With hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow and excellent quality of life, many people aspire to get a US immigration green card. One of the main reasons why people want to relocate to the US is because this country offers limitless work and education opportunities. Earlier, people would apply for an H-1B visa, which is now under a lot of political pressure, which made qualifying for the Green Card a challenge. Also, it only has six years of visa validity.

One of the best alternatives to H-1B and EB-3 visas is the EB-5 investment visa (Employment-Based 5th Preference). If you are seeking permanent residency status in the United States, get familiar with the EB-5 visa. 

What is the EB-5 Visa?

Golden Visa or EB-5 visa is an immigrant investor visa program for investors, entrepreneurs and business people looking to start a business or invest in the United States. The program was launched in 1990 to generate jobs and capital investment by foreign investors to stimulate the US economy. The EB-5 US investor program is administered by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS’s) Immigrant Investor Program Office (IPO). Under the program, the investor must spend on a new commercial enterprise and make at least ten permanent, full-time employment. Learn more about EB-5 direct and indirect job creation.

EB-5 Visa Cost

You must invest a minimum of $1,050,000 in any business in the high-employment area to qualify for the EB-5 visa. However, the eligibility to invest drops to $8,00,000 when investing in “targeted employment areas” (TEA / economically challenged areas). This amount covers the applicant, their spouse and children below 21 years eligible to get their permanent residence visa in the country. 

Application charges for an EB-5 investment visa will vary from the immigration and consulting firm you are dealing with. Bilimoria & Associate is one of the top immigration consultants in Chennai, offering immigration and visa services at an affordable price. Moreover, the EB-5 visa processing time with Bilimoria & Associate is much lesser than other immigration consultants in Chennai. 

Benefits of EB-5 Investment Visa

According to data, between 2016 and 2019, the demand for EB-5 visas for Indians increased by 400 per cent. Additionally, Indian nationals were among the top investors mulling to enter the United States through the EB-5 visa program. More Indians are looking to have their future in the US because of the following possible benefits.

• One of the fastest ways to get permanent residency in the United States. 
• Live, travel, and work anywhere in the United States without any restrictions
• Access to US public schools, public colleges and universities 
• Get a visa without sponsors 
• Get a visa without any educational or language requirements 
• Get employment without an H-1B work visa
• Access state-of-art facilities in the US healthcare
• Receive pension support after retirement
• Take advantage of medicare and other welfare programs offered by the US
• Apply for visas for spouses and unmarried children up to 21 years
• Earn significant profits over the investments and create employment opportunities 

Eligibility Criteria To Get An EB-5 Visa

Here are the eligibility criteria to qualify for getting an EB-5 Visa

• You must invest in a “new commercial enterprise” as a business investor.
• You must have a project, financial and personal documents in hand.
• You must invest in a “for-profit” business and should fall under one of the following: Corporation, Joint Venture, Business Trust, Sole Proprietorship, Holding Company, Partnership or Public/privately owned company.
• Capital investment must come from cash, equipment, inventory, property or secured debt. 
• You must invest a minimum of $1,050,000 in “high employment areas” and $800,000 in the “targeted employment areas”.
• Money invested should be “at risk” and create at least ten employment opportunities. 

Learn more about the EB-5/Green Card Requirements

Apply for EB-5 Visa Through Billimoria & Associate 

If you are planning to immigrate to the US and get a green card through EB-5, Bilimoria & Associate is your best bet to get all the help needed. The EB-5 visa application is pretty complex and requires a lot of documentation. Moreover, compliance with current relegation, lawful understanding of transfer of funds etc., can take time and effort.

At Bilimoria & Associate, we offer reliable immigration guidance and support through our highly-trained in-house team and law firms. We also have a liaison with an Attorney who is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) towards preparing EB-5 and all other visas to the USA. Bilimoria & Associate and its members have many years of experience in the field of crafting successful applications.

We will help you at each process step and navigate seamlessly through getting the EB-5 investment visa. Please get in touch with us to assess your eligibility at neville@bilimoriaassociate.com or contact us for more details at +91 44 2822 7127 / 2823 9229 / 4350 8191.  

FAQs

1. What is the minimum investment of EB-5?

The minimum investment of EB-5 for high employment areas is $1,050,000 and $800,000 in the “targeted employment areas”.

2. Are you Eligible for an EB-5 investment visa?

To be eligible for an EB-5 investment visa, you must invest a minimum of $1,050,000 in high-employment areas and $800,000 in the “targeted employment areas”. Also, you must invest in “for-profit” and “at risk” businesses. Know more about the eligibility for an EB-5 investment visa here.

3. Can I bring my family with an EB-5 visa?

Yes, you can bring your spouse and unmarried children below 21 years to get their permanent residence visa / green card in the United States. It will let you, your spouse, and your children live, work and travel anywhere you want in the country.  

4. How long is an EB5 visa valid?

You get a permanent residency / green card  in the US after your petition is approved under EB-5. You will also get a permanent resident / green card, which is a conditional green card initially for two years, and then followed by 10 years green card validity. 

5. Under EB-5 can the family obtain US citizenship?

After 5 years of stay in the US, you can apply for US citizenship provided you meet the stay requirements and other conditions towards obtaining US citizenship.

6. Can an EB-5 visa be rejected?

Your EB-5 visa can only be accepted if you have the minimum funds to invest in the US. If the source of funds and the project under which you have invested meets the requirements, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your application. Therefore, it is important to have all documents in order before having your application lodged with USCIS to meet the eligibility criteria for EB-5.