EB-5 Investor Green Card Program
U.S. immigration rules divide immigrants into certain preference categories, based on how the person intends to immigrate. One of our most popular questions is about how you can immigrate through an investment in the US. We represent many foreign investors and prominent individuals seeking EB-5 permanent resident status (Green Cards) based on investment in the US, and have created this section of our website to help new and existing clients learn more about the EB-5 investor greencard program.
The EB-5 Category provides an excellent avenue for many foreign investors to become U.S. permanent residents. An quick overview is provided below for your convenience.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE EB-5 CATEGORY
The EB-5 Category is an excellent opportunity for many foreign nationals to become permanent residents of the United States, for several key reasons: the amount of investment is known up front, the amount of work on the investor's side is limited, and the EB-5 Investor Green Card allows the foreign investor to work in any capacity, as well as to study or best of all, enjoy retirement with all the luxuries afforded in the U.S.
EB-5 Programs
The EB-5 program offers both a standard investment program as well as a streamlined investment program, called the EB-5 Regional Center Program. A foreign investor invests a minimum amount ($500,000 or $1 million depending on the cirumstances) in a business that creates 10 jobs may be granted EB-5 permanent resident status. The program requirements are:
- The individual must own the invested funds, although they may be a gift from a parent or other person;
- The investment must be in an active business (a passive security, like a stock, will not qualify);
- The business was created after November 29, 1990, or the investment substantially changes an older business;
- The amount of investment may be $500,000 in a rural or high unemployment area; and
- The investment must create at least ten (10) jobs.
In the streamlined EB-5 Regional Center Program, the investment does not have to provide for direct job creation.
The Regional Center Program
The EB-5 Regional Center Program is designed to encourage immigration, and to facilitate and target investment. There are 3,000 visas available per fiscal year. The minimum investment is $500,000 in designated Regional Centers located in a targeted employment area. Unlike the standard investor program, the Regional Center Program does not require the immigrant investor enterprise itself employ ten U.S. workers. Rather, the investment must create ten or more jobs indirectly as a result of the investment.
Once Permanent Resident status is granted to the investor, minimal involvement with the investment is permitted, allowing the applicant to work in any business, attend school, or enjoy retirement.
We would like to help you realize your immigration goals. The attorneys at Pederson Immigration Law Group, PC can introduce you to EB-5 investment opportunities and advise you can about qualifying for an EB-5 Investor Green Card.
We can analyze business opportunities and advise you whether they may qualify for an EB-5 Green Card. If you would like to learn more about the EB-5 Investor Green Card, please email Jan Pederson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We also hold EB-5 investor seminars throughout the world.
Please note that we do not give business advice or analyze an investment for determining financial viability. All readers are encouraged to consult with their own financial and legal experts and conduct a due diligence analysis of any investment before proceeding.
