The EB-5 is a federal program that allows foreigners to obtain a Green Card or permanent residence for themselves and their immediate family (spouse and children under 21 years of age) through an investment. But, how much do you have to invest to obtain the document under this medium? We’ll tell you then.
Investing in the US is a goal for many; due to the strength of its market, the little devaluation of its currency, the high returns on investment, among other reasons.
For this reason, the United States Congress –as part of the Immigration Law– created the EB-5 Program in 1990, which seeks to further stimulate economic growth through foreign capital and the creation of jobs.
Over the years, the EB-5 Program has changed the way foreign capital is invested within the US, creating quality jobs, improving regional infrastructure, and stimulating local economies virtually everywhere in the world.
Obtaining a Green Card by investment
As we have seen, one of the ways to obtain the United States permanent residence card, also known as a Green Card, is through an investment in the EB-5 Program, which, by meeting certain requirements, will allow the interested party and their family to enjoy of all the benefits that the country offers.
And for a foreign investment to be considered within this program, it must be destined for a specific type of project.
Among the specifications, is to meet requirements such as the generation of at least 10 full-time jobs and the participation of relatively new companies. In addition, the investor must have a minimum capital of 800,000USD. Amount that may decrease if the fund is allocated to a project in a rural area or with high unemployment (Target Employment Area).
There is also another way to obtain the Green Card for investment: the E-2 visa. The E-2 investor visa, also known as a “nonimmigrant visa,” allows a citizen of a country with which the US maintains a trade and navigation treaty to be admitted to the country when an amount is invested. amount of capital in a US company.
That set amount is not really defined, as E-2 visas have been approved with as little as $75,000 or as many as several million dollars. The truth is that there is no required amount. Certain employees and immediate family of such person or of a qualifying organization may also be eligible for this classification.
Among the main limitations of the E-2 visa is its extension. Investors and E-2 employees may remain in the country for a maximum of two years. Extensions for tenure can be requested every 2 years and could be approved for up to 5 years. But all E-2 investors must maintain the intent to leave the US when their status expires.
Learn about the complete process of the EB-5 Program
The first step to apply for an EB-5 visa is to locate a project with the requirements established in the program. Then, the investor must hire an immigration attorney to apply to enter the program, completing Form I-526.
In this step, the interested party must make the investment of 800,000 USD and make the origin of the capital used transparent, for which they must have a legal source and route of funds.
The next (optional) step is, once the first form is approved, to present a second document known as Form I-485 that will allow obtaining an immigration status to reside in the USA while obtaining the Green Card.
Once this period has elapsed, the investor is now in a position to adjust his immigration status from “non-immigrant” to “permanent resident”. Procedure that is recommended to carry out through a lawyer.
The average time to obtain a Green Card is 2 to 3 years. Although this period can be reduced if it is a project of national interest or located in a rural area.
Investing in BAI Capital is investing in the United States
With a presence in the real estate sector in the states of Florida, Texas and New York, BAI Capital specializes in generating value from the acquisition of land to the development of mixed-use projects, such as residences for the elderly, student residences, multifamily buildings. for rentals and mixed use, including condos and retail.
Our mission is to safeguard the capital of the partners and the own capital under the minimum risk exposure. With a safe development and going through all the stages: Land purchase, adjustment of urban zoning, commercial vision in architectural development and management of building permits. Then, we take charge of the capitalization, construction and exit with return of the capital and profits to the partners.
In this way, we guarantee fixed and stable returns for your client portfolio. In addition to having a confidential work protocol with encrypted web forms. Use of protected personal data and private meetings with our agents throughout Latin America.
You already know how much do you have to invest in the United States to obtain residence. If you are looking to protect your capital from inflation through investments with returns in dollars, or invest in projects that qualify for the EB-5 investor visa to get a Green Card, complete our form and an agent will contact you.
