Examples of EB5 Green Card Program Investments

Up to 10,000 investors from countries worldwide participate in the EB5 green card immigration program, which allows people to invest in U.S. enterprises in order to receive a two-year conditional green card. Assuming all program requirements are met, these immigrants can have conditions removed from their green cards after two years, and after a further three years may pursue U.S. citizenship.

Investors from Iran

Since 2006, the country with the fifth greatest number of EB5 investors has been Iran. In 2011, Iran accounted for over 3% of the EB5 visas granted. Whenever an EB5 investor immigrates to the U.S., at least $500,000 is injected into a local economy. With the number of projects in which EB5 investors may participate growing steadily, enterprises are increasingly reaching out to Iranians as potential investors.

Investors from China

Around 70% of EB5 investors come from China. Representatives from U.S. EB5-eligible projects travel to China regularly to appeal to Chinese nationals interested in coming to the U.S. under the EB5 program. Two U.S. regions that have benefited greatly from EB5 investment from Chinese immigrants are the states of Vermont and Florida. An organic shrimp farm in the small Florida town of Fellsmere is appealing to Chinese EB5 immigrants as are resort and biotech projects in Vermont.

Investors from Ireland

Irish nationals sometimes choose EB5 investment as a way to retire in the U.S. or to send their children or stepchildren to U.S. colleges and universities. One reason the EB5 program appeals to older immigrants is that investors can choose their investment to suit the level of day-to-day involvement they want. Investors may be active and hands-on, or they may operate more as a silent partner and leave the hands-on operation to others.

Investors from Vietnam

Vietnam has experienced healthy economic growth over the past 20 years or so, and one result has been an increase in the number of wealthy Vietnamese. Increasing numbers of these Vietnamese nationalists are looking to the EB5 program in order to take advantage of entrepreneurial projects in the United States. Many of them also choose to move to the U.S. in order to educate children at U.S. colleges and universities.

Some Quick Facts About EB5 Immigration

EB5immigration allows immigrants to obtain a conditional two-year Green Card by investing in a business venture in the U.S. in one of three ways:

• Starting up a new business with a minimum capital investment of $1 million
• Purchasing and restructuring an existing business with a minimum $1 million investment
• Investing a minimum of $500,000 in a qualifying Regional Center project

The enterprise in which the immigrant invests may be any for-profit entity engaged in a lawful business.

Types of Capital Investment in the EB5 Program

The typical investment under the EB-5 immigration program is in the form of cash. However equipment, inventory, cash equivalents, and other tangible property may qualify as long as the investor is personally liable for the assets. The EB5 immigrant must prove that the investment capital was obtained lawfully.

Creation of Jobs by Investor Immigrants

The business venture started by the EB-5 immigrant must create 10 or more full time jobs for U.S. residents, not including the investor's spouse or children. "Full time" is defined as a minimum of 35 hours per week. Two employees may share a full time job, but part time positions cannot be added together to equal a full time job even if the two add up to more than 35 hours per week.

Some Requirements for EB5 Applicants

The application submitted to the INS under the EB-5 immigration program must include:

• Proof that the capital has been placed in escrow and is ready to be transferred into the business enterprise
• Proof that the necessary capital has been invested
• Proof that the investment capital was obtained lawfully

 
There are many other requirements, and many investor immigrants work with EB5 consultants during the application process to ensure all procedures are followed.

Pursuing U.S. Citizenship Under EB5

After two years, the EB-5 immigrant may petition to have conditions removed from his or her Green Card. Once conditions have been removed, after three more years, he or she may pursue U.S. citizenship. The EB5 program has proven to be very popular among investors from other countries, and U.S. businesses actively court EB-5 immigrants as sources of investment capital.

Examples of U.S. Investment Under the EB5 Program

Investors from countries outside the U.S. can obtain EB5 visas by investing a minimum of $500,000 in a U.S. enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full time jobs for U.S. workers. Up to 10,000 of these visas may be granted in a given year, and the program is very popular among both foreign investors and U.S. businesses in areas where unemployment rates are high.

Charter Schools in Florida

In 2012, Chinese investors have invested tens of millions of dollars into the charter school program in Florida and plan to invest even more in future years. Connecting EB5 investors with charter school projects has become a priority with Florida investment advisors. Florida is a popular state for EB-5 investors who want to retire in the United States, due to its mild climate and vibrant international population.

Ski Resorts in Maine

Though Maine has not traditionally had a large Chinese immigrant population, that could be changing as investment groups in the state actively seek out those interested in obtaining EB5 visas. One ski resort is looking to raise up to $25 million in capital for expansion of the facilities. If they're successful, hundreds of new jobs could be created. Maine business owners have visited China to talk to potential EB-5 investors about the opportunities available in the state of Maine.

Hotel Projects in California

The city of Los Angeles has long dealt with hotel room shortages, and a recent ruling by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that "tenant occupancy" job creation counts toward EB-5 job creation goals is expected to increase EB-5 investment in L.A. hotel projects. A new Marriott project in downtown is expected to eventually create over 3,000 new jobs, partly through EB-5 investment.

EB-5 Consultants Ramp Up Efforts

EB-5 consultants in many places in the U.S. are finding themselves very busy assisting investor immigrants with the process of obtaining a conditional Green Card under the program. Though the EB5 process, like any immigration process, is complicated, there is quite a bit of flexibility that appeals to people who want to immigrate to the U.S. while investing in new or existing U.S. Businesses.

EB-5 Investments Pumping Millions Into American Regional Economies

One positive thing about the U.S. economic downturn that hit in 2008 is that it drew new attention to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services EB-5 program. Through this program, immigrants from all over the world are able to invest sums of $500,000 in U.S. projects known as Regional Centers. Regional Centers are projects in economically challenged areas that are designed to provide full-time jobs to U.S. workers (not including the EB-5 immigrant).

American Projects Compete for EB-5Investors

As companies and entrepreneurs in the U.S. have discovered EB-5 investments, Regional Center projects have sprung up throughout the U.S., and they cover just about every type of enterprise, from hotels to retail developments to high tech ventures. In fact, many American businesses now routinely travel to other countries looking for potential EB5 investors. In 2011, $1.2 billion in capital investment flowed into the U.S. through the EB-5 program.

Where EB-5 Investors Come From

EB-5 immigrants come from all over the world, but currently the largest percentage of them comes from the People's Republic of China. In order, the top ten countries from which EB-5 applicants come are China, South Korea, Great Britain / Northern Ireland, Taiwan, India, Iran, Mexico, Canada, Russia, and South Africa. Every year up to 10,000 people come to the U.S. under the EB-5 program.

Immigration Process Is Still Complex

The EB-5 program may strike some people as an easy way to get a green card, but the process is as complex as any other type of immigration. EB-5 immigrants must, for example, show that the money they plan to invest in the U.S. was obtained legally, and they must complete all the usual applications and meet the deadlines required to immigrate legally to the U.S.

Consultants Help EB-5 Applicants Through Immigration Process

Because the EB-5 program requires specific documentation as well as the usual immigration paperwork, and because EB-5 immigrants must specify how their money will be invested and how it will produce jobs for Americans, EB-5 consultants have set up businesses to help these investors navigate the complex process of EB-5 immigration, and they are proving to be very helpful and popular.

Documentation Required for Investment Immigration under EB5

Each year, up to 10,000 visas are available to qualified immigrants who seek permanent resident status based on their engagement in a commercial enterprise. A U.S. employer is not required, and neither is labor certification. This type of immigration allows varying degrees of direct involvement in the enterprise invested in by the immigrant. If you choose this type of immigration you may choose to participate directly in daily operations, or you may choose to have a more passive role.

Eligibility for Investment Immigration

Under the EB5 program, an investor (and the investor's spouse and unmarried children and stepchildren under age 21) must invest a certain amount of money in a new or existing enterprise. The most popular way that people obtain their green card through investment is by investing $500,000 in a designated Regional Center located in an economically distressed area. The I-526 Form Applicants do not have to pay a biometric fee with their I-526, but they do have to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $1,500. Many immigrant investors choose to work with an EB5 consultant from the beginning to make sure that they complete all required documentation on time and to help them select a Regional Center in which to invest. By working with a consultant, applicants are less likely to miss a deadline or neglect to file an important piece of paperwork.

Other Required Documentation

Along with your I-526 form, you will be required to submit documentation showing:

• Evidence that your enterprise is in a targeted employment area
• Evidence that you have invested or are investing the required amount
• Evidence that you obtained your investment capital lawfully
• Evidence that at least 10 full-time jobs will be created from your investment

Removing Green Card Conditions

After two years, you may apply to become a permanent lawful resident by filing a form I-829 to remove the conditions on your green card. You must file this form within 90 days before you have lived in the United States for two years. Three years after having the conditions removed from your green card, you will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

How the EB-5 Regional Center Benefits Local Economies

The EB5 program is specifically designed to allow immigrants to promote job creation in the United States by investing in established Regional Centers in areas of the country that need revitalization. Investments must be designed to create at least 10 full time jobs for U.S. workers (exclusive of the immigrant and his or her family), regardless of whether the immigrant investor wants to take an active or passive role in the Regional Center.

Through Raising of Capital

Small businesses in the United States do not have very many options for raising capital. Even as the economy starts to emerge from the global downturn, loans are harder to get than they used to be. Many businesses are turning to EB-5 investors as a way to give their business the financial boost it needs to achieve growth and create jobs. For small businesses, the EB-5 program gives them a unique method for raising capital at a relatively low cost.

Through Increased Cultural Diversification

The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world. Immigrants who enter the U.S. under the EB-5 program add to the rich blend of cultural heritages that has made the U.S. the great country it is.

Through Long Term Planning

Immigration under the EB5 Regional Center program provides a way for immigrants to obtain a conditional green card, for removing the conditions after two years, and for obtaining citizenship after a further three years. It also allows businesses in economically stressed areas to raise capital, create jobs, and grow over the long term.

Considering Investing in an EB-5 Regional Center?

The U.S. allows up to 10,000 people per year to relocate to the U.S. under the EB-5 investor immigration program with an investment of a minimum of $500,000. If you think you may be interested in participating in this program, working with an EB-5 consultant is the best way to ensure you choose the best possible Regional Center for your needs and that you complete the necessary documentation to make your move to the U.S. as smooth as possible.

Is the EB5 Green Card Right for You?

The EB5 green card program allows people with $500,000 to invest to move to the U.S. and invest their capital in one of over 100 EB5 Regional Centers. For people who have investment capital, it is a great way to move to the U.S. along with spouse, children, and stepchildren. The program does involve extensive paperwork like with any other form of immigration, but many investors are finding the EB5 program to be the perfect way to obtain a green card.

Do You Want to Add Jobs to the U.S. Economy?

The EB5 program is allowed to bring up to 10,000 new immigrants into the U.S. every year. While today the majority of EB5 applicants are from China, many other nations around the world are also represented. This program is designed specifically to allow investment resulting in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers (apart from the EB5 immigrant and his or her family).

Are You Interested in U.S. Citizenship?

After two years with a conditional green card under EB5, the immigrant can apply to have conditions removed from their conditional green card. After another three years, the immigrant may apply for U.S. citizenship. This program is an excellent way for people from all over the world to pursue their dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Would You Like to Retire to the U.S.?

Investors under the EB5 program may take an active, day-to-day interest in the business in which they invest, or they may elect to take a more passive role. That means that those who are interested in retiring to the U.S. may participate in the EB5 program in order to do so. Many people have found this immigration program to be an excellent way of achieving their dream of retiring in the U.S.

The EB5 Program and You

Because the EB5 program can be complicated, with extensive paperwork and strict deadlines, many people choose to work with EB5 consultants who know how to help them meet all deadlines and who can assist in the selection of a Regional Center in which to invest.