| When choosing which Green Card Visa is right for | | | | to invest, then the traditional EB-5 visa is the best |
| you, it is important to compare the different options. | | | | option. |
| Many people come to the United States in search of | | | | |
| business or investment opportunities. If you're an | | | | B-1 Visitor Visa |
| investor, then the EB5 Visa may be right for you. On | | | | |
| the other hand, if you're an entrepreneur or amateur, | | | | On the other hand, a B-1 visitor visa is a type of |
| then a B-1 Visa may fit your needs. Read on to find | | | | nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the |
| out more to compare these Visa programs. | | | | United States temporarily for business. This visa is |
| | | | | issued to a foreign citizen seeking to enter the US for |
| EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa | | | | business purposes. Often, the B-1 Visa is combined |
| | | | | with a B-2 visa, both which is valid for a temporary |
| Created by the Immigration Act of 1990, the EB-5 Visa | | | | visitor for either business or pleasure or a combination |
| Program is specifically for foreign nationals looking to | | | | of the two. |
| obtain a green card. The investment visa can enable | | | | |
| you, your spouse and children under 21 to obtain | | | | The Immigration and Nationality Act describes that an |
| permanent U.S. residency. Citizenship may be obtained | | | | alien must prove that they intend to return home after |
| after five years. These immigrants are required to | | | | visiting the United States. To do so, they must prove |
| invest at least $500,000 into a government designated | | | | this to the consular officer when they apply for the |
| Regional Center investment visa program in order to | | | | visa and the immigration officers may grant the |
| obtain such a visa, and this money must create at | | | | foreigner temporary access to the United States. |
| least ten jobs. | | | | Once refused, there is no judicial or other means to |
| | | | | review a visa decision. The foreigner, however, is free |
| All Regional Centers are designated by the | | | | to apply a visa again, particularly if circumstances have |
| Government specifically for immigration purposes. A | | | | changed that might show to the Consular officer that |
| "Regional Center" is defined by an economic unit, public | | | | the applicant overcomes the presumption of being an |
| or private, engaged in the promotion of economic | | | | intending immigrant. |
| growth, improved regional productivity, job creation and | | | | |
| increased domestic capital investment. | | | | While in the United States for business, an alien has the |
| | | | | permission to perform the following actions before |
| A Congressional mandate, issued in 1992, aimed to | | | | returning home: |
| stimulate economic activity and job growth, allowing | | | | - Conduct negotiations and sign contracts |
| eligible aliens the opportunity to become lawful | | | | - Solicit sales or investment |
| permanent residents. The immigrant receiving the visa | | | | - Discuss planned investment or purchases. |
| is not required to actively participate or manage the | | | | - Make investments or purchases |
| business in which he or she invested. | | | | - Attend Meetings, and participate in them fully. |
| | | | | - Exhibit at a convention |
| For investors who wish to invest in a new or existing | | | | - Interview and hire staff. |
| business, have an active role in the management of | | | | - Conduct research. |
| the operation and have at least one million US dollars | | | | |