Section 1: EB-5 Visa General Information
Section 2: EB-5 Immigration Matters
Section 3: EB-5 Visa Resort Investment Register/Log in to view
Section 4: How do I apply for this EB-5 program?
Section 5: Glossary of Terms
Questions:
The EB-5 program allots 10,000 visas per year for aliens and family members whose qualifying investments result in the creation or preservation of at least ten (10) full-time jobs for U.S. workers. 5,000 immigrant visas are set-aside for aliens who invest in designated regional centers, areas of high unemployment or other qualifying areas.
The EB-5 visa category started in 1991. Regional Centers started in 1993. During the mid 1990-'s several companies competed for investment capital from foreign investors for the EB-5 program. Most of the companies didn't offer sound investment opportunities and did not raise the full one million dollar investment capital or hire the required number of employees.
INS wanted to stop these abuses of the program, this involved law suits and the EB-5 program was effectively placed on hold between 1998 and 2002. In 2002, Congress passed a new law to protect the pre-1998 investors. Also, in a case commonly known as "Chang" in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that INS may not apply their new rules retroactively. In August of 2003, INS began approving regional center petitions for the first time since 1998.
It is now common knowledge that EB-5 immigration petitions based on sound investments in designated regional centers for the full one million dollars as prescribed by the rules, with the proper supporting documentation, should be approved.
The EB-5 regulations require involvement in management or policy making. The regulations deem a limited liability corporation, which is properly structured and that conforms to the Corporations Act as sufficiently engaged in the EB-5 enterprise.
Please go to the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services website. A link to immigrant investment visa information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
The EB-5 visa permits employment in the US for the investor and their family. Quite simply, the EB-5 visa gives you the opportunity and flexibility to do what you want in the USA. If you do not want to actively manage your business, you should consider a regional center EB-5 investment.
If you want to manage your own business, consider an L-1 (Non-Immigrant Intra-company Transferee), E-2 Visa (Non-Immigrant Treaty Investor), or EB-5 Alien Entrepreneur Investment by investing $1,000,000.00 into your own business which you control, and create the necessary 10 new jobs within a new enterprise. If your goal is to have a Green Card and not to actively manage a business, it is maybe less expensive to utilize a structured investment program in the Regional Center EB-5 category rather than to start and maintain your own business.
Questions:
The investor is not required to have any prior business experience. Likewise, the investor is not required to demonstrate any minimum level of education. The only requirement for the investor is that he/she has the required net worth and capital. (Accreditations)
No. However, do try to learn English as it will help in an immigration interview.
Yes. You must have no communicable diseases and proper vaccinations.
Under USCIS regulations, the investor must demonstrate that his assets were gained in a lawful manner. This requires the investor to prove his investment funds were obtained through lawful business, salary, investments, property sales, inheritance, gift, loan or other lawful means.
Yes, provided that any applicable gift taxes are paid. It must be demonstrated that the gift is an actual arms length transaction and is not a mere ruse that the gifted funds will be given back after permanent resident status is granted.
Under the regulations, an investor who is approved for the EB-5 immigrant visa receives a "conditional" green card, which must be reissued after two years, subject to removal of conditions. Otherwise, the two cards offer the same rights and privileges.
A conditional Green Card is a temporary Green Card valid for two years. One year and nine months after it is issued, a three-month window opens up during which an individual must file another application (I-829) with the CIS to verify that all of the funds have been invested and employment created, in a regional center whether directly or indirectly. When the conditional resident status has been lifted, full resident status is granted and a permanent Green Card is issued.
Upon approval of I-526 Petition, you must wait for notification from the US Consulate in your home country to prepare documents for the Visa interview. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that the investor and his/her family undergo medical, police, security and immigration history checks before the conditional permanent resident visa are issued. At the interview, the consular officer may address these issues and information printed on the I-526 application, including asking the investor to summarize the nature of his/her immigrant investment. If the investor and his/her family are in the United States, then you may apply for adjustment of status by filing form I-485, and supporting documents, the application may be filed at the appropriate office of the USCIS.
Rejection in the past does not disqualify the applicant, unless the reasons related to immigration fraud or other major problems. It is most important that all criminal, medical, or U.S. immigration history problems be disclosed to the limited partnership and legal counsel in advance of application.
Family members can interview in different countries. The country of origin or where the family has current ties is the standard interview site. Often one member of the family is located in another country, such as a student attending school in the U.S. The student does not have to return to the country of origin and can adjust status in the United States at the district office of the USCIS.
Husband, wife and any unmarried children under the age of 21. It is possible for adopted children to be included in the family. Upon approval you will receive a form evidencing approval and a travel document. You should also receive a temporary green card in the mail.
The most common problem area has been insufficient documentation of the source of funds. Many people try to disclose the least possible information only to have the file returned with a request for further information. It is better to provide too much information rather than too little information. USCIS case examiners require a well-documented source of funds application. Professional assistance from a certified public accountant or tax attorney is recommended.
The first requirement of any investor after they receive the visa at the United States overseas consular office is to enter into the United States within 180 days of visa issuance from the consulate. The investor must then establish residency in the United States. Evidence of intent to reside includes opening bank accounts, obtaining a driver's license or social security number, paying state and federal income taxes, renting or buying a home.
There are a few exceptions to the 180-day rule such as students studying abroad, medical circumstances or emergency business circumstances. The 180 days need not be consecutive. You may travel in and out of the country. Proper preparation for re-entry into the US is highly recommend prior to leaving.
The 180-day rule is in effect until you get citizenship in 5 years. It is still in effect when you get conditional residency and a green card.
The United States resident may work overseas if required based upon the nature of the business or profession. However, all permanent residents must remain in the US for more than 6 months each year, or they may be deemed to have abandoned their permanent residence status.
Once you obtain a green card, and become a legal permanent resident, you have most of the rights and obligations of U.S. citizens, except that you cannot vote and you are not entitled to some public benefits. You are subject to the same tax filing requirements and entitled to the same tax rates and deductions as U.S. citizens.
Your 'green card' is your most important travel and identification document. When your green card arrives, look at it carefully. You may need to extend it in 10 years. If you replace it before then because it is lost, stolen, or duplicated, you may file a form with the USCIS.
"Abandonment of residency" rules are an important restriction to which legal permanent residents are subject. Abandonment can occur when you are outside of the United States for more than six months without informing the USCIS of your plans in advance. The law provides that you are free to travel abroad, provided that your trip is "temporary". Generally, the USCIS views any absence from the United States for longer than six months as not temporary. Thus, it is advisable to obtain a "re-entry permit" before your departure.
One of the most important rights legal permanent residents possess is the right to obtain U.S. citizenship after five years. There are two ways to become a U.S. citizen. One is by being born in the U.S. The other way is by naturalization. The first step in becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is to become a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR). Being a LPR for 5 years is one of the basic requirements for qualifying for naturalization. A second requirement is being physically present in the U.S. for 30 months during the 5 years prior to the naturalization application. Once becoming a U.S. citizen, an individual is entitled to benefits including the right to vote and hold public office.
Once you receive a green card, there are only two conditions required to keep it for life. First, you must not become removable or inadmissible. The most common way of doing this is to be convicted of a serious crime.
The second requirement is that you not abandon the United States as your permanent residence. As long as you are not planning to make your home somewhere else, then legally you are still a resident of the United States. Problems may arise, however, because the USCIS will try to judge your intention by the way you act.
"Abandonment of residency" rules are an important restriction to which legal permanent residents are subject. Abandonment can occur when you are outside of the United States for more than six months without informing the USCIS of your plans in advance. The law provides that you are free to travel abroad, providing that your trip is "temporary". Generally, the USCIS views any absence from the United States for longer than six months as not temporary. Thus, it is advisable to obtain a "re-entry permit" before your departure.
As a general rule, if you have a green card and leave the United States for more than year, you may have difficult time re-entering the country. That is because the USCIS feels an absence of longer than one year indicates a possible abandonment of U.S. residence. Even if you do not return before year is up, you may run into trouble. To avoid a full-scale inspection, you should return within six months.
It is a common misconception that to keep your green card all you need to do is enter the United States at least once a year. The fact that if you ever leave with the intention of making some other country your permanent home, you give up your U.S. residency when you go. Once again, the USCIS will look to your behavior for signals that your real place of residence is not the United States.
On the other hand, remaining outside the United States for more than one year does not mean you have automatically given up your green card, if your absence was intended from the start to be only temporary, you may still keep your permanent resident status. However, you may no longer use your green card as a U.S. entry document. You must either apply at a U.S. consulate for a special immigrant visa as a returning resident or you must get what is known as a reentry permit.
Perhaps. The primary rule surrounding Green Cards is that you lose it if you give up your U.S. residence.
The more common criterion, though, is time based. There are three important time limits to know about:
You can apply for a reentry permit (on form I-131) before you leave the U.S. You can depart before the reentry permit is approved. Note that waiting time may be six months or longer for issuance.
With such a reentry permit, you can return to the U.S. even after one year until the reentry permit's expiration date. Reentry permits are issued for two years. You cannot renew a reentry permit, but you can return to the U.S. for a short time and apply for a new one. The second such reentry permit will be granted for two years ago, but subsequent ones may only be approved for one year at a time.
There are several answers to this question.
If you received your Green Card through marriage, and have not been married for two years when you go your Green Card, you should have a conditional Green Card that is good for two years. Also, if you received your Green Card through investment (EB-5); you should have a conditional Green Card for two years.
You must apply for removal of the conditional within 90 days before the two years are up. Once that is approved, you have a regular unconditional Green Card. If you apply either too early or too late, you will have a problem and should consult with an immigration attorney for advice.
If you do not have the condition removed, the Green Card will become invalid at the end of two years, and your permanent resident status will be terminated.
Unconditional Green Cards are valid for ten years. This does not mean that after ten years, you stop being a legal permanent resident -- only the card itself becomes invalid. You must apply for a new one using form I-90. Without a current Green Card, you cannot use the Green Card to travel out of the U.S. and you also can not use the Green Card as evidence that you are permitted to work.
Residents of only a few countries are excluded (e.g. Iran and Iraq). In most cases, however, if the applicant is able to leave the excluded country and has the necessary capital to qualify under the program, legal counsel will be able to help the applicant qualify for the visa approval.
An Escrow Bank Account is a legal, interest-bearing account established in a registered bank to hold the initial deposit in the trust until the completion of visa processing. This type of account is commonly used in the sales of real estate, businesses and personal property. The Investment Visa Program has established an Escrow Account for the purpose of safely holding an investor's funds at a leading bank in the United States. Under the agreements entered into with the servicing affiliate, the investor's investment money is not authorized to be released from the Escrow Bank Account by the bank until the visa I-526 Petition has been approved. This process was created to protect the investor.
The initial cash deposit from the investor is placed in a legal, interest-bearing Escrow Bank Account. When an Escrow Bank Account is established, the funds continue to belong to the investor; however, they are committed to be placed into the investment upon petition approval. The attorney or bank has an agreement with the investor that requires the funds to be released from the account only when the petition is approved by the USCIS.
Out-of-status nationals are no longer permitted to apply for permanent residency from within the United States. They must first return to their country of origin and apply through the United States Embassy there. Examples of "out-of-status" individuals are students, tourists, E-2 treaty investors who no longer have valid visas because they remained in the United States after their visas expired or were revoked. Use extreme caution.
A "Regional Center"
Maybe. The U.S. allows dual citizenship, but your original country of origin may not allow it. You will need to investigate this.
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The program only has a limited number of investor positions. Priority will be given to qualifying investors as determined by the Managing Members in the order that their respective deposits are received.
Deposits of $500,000 USD will be returned in the event of oversubscription, Minimum Condition not being met, or at the request of an investor pursuant to the Investor Escrow Agreement. The Bank Escrow Agreement will release the $500,000 USD to the Limited Liability Corporation, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, upon the approval of an investor's immigration petition application, or to the investor if investor's immigration petition application is denied.
Abandonment of Residency
Abandonment can occur when you are outside of the United States for more than six months without informing the USCIS of your plans in advance. The law provides that you are free to travel abroad, provided that your trip is "temporary". Generally, the USCIS views any absence from the United States for longer than six months as not temporary. Thus, it is advisable to obtain a "re-entry permit" before your departure.
Conditional Green Card
A conditional Green Card is a temporary Green Card valid for two years. One year and nine months after it is issued, a three-month window opens up during which an individual must file another application (I-829) with the CIS to verify that all of the funds have been invested and employment created, in a regional center whether directly or indirectly. When the conditional resident status has been lifted, full resident status is granted and a permanent Green Card is issued.
Designated Regional Center
This is an entity, organization or agency that has been approved as such by the United States Government. It Focuses on a specific geographic area within the United States and seeks to promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, creation of new jobs, and increased domestic capital investment.
EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 Visa Program is an employment based immigration program that allots 10,000 visas per year for aliens and family members whose qualifying investments result in the creation or preservation of at least ten (10) full-time jobs for U.S. workers. 5,000 immigrant visas are set-aside for aliens who invest in designated regional centers, areas of high unemployment or other qualifying areas.
Escrow or Trust Account
An Escrow Bank Account is a legal account established in a registered bank to hold the initial deposit in the trust until the completion of visa processing. This type of account is commonly used in the sales of real estate, businesses and personal property. The Investment Visa Program has established an Escrow Account for the purpose of safely holding an investor's funds at a leading bank in the United States. Under the agreements entered into with the servicing affiliate, the investor's investment money is not authorized to be released from the Escrow Bank Account by the bank until the visa I-526 Petition has been approved. This process was created to protect the investor.
Lawfully Gained Assets
Assets gained in a lawful manner. Investor must prove his investment funds were obtained through lawful business, salary, investments, property sales, inheritance, gift, loan or other lawful means.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A limited liability corporation is formed by filing a charter with a state government and consists of managing members and one or more other members. The charter details the rights and powers of the managing and management members, percentages of ownership, and distributions of profits. The managing members manage the business.
Passive Investment
An investment where the investor is not involved in the day-to-day management or policymaking of the investment.
Permanent Residency
Once you obtain a green card, and become a legal permanent resident, you have most of the rights and obligations of U.S. citizens, except that you cannot vote and you are not entitled to some public benefits. You are subject to the same tax filing requirements and entitled to the same tax rates and deductions as U.S. citizens.
Unconditional Green Card
An unconditional Green Card does not need to be reissued.