Immigrant Investors Overview
EB-5 Investment Visa Overview
Many people from around the globe wish to move to the U.S., and one of the easiest ways is to use investment immigration of employment benefit, fifth preference (EB-5).
Under EB-5, an immigrant investor can bring his or her entire family to the U.S. by investing $1,000,000 in the U.S. and hiring 10 employees. The $1,000,000 requirement is lowered to $500,000 if the investment is made in targeted employment areas within the U.S. The 10 employee requirement remains the same for both $500,000 and $1,000,000 investments.
EB-5 Statistics
It is roughly estimated that about $1 Billion dollars has been invested under EB-5 since 2006. In fiscal year 2009, about 1,000 families came to the U.S. on EB-5 visas. USCIS allows for 10,000 investors and families to come to the U.S., and so there is plenty of room for more investors.
The EB-5 Immigration Process
First, invest the required amount of money or at least commit the full amount, either $1,000,000 or $500,000.
Next, our law office will file for temporary 2-year green cards for the investor and all family members. USCIS will usually approve the temporary 2-year green cards in about 4 months. USCIS does not require employment of the 10 new employees at this time.
Next, at the end of the 2 years a short time thereafter, the immigrant investor can get permanent green cards by showing that 10 fulltime employees have been hired.
USCIS requires the following types of businesses for EB-5:
Start a new business (any business established after November 29, 1990 is considered as new), and invest $1,000,000 or $500,000 and hire 10 new fulltime employees.
The purchase an existing business and then increase its net worth by at least 40% (minimum investment of $1,000,000 or $500,000) and hiring 10 new fulltime employees.
The purchase of an existing business (minimum investment of $1,000,000 or $500,000) and then increase the number of employees by at least 40% (a minimum of 10 new fulltime employees).
The purchase a troubled business (minimum investment of $1,000,000 or $500,000), which is one that has lost 20% of its net worth in the previous 12 months or the previous 24 months. For a trouble business, the investor does not have to create 10 new jobs, but cannot fire any employee.