Investing in real estate or a business under the EB-5 Visa is one of the most lucrative ways to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. After a few years, you and your family can even become U.S. citizens.

This article will guide you through obtaining your U.S. green card through investment.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is an investor visa category for overseas investors seeking permanent residency in the United States. This visa gives the investor and their spouse and children green cards that allow them to live and work anywhere in the country. It is a path to citizenship for foreign nationals who invest in the U.S. economy and promote job creation. The program is managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigrant Investor Program Office. Foreign investors can acquire green cards under this program in exchange for investing in new commercial firms that produce at least ten eligible full-time jobs for U.S. workers. These jobs must be directly tied to the investment and completed within two years of the investor’s visa being approved by USCIS. EB-5 investors can choose to invest either in direct or indirect projects. Direct investments are made directly into a new commercial enterprise. Under this program, foreign investors can obtain green cards in exchange for investing in new commercial enterprises that create at least ten qualifying full-time jobs for U.S. workers. These jobs must be directly related to the investment and completed within two years after USCIS approves the investor’s visa. When investing through a regional center such as EB5 Capital, the immigrant investor is credited for creating both direct and indirect (including induced) jobs. Whether to invest in a direct or indirect project depends on many factors. A reputable attorney can help you evaluate these projects and make the best decision for your situation.

Employment Green Card

A permanent residence card is a document that grants lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Lawful permanent residents may live and work in the U.S. for most employers, and their spouses and children can join them as legal permanent residents. Permanent residents may also travel to and from the United States without restrictions, whereas visa holders must obtain an entry permit to enter each time they wish. Most green cards are accepted through employment-based categories, allowing individuals to sponsor themselves for a specific position in the U.S. and then get their residence and work authorization. In most cases, employment-based types require the applicant’s employer to submit a petition to USCIS and go through the Labor Certification process. Various employment-based green cards exist depending on the occupation and the nation of origin. Foreign nationals with advanced degrees, outstanding talent in the sciences or arts, or who have attained sustained international acclaim fall under the first choice group.  The second preference category is for workers with occupations that don’t qualify for the first two categories and have at least five years of experience. Lastly, the third preference category is for foreign nationals who are granted a National Interest Waiver and do not need to undergo the PERM/Labor Certification process.

Investing in Real Estate

Investing in U.S. real estate can be a terrific option for international investors to become citizens. This option is popular because it gives the investor a tangible asset and the potential for lucrative returns. Additionally, the strong dollar makes property prices more affordable than if purchased in a weaker currency. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows individuals to acquire permanent resident status in the United States (also known as a Green Card) by investing substantial money into a project to generate jobs for the country’s economy. This is one of the fastest and most direct ways to achieve permanent residency in the U.S. for foreign nationals. The visa grants the investor and their family members lawful permanent resident status in the USA for ten years and can be extended unlimited times.

Moreover, after two years, the investor can apply for citizenship. Investors must demonstrate that their investment in a basic or regional center will keep at least ten full-time jobs for Americans. Additionally, they must pass a thorough background investigation and demonstrate they have the money to invest. Once their visa is approved, the investor and their family can live anywhere in the United States. Those wishing to invest in real estate to obtain permanent residency in the United States should consider hiring professionals specializing in immigration and investment advisory services. These professionals can provide valuable guidance and assess the individual’s unique circumstances.

Investing in a Business

The EB-5 Investor Green Card is a fast and easy way for foreign investors to secure permanent residency in the U.S. for themselves and their families. This program was established in 1990 to promote business investment by foreign nationals. To qualify, applicants must invest at least USD 800,000 or more in a new commercial enterprise and create or save ten full-time jobs for American workers. Compared to other visa options, this one does not require specialized education or work experience, language skills or previous business management expertise. Moreover, EB-5 applicants can invest in any company (sole ownership, partnership, or corporation). However, the amount of money invested must be sufficient to demonstrate that it creates a new job or a significant increase in the business’s net worth. A key requirement of the EB-5 program is that the capital investment must be made from funds that have been lawfully acquired. This can include earnings from legal employment, private investments, real estate, stock and bond investments, inheritance, or a gift. EB-5 investors can either directly invest in a business in the U.S. or work with an EB-5 regional center. This licensed body pools funds from EB-5 participants and manages their investments on their behalf. After two years, EB-5 investors can apply to remove their conditional status and become naturalized citizens.