled business that has lost 20% of its net worth over the past 12-24 months; and
>which will benefit the United States economy and
>>create full-time employment for not fewer than 10 qualified individuals; or
>>maintain the number of existing employees at no less than the pre-investment level for a period of at least 2 years, where the capital investment is being made in a troubled business, which is a business that has been in existence for at least 2 years and that has lost 20% of its net worth over the past 12-24 months.
Regional Center Program:
>Invest at least $500,000 USD;
>in a USCIS-designated Regional Center which
>>is an entity, organization or agency that has been approved as such by the Service;
>>focuses on a specific geographical area within the United States; and
>>seeks to promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, creation of new jobs, and increased domestic capital investment.
