The EB-5 is one of the most sought-after investor visa programs.
The aim of the program is to boost the country's economy through foreign investment. For investors, it offers one of the most efficient ways to secure resident status and a U.S. Green Card.
This guide gives an in-depth look at the EB-5 Visa requirements. We will break these down into two sections; the main conditions of the program and the EB-5 eligibility requirements for the investors.
The main requirement for the EB-5 visa is making a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise.
The EB-5 minimum investment amount is $1,050,000. However, this is reduced to $800,000 if the investment is made in a targeted employment area (TEA).
A TEA is a rural area or one with an average unemployment rate that is 150% higher than the national average. TEAs are vital to the EB-5 Program as they help develop areas in need. They also benefit investors as they help reduce the overall amount needed to obtain an EB-5 Visa.
Aside from meeting the EB-5 minimum investment, investors must also commit to developing the job market. That is because one of the primary goals of the EB-5 is to create more full-time employment for U.S. workers.
To qualify for the visa, the investor must demonstrate that their investment directly or indirectly creates at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers. This must be done within two years of being granted conditional residency.
Read our guide on the EB-5 visa job creation requirements to learn more.
Applicants must provide proof of a lawful source of funds. In other words, the investment funds that are used for the EB-5 Visa must have been obtained through legitimate means.
The investment amount must be considered ‘capital at-risk’. This means the investor cannot receive any rate of return guarantees or contractual rights for repayment.
Once the USCIS has approved the I-526 petition, applicants and their immediate family members are granted residency for a two-year conditional period. During this conditional period, investors must:
EB-5 investors can opt for one of two routes. They can either make a direct investment in their own enterprise or through a USCIS-designated regional center.
Regional centers are entities approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A regional center is essentially an investor pool that funds various EB-5 investment projects.
Direct investments typically offer more control over business operations. However, the regional center route is by far the most popular option. This is because investors do not have the hassle of managing the business’s day-to-day activities. There is also more flexibility for job creation.
EB-5 regional center programs connect investors with developers requiring funding for their businesses. These projects usually include large-scale real estate developers and hotel chains like the Hilton.
Read our guide on regional centers to learn more about how they work and how they can benefit investors.
The EB-5 visa program offers foreign investors a pathway to permanent residency in the U.S. in exchange for substantial investment.
The program offers a wide range of benefits, including the chance to live and work anywhere in the U.S. And while the EB-5 Visa is not a citizenship by investment program, it can lead to U.S. citizenship.
Download our factsheet to learn more about the EB-5 Visa. Alternatively, speak to one of our specialists.
Holborn Pass is an international leader in investor visas. We provide an end-to-end service to support you throughout the EB-5 process.
We are part of the wider Holborn Assets Group, a leading, award-winning financial advisory company with over $2 billion in assets under management (AUM).
We have successfully helped hundreds of individuals and families secure golden visas. To find out how we can assist you, book a consultation with one of our advisers.
The minimum EB-5 investment amount is $1,050,000 or $800,000 if the investment is made in a targeted employment area (TEA). A TEA is an area with high unemployment rates or a rural area.
EB-5 visas require investments in new commercial enterprises. These can include:
Investors can also choose to invest in an EB-5 regional center. These are federally approved investor pools.
EB-5 investors must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. This must be achieved within two years of receiving their conditional Green Card.
You can use borrowed funds for your EB-5 investment. However, they must be secured by your own assets. Additionally, any loan collateralised by the investment assets cannot include the assets of the new commercial enterprise.
The EB-5 process involves several steps. The first step is to file Form I-526 or I-526E for those investing through a regional center. After two years, an I-829 petition can be filed to remove the conditions on your permanent residency. Visit our page on the EB-5 application process to learn more.