Important Issues Regarding the US Immigrant Investor (EB5) Visa
The US EB5 visa is a type of visa that grants permanent residency (Green Card) to foreign investors who invest in a business in the United States and create employment opportunities for US workers. Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of investors are also eligible to receive a green card along with the main applicant.
The EB-5 visa is one of the types of permanent work visas in the United States issued under the Immigrant Investor Program administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services . The American immigrant investor visa code, EB-5, corresponds to the employment-based 5th preference visa. The EB5 visa is also known as America’s golden visa.
What are the Investment Criteria for Obtaining an EB5 Visa?
To obtain an EB5 visa, you must meet the following investment criteria.
- You must invest $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 outside a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
- You must create at least 10 new full-time jobs over two years.
- The money you deposit must have been obtained through legal means.
- The investment must be approved by USCIS.
- The business you will invest in must be a new “for-profit” commercial enterprise established after 1990.
- There should be no guarantee of capital return on the money you invest.
Investment Options for EB5 Visa
There are 2 options for the EB5 visa to invest within or outside the Targeted Employment Area.
With the EB5 visa, you must invest $800,000 in a rural area or an area with high unemployment within a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
You can invest up to $1,050,000 in another organization of your choice in the U.S. outside of a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or establish your own company, but you must ensure that you meet USCIS requirements.
How to Get a US Immigrant Investor Visa?
Follow the steps below to obtain a US immigrant investor visa.
- Apply to USCIS using Form I-526 (Petition for Immigration as Foreign Investor).
- USCIS reviews the application and sends it to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- NVC will contact you and ask you to pay the applicable fees and submit the required documents.
- You apply for an immigrant visa and attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy. The NVC will let you know when and where the interview will be held and what documents you need to bring.
- The U.S. Embassy issues your Immigrant Investor Visa (two-year Green Card).
If you are already in the United States, you must file for adjustment of status (Form I-485) with USCIS rather than at the embassy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our center about US EB5 visas are answered below.
What are the Required Documents for the EB5 Investor Visa?
During your I-526 application to USCIS, you must submit a business plan regarding the investment made in the USA, documents proving that employment will be created in the USA, documents proving that the investment and capital are legal before the EB5 visa application.
During the visa application process from Turkey, the Embassy only requests money transfer documents showing that the investment has been made, in addition to the standard US immigration visa documents and health report.
How Much Does a US Immigrant Investor Visa Application Cost?
The application fees to be paid for the US immigrant investor EB5 visa are given below.
- USCIS I-526 application, $3,675
- Visa application fee, $345
- Medical report, $270
For the US immigrant investor EB5 visa, costs may increase with translation costs, notary procedures and consultancy services. If your EB5 visa is approved, you must pay $ 220 to USCIS for the Green card before your trip to the USA.