The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers foreign investors a pathway to US permanent residency and citizenship, provided they invest significant capital and create jobs in the US.
The US government created the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to stimulate the American economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. It was introduced as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 and acts as a method of obtaining a US green card for foreign nationals who invest money in the US.
US$ 800,000
AT LEAST 18 MONTHS
POSSIBLE AFTER FIVE YEARS’ PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS
AT LEAST 18 MONTHS
The most efficient way to acquire permanent resident (‘green card’) status in the USA is via the United States of America Immigrant Investor Program.
Approved applicants will receive conditional green cards for a period of roughly 18 to 24 months after the application is successful. 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 does not affect what the green card holder can do in the USA.
The path for investors to receive residence in the USA is as follows:
| FAQ 01 | WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? |
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| Investors wishing to apply for the Immigrant Investor Program must possess sufficient funds to make the investment as well as have the documentation to prove that all investment capital is legally sourced. They should also have a clean criminal record. |
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| FAQ 02 | WHICH FAMILY MEMBERS CAN I INCLUDE IN MY APPLICATION? |
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The following family members are eligible to join the investor:
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| FAQ 03 | IS THERE A PHYSICAL PRESENCE REQUIREMENT? |
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| The initial conditional green card is issued for a validity period of two years. An applicant may apply for an unconditional green card if the investment has been retained and the employment requirement is still fulfilled. An applicant may apply for naturalisation as a citizen after five years of physical presence, with a minimum of 183 days per year. There is also a requirement of no more than 180 days’ consecutive absence from the country. |
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| FAQ 04 | HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION TAKE TO PROCESS? |
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| As discussed above, there is no official processing time but online sources suggest that an EB-5 visa may take more than 18 months to process. |
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| FAQ 05 | WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE RESIDENCE PERMIT? |
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| The initial conditional Green Card is issued for a validity period of two years. An applicant may apply for an unconditional Green Card if the investment has been retained and the employment requirement is still being fulfilled An applicant may apply for naturalisation as a citizen after five years of physical presence, with a minimum of 183 days per year. There is also a requirement of no more than 180 days’ consecutive absence from the country. |
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| FAQ 04 | IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME? | |
The following persons may be a good fit for the program:
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