The United States economy presents attractive investment opportunities for individuals and businesses around the world. Foreign individuals who seek to permanently live and work in the United States may pursue investor or EB-5 visas. Because investors can bring their families with them into the states, investor visas Houston TX have increased significantly over the last few years.
EB-5 Visas
The United States congress voted through the Immigration Act of 1990 to approve a program for investor visas. This program sought to expand the US economy through encouraging foreign direct investment. The program requires a minimum investment that results in full-time jobs for US workers. Because these businesses and investment projects must be managed, their investors are welcomed into the US.
Process
Investors who qualify for EB-5 visas are offered a form of residency and are authorized to work in the US. After you are approved for an investor visa, you will submit an I-526 petition for conditional permanent residency. Then, you may submit an I-485 or DS-260 application, which grants you two years of residency. The government assumes that you will want to watch over your investment during this two-year period. If your investment pays off and you create the jobs necessary for visa qualification, you can apply for conditional permanent residency through the I-829 application process. After a period permanent residency, these individuals can apply for citizenship.
Investment
Visa holders often seek permanent residency over lucrative investments, but their investments must meet criteria. For example, the investment must produce at least 10 qualified full-time jobs, not including those of the investor or the investor’s family, within two years. Therefore, the investment cannot be made lightly.
If you are unsure what type of business or investment to make in the economy, you may pursue investments offered through EB-5 Regional Centers. Not only do these centers offer lower-risk projects than business creation, but they also have lower minimum employment requirements. Although the requirements are a bit looser, these indirect investments are not controlled by their foreign investors.
The EB-5 visa program is available to anyone who makes a qualified investment into the American economy. If you meet the requirements, you may pursue lawful permanent residency in the US and its territories. You and your family will also receive green cards, so you don’t require corporate sponsorship to travel and work within the United States.