Applying the EB-5 Investor visa to gain citizenship in the US

Entry to the United States is governed by the United States Immigration Department. There are several ways that a foreigner can gain access to the U.S.: through application and issuance of visa cards. United States immigration is concerned with knowing who is allowed to come to the U.S. and what they will do, what the status of their Visa is, and how long their stay there will be.

Business people all over the world have an opportunity to not only build a successful business in the United States but also become permanent citizens there. This is through a program known as EB-5 investor visa program. Through this program, business people have a chance to become permanent United States citizens by investing an amount of money that is US$500,000 or more into the U.S. economy and creating employment opportunities for ten or more people. This is a green card citizenship program for immigrants to the U.S. The applicant for the EB-5 investor visa must invest his or her money into a business that they have established in the U.S. or into an already existing business. However the existing business must be have been established any time after November 19, 1990, in the United States of America.

Another requirement is that the immigrant must invest a million U.S. dollars, or half a million if through a USCIS (U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services) Regional center. This is a center that pools together the investment money from different investors, and it is managed by professionals. The idea was conceived by U.S. law makers to generate at least ten full time jobs for persons in the U.S., hence improving the economy. However, the investor must have made the money legally and not by being involved in unlawful businesses like drugs or slavery or even theft. The source of the money must be identified.

After receiving the visa, the immigrant or applicant must enter the United States within a period of 180 days from issuance of the visa. Another feature of this visa is that the business person must not necessarily be living in the U.S. physically, but must show intent to become a resident by doing some of the following things a permanent resident would do: open bank accounts in the U.S., rent or buy a home under their name, obtaining a social security number, obtaining a driver’s license, and also paying applicable taxes that are due.

The applicant needs to contact an immigration attorney who will be able to take them through the whole process and help them understand what is expected of them.

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