The EB-5 visa program is a great pathway to US permanent residency for many foreign nationals. A US green card is an important step for most foreign nationals, as it gives them the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States. You may wonder what is the investment required for green card in USA? While there are many pathways to permanent residency, the EB-5 visa program connects the green card process with a significant capital investment. The EB-5 program is not only an investment, but it is a strategic move that can change a foreign national’s future and their family’s future. The amount of the investment needed for a green card in the USA through this pathway is important to understand, as well as the other expenses and requirements associated with the program.
Also known as the Employment-Based Fifth Preference Immigrant Investor program, the EB-5 visa was created in 1990 by Congress to stimulate the economy and create jobs in the US through capital investment by foreign investors. The program is a popular pathway for foreign nationals who want to get a US green card by investment. The EB-5 visa program allows an investor, their spouse, and their unmarried children under the age of 21 to apply for conditional permanent residency. After a two-year conditional period, assuming all requirements are met, the investor can then have their status changed to an unconditional green card.
The Financial Commitments: Understanding the Investment
The EB-5 visa program is centered around capital investment. Currently, as per the new regulations, the investment required for green card in USA consists of two main tiers for the green card investment needed in the USA:
Standard Investment: The minimum amount for the investment is $1,050,000. This is required for investment in a new commercial enterprise in the USA that is not in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Investment: The minimum investment amount of $800,000 is almost always for investments where the new commercial enterprise is located in a TEA, either a rural area, or an area that has high unemployment, that is at least 150% of national average unemployment.
It is important to note that the investment must be “at-risk,” meaning that the capital cannot be placed in a guaranteed / secured account. The capital must be invested in a business that has a risk like any other commercial investment.
Beyond the Capital: The Full EB-5 Visa Cost
Understanding the total cost of the EB-5 visa process is important because, although the initial investment sum is the most significant financial commitment, the total EB-5 visa cost is more than just a capital contribution. There are a number of additional costs to the EB-5 visa process for which prospective investors should be prepared, and the additional costs can be significant. The costs may include the following:
Government Filing Fees: There are various one-time fees paid to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for filing the various petitions. This will include I-526E Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor and I-829 Petition to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. While fees are subject to change, they are currently several thousand dollars for each application.
Administrative Expense: If you are going through a regional center then there will be an administrative fee charged by the regional center related to structuring and managing the project being invested in, once again the cost can depend widely based on region, country, and project but a good estimate is mostly likely within the range of $50,000 to $90,000.
Legal Fees and Consulting Fees: Employing the services of an experienced immigration attorney and consultant in order to get the best possible outcome for your application is essential: to help navigate all of the legal paperwork, and ‘source of funds’ documentation, and to formulate an overall strategy for the important submission step. Legal costs for the entirety of the process may be up to $25,000 to $50,000 or more depending on complexity of cases.
Understanding the full EB-5 visa cost is vital for any prospective applicant. It’s not just about meeting the principal investment but also being prepared for these ancillary expenses.
The EB-5 Immigration Program: More Than Just Money
The EB-5 visa program is different in that it is not a direct US citizenship by investment program, as you will find in some other countries. The whole process does not lead you to immediate citizenship. Instead, it provides a direct path to a green card, which is a key step toward eventual naturalization as a US citizen. The investor must be a lawful permanent resident for a certain period, typically five years, and meet all other naturalization requirements to apply for citizenship.
Furthermore, the investment must result in the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified US workers within two years of the investor receiving their conditional residency. It is the requirement to create jobs that sets the EB-5 immigration program apart and aligns well with its key function of stimulating the US economy.
The EB-5 visa program for Indians has become a successful and valuable option for Indian nationals. Although there are visa backlogs and high demand causing longer waiting times, the EB-5 visa program is still a way for families, when done correctly, to establish their future in the United States.
Read article: How to get PR in USA by Investment?
The Lawful Source of Funds: A Critical Component
The hardest thing about the EB-5 visa application is satisfying the requirement to prove the entire investment capital, in addition to administrative & EB 5 Visa cost, is of a lawful and verifiable source. USCIS is very specific about the amount of documentation required to demonstrate the lawful source of funds, which can be personal income, profits, the sale of property, inheritance, and even loans.
That is where professional help is critical. Compiling and presenting a meaningful and credible “source of funds” report is not easy and will require an understanding of US immigration law. Tracking every dollar associated with making the EB-5 visa investment is important, and a common reason for delays or denials in the application process.
FRR Immigration’s Role in Your EB-5 Journey
The process of applying for a US green card through investment is burdensome in some capacity – from financial requirements to managing extensive documentation. At FRR Immigration we are your trusted partner in that process. FRR Immigration offers a full team to support you through each step of the process to assist in a successful application.
Profile Assessment and Strategy: FRR Immigration will conduct a detailed assessment of your financial and personal profile to identify the best EB-5 option for you. The goal is to develop a plan that mitigates any potential risk and maximize your approval chances.
Project and Due Diligence: FRR Immigration works with leading regional centers and developers to offer carefully reviewed EB-5 investment projects. The due diligence process we provide in assessing EB-5 projects is very detailed considering the project’s prior success, job creation, and path of capital repayment.
Source of Funds Knowledge: This is where we shine. We partner with you to develop a solid ‘source of funds’ report that documents every transaction required by USCIS. We have never seen a case denied on a source of funds, which is the most complicated part of EB-5’s from India.
Full-Service: From the first consultation to the removal of conditions, we have an end-to-end service. We prepare and file the petition, we represent you and coordinate everyone, and we continue to provide advice and guidance. We have in house specialists, who are lawyers and financial advisors, so all aspects are coordinated.
Transparency and communication: We believe in complete transparency. Everything pertaining to the EB-5 visa cost will be broken down and we will keep you informed as the process progresses. Our goal is to simplify, and not complicate.
The investment in a green card in the USA is not minimal. With FRR Immigration, you are getting more than a consultant. You are getting a partner that will ensure your success.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation and take the first step toward securing your US permanent residency by investment.
