EB-5 visa: what is it, how does it work and how to apply?

d4uimmigration
Escrito por:d4uimmigration

The search for a better life and new opportunities has led many people to consider immigration to the United States.

For those with financial resources and entrepreneurship, the EB-5 investor visa can be an ideal solution.

In this article, we'll cover what a US investor visa is, how it works and how to apply for it, as well as exploring the prerequisites and advantages associated with this type of visa. Read on to find out everything about it!

What is the EB-5 Investor Visa?

The EB-5 visa is a United States immigration program designed for foreign investors who wish to reside in the country permanently.

It offers the possibility of obtaining permanent residency (also known as "green card") for investors, their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21.

The idea behind this program is to stimulate the US economy through job creation and foreign capital investment.

To be eligible for this type of visa, the investor must invest in a new or existing commercial project in the United States that meets certain requirements.

The minimum investment required is usually US$1.8 million, however, if the investment is made in a targeted employment area (TEA), which is a rural area or area with high unemployment, the minimum investment required is US$900 thousand.

In addition, the investment project must create at least 10 full-time jobs for skilled US workers within two years of granting the EB-5 investor visa.

Once these requirements are met, the investor and his family can qualify for permanent residency in the country.

Obtain the Green Card through the EB-5 visa program. Invest in the future and live a prosperous life in the United States. Call now and find out more!

Learn about the prerequisites for acquiring the EB-5

The EB-5 visa has several requirements that must be met by the foreign investor. See the main ones below:

  1. Minimum investment: the person must invest a minimum of US1TP4Q1.8 million in a new commercial project in the United States. If the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) - a rural or high unemployment area - the required minimum investment is reduced to US$ 900,000;
  2. Commercial project: the investment must be made in a new or existing business that operates for profit. Passive or merely speculative investments do not qualify for this type of visa;
  3. Job creation: the investment project must create at least 10 full-time jobs for skilled US workers within a two-year period after the EB-5 visa is granted. The jobs created must be direct (ie workers employed directly by the company) or indirect (ie jobs created as a result of the investment but in other companies);
  4. Source of funds: the person must prove the legitimate origin of the invested funds. This includes wages, investments, inheritances, property sales, loans or gifts, among other sources;
  5. Active participation in the business: the person must play an active role in the management of the company or, at a minimum, have a policy-formulating position within the company;
  6. Compliance with US laws and regulations: the investment and commercial project must comply with all United States laws and regulations, including immigration, labor and tax laws.

After meeting these requirements and receiving the EB-5 visa, the investor and his family will obtain conditional permanent resident status for two years.

After that period, if the program requirements are still being met, the investor may apply to remove the conditions and obtain unrestricted permanent residency in the US.

Another alternative to having the right of residence is through the US work visas.

See also: visa EB2 NIW denied? Know what to do

How to Apply for the EB-5 Investor Visa: Check

How to Apply for the EB-5 Investor Visa: Check

There are two ways to apply for the EB-5 visa: starting a company in the US or investing in a US company.

See more about these two options so you can make the best decision:

Starting a Company in the United States

When starting a business in the United States, you may qualify for this type of visa.

For this, you need to create at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers and invest a minimum amount of 1TP4Q1.8 million in your business.

However, if the company is located in a rural area or an area of high unemployment, the minimum investment amount is reduced to $900 thousand.

Investing in an American company

Investing in a US company is the other option for applying for the EB-5 visa.

In this case, the investment must be made in a business that is already in operation, and the amount invested must also be at least $1.8 million or $900 thousand, depending on the company's location.

In addition, it is also necessary to ensure that the investment generates at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers.

It is also important to clarify what is considered an investment and what is not.

Accepted investments include the purchase of stocks, bonds and other financial instruments, in addition to investing directly in the company.

On the other hand, loans and guarantees are not considered investments for EB-5 visa purposes.

What are the advantages of having the EB-5 visa?

See below the advantages of having an EB-5 visa

Access to multiple jobs

With the EB-5 visa, you can access a vast job market in the United States, which offers countless opportunities in various sectors. Meet some of them in the list of rising jobs in the US

The US economy is one of the largest and most diverse in the world, which means you'll have plenty of options to explore and grow professionally.

Possibility of obtaining citizenship

The EB-5 visa is also a direct path to US citizenship.

After obtaining permanent residency and meeting legal requirements, you and your family can apply for US citizenship.

This means that, in addition to the benefits of being a permanent resident, you will also enjoy all the rights and privileges granted to US citizens, such as voting in elections and obtaining a US passport.

greater freedom

Ultimately, by obtaining the EB-5 visa, you and your family will have greater freedom to live, work and study in the United States.

See also: benefits of EB-2 NIW visa

Also, as a permanent resident, you will be able to travel to other countries more easily and return to the US without having to apply for a new visa each time you travel.

How much does a US investor visa cost?

How much does a US investor visa cost?

While it is not possible to provide an exact value due to the many variables involved, we can provide some general information.

As we have seen, for the EB-5 visa, for example, the minimum investment required is US$ 1.8 million, or US$ 900,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is a rural area or with high unemployment.

In addition, there are additional costs such as government fees, fees and other costs related to the commercial project.

D4U Immigration has a team of lawyers specialized in several types of american visas (immigrant and non-immigrant) to the United States, and we are prepared to help you understand and comply with investor visa requirements.

Invest in the US and secure your permanent residency with the EB-5 visa. Our team is ready to help you. Call now!

Conclusion

The EB-5 investor visa is an excellent option for those wishing to live and invest in the United States, offering the opportunity to obtain permanent residency, access to a vast job market and even the possibility of becoming a US citizen.

However, the process to obtain this visa can be complex and requires the fulfillment of several requirements.

It is essential to have the support of experienced professionals, such as the D4U Immigration team, to ensure that your visa application is successful.

Consult our visa office to find out which one is ideal for you!

d4uimmigration
d4uimmigration

Elected the best immigration consultancy in the USA and Latin America, as a result of the commitment made with its clients, D4U Immigration is a company that has helped thousands of people to live and work in the United States.

free evaluation
Submit your resume for free evaluation

[Generic] [EN] Site Form - With CV

Free evaluation

"*" indicates required fields

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 2 MB.
Sending your CV is optional, but it gives precision to our analysis and speeds up our response.
With 99% of approved applications for an EB2-NIW visa, D4U has all the support you need to live in the United States.
Voted the best place to work.
Brazil:
+55 0800-591-2029
São Paulo: +55 (11) 3612-4195
Rio de Janeiro:+55 (21) 3900-5927
João Pessoa: +55 (83) 3142-9900
Curitiba: +55 (41) 3542-1725
Goiânia: +55 (62) 3954-2928

Colombia:
bogota +57 (601) 489-8200

Argentina:
Buenos Aires +54 (115) 199-3187
USA:
New York: +1 (929) 448-0491
Los Angeles: +1 (323) 831-1720
Miami: +1 (786) 578-0575
Boca Raton: +1 (954) 481-0612
Boca Raton: +1 (954) 478-8593
Orlando: +1 (689) 266-0345

Portugal:
+351 (800) 450054

Headquarters
United Arab Emirates:
Dubai: +971 (800) 0311190
Disclaimer:
D4U is not a law firm and does not practice law in the State Of Florida. This means that some services/protections, like the attorney-client privilege, may be different from those you could get from a law firm. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected].
menu