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EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa

Overview

If you want a green card and have ever thought about starting or purchasing a business in the United States, an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa (“EB-5 Visa”) could be perfect for you.  Generally speaking, the EB-5 Visa requires that you invest either $1,050,000 or $800,000 (the lower, $800,000 investment is permitted in rural or high unemployment settings, which are also known as “targeted employment areas,” or “TEA”). In return, the U.S. government provides the investor with a green card.  The government makes 10,000 of these green cards available every year.

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Requirements & Eligibility

There are 5 main criteria to get an EB-5 Visa. They are as follows:

  • You must invest or be actively in the process of investing either $1,050,000 or $800,000 (the lower, $800,000 investment is permitted in rural or high unemployment settings, which are also known as “targeted employment areas,” or “TEA”);
  • You must show that the funds come from a legitimate source
  • The entire amount of the investment must be active or at risk (this means that you cannot just be thinking about buying a business, and you have to put up capital that could be lost)
  • You must make the investment in a “new” or “existing business enterprise” (this allows you to create your own business or buy one); and
  • You must demonstrate that the investment directly or indirectly results in the creation or preservation of ten full time jobs.

If you can meet these criteria, you are well on your way to getting an EB-5 Visa.  The process, though, is not simple, and you will need a qualified lawyer (and perhaps an accountant) to navigate through this complex area.  When filing your petition you must apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and submit a number of required documents including: immigration forms, personal financial information, business plans, a legal brief summarizing how you have met all of the elements of the statute, and other supporting evidence.  Scott Legal, P.C., is the perfect choice to assist you as our founder, Ian E. Scott, is both a Certified Public Accountant and a lawyer.  This combination is very effective for this Visa as the legal work required often overlaps with the expansive business and financial statement review that is also necessary.

Application Process

There are a number of steps that investors must complete to get a green card through the EB-5 visa program. The process is complicated, but if you have the funds, this is an excellent way for someone and their family to get green cards and ultimately become U.S. citizens.  Generally speaking, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa (“EB-5 Visa”) requires that you invest either $1,050,000 or $800,000 (the lower, $800,000 investment is permitted in rural or high unemployment settings, which are also known as “targeted employment areas,” or “TEA”), and in return, the U.S. government will give you a green card.  In order to qualify, you must also create 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers and meet several additional requirements.

Applicants can invest in a Regional Center Project or invest directly in a business. (existing or new).

1. Find The Appropriate Investment “Project”

The first step is for the EB-5 applicant to find a project to invest in. This generally takes the form of either a new commercial enterprise for individual or direct investors or “Regional Center” projects. New Commercial enterprise does not mean brand new and can be an entity formed after 1990.  If the applicant chooses to invest as an individual investor then they must locate an investment project or business on their own. For example, the investor could start or buy a manufacturing company or start a restaurant franchise. This is a great option for people who really want to come to the U.S. to run their own business and is also the option where the investor may be able to realize significant returns.

Investors can also choose to invest through a mechanism called “Regional Centers.”  To this end, the Government has set up a special program called a Regional Center Pilot Program where investors can act more as passive investors and contribute funds to government-recognized entities.  Under this program, businesses involved in promoting growth in certain geographic areas are approved as regional centers and may meet the job creation requirements of the law using “indirect employment” based upon approved methodologies.  With this option, you would simply invest the money with the regional center and get a very small return (usually about 1%-2%) on your investment.  There are ranges of risk profiles associated with the regional centers and they are a great choice if you do not mind a low return and do not want to manage a business.

2. You Make a Capital Investment and Your Attorney Files an I-526 or I-526E Petition

The next step of the process is for the applicant to invest the required investment amount in the project that they have chosen (whether $1,050,000 or $800,000 for a TEA). These investments are often made into an escrow account.  After the money has been put in escrow, your qualified immigration lawyer will file a petition (I-526) with the government.  In order to file an I-526 petition, the applicants must also present evidence that their investment will lead to the creation of 10 full time jobs for U.S. workers, and this is usually supported by a comprehensive business plan.  In addition, the applicant must also prove that the funds came from a legitimate source.

3. Request for Information

An EB-5 Visa petition is an extremely complex and document-intensive petition.  Moreover, as some applicants may be starting up a new enterprise, it may not be apparent to immigration officials the exact nature or basis of the financial data or strategy. As such, the government often requests additional information from applicants after the I-526 has been filed.  This is a normal part of the process and allows the government to inquire about areas that they may not be clear about.  You should take any requests for information to your attorney as soon as you receive them so that he/she can respond to the government appropriately.

4. Apply For A Conditional Green Card

There are a number of requirements that must be met to apply for an EB-5 Visa and one of those requirements is hiring 10 full-time U.S. workers.  As you do not have to hire the workers immediately, the government will issue you a conditional green card for two years.  At the end of the two years, you will be required to prove that you have met the conditions and hired the required employees.  EB-5 investors are eligible for this conditional green card once their I-526 petition has been approved and the exact forms that have to be filed depend on whether you are in the U.S. or not.  If you were in the country when the I-526 is approved, you would file a change of status petition (I-485). If you are out of the country, you will file documents so that your green card can be processed at a Consulate.

5. Apply for an I-829, Removal of Conditions on the Green Card

The last step in the EB-5 Visa process is for applicants to become unconditional permanent residents by removing their two-year conditional status. To do this, your immigration attorney would file an I-829 petition 90 days prior to the anniversary of the date that the applicant first received their conditional residency. This application proves that the investor has met all requirements of the EB-5 visa program. The government usually issues a permanent green card around 6 months after the I-829 has been submitted.

While you get an “official” green card, it has conditions imposed for a two-year period.  The conditions really relate to making sure the business is legitimate and ongoing and ensuring that you do, in fact, hire 10 full-time employees.  After the two-year period, you go back to the government and request that they remove the conditions.  The removal of the conditions can be complicated but, in general, as long as you have met the conditions you will get your unconditional green card.

How long does the Visa last for?

This is a green card, so once you get it you can keep it forever, as long as you adhere to certain residency requirements.

How are family members treated?

This Visa is a great option if you would like to also get your family green cards as an individual investor and his or her family (husband, wife, and any unmarried children under the age of 21) may all get green cards.

Other considerations or related articles?

Find more information on various immigration topics discussed in our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa

Some common EB-5 Visa questions:

1. What is the Designated Regional Pilot Center Program?

The government has set up a special program called the Regional Center Pilot Program where investors can act more as passive investors and contribute funds to government-recognized entities.  Under this program, businesses involved in promoting growth in certain geographic areas are approved as regional centers and may meet the job creation requirements of the law using “indirect employment” based upon approved methodologies.

2. Are Regional Centers Safe?

A few things you should consider if you wish to invest in a Regional Center:

1. Regional center investors are now required to invest the full $800,000 before submitting the I-526 petition.  You should therefore check with the regional center to ensure that the money will be returned if the petition is denied.

2. Regional center fees are around $50,000, which would likely make your “net” return on any investment negative. Also, the normal holding time for the investment in the regional center is 5 years.

3.  Even though the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) “approves” regional centers, this approval of an EB-5 Regional Center application does not:

i.     Constitute USCIS endorsement of the activities of that Regional Center;

ii.     Guarantee compliance with U.S. securities laws; or

iii.     Minimize or eliminate risk to the investor.

This means that you could invest money, lose it, and not get a visa.  It is very important to note that any regional center can go bankrupt or fail to comply with the terms that will allow you to get your visa.

4. Some regional centers have been the subject of SEC investigations where the organizers were charged with securities fraud.  You must perform a significant amount of due diligence before you invest.  Think about the investment as any other investment that is subject to complete loss.  Also, you should get an experienced securities lawyer to perform due diligence and to assess whether or not the regional center is complying with U.S. law.

5. A regional center must still create the requisite number of jobs. That is, for every green card issued, the center must create 10 jobs. If the center does not create the 10 jobs, you will not get your visa.

6. For regional centers, indirect employment job creation is allowable.  This is a significant benefit as often direct investors face issues surrounding proving they created 10 full-time jobs when they attempt to remove the conditions on their conditional green card.

7. You should hire the appropriate professionals to perform due diligence to properly select a regional center (including, as noted above, a qualified securities lawyer).

8. There are over 500 regional centers that USCIS has approved, and the list is rapidly growing. Some of the approved centers have well established track records while others are new and untested.  If a regional center has not been in existence for 2 years, it means that no one has obtained an unconditional green card through it yet.

10. When you select a regional center you must also pick a specific investment project as most regional centers have several projects. The fact that one project has been successful does not provide any assurance that the next one will be.

3. Can My Family Come With Me and How Long Does An EB-5 Visa (Green Card) Take To Get?

This visa is a great option if you would like to also get your family green cards as an individual investor and his or her family (husband, wife, and any unmarried children under the age of 21) may all get green cards.

4. Do You Need A Lawyer?

Yes and in most cases an accountant too as it is a good idea to have an accountant look at the financial statements of any business you may want to purchase.  At Scott Legal, P.C. you have both as our founder, Ian E. Scott, is a qualified C.P.A and a lawyer!

5. How Can Scott Legal Help You with Your EB-5 Application?

All in all an EB-5 visa is a great Visa option for those who have the money and wish to start a business in the U.S.  The visa does have an extensive documentation requirement and you are strongly advised to seek the assistance of a qualified immigration lawyer.  Let Scott Legal, P.C. be your guide.  Below are some of the ways we can help you with your EB-5 visa.  We can:

  • Work with the investor and family to put together an EB-5 visa green card petition;
  • Assist the investor in completing all immigration documents needed for the EB-5 visa petition;
  • Prepare the investor and his family for the Department of State interview;
  • Appear with the investor and family at the interview (upon the investor’s request) with the Department of State at the consular post overseas, and assist in the interview process or appear at the interview before the USCIS in the United States;
  • Assist the investor and family in entering the United States and establishing lawful permanent residence in the United States;
  • Assist the investor and family in removing the conditions from the permanent resident status within the last three months of the second year following the commencement of permanent residence;
  • Assist the investor in obtaining any financing services that may be necessary.

Fees

Find out more by checking out the fee schedule.

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