EB-5 investor visa in the USA
The EB-5 visa is a programme that facilitates investor immigration in the USA. It allows foreign nationals to get a green card. The primary condition is that the foreigner must invest in a business. The minimum amount is $800,000. Additionally, the creation of at least 10 jobs for U.S. citizens or residents is required.
Unlike the E2 business visa to the USA, the EB-5 immigrant investor programme in the USA is available to citizens of any country. The application process consists of the following steps:
- Preliminary candidate screening to identify and mitigate risks of rejection.
- Document preparation.
- Actual investment.
- Application review.
- Arrival in the country and submission of the I-485 petition.
- Obtaining a conditional green card.
The EB-5 investment visa in the USA grants successful candidates and their families the right to reside, work, and study in the country. Moreover, they can eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.
Requirements for EB-5 to the USA
Key requirements of the USA residency & citizenship by investment programme include:
- Investing at least $800,000 in a business.
- Creating a minimum of 10 jobs.
The investments must be at risk. Additionally, the investor must have a clean criminal record and prove the lawful origin of the invested funds.
Visa-free entry to 185+ countries with a U.S. passport
A U.S. passport allows visa-free entry to more than 185 countries worldwide, including popular destinations such as:
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Australia
- Italy
- France
- South Korea
- Germany
- Singapore
Investor expenses in the USA – starting from $800,000
The total investment amount depends on the location of the business project. If it is situated in a targeted employment area, the required investment is $800,000. For businesses located outside these areas, the investor must contribute at least $1.05 million. The possibility of recovering the investment arises after completing the investment cycle, which lasts from 5 to 7 years.
The approximate breakdown of the cost of the EB-5 visa to the USA and obtaining residency is as follows:
| Expense Item | Amount |
|---|
| Direct Investment |
from $800,000 |
| Regional Centre Administration Fee |
$50,000–$80,000 |
| I-526/I-526E Filing Fee |
$11,160 per family |
| I-526E Integrity Fund Fee |
$1,000 |
| I-485 Filing Fee |
$1,440 per applicant aged 14 and over, $950 per applicant under 14 |
| Green Card Application Processing Fee |
$325 + $120 per applicant |
| I-829 Filing Fee |
$9,525 |
| Biometric Services Fee |
$85 |
| Medical Examination |
$200–$500 depending on the country of origin |
| Total | from $873,855 |
|---|
Countries eligible for the EB-5 visa to the USA
Citizens of any country in the world can qualify for U.S. immigration by investment through the EB-5 visa programme, including those from China, India, Russia, and Brazil. However, capital coming from certain countries may require additional scrutiny.
