Many EB-5 investors are often people who are already living in the United States after obtaining their temporary non-immigrant visas to work or study in the US. They choose the EB-5 program for its expedited path to a green card (permanent residency) and many opportunities that it can afford.
Why do people prefer EB-5?
Although other programs give a path to permanent residency, the EB-5 program offers an expedited route over other visas.
For instance, a worker with an H1-B visa living in the US could have to wait for a long time (sometimes more than a decade) before ever having an opportunity to obtain permanent residency. On the other hand, if the same H1-B holder applied for an EB-5 visa and met all the requirements of the program, they could potentially be receiving their green card in just a few years. (sometimes as less as 6 months, technically, in the case of Expedited Projects
How can you invest in an EB-5 visa from the USA?
The EB-5 program requires applicants to invest $900,000 ($1.8 mn. in certain cases) in a new commercial enterprise which can create at least 10 American jobs. It is advisable that the investors decide to invest in a project offered by a regional centre as these offer investors benefits such as relaxed job creation requirements and assistance with the EB-5 application process.
After the United States, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved an investor; they can receive a conditional two-year green card for themselves, their spouse, and children. Further, after demonstrating that their investment has resulted in minimum 10 American jobs, they can apply to have the conditional Status of their green card removed.
Process of changing Status through the EB-5 visa
One of the benefits of applying for an EB-5 visa while living in the US is the expedited timeline to receive it. While the EB-5 investors abroad have to file a DS-260 at their countries US consulate office or embassy and schedule an interview before they can receive their EB-5 visa and move to the United States; an EB-5 investor already residing in the US can ‘Adjust their Status’ by filing Form I-485 with USCIS to receive their conditional permanent residency card.
Finally, the EB-5 applicant can also file a USCIS Form I-765 and may obtain Employment Authorization that permits them to work in the US while their application for Adjustment of Status is under process.
Being specialists in Residency/Citizenship by Investment Immigration, we have developed good expertise and helped investors successfully navigate the EB-5 Visa process and move to US. Know more about us.
Acquest Advisors is an Investment Immigration Advisory specialising in Citizenship and Permanent Residency through Investment Immigration programs run by governments esp. America, Canada & Europe.