About EB-5
EB-5 is a program that was developed to provide foreign nationals with the opportunity to become U.S. legal residents, and ultimately U.S. citizens, while promoting opportunity for economic growth in desired areas of the United States.
The EB-5 Regional Center Investment Program was developed to be a win-win for all involved. EB stands for Employee Based program. Each investment is required to create 10 sustainable jobs. The investments are into designated regions where employment lags behind national averages and economic development is needed. Your investment promotes economic growth in certain targeted areas and allows you and your family temporary green cards, with the opportunity to evolve to permanent green cards and eventually Naturalized Citizenship.
In 1992 Congress enacted the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program under the then existing EB-5 program. The Immigrant Investor Pilot Program is now called the Regional Center Pilot Program. The Regional Center Pilot Program is administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services “USCIS” (www.uscis.gov) and is designed to afford people with foreign citizenship, along with their families, the opportunity to become legal residents and ultimately citizens of the United States by investing in regional businesses through the Regional Center Program. If you have the ability to invest $500,000 or $1,000,000 USD (depending on the location) in a qualified Regional Center affiliated with a new commercial enterprise that will directly create at least ten full time jobs in the U.S. while residing in the United States, then this could be the chance you have been looking for to become a legal resident and ultimately a Citizen of the United States and offer that same status to your spouse and children under the age of 21.
The entire process from green card to citizenship takes about five years, but allows you the prospect of living and working in the United States, developing a long term business investment and a clear path to citizenship. With over 700 EB-5 qualified Regional Centers, you have a large number of choices in finding the right investment that suits your business experience, financial goals and knowledge.
One big difference between the EB-5 Regional Center Investment Program and other U.S. visa programs it there is no restriction on the country of citizen of the applicant. However, there could be certain health, or criminal or other personal issues that might jeopardize an applicant’s eligibility.
This is a great opportunity, but as with any investment, your due diligence is a high priority. Your investment will be in low-risk, low return commercial development, but some risk is involved. As is with any risk of this sort, it is highly recommended that you retain knowledgeable legal counsel and professional business advice before placing your investment. When selecting your legal counsel it is wise to find a firm who is acquainted with not only the investment side of the EB-5 program, but familiar the immigration process as well. The immigration process is a strict step by step path that must adhere to the guidelines of the EB-5 Regional Center Investment Program; a task that can be daunting for individuals without legal guidance. Continental Regional Center can recommend a suitable attorney or attorneys.
For additional details or questions you may have about the EB-5 Regional Center Investment Program, check out the appropriate tabs at the top of our home page. If you would like to contact us, please fill out the convenient contact form available under the contact tab and we will reply to you shortly.
