Obtaining a Green Card Through Investment Becoming Increasingly Popular

Up to 10,000 EB5 visas may be granted each year. While other popular visa categories, like H1B and H2B regularly reach their limits, EB5 has never hit the 10,000 visa limit. However, because the popularity of these visas has soared as developers seek foreign cash to make up for tight U.S. credit markets, some speculate that the limit could be reached in 2013 or 2014.

Where Do EB5 Investors Come From?

At Exclusive Visas, we work with people from all over the world who want to obtain their Green Card through investment. Chinese investor immigration makes up around 65% of EB5 visas granted over the past six years. South Korea and the UK also have many potential EB5 immigrants. EB5 investment is also becoming more popular in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Could Chinese EB5 Immigration Hit a Per-Country Cap This Year?

If the number of EB5 applications in 2013 exceeds 10,000, a per-country limit could be placed on China, because caps kick in automatically when the overall limit is reached for a single immigration category. Some EB5 experts think this will happen in 2013, while others don't expect this to happen until 2014 at the earliest. As of early 2013, however, Chinese EB5 immigrants are not yet facing a per-country cap.

How Has the Program Grown Since Its Beginning?

Investor immigration under EB5 has been available since 1990. Since that time, the program has yielded nearly $7 billion in investment in the U.S., and has created nearly 50,000 jobs. The popularity of EB5 didn't really take off until after the 2008 economic downturn. While in 2002 there were under 100 EB5 visas granted, there were over 3,600 granted in 2012.

What Should Potential EB5 Investors Know?

At Executive Visas, we help EB5 applicants through every step of the immigration process. Currently, EB5 petitions take around eight months to process, and the subsequent applications for Green Cards take six to eight months to process. EB5 immigrants generally prefer to work with specialist EB5 consultants to ensure that all steps are completed properly and on time, maximizing their chances of success obtaining an EB5 visa.

The EB5 Regional Center May Be Structured in More than One Way

If you're interested in obtaining a Green Card under the EB5 program, you may invest $1 million in your own business that is required to create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. However, you also have the option of investing $500,000 in a Regional Center, an established project in an economically distressed area that is expected to provide at least 10 full-time jobs.

The Typical EB5 Regional Center

When developers establish a Regional Center, they can count direct and indirect employment toward the 10 job requirement. They may also have individual projects within a Regional Center pre-approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Regional Center certification simplifies the process of finding investors and makes it easier for investors to find the right Regional Center.

When an Existing Regional Center Sponsors a Project

Sometimes, an existing Regional Center will sponsor a project to attract people who want to pursue EB5 immigration. This eliminates the time and cost of developing a new Regional Center, and developers can still pursue pre-approval of their new project by USCIS. Another advantage of this approach is that existing Regional Centers may already have a marketing plan and be ready to develop quickly once investment capital is in place.

Pooled Investment and the EB5 Program

Some EB5 projects pool investment from individual EB5 immigration petitions, and they may choose this approach to avoid the expense of obtaining Regional Center certification. With this scenario, EB5 petitions can be filed as soon as investors are identified. The main disadvantage to pooled investment programs is that 10 full-time jobs must be created for each EB5 investor, and pre-approval by USCIS is not available.

Sound Complicated? Help Is Available

At Executive Visas, we're committed to assisting EB5 investors in finding the best possible investment of their capital in the US economy. The EB5 process is complex, and many investors choose to work with EB5 consultants like those at Executive Visas to ensure that all procedures are followed, all deadlines are met, and the best possible investment is made by the person seeking an EB5 Green Card.

Immigration to USA Under EB5 Program Increasing in Popularity

Immigration to the USA is a topic that is often prominently covered by the US news media. However, until recently, immigration under the EB5 program, in which foreign nationals can invest a minimum of $500,000 in US enterprises to earn a two-year conditional Green Card, has not had a lot of press coverage. That is likely to change in 2013, however, according to EB5 consultants at Exclusive Visas.

Real Estate Development Popular Among EB5 Applicants

Many EB5 applicants choose to invest in real estate development projects in their pursuit of immigration to the USA. Such projects are available for investment under the EB5 Regional Center program throughout the US. Immigrants under this program are almost always able to find a Regional Center project in the particular US region in which they wish to live.

US Developers Very Positive about EB5 Program

Enthusiasm for real estate development funded in part by EB5 immigrants is high among US developers. As the economy recovers from the downturn that started in 2008, developers are finding this immigration program to be the perfect injection of capital into projects that are required to produce at minimum ten full-time jobs for US residents (exclusive of the immigrants themselves).

What EB5 Consultants Do

EB5 consultants like those with Exclusive Visas assist immigrants under the EB5 program with every aspect of application and immigration. Not only is the application process complex, with critical deadlines, the investment capital must be proven to have been acquired lawfully, and it must be placed in escrow while the applicant is processed by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Working with EB5 consultant firms with experienced immigration lawyers is a major advantage to EB5 applicants.

The Future of EB5 Immigration

Immigration to USA under the EB5 program is becoming increasingly popular. Never before have the numbers come close to the annual allotment of 10,000 visas, but experts on the program expect the 10,000 limit to be reached in 2013 or 2014. This program benefits immigrants themselves as well as the US economy, and is expected to continue to draw more applicants with each year.

EB5 Trends Include Hotel Projects and Investors from the Middle East

The EB5 immigration program allows foreign nationals to invest a minimum of $500,000 in U.S. business ventures to receive a two-year conditional Green Card. Today, most of these immigrants come from China, with large numbers also applying from South Korea and Vietnam. However, countries from Central and South America, and from the Middle East are responsible for increasing numbers of EB5 applicants.  The EB5 consultants that work at Exclusive Visas work with investors from around the world, helping them achieve their own "American Dream."

Increasing Numbers Applying from Middle East

Residents of the United Arab Emirates, as well as expatriates from Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon are applying to the EB5 program in increasing numbers. One reason for the increase is the closing of some immigration categories in Canada. It is believed that when Canada opens these categories again, the process will be more expensive. In 2012, the U.S. exempted Iranians who want to immigrate under EB5 from Iranian sanctions, potentially boosting numbers from Iran.

Hotel Projects Particularly Popular Among EB5 Investors

Hotel projects throughout the U.S. are increasingly taking advantage of the EB5 program to raise capital, and the consensus on this mode of financing has so far been very positive. California, Florida, and Vermont have been sites of major tourist and hotel projects with significant financing coming from EB5 investors.

EB5 Regional Centers Offer Wide Range of Projects for Investment

Designated Regional Centers throughout the U.S. offer investment opportunities for EB5 immigrants in almost every business sector, from high-tech to food services, and everything in between. Immigrants under the EB5 program can almost always find a Regional Center that meets their interests or that is located in an area where immigrants want to relocate.

Immigration Lawyers Assist with EB5 Process and Regional Center Due Diligence

The immigration lawyers with Exclusive Visas play a major role in helping EB5 applicants throughout the immigration process. Paperwork under this program is extensive and can be complex, and deadlines must be met, while investment capital must be approved and placed in escrow. Working with an immigration lawyer is highly recommended to those interested in EB5 immigration.

EB5 Regional Center Application Often Specifies Florida and the Southwest

People moving themselves and their families to the United States under the EB5 investor immigration program seem to love the state of Florida and other warm locations. In 2011, six of the ten most popular locations for EB5 immigration were in Florida, with the Lakeland-Winter Haven area most popular. Other su
n belt locations are popular too, including the Phoenix area, Las Vegas, and Honolulu.

Major Urban Areas Also Popular with EB-5 Investors

New York City and Los Angeles also have their share of EB5 immigrants, who have helped fund major redevelopment projects in pockets of cities hard hit by the 2008 recession. But there are also less well-known areas that have targeted EB5 immigrants and actively courted them for reinvestment. For example, the state of Vermont's Regional Center is directly supervised by the state government and has seen great success.

Elements of a Successful EB5 RegionalCenter Application

When U.S. developers and entrepreneurs apply for Regional Center status so as to attract investment capital under the EB5 program, they must demonstrate several things in their application:

• A clear geographic delineation of the area served
• Specific industries EB5 immigrants can invest in
• Economic reports showing how the Regional Center creates or saves at least 10 jobs per investor
• Corporate documents such as operating agreements
• Detailed budget and marketing information

Why Immigrants Love EB-5

Investors from all over the world love the EB5 program because it offers tremendous flexibility. Applicants can choose to live in a region where they have always wanted to live, can send their children and stepchildren to U.S. colleges and universities, and they can choose their level of day-to-day involvement with their investment project.

Why U.S. Businesses Love EB-5

U.S. businesses love the EB5 program because it brings much-needed capital into areas that need it, without costing taxpayers any money. EB-5 Regional Centers must be designed to create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs per investor. Many U.S. projects regularly travel to countries like China, where the largest percentage of EB5 immigrants are from, in order to attract investment under the EB5 investors program.

Consultants Assist Immigrants with the EB5 Visa Process

 EB5 consultants assist immigrants who want to move themselves and their families to the United States under the EB5 immigration program. This type of immigration allows investors from around the world to invest a minimum of $500,000 in a U.S. business that will preserve or create a minimum of 10 full time jobs. Most EB5 immigrants are from China, but people from other countries are increasingly realizing the benefits of this program.

The Regional Center Selection Process

If an EB5 immigrant wants to start his or her own U.S. business, the minimum investment is $1 million. However, by investing in a designated Regional Center in an area hard hit by the 2008 recession, the immigrant can apply for an EB5 visa with only $500,000. There are over 200 Regional Centers in the U.S., and EB-5 consultants help applicants find the best Regional Center investment for their interests.

Will EB5 Caps Be Reached in 2013?

The EB-5 immigration program allows up to 10,000 people per year to move to the U.S. Since the program's inception in 1990, the number of EB5 immigrants has been well below this level. However, with U.S. businesses specifically courting potential EB5 immigrants, and with more foreigners learning about the program, numbers have been increasing. Some experts the 10,000 visa limit to be reached in 2013.

Forms and Deadlines Are Critical

Like any type of immigration, the EB5 program is complex. Forms and documentation must be provided in the right formats and must meet hard deadlines. EB-5 consultants are skilled in knowing exactly what is needed and when it must be submitted so as not to jeopardize immigrant chances of receiving a visa. A consultant isn't required for immigration under EB5, but many people find consultants to be indispensable.

EB5 Visa Popularity Continues to Increase

U.S. business interests have shown increasing enthusiasm for the EB5 program in recent years, in large part due to a shaky economic recovery. EB5 brings in needed capital in areas that need it, and immigrants from all over the world are able to realize their dream of living in America, creating a classic win-win situation.

EB5 Experts Expect Continuing Appeal for Chinese Investors

For international investors, visas granted under the EB5 immigration program are increasingly linked to types of investments favored by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  USCIS tends to focus on issues of tenant occupancy, visitor spending, and job displacement. EB5 experts are increasingly able to steer investors toward investments that the USCIS is less likely to have questions about.

EB5 Applicants Prioritize Safe Investments

Regional Center officials from the U.S. are showing a trend toward promoting projects where EB5 investment is 50% or less and where the government either funds part of the project, or offers various credits. As for investors themselves, the priority is often on the safety of the investment rather than on a high rate of return on their investment. For many EB5 investors visas are a means for giving children access to U.S. higher education.

Demand by Chinese Investors Shows No Slowdown

Chinese nationals are continuing to show enthusiasm toward the EB5 program. Some immigration programs, specifically those in Canada and Australia, are less available to Chinese nationals. Experts on the EB5 program expect that the limit of 10,000 EB5 visas in a year will be reached for the first time in 2013. History shows that once a Chinese investor's I-526 form is approved, the I-829 form will generally be approved as well.

Korea, India Showing Increased Interest in EB5

The state of Vermont has been a leader in pursuing EB5 investment, specifically in the recreation sector and also in biotech. The city of Newport plans a major redevelopment effort, partly due to an expected influx of EB5 investors. Trips to Korea and India have been very positive for those promoting investment in projects in Vermont.

South and Central American Interest Grows As Well

While Chinese nationals make up the majority of EB5 investors visas are also going to increasing numbers of investors from India and various countries in Central and South America. Mexico is seeing increasing numbers of wealthy investors moving to the U.S. under the EB5 program, and this trend is expected to continue as more people want to bring their children to the U.S. to pursue higher education.