How does the EB-5 Visa program differ from other types of U.S. visa programs?

The EB-5 Investor Visa has significant differences from other more commonly known U.S. immigrant visa programs like the L-1 or E-2 Visa.  For instance the EB-5 Investor Visa will grant permanent resident status which does not require a renewal or reapplication.

For instance the E-2 Treaty Investor program only provides non-immigrant status, which will come to an end when the qualifying business venture comes to an end.  As a result the investor will be required to leave the United States unless another visa can be granted. Additionally, children under the age of 21 are not included in this visa and would have to obtain their own visa or leave the United States.

The L-1 Visa is a non-immigrant classification visa which can be applied for by Multinational Executives or Managers.  However, classification approval is continuously difficult due to the increased number of fraudulent cases.

There are other U.S. Non-Immigrant visas which may never offer permanent residency and require additional petition filings with the USCIS or could have time limits attached to them and these are not issues that are found with the EB-5 Investor Visa.