What You Should Know About the EB-5 Investor Visa Process

The EB-5 Investor Visa is a way for foreign investorsA Targeted Employment Area is a rural area and/or
to achieve Green Card status in the United States.an area that has unemployment at least 1.5 times the
The EB-5 program, created by the Immigration Act ofnational unemployment rate. These areas need
1990, gives foreign investors the opportunity to gain aparticular assistance and as such, require only half the
US Green Card if they satisfy particular requirements.amount otherwise needed for an EB5 visa.
  
The EB-5 Visa Program attempts to stimulate the(5) What documentation are you supposed to provide
economy by facilitating job growth, while grantingfor the Green Card Visa?
qualified foreigners the opportunity to become 
permanent residents of the United States.- Proof the investment money is lawful in origin
 - Proof that you possess at least $1,000,000 US dollars
Before applying for the U.S. EB-5 Investor Visa, you(or $500,000 depending on the location of the
should be aware of the following:investment).
 - Proof of source of funds
(1) How many EB5 Investor Visas are available?- Proof of transfer of funds
 - Passport copies
10,000 visas per year are available for foreign- History of education and employment
investors and their family members as long as they- Certificates of birth, marriage, and death, where
fulfill the EB-5 Visa requirements.required.
 - Certificates of police certificates and prison record
(2) What are the EB-5 Visa requirements?- Military records
- Have at least $500,000 in capital to invest in a- Two color passport style photographs
Targeted Employment Area or at least $1,000,000 in a 
new commercial enterprise or regional center. 
- Eligibility to live in the United States.(6) What forms must you complete through the EB-5
- Create at least 10 new jobs for American workers inProgram?
the process of your new investment. 
 - Form I-526
(3) What is a regional center?- Form 526
 - Form I-829
A regional center is an organization that the United 
States Citizenship & Immigration Services has 
approved to promote economic growth and regional(7) When can I expect to gain permanent residency?
productivity, to create new jobs, and to increase local 
capital investment.Applicants can expect Conditional Residence for two
 years and issuance of an Eb5 Green Card after that
(4) What is a Targeted Employment Area?time.