Business Investment Visa USA
Obtaining permanent residency in the USA isn’t a piece of cake. But there are a plethora of Government-approved ways to acquire yours! The Business Investment Visa USA is one of those.
The United States Congress launched this program in 1990 to expedite increased investment in the US economy. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) currently runs it. Individuals with a high net worth can invest in a business independently or through Regional Center companies operating in the Targeted Employment Areas.
Statistically, investments through Regional Centers are preferred by the majority of the Investors participating in the Business Investment Immigration Visa Program. These investments have been an economic boon to rural areas, urban areas with high unemployment rates, etc.
In 2022 the EB‑5 Reform and Integrity Act revealed that the new minimum investment requirement is $800,000 instead of $500,000.
The 3 basic requirements to qualify for the EB-5 program
- If you are the investor, then you must establish a business or invest in an existing business that was either started or restructured post 19th November 1990.
- You must invest a minimum of USD $1 million in the business. If however, the business is in regional centers as designated by the USCIS, then the investment amount is USD $500,000
- Your business must generate a minimum of 10 full-time job opportunities for US Citizens
EB 5 Investment Visa Program Requirements, Eligibility and Cost
For any individual with enough funds to spare, the biggest requirement is the investment part itself. There are no basic eligibility restrictions under this Visa. Investors must invest in:
- A new commercial enterprise that was established after or ON or before 29th November 1990. It can be purchased but the existing business must be restructured to result in a new commercial enterprise, or expanded through investment to achieve a 40% increase in net worth or the number of employees.
The new commercial enterprise can be defined as a for-profit activity, formed for the lawful ongoing conduct of business. - EB-5 investments must be made with the investor’s own net worth. If the applicant is the sole legal possessor in a non-regional center, the funds must be in a business bank account.
- For the investment to be approved, NO RETURNS or REPAYMENTS can be guaranteed, and the investor must proceed at their own risk.
- The cost of the Investment Visa Program can be divided as: For a petition filed before 3/15/2022: a. Minimum investment Amount: $500,000. b. Targeted Employment Area Investment Amount: $500,000. b. High-Employment Area Investment Amount: $1,000,000.
- a. Minimum investment Amount: $500,000.
- b. Targeted Employment Area Investment Amount: $500,000.
- b. High-Employment Area Investment Amount: $1,000,000.
- For a petition filed on or after 3/15/2022: a. Minimum investment Amount: $800,000. b. Targeted Employment Area Investment Amount: $800,000 (including infrastructure projects). b. High-Employment Area Investment Amount: $1,050,000.
- a. Minimum investment Amount: $800,000.
- b. Targeted Employment Area Investment Amount: $800,000 (including infrastructure projects).
- b. High-Employment Area Investment Amount: $1,050,000.
EB5 investor visa application process
Now that you are aware of the funds, we can highlight the process. The EB5 investor visa application process requires these few steps as set by the USCIS.
- File Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, or Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor.
- If the immigrant visa is immediately available to you, you may file the Form I-485 application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, together with your Form I-526 or Form I-526E, while they are pending, or after they are approved.
- For the investment to be approved, NO RETURNS or REPAYMENTS can be guaranteed, and the investor must proceed at their own risk.
- File DS-260, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, with the U.S. Department of State to obtain an EB-5 visa abroad to seek admission to the United States.
- Or if you did not already file Form I-485 before Form I-526 or Form I-526E approval) to adjust your status to a conditional permanent resident within the United States.
- Once the Form I-485 application is approved or upon admission into the United States with an EB-5 immigrant visa, you will be granted conditional permanent residence to the EB-5 investor and derivative family members for two years.
- File Form I-829, a petition by investors to remove conditions on Permanent Resident Status, within the 90 days immediately before the second year completion of the adjustment of status or admission to the United States as a conditional permanent resident.
- If USCIS approves this petition, the conditions from your lawful permanent resident status, along with the dependents included, will be removed.
Get in touch with the top EB5 Investor and Business Investment Visa Consultants in the USA from Dubai, UAE.
We, here at Global Navigator, will provide you with top-notch guidance and facilities to ensure your application & approval process is as smooth as a cakewalk! We will do everything in our power to maximize your chances of gaining that Green Card. Not only that but we customize our plans for each client to fit the goals you entrusted us with.
Global Navigator will be there for you at every step of your immigration journey, from the beginning of your petition process to your final settling in the USA. Our various awards, such as the “Fastest Growing Indian Company Excellence Award” and “Consultant of the Year”, can vouch for that.