Investment migration experts at Astons answer the frequently asked questions on the EB-5 Investor Visa that enables you to relocate to the US with your family and eventually obtain US citizenship.
I’ve been planning to relocate to the US. Now, I decided to study this issue in more detail. Can I move to the US quickly with the aid of the foreign investor programme?
Yes, you can. The immigration program for foreign investors EB-5 allows you to get the Green Card much faster than other US immigration programmes. The EB-5 Investor visa is your express route to life, work and education in the US.
Will I be able to obtain US citizenship afterwards?
Sure! On complying with all immigration requirements, you’ll be able to apply for US citizenship in five years after you get a Green Card. And you’ll become a Green Card holder within the EB-5 program for foreign investors.
Will I be able to relocate to the US with my family using the EB-5 visa?
Yes. Within the EB-5 Investor visa, the main applicant can relocate to the US with their spouse and single children under 21 years old.
If I move to the US with my children, will they get any perks in terms of education?
The EB-5 visa will provide many rights and privileges to your children and yourself. Green Card holders can go to high school – both public and private schools in the US (including medical and law schools).
According to statistics, around 75% of HNWIs aim to secure their children a high-quality education in the most prestigious universities globally. Since the US universities have always topped the ranks, many investors obtain an EB-5 visa for their children on purpose. It provides them with a resident status and lets them save when they enrol into a state university.
Great! Is this investor programme reliable? How long has it been in place?
You have nothing to worry about: the Astons experienced lawyers will guide you through the entire immigration process and will help you obtain the EB-5 visa with a guaranteed result so you can apply for US citizenship later on.
The EB-5 visa program for foreign investors has been around for 30 years. It was first introduced by the US Congress back in 1990.
I see. How much should I invest to get the EB-5 visa?
You’ll be able to obtain the EB-5 Investor visa by investing $900,000 in projects approved by the US government. According to the immigration program, you’ll be able to exit the investment in the future.
How fast can I get the US EB-5 Investor visa?
The US authorities will review EB-5 applications within 12 months. In a year from your application, you’ll become a Green Card holder. This route to the US is much faster than any other immigration programme.
Will the EB-5 Investor visa allow me to travel the world?
Green Card holders can enter several countries without a visa, including Canada and Mexico. US residents can travel abroad with a Green Card on the condition that the country they are visiting grants Green Card holders the same rights as US citizens.
After you obtain US citizenship, you’ll be able to travel the entire world. The US passport unlocks visa-free entry to 185 countries.
What are the immigration program conditions for EB-5 investors?
To apply for the EB-5 Investor visa, you need to invest a minimum of $900,000 in a US business and create at least 10 full-time jobs.
Most investments within the EB-5 program are made through the Regional Centers. It’s very simple: Regional Centers – companies or organizations focusing on a specific region and its economic development – take responsibility for doing business and creating the required jobs.
The Center that takes care of your EB-5 visa should comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) requirements.
One more crucial point: although you can return your investment within the EB-5 program, it has to be ‘risky’ in terms of ROIs.
What are the candidate requirements?
To be eligible for the EB-5 Investor visa, the main applicant should fit these requirements:
- Be an adult (over 18 years old)
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be ready to prove the source of wealth
- Be ready to prove your health status
Will I need to pass any language tests and exams?
No, the EB-5 immigration program has no requirements regarding your work record, education or English level.
Great! What should I do to apply for the EB-5 visa?
Obtaining an EB-5 is a multi-tier process regulated by USCIS. The application goes through three stages:
Stage 1 (takes up to three months)
- You first contact the immigration lawyers at Astons. Our specialists will analyse your specific circumstances, interests and preferences and help you pick the right Regional Center and business for investment.
- You invest $900,000 in a project approved within the EB-5 immigration programme. The funds need to be transferred to an escrow account.
- You submit an I-526 petition for the EB-5 visa. The petition proves your investment and creation of required jobs.
Stage 2 (12 to 24 months)
- If the I-526 petition is approved, the Astons experts will start processing a conditional (temporary) Green Card. If your petition is declined, the funds will be returned to the applicant as agreed with the Regional Center.
- The applicant and their family members who successfully obtained the EB-5 Investor visa become holders of a conditional Green Card valid for a term of two years. Your family and you need to enter the US within 180 days unless you are already in the country at that point.
Stage 3 (takes three years)
- You submit an I-829 petition. Once it’s approved, you obtain an ‘unconditional’ permanent Green Card that overrides your previous conditional status.
This means that between the 22nd and 24th months of the validity term of the applicant’s/family’s conditional Green Card, the Astons immigration lawyers submit the I-829 petition that proves you’ve complied with the EB-5 Investor visa requirements.
Once your family and you obtain a permanent Green Card, you can apply for US citizenship.
Don’t worry! We’ve been on the investment migration market for over 30 years and we’ll help you with any questions that may arise. Our experts will thoroughly collect and recheck all documentation, help you submit the application and obtain the EB-5 Investor visa and US residency.
Astons is a leading global immigration advisory firm with offices worldwide. For further information or to discuss your circumstances in a private consultation, please contact Astons at [email protected].
