What is

o Visto EB-5?

The EB-5 visa program is a way to obtain your green card and legal permanent residency in the United States through investment. The program allows foreign nationals to make an investment in a US commercial entity by becoming legal residents and future citizens of the United States. The investment can lead to a green card so that the investor along with their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 can permanently live and work in the United States.

The EB-5 visa program is also referred to as a fifth preference work visa. It is operated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency. The program was created by the US Congress in 1990 to facilitate increased investment in the US economy. Several reforms have been made to the program over the years to increase demand for EB-5 visas. Such reforms include the creation of Regional EB-5 Centers through a pilot program.

Investment Requirement for the EB-5 Immigrant Visa

To meet EB-5 visa requirements, foreign investors must make an “at risk” equity investment in a US for-profit business entity. The amount of investment required depends on the location and type of business that will receive the investment. The required investment amount is either $500,000 or $1 million depending on the project you invest in. If you invest in a Target Employment Area (TEA). the investment is $500,000, if you invest elsewhere, the minimum investment required is $1 million. EB-5 investments must lead to the creation of 10 full-time jobs in the US for at least two years.