The US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
The USA is a highly sought-after country for international investors. For those who wish to acquire permanent resident (‘green card’) status in the USA, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is the most efficient way to acquire such status. Since 1990 when congress created this program, each year, the USA government allocates a substantial number of visas for individuals who wish to make a significant, qualified investment into the country that can generate jobs for the USA economy. Under this program, individuals and their immediate family members can become permanent residents of the USA within a short period of time.
Benefits of the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Requirements of USA residence by investment
The US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program requires that a foreign individual invests into a new commercial enterprise that is associated with government-approved regional centers based on proposals for promoting economic growth.
In addition, the applicant must be able to prove the legal source of their funds.
After the successful applicants have received a green card, the funds must stay invested for three to seven years depending on the project.
Approved applicants will receive conditional green cards for a period of two years. The conditions on the green card are then removed at the end of the two years upon demonstrating to USA immigration authorities that the jobs were in fact created or maintained. The transition from conditional to regular green card does not affect what the green card holder can do in the USA.