What is the EB-5 Program?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is a U.S. government initiative designed to stimulate economic growth through foreign investment. Established by Congress in 1990, the program encourages foreign investors to contribute capital to U.S. businesses and projects in exchange for the opportunity to become lawful permanent residents or green card holders along with their immediate family members.
What is a Regional Center?
Regional Centers are entities authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to promote economic growth, improve regional productivity, and create jobs through the pooling of capital from multiple EB-5 investors. These centers focus on specific geographic areas within the United States and facilitate the investment process by connecting foreign investors with eligible development projects. By investing through a Regional Center, EB-5 investors can benefit from a more hands-off approach to investment management, as these centers handle much of the administrative and project management responsibilities. Moreover, Regional Centers allow for a broader calculation of job creation, including both direct and indirect employment, which can make meeting the EB-5 program’s job creation requirements easier. This structure is particularly attractive to investors who prefer not to directly manage their investment or those who are more interested in the immigration benefits of the EB-5 program rather than active business management.
How the EB-5 Program Works
Investment Requirements
Investors are required to make a minimum capital investment of $1,050,000. However, if the investment is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)—either a rural area or an area with high unemployment—the minimum investment requirement is reduced to $800,000.
Job Creation
The investment must lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers within two years of the investor’s admission to the United States as a Conditional Permanent Resident. These jobs must be either directly or indirectly associated with the enterprise.
Benefits of the EB-5 Program
Pathway to U.S.
Residency
The EB-5 program offers investors and their immediate families (spouse and unmarried children under 21) a direct route to obtaining a green card, providing them with the benefits of permanent residency in the United States.
Flexible Investment
Options
Investors have the flexibility to invest directly in a business of their choice or through Regional Centers that manage EB-5 projects. This flexibility allows investors to choose projects that align with their interests and risk tolerance.
Access to U.S. Education
and Employment
With permanent residency, investors and their families can live, work, and study anywhere in the U.S. without the need for additional visas. This includes access to public schools and universities at resident costs.
Includes Family
Members
The residency includes the family members, including the spouses, and all unmarried children under 21 years old.