EB-5 FAQ
What are the benefits of the Green Card?
- What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?
- What are the benefits of the Green Card?
- Who is eligible to receive permanent residency (Green Card)?
- Are EB-5 visas available to persons from any country in the world?
- Where can I find copies of relevant forms, laws, and regulations to study?
- What is the difference between a “conditional” and a “permanent” Green Card?
- What issue typically causes the most problems when applying for an EB-5 visa?
- How long must I remain in the United States each year?
- What is the difference between permanent residency and citizenship?
- What’s the best way to lower risk in an EB-5 Investment?
- What is a New Commercial Enterprise (NCE)?
- What is a Job Creating Entity (JCE)?
- What is visa retrogression?
- What are “Reserved EB-5 Visas” or “Set-Asides”?
- What are “Unreserved” EB-5 Visas?
- What is the Sustainment Period?
- What are the steps for processing an EB-5 visa application?
- If my I-526E petition is approved by the USCIS, what is the purpose of the Consulate application and interview, and how soon do I get my Green Card?
- After petition approval, can members of the family interview in different countries?
- What is an “escrow” account and when does the investor transfer the money into this account?
- How does the bank escrow account protect me against the risk of losing my money?
- What is Concurrent Filing for I-485 Adjustment of Status and how does it benefit EB-5 Investors?
- Who is eligible for Concurrent Filing?
- When can I apply for US citizenship?
- Do investors need to be actively involved in the day-to-day activities of Regional Center Projects?
- What are the advantages of investing in a rural project in a Micropolitan Area?
- May I invest less capital in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Project?
- Do I have to live where the project is?
- Can I make money with my EB-5 Investment?
- How is the EB-5 loan model different than the equity model?
- What is the minimum required amount of capital to be invested in order to apply for an EB-5 visa?
- Must I have previous business experience or education?
- Must I speak English?
- What is meant by the requirement that the investor’s assets be “lawfully gained”?
- If I want to move to the United States and invest in an EB-5 project with Houston EB5 Regional Center, do I have to live in Texas?
- Can an EB-5 investor from a retrogressed country apply for Concurrent Filing?
- How many direct and indirect jobs do I need?
- Can I travel outside the US for extended periods after I get my green card?
- What is a Regional Center and what advantages do they offer to EB-5 investors?
- Who should invest in an EB-5 Regional Center project?
- What are Indirect and Induced Jobs?
- Why is Job Creation safer with a Regional Center Project?
- Do I get faster Processing of my I-526E Immigrant Petition if I invest in a Regional Center project?
- What makes Houston EB5 unique?
The EB-5 visa is a direct path to Permanent US Residency (Green Card). The Green Card allows the investor and their immediate family to live, study, work, and retire anywhere in the U.S. This program affords foreigners all the advantages of the American lifestyle while contributing to the U.S. economy through job creation. It is open to individuals from any country.
The EB-5 program stands as an ideal route for foreign nationals who have the required capital to secure permanent residency in the U.S. The U.S. is a safe harbor for your family as well as for your personal and business assets. Any member of your family with a Green Card can enter the United States at any time and stay as long as he or she wishes.
This visa is unique as it doesn’t require a U.S. employer sponsor or specific skills or knowledge. Furthermore, if you invest in a Regional Center project you are not required to work. It is your EB-5 capital, along with all the other sources of capital for the project, that will create the minimum 10 full-time and permanent jobs you will need.
After investing in a qualifying project and receiving approval of the I-526E Immigrant Petitions by USCIS, an EB-5 investor, his or her spouse, and unmarried children under 21 will receive Conditional Permanent Residency (CPR) status. At this moment, you will enjoy the same rights and benefits as every other lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Two years later, the applicant will request the Conditional Status on their residency to be removed with the I-829 Petition. Once this form is approved, the applicant receives Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status. After five years have passed since the applicant received Conditional Residency status, he or she is eligible to request U.S. citizenship.
The EB-5 visa offers several benefits to foreign investors:
- It’s among the quickest ways to obtain U.S. permanent residency for the investor and their immediate family.
- There’s no need for a visa sponsor.
- Unrestricted employment opportunities in the U.S.
- EB-5 investors holding Green Cards have full access to the United States for personal, trade and business purposes.
- EB-5 investors may work, live, or own their businesses anywhere in the U.S., including states with no state income tax.
- The U.S. is a clear leader on internationally recognized colleges and universities for both undergraduate education and graduate studies.
- The EB-5 Visa gives access to public schools and more affordable in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, some of which are among the best in the USA.
- Students may work in the U.S. while they attend college.
- Higher acceptance rates at US public universities for Lawful Permanent Residents compared to international applicants.
- University students have access to student loans from the government and other sources.
- In case of political upheavals in the investor’s home country, the investors and their family can quickly move to the U.S.
- Eligibility for U.S. citizenship after a minimum of five years of permanent residency.
- Permanent residents travel to the U.S. without the need of a visa.
