Complete Guide to US EB-5 Investment Immigration: Requirements, Investment Amount, and Process

What is U.S. Investment Immigration (EB-5)?

The U.S. Investment Immigrant (EB-5) program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to stimulate U.S. economic development and create jobs through investment from foreign investors. Simply put, foreign investors have the opportunity to obtain permanent residence (green card) in the United States by making qualified investments in the United States. The EB-5 program is mainly divided into two investment models:

• 1. Direct investment: Investors start or operate businesses directly in the United States.
• 2. Regional Center Investment: Investors invest through a regional center approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and participate in investment projects managed by it.
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Compared to direct investment, regional center investment has become the first choice for most EB-5 investors due to its lower investment threshold and simpler job creation requirements. Want to learn about other ways to immigrate to the United States? Recommended reading article: Hong Kong Immigration to the United States Lazy Pack: Compare the 6 major immigration methods, conditions and costs

Thresholds for U.S. Investment Immigration (EB-5)

If you want to immigrate to the United States through the EB-5 program, you need to meet certain conditions, the most important of which are investment amount and job creation requirements.

Investment amount requirements

The EB-5 investment amount varies depending on the location of the investment project:

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•  - Targeted Employment Area (TEA): Investment amount is $800,000. TEAs are areas with unemployment rates higher than the national average or located in rural areas.
•  - Non-TEA areas: The investment amount is US$1.05 million.
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Investors need to prove the legal source of investment funds, such as through property sales, stock transactions, business profits, gifts or inheritances. Proving the legality of the source of funds is a very important part of the EB-5 application. Be sure to prepare sufficient supporting documents.

Other application conditions

In addition to the investment amount, EB-5 applicants also need to meet some basic conditions, such as:

•  - The principal applicant has no criminal record.
•  - Investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for at least two years.
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U.S. Investment Immigration (EB-5) Process

The EB-5 application process mainly includes the following steps:

1. Select an investment project

Choosing a stable and reliable investment project is the key to the success of EB-5. Investors should carefully evaluate the project's feasibility, the developer's background and experience, and the project's job creation capabilities. Seeking the help of professional immigration consultants and lawyers can effectively reduce investment risks.

2. Submit Form I-526E

Investors need to submit Form I-526E (Immigration Application for Foreign Investor) to the USCIS. This form needs to be accompanied by detailed personal information, investment certification documents and project-related documents. The Immigration Bureau will review the application, and the review time may vary depending on the case.

3. Conditional Green Card

Once the I-526E application is approved, the investor can obtain a two-year conditional green card. Investors holding conditional green cards can legally reside, work and live in the United States.

4. Submit Form I-829

90 days before the conditional green card expires, investors need to submit Form I-829 (Investor Application to Remove Conditions) to prove that their investment has created enough jobs. If the I-829 application is approved, the investor can obtain a permanent green card.

EB-5 advantages and considerations for Hong Kong high-net-worth individuals

As an international financial center, Hong Kong has many high-net-worth individuals and strong financial strength, which is a major advantage when applying for EB-5. However, Hong Kong investors also need to pay attention to the scheduling issue of EB-5 and the importance of choosing the right project. It is recommended that Hong Kong investors consult a professional immigration consultant before applying to comprehensively assess their own situation and project risks.

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Summary

The U.S. Investment Immigrant (EB-5) Program provides a pathway for investors who wish to immigrate to the United States. However, EB-5 involves a relatively high investment amount and certain risks. Investors should fully understand the relevant regulations and procedures and seek professional consultation and assistance before applying. If you have the need to send international express to immigrate to the United States, please feel free to contact Fuuffy Customer Service. We provide professional immigration services to help you successfully ship your belongings to the United States!