EB-5 Investment Green Card | Lightman Law Firm (2024)

FAQs

How much investment is needed for EB-5 green card? ›

Investment Thresholds

The EB-5 program mandates a minimum investment of $1,050,000. However, this amount can be reduced to $800,000 if the investment is made within a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is either a rural area or one experiencing high unemployment levels.

Immigrant investors file either Form I-526 or Form I-526E to demonstrate to USCIS their compliance with all tenets and laws of the EB 5 visa program. The approval rate for I-526 petitions generally ranges from about 75% to above 80%.

Yes, the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21 can obtain green cards through the EB-5 investment.

The standard capital investment requirement for an EB-5 investor is $1 million. in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) which is either in a high unemployment area, (calculated as an area with an unemployment rate that is at least 150% of the national average), or a Rural Area (RA) is $500,000.

EB-5 Investment Repayment

While loan terms can vary from project to project, EB-5 investors can usually hope to receive repayment back within a five-to-seven-year period. The investment must remain “at risk” throughout the loan period, and therefore cannot be guaranteed to be returned.

If you want to obtain a US passport eventually but don't have any ties with the country, the EB‑5 visa might be the best option. It allows the investor to move to the States alongside their family and be eligible to get a US passport after 7 years of living there. How much does an EB5 visa cost?

EB-5 visa regulations dictate that the investor's capital needs to be "at risk" and no guarantees are allowed to be offered to the investor on any return on, or of capital. In layman terms, this means that in the process of getting a green card, if not careful, you could potentially lose the entire amount invested.

Every EB-5 investment carries inherent risks. These risks vary across different project types but can generally be categorized under two groups: immigration risk and financial risk. These two risk categories align with the primary motivations for EB-5 investors.

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 has changed the program's minimum investment requirements to reflect economic adjustments. The new minimum investment for an EB-5 Green Card is $1,050,000—which is lowered to $800,000 for projects in targeted employment areas (TEAs).

How long does an EB-5 investment take? ›

Upon successful completion of the EB5 visa interview, you should be granted an EB5 visa within about a week. This process takes about 6 to 8 months. Once your adjustment of status is approved or you enter the country on a valid EB5 visa, you are officially a conditional permanent resident for 2 years.

One of the ways in which you can fund your EB-5 investment is through a loan. This loan can come from a family member or friend, a banking institution, in the form of an unsecured loan, or any other legitimate source.

EB-5 loans have more predictable repayment timelines than equity investments. With a set maturity date and limited number of optional extensions, EB-5 investors can have greater confidence about when they will be repaid. Con: Lower Return. EB-5 loan offerings tend to provide lower annual return rates to EB-5 investors.

If the petition was filed after March 15, 2022, the investment must be at least $1,050,000. That is, unless the investment is in a targeted employment area (TEA) — which is either a rural area or an area with high unemployment — in which case it must be $800,000 at minimum.

While the standard investment threshold is $1,050,000 million, investments in infrastructure or Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) qualify at $800,000. Investing in an existing business is not only allowed but can be a strategic move for prospective immigrants.

To qualify for an EB-5 Visa under this program, as an applicant, you would need to invest a minimum of $800,000 in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) located in an area that has been designated as a targeted employment area (TEA).

Investments may be made in either of two ways: 1) individually (direct), or 2) through a government-approved regional center.

The standard minimum investment amount has increased to $1.8 million (from $1 million) to account for inflation. The minimum investment in a TEA has increased to $900,000 (from $500,000) to account for inflation.