EB-5 Regional Center – The Investment Green Card
The USCIS refers to this category as an Investment Green Card, since it is based on making a substantial financial commitment, in addition to creating employment in the US. The US government has decided to reward foreigners with a Green Card if they help the US economy by creating new jobs.
With a Green Card, one may live anywhere in the US, no matter where the investment is made.
Type of Investment
The EB-5 Regional Center Visa provides the most flexible path to a green card based on a US investment. For example:
- The EB-5 visa does not require the applicant to manage the day-to-day affairs of a business.
- One may invest in an existing business, or a new business.
- More than one person may invest in the same business.
- The EB-5 investor may be a minority owner of the business.
Investment amount and Employment Creation
The general rule requires an investment of $1,000,000, and the creation of ten new jobs. If the investment is in a high unemployment area, 1.5 time the national average, then only a $500,000 investment is required.
Source of Investment Funds
Funds may come from any legal foreign or US source; including gifts, loans, and divorce settlements. Whoever receives the visa must make the investment. Borrowed investment funds qualify as long as they are not secured by the assets of the target US business.
Regional Center Designation – Indirect Employment Creation
Investors in a Regional Center do not have to have day-to-day management responsibility or prove the business employs 10 people. Instead, they may rely on industry job multiplier statistics. A Regional Center means that direct hiring of employees is not necessary.
There are several regional centers offering a variety of investment opportunities. American Life Inc. operates the Regional Centers in Seattle, Washington; Tacoma, Washington; and Everett, Washington. Our regional centers were approved for our plans to renovate warehouses and other properties in the selected geographic areas.
The Regional Center designation is what makes the American Life investment simple for those seeking a low-risk investment without the time-consuming issues of day-to-day management.
The basic rules are summarized on the USCIS web site at:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/investment.htm
Please note that immigration law can be complex, so it is suggested that you seek the advice of a qualified professional.
More information about the Regional Center Investment Visa can be found here:
http://www.investmentvisa.us/
