eb5exclusive

By Renata Castro

The United States Embassy has released numbers that show that the interest of Brazilians in entering the US has not only grown exponentially, but also that the US government is welcoming the influx.

The numbers show that 115,269 visas were issued in March 2012, 62% more than in March 2011. Given the explosive demand, non-immigrant visas such as B1/B2, H, L, O, P, Q, and R will have a fee increase.  The average fee increase will be of US$ 30.

Brazilians have long been a fixture in the Florida – Massachusetts – California circuit, but now their economic impact can be felt beyond those borders.

Idea Brazil, a Brazilian company that specializes in marketing services and products of American companies to Brazilian tourists, estimates that the average Brazilian tourist spends US$ 6,000 per visit.

Affluent Brazilians are also heating up the Luxury Real Estate Market, with Manhattan and Downtown Miami being their markets of preference for snatching luxury property at down market prices.  As more and more Brazilians visit and create ties to the US, Brazilian families and businessmen/women alike have started to explore their options when it comes to becoming US residents.

Unlike citizens of other treaty countries (A full list can be found at the Department of State’s website), Brazilians do not qualify for E-2 visas. On the same note, the purchase of residential real estate does not allow a foreign investor to adjust status and become a US resident. The best alternative for Brazilians looking to enjoy the benefits derived from being US residents is through an EB-5 investment.

The EB-5 Visa program is an employment-based visa which is intended to promote the flow of assets into the U.S. economy and at the same time to promote the creation of jobs in the United States for legal U.S. residents.

 To achieve these goals and so that overseas investors may obtain immigration benefits for having made an investment, the program mandates that the minimum investment a foreign investors must contribute is either USD$1,000,000 for a regular EB-5 Investment Visa or USD$500,000 for an EB-5 Regional Center program.   In addition the program mandates that 10 full-time jobs must be created as a result of each investment.  The Investor is entitled to a return on their investment and is eligible to sell their interest in the venture after a period of 5 years.  Additionally foreign investors and their qualifying family members are offered the prospect (not guarantee) of Lawful Permanent Residence in the United States.

 Projects being considered for investments are designed to qualify under requirements in the law that permit reduced investment and that also permit creation of indirect jobs for U.S. Citizens.  This approval is not granted to the respective EB-5 project unless the project can prove that they fit within the designated Regional Center guidelines that are established by the United States Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS).

Exclusive Visas thoroughly researches all Regional Center projects in the United States, and endorses only those projects that meet our rigorous standards. When you hire Exclusive Visas, we hold your hand from the moment you begin considering which Regional Center program to invest in, until the day you receive your permanent green card. You will be assigned a personal concierge to liaise between your Immigration Attorney, and the Regional Center throughout the entire process.