Investor Immigration Bolsters U.S. Enterprises

According to the U.S. State Department, the number of EB-5 visas granted has increased steadily over the past seven years. For example, in fiscal year 2005, only 158 EB-5 visas were granted, but in the 2011 fiscal year, 3,463 were granted. The U.S. issues up to 10,000 EB-5 visas per year. Under this program, immigrants may obtain their permanent conditional green card by investing a minimum of $500,000 in an enterprise in the U.S. Immigrant investors may choose to invest in an ongoing business, or they may choose to start their own business in the U.S. with an initial investment of $1 million. The enterprise in which the immigrant invests must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, excluding the investor and the investor's immediate family.

Where EB-5 Investors Come From

Investor immigration is particularly popular among people from China, which accounted for over 40% of the EB-5 visas granted in the 2010 fiscal year. Other countries strongly represented among EB-5 investors include the Republic of South Korea (15.6%), Great Britain / Northern Ireland (7.1%), Taiwan (5%), India (3.3%), Iran (2.9%), Mexico (2.6%), Canada (2.4%), Russia (2.2%), and South Africa (1.8%). The ongoing business conce
s that immigrant investors are allowed to participate in are known as Regional Center projects, and they exist in 40 states, representing many different types of business ventures.

Why the U.S. Welcomes EB-5 Immigrants

Immigrant investment under the EB-5 program has significantly helped projects in areas of the United States adversely affected during the recession that began in 2008. Many local municipalities have had difficulty accessing federal and state funds for revitalization projects, and many have found EB-5 investment to be a welcome source of capital as they recover from the recession. Because EB-5 investments must create full-time jobs, the investments go beyond the short term and promote long term growth. But cities are not the only beneficiaries of EB-5 investor capital. Projects across the country in both urban and rural settings have welcomed investments made through EB-5.

What EB-5 Consultants Do

EB-5 immigration is somewhat different than other types of immigration. There is a specific timeline of events that must happen in order for the immigrant to receive a permanent conditional green card. The process can be complex, particularly for investor immigrants who are not certain about the best place to invest their capital. EB-5 consultants not only shepherd those seeking EB-5 visas through the legal process of immigration, but also strive to match up immigrant investors with projects that correspond with their interests, background, or desired place of residence.

The EB-5 Consultant: A Wise Investment

Since EB-5 investments must result in permanent full-time jobs for U.S. residents, choosing a project to invest in is an important decision for investor immigrants. An experienced EB-5 consultant helps investors make wise choices about where to invest capital. In addition, many forms and procedures must be completed in order to qualify for a permanent conditional green card. The process can be confusing, and the experienced EB-5 consultant knows exactly where things can go wrong so that problems are avoided and the investor's move to the U.S. is as goes smoothly.