The US is the dream place to live for people worldwide. As the world’s largest economy, the US provides countless opportunities for economic progress and professional growth.
The US is also home to the world’s top-ranking educational institutes, i.e., Harvard, CALTECH, Ivy League universities, and many more. Headquarters of the world’s largest corporations are located in the US.
In 2021, 53 out of Fortune 500 companies were headquartered in New York City. Having a US residency card or nationality means having leverage over the rest of the world in getting an opportunity in Fortune 500 companies.
People worldwide search for opportunities to immigrate to the US for a better quality of life, education, and economic growth.
There are several programs to facilitate the immigration of foreign nationals, and one of them is the EB-5 visa program.
- What is EB-5 Visa Program?
- Who is eligible for The US EB-5 Visa?
- Options to obtain: EB-5 Visa
- 1. Investment in a new commercial venture
- 2. Creation of at least ten full-time jobs
- 3. Passive investment in a regional center
- What types of businesses fall under new commercial enterprise?
- Why invest in EB-5 Visa?
What is EB-5 Visa Program?
EB-5 is an investor program in the United States created in 1999 by the US Congress. The US EB-5 visa program is equivalent to the Golden Visa Program in Europe.
That means it is an immigration program that allows foreign nationals to move permanently to the States in exchange for an investment.
The EB-5 visa allows investors to reside in the States and option a green card for themselves, their spouse, and children under the age of 21.
The primary condition to become eligible for an EB-5 visa is a capital investment of $800,0000 in a new commercial enterprise.
Who is eligible for The US EB-5 Visa?
All non-US citizens worldwide are eligible to apply for the EB-5 visa. No specific personal or professional requirements exist to qualify for the EB-5 visa, and an individual with highly liquid financial assets can apply for the EB-5 visa program.
However, investors applying for the EB-5 program must have clean criminal records. If the investment is not to regional centers. In that case, the investors must demonstrate that they are involved in managing the company they have invested in and in what capacity.
The investor must prove that they have acquired the investment funds legally. If the funds are available to an individual through inheritance, there must be proof of legal ownership and transfer of such assets.
Options to obtain: EB-5 Visa
1. Investment in a new commercial venture
An amount of €800,000 must be invested in a new enterprise to obtain an EB-5 visa. New businesses or enterprises are established after 29 November 1990, per the immigration law.
A business founded before 29 November 1990 but purchased and restructured to create a new enterprise also falls under the new enterprise category.
An enterprise is also considered new if the enterprise is expanded due to the investment to the extent that the number of employees and net worth of the enterprise increases by 40%.
2. Creation of at least ten full-time jobs
For an EB-5 visa, an applicant must invest the required capital in a new commercial enterprise that will create at least ten jobs for qualified individuals.
The new commercial venture must create ten full-time positions, meaning the enterprise must be the employer.
If the commercial enterprise is located in the regional center, in that case, the enterprise can create full-time positions directly or indirectly.
The enterprise needs to hire ten qualified individuals to work in the State. The qualified workers, in this case, are US citizens, green card holders, and all other people authorized to work legally in the States.
3. Passive investment in a regional center
If an investor is interested in something other than starting or investing in a company where they must take responsibility and work themselves, there is an alternate option for them.
To obtain an EB-5 visa, one can also make a passive investment in a regional center. The US government created the regional center institute to provide an opportunity to obtain a green card through a strictly passive investment.
What types of businesses fall under new commercial enterprise?
A commercial enterprise is any for-profit activity to conduct a lawful business.
Any legal business from the following category qualifies as Commercial Enterprise
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership ( limited or otherwise)
- Joint venture
- Business trust
- Corporation
- Limited liability company
- Other private and public-owned entities
Why invest in EB-5 Visa?
The EB-5 visa route allows high net-worth investors to obtain a US green card, and other advantages make the investment worth it.
The route benefits the investors and allows the spouses and children to live, work and study in the States. The EB-5 route is quicker and easier for permanent residency than other immigration and visa programs.
Once on the EB-5 visa route, you no longer require visa sponsorship for your family, a hurdle most foreigners face. This program allows you to reside anywhere in the United States of America and work anywhere.
It allows the investor’s children to study and work anywhere in the US. Once you have a US green card, you can travel in most countries visa-free.
In addition, the well-structured transportation and facilities allow you to explore 52 states of the US easily.
