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With enough savings you can settle in the United States but be careful, in the land of opportunity everything is not what it seems.

From starting-up a peanut company in Dallas to investing in a hotel complex in Las Vegas or a major real estate development in New York, the investment possibilities are limitless.

The immigrant investor program or EB-5 expanded dramatically since the 2008 recession becoming an important source of capital.

The Trump administration wants to eliminate it. But the opposition is too strong. EB-5 will remain but changes can be expected.

The Country

  • Population: 324,70 million
  • Language: English
  • Visa-Free Travel: 174 countries with
    United States citizenship
  • Currency: United States dollar (USD)

The Program

Personal Net Worth

No minimum requirement

INVESTMENT AMOUNT

900,000 USD

Benefits

Obtaining legal residency can take several years. But through the EB-5 program it only takes about one to two years. If eligible you, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are granted «conditional permanent resident» status. You only have two years to meet all EB-5 conditions to keep your green card. Otherwise you lose it.

With a green card you can settle anywhere in the United States, find work, study and eventually become a U.S. citizen with visa free travel to most countries. Public education and some health care services are subsidized but the financial burden of providing for mainly privately-run costly services rests with you.

Investment

You must meet the financial obligations: $1.8 million investment in an existing or new commercial enterprise in the US. If investing in a Targeted Employment Area, then the minimum investment is reduced to $900,000.

About 90-percent choose the second option. It’s less costly, involves minimal effort and can be a passive investment requiring no past business experience or hands-on management of daily operations.

You have no guarantee of a return on your investment. In fact you can lose your money and your green card too if the business ceases operations within two years before fulfilling EB-5 conditions. Normally the money is returned in two stages within 4 to 5 years.

Financial Requirements

There are no personal financial requirements to meet. But you must demonstrate your investment money was legally obtained. As a resident you will be taxed on your worldwide income and compliance with the complicated U.S. tax system can be burdensome.

Since most choose the minimum $500,000 investment, it must be invested in areas designated by each state. The capital must be channeled through pre-approved private entities called «regional centers» which pool investors’ money.

But not all of the more than 800 regional centers are legitimate. Fraud and gerrymandering has been reported. Choose carefully and avoid sinking money into shady projects. The program is currently being reviewed by Congress.

Commitment

The United States is one of the richest economies, generating a quarter of the world’s GDP. It offers a vast range of investment opportunities but under the immigrant investor program not all have proven to be successful.

To eliminate risks and avoid scams you should perform due diligence. It isn’t mandatory but it is highly recommended to seek professional advice.

Your main requirement is to create at least ten full-time direct or indirect jobs as part of what constitutes a «new commercial enterprise». Most legitimate investments easily achieve this target. If you plan to revive a so-called «troubled» or money-losing company, then you only need to ensure existing jobs are maintained.

Benefits

The United States is one of the richest economies, generating a quarter of the world’s GDP. It offers a vast range of investment opportunities but under the immigrant investor program not all have proven to be successful.

To eliminate risks and avoid scams you should perform due diligence. It isn’t mandatory but it is highly recommended to seek professional advice.

Your main requirement is to create at least ten full-time direct or indirect jobs as part of what constitutes a «new commercial enterprise». Most legitimate investments easily achieve this target. If you plan to revive a so-called «troubled» or money-losing company, then you only need to ensure existing jobs are maintained.

Investment

You must meet one of two financial obligations: the first involves a minimum $U.S. 1,000,000 investment anywhere in the U.S.A. The other option involves a $U.S. 500,000 investment in a designated rural or high unemployment area.

About 90-percent choose the second option. It’s less costly, involves minimal effort and can be a passive investment requiring no past business experience or hands-on management of daily operations.

You have no guarantee of a return on your investment. In fact you can lose your money and your green card too if the business ceases operations within two years before fulfilling EB-5 conditions. Normally the money is returned in two stages within 4 to 5 years.

Financial Requirements

There are no personal financial requirements to meet. But you must demonstrate your investment money was legally obtained. As a resident you will be taxed on your worldwide income and compliance with the complicated U.S. tax system can be burdensome.

Since most choose the minimum $500,000 investment, it must be invested in areas designated by each state. The capital must be channeled through pre-approved private entities called «regional centers» which pool investors’ money.

But not all of the more than 800 regional centers are legitimate. Fraud and gerrymandering has been reported. Choose carefully and avoid sinking money into shady projects. The program is currently being reviewed by Congress.

Commitment

The United States is one of the richest economies, generating a quarter of the world’s GDP. It offers a vast range of investment opportunities but under the immigrant investor program not all have proven to be successful.

To eliminate risks and avoid scams you should perform due diligence. It isn’t mandatory but it is highly recommended to seek professional advice.

Your main requirement is to create at least ten full-time direct or indirect jobs as part of what constitutes a «new commercial enterprise». Most legitimate investments easily achieve this target. If you plan to revive a so-called «troubled» or money-losing company, then you only need to ensure existing jobs are maintained.

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