EB-5 Investor Visas Attorneys
10,000 EB-5 investor visas are made available each year under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The investor visa allows individuals who are actively involved in economic activities which benefit or are likely to benefit the overall economy of the United States.
Of the 10,000 annual investor visas, half are set aside for regional centers, which are pilot programs of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. These regional centers focus on specific geographic regions of the United States.
Investor Visa Requirements
Approval for an investor visa hinges on meeting one or more of the following general requirements:
- Establish a Commercial Enterprise. This requirement can be met by founding a new commercial venture or purchasing an existing business, or significantly expanding an established business in the United States.
- Invest in a New Enterprise. A minimum investment of $1,000,000 is required to meet EB-5 criteria. Some parts of the country, such as rural areas, or places that have been hit harder than normal by unemployment may reduce this investment requirement to $500,000.
- Create Jobs. The new enterprise must provide full time employment for at least ten people. Optionally, the investor visa requirements can be met by maintaining pre-investment employment levels for a minimum of two years after the visa is issued.
Once these requirements are met, the foreign investor may file an I-526 form, the Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur. Once this petition is granted, the investor receives immigrant status.
From Investor Visa to Full Citizenship
Getting an investor visa is only the first step on the path to becoming a full United States citizen. An immigrant investor can file for status as a conditional resident, and eventually petition for full citizenship. The process of changing immigration status can be complicated. An experienced immigration lawyer can be the wisest investment an immigrant entrepreneur can make.
Please contact the law offices of XXX. We are investor visa lawyers who are well-acquainted with the paperwork and procedures associated with EB-5 cases. Our investment visa attorneys can advise you on the best way to document your investment activities for your visa petition.
We can also help you navigate through the paperwork and save time by avoiding costly mistakes and filing errors. If your investment visa petition is denied, or if your request for change in status is turned down, our broad experience in the field of immigration law makes us the best choice for the appeals process.
Call XXX today and discuss your situation with an experienced YYY investment visa attorney.