USA

PERMANENT RESIDENCE BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE IN ITS CURRENT FORM UNTIL 30th SEPTEMBER 2016 

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a U.S government scheme launched in 1990 which awards foreign business individuals and their families, after making an investment into the U.S economy, with Permanent Residency in the USA.  The required investment of US$500,000 minimum is donated to a government approved project via regional centres in New York, Florida and New Jersey.  Thus, an investor is not required to set up and manage U.S. based business.

The EB-5 program gives investors and their dependents the guarantee of permanent residency in the USA without the nuisance of repeated visa applications.  After a period of 5 years and subject to fulfilment of further requirements, an investor may be eligible for naturalization and acquisition of citizenship in the USA.

 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for a citizenship by investment in the United States of America, the applicants are required to qualify as Accredited Investors and make a contribution in the following manner:

• Invest US$500,000 a minimum in a designated ‘Targeted Employment Area’ or into a ‘Regional Center’
• The project invested into must create jobs
• Provide evidence of the legal origin of investment funds
• The investment must be considered to be ‘at risk’
• Remain in the USA for 6 months a year
• All applicants must be criminal record free
• Any children, must be under the age of 21, at the time of application

To qualify as an Accredited Investor the applicant must meet at least ONE of the following conditions:

• Net worth (either individually or with spouse) is at least US$1,000,000
• Individual annual income has been at least US$200,000 in each of the last 2 recent years and that income is expected in the current year also
• Annual income, jointly with spouse, has been at least US$300,000 in each of the last 2 years and that income is expected in the current year also

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process begins with confirming the investor’s suitability and eligibility through an internal Due Diligence verification (i.e. background check). On passing, an investor will be presented with the approved regional centre projects to choose from.  An agreement will be entered into between the applicant and a U.S attorney to facilitate the EB5 Visa application in cooperation with the chosen regional project. At this stage supporting evidence will be collected for the application, legal fees and Government fees will have to be settled and the investment amount transferred prior to submission of the application. On approval of the application by USCIS an applicant will file an application for Permanent Resident Status (conditional Green Card) either through a U.S embassy or consulate.   A conditional Green Card is issued for 30 -36 months.  Following 21 months on the conditional Green Card an applicant can apply to USCIS to remove the conditions attached to Green Card. An investor will then be granted a non-conditional Permanent Residency which will lead to US citizenship after 5 years.

ABOUT  

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world based on both population and land mass. It takes great pride in having the world’s largest economy, military power and one of the most diverse populations. It is one of the most vibrant countries to do business and to live and work in thanks to its melting pot of cultures and languages. Its thriving economy offers a range of exciting opportunities for wealth creation. Yearly the USA receives more than five million visitors and grants residencies to more than one million new applicants to enjoy and live the American Dream.

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

• Green card for the investor and his dependents (providing that unmarried children under 21 at the time of application)
• The right to residence, employment, study and retirement anywhere in the USA
• Access to the U.S Education system
• The full benefits of being a U.S. citizen
• No English language requirement for the investor and dependents
• Investment is returned once the project completes
• Visa free access to 174 countries word wide
• Fast Access to the US
• Active management of the enterprise is not required

  For a list of Visa Free Travel for holders of a USA passport please scroll down: