Investor Green Card: Complete Guide on USA Green Card

USA EB-5 Investor Visa

• The USA EB-5 Investor Visa is an immigration program designed to attract foreign investors to the United States and stimulate economic growth.
• To qualify for the EB-5 program, investors must make a minimum capital investment of $1.8 million. However, if the investment is made in a targeted employment area (TEA), the minimum investment requirement is reduced to $900,000.
• The investment must be made in a new commercial enterprise, including creating a new business or expanding an existing one.
• The investment in the new commercial enterprise must create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs for qualified US workers within two years of the investor’s admission to the United States.
• Investors can choose to invest directly in their own business projects or through a USCIS-designated EB-5 Regional Center, which manages investment funds and facilitates job creation.
• The EB-5 program requires immigrant investors to demonstrate that their investment funds come from lawful sources, such as business profits, real estate sales, inheritance, or gifts.
• Once the EB-5 petition is approved, investors and their immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, are granted conditional permanent residency in the United States.
• After two years, investors must apply to remove the conditions on their Green Cards by demonstrating that they have fulfilled the investment and job creation requirements.
• The EB-5 program provides various benefits, including the opportunity to live, work, and study in the United States for investors and their family members.
• Successful EB-5 investors can eventually become eligible to apply for US citizenship after meeting residency and other naturalization requirements.

• The E-2 visa requires a substantial investment in a bona fide new commercial enterprise, a real, operating commercial business that generates income and provides employment opportunities.
• There is no fixed minimum investment amount for the E-2 visa, but the investment must be substantial in relation to the total cost of purchasing or creating the business.
• The investment must be at risk, meaning the investor’s funds must be subject to potential gain or loss based on the new commercial enterprise performance.
• The E-2 visa allows investors and their immediate family, including spouses and unmarried children under 21, to live and work in the United States for the duration of the visa.
• E-2 visas are typically granted for up to five years, with the possibility of renewal as long as the qualifying business continues to operate and meets the visa requirements.
• Unlike the EB-5 visa, the E-2 visa does not provide a direct path to permanent residency or a Green Card. However, E-2 visa holders can renew their visas indefinitely if they maintain their investment and meet the visa criteria.
• E-2 visa holders have the flexibility to travel in and out of the United States and can engage in employment only within the qualifying business.
• The E-2 visa does not have strict job creation requirements like the EB-5 visa, but the business should be able to generate enough income to support the investor and their family.

• Regional Centers are authorized to pool investments from multiple EB-5 investors into a single project or business, which can help meet the employment creation requirements of the EB-5 visa program more easily.
• Investing through an EB-5 Regional Center allows investors to meet the indirect employment creation requirement, where direct and indirect jobs can be counted towards the job generation threshold.
• Regional Centers often focus on specific industries or geographic areas, such as real estate development, infrastructure projects, or Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) with high unemployment rates.
• Using an EB-5 Regional Centre is a more passive than forthright investment, as it manages the investment project and job yield.
• Regional Centers are subject to a rigorous application and designation process by the USCIS to ensure compliance with program requirements and investor protection measures.
• Investing through an EB-5 Visa may have additional advantages, such as a potentially lower investment threshold for projects located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs).

• Each E-2 Treaty Country has its own specific requirements and conditions for its citizens to qualify for the E-2 visa.
• Currently, there are over 80 countries that have signed treaties with the United States, making their citizens eligible for the E-2 Investor Visa.
• Some famous E-2 Treaty Countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, France, Italy, and Spain.
• The US Department of State periodically updates the E-2 Treaty Countries list, and it’s essential to verify the current status of a specific country before pursuing the E-2 visa.

EB-5 Visa Investment Options

Direct investment in commercial enterprise

Investors can make a straightforward investment in their new commercial enterprise. The minimum investment amount per existing business for this option is $1.8 million, and it must create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying US workers.

Targeted Employment Area (TEA) investment

Investors can invest a reduced minimum amount of $900,000 if the investment is made in a TEA under a commercial enterprise. 

Regional Center investment

Investors can also invest through an approved EB-5 Visa. This option allows investors to meet the job generation requirement by indirectly creating full-time jobs in a commercial enterprise.

US Citizenship by Investment

• While the Investor Green Card does not directly lead to US citizenship, it can be a significant step in that direction.
• Green Card holders can become eligible to apply for US citizenship after meeting specific residency requirements, typically five years of continuous residency.
• The path to US citizenship involves fulfilling additional criteria, such as demonstrating good moral character, passing English and civics tests, and maintaining continuous residency.

Conclusion

The Investor Citizenship Card provides a pathway to achieving your dreams of living and thriving in the United States. As you embark on this journey, it is essential to consult with citizenship and immigration services professionals who can guide you through the process and ensure compliance with all requirements of immigration law. The United States awaits your entrepreneurial spirit and investment. Start your journey today and unlock a world of possibilities in the land of opportunity!

Frequently Asked Questions About Investor Green Card