EB-5 Overview
What is the EB-5 visa program?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created in 1990 by the United States Congress to stimulate the U.S. economy through foreign investment and create jobs for U.S. workers. The EB-5 visa program is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and provides each participating foreign investor the opportunity to obtain a green card by investing in a new commercial enterprise in the United States that creates 10 jobs for U.S. workers. The current minimum investment amount is $800,000 provided the project is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and is $1.05 million in other areas.
How does the EB-5 program work?
At a high level, there are five core steps to the EB-5 program:
What are the benefits?
Essentially, the EB-5 visa allows for U.S. citizenship by investment. A qualified EB-5 investor is entitled to obtain legal permanent residency in the United States with a green card. In addition, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are also eligible to acquire permanent residency in the United States under the same EB-5 application and through the same $800,000 investment (or $1,050,000 as applicable).
Your ability to live in America will not require sponsorship and therefore is not dependent on your employer, H-1B, F-1, or other visas. You are also not required to live in the location of your EB-5 project. As a permanent resident, you can live, work, own property, form a business, and attend school anywhere in the United States.
The LCP Difference
LCP has a seasoned investor relations team that will guide you through every step of the immigration process. We also assist you with relocation services through Coldwell Banker Relocation Services and their Real Estate Advantage Program. This is a free full-service program for our EB-5 investors moving to the United States who need assistance relocating and getting established. The program can help with cost savings and provides a rebate when you buy or sell a home.
What is an EB-5 regional center?
An EB-5 regional center is designated by USCIS and can be any economic entity that is involved with the promotion of increased domestic capital, job creation, improved regional productivity, and increased economic growth.
The regional center acts as a service agent for investors and companies seeking to complete a project under the EB-5 program. To accomplish this, the regional center sponsors capital investment projects for EB-5 investors and functions as a liaison between the USCIS, the project, and the investor. The actual investments are made directly into specific projects.
The LCP Difference
LCP owns a network of 11 USCIS-designated regional centers covering major markets throughout the United States and sponsors job-creating EB-5 investment projects by working with leading developers across the country. Our experience and partnerships provide a strong foundation for our projects.
“We chose LCP for our EB-5 project because they are experienced real estate investment managers and they have many investment projects that are completed and successful. The LCP team was a pleasure to work with and guided us through every step of the process. We made the right choice and are excited to become U.S. permanent residents!”
– EB-5 Investor, India
“I was thrilled when my daughter received her Green Card through LCP’s EB-5 program. The process with LCP was smooth and the processing times were faster than anticipated. At every stage LCP responded to our queries swiftly and professionally. I am so grateful for all the guidance, diligence, and of course for the success of her EB-5 application. Thank you so much, LCP!”
– EB-5 Investor, India
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