What is the EB-5 Visa program?

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 investment 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).