Demand continues to grow for access to USA markets through visas or permanent residence. Unfortunately for those who plan to apply, the waiting list for an EB-5 can take years.
One way to avoid the backlog is to obtain Grenada citizenship and then apply for an E-2 investor work visa for US entry and residency. Although the US does not provide a direct path to citizenship, it does offer foreign investors with both visa and permanent residence opportunities. The E-2 investor visa through Grenada is a 5-year, indefinitely renewable visa that allows investors and his or her spouse and children to live within the US or visit as much as desired.
This E-2 investor visa option is only available to citizens of countries that are party to a bilateral treaty with the US. Then, E-2 applicants must plan to make a substantial investment within the US. The minimum level of investment isn’t clearly defined but it is generally lower than the investment requirements for an EB-5 permanent residence visa. The bigger issue with EB-5 visas is the waiting list. Due to the popularity of the EB-5 visas and the annual cap on the number of people admitted to the US through this program each year, applicants can often expect to wait for years. The EB-5 program also includes quotas by country. The total number of people allowed through the EB-5 program each year is 10,000. A China investors, for example, currently face more than 10 years on the waiting list.
The wait required for citizens of many countries that lack access to the E-2 visa option has increased the demand for second citizenships in countries that are party to bilateral investment treaties with the US. Currently Grenada is the only country to have both a bilateral investment treaty with the US and a Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP). This has made citizenship in Grenada a particularly desirable option for investors from around the world.
Astons is a leading global immigration advisory firm with offices in London, Moscow, Dubai, Cyprus and China and offers residency & citizenship investment solutions in the UK, EU & the Caribbean.
For further information on Cyprus investments or citizenship by investment or to discuss your personal circumstances in a private consultation, please contact Astons at [email protected] or call +44 207 292 2977.
