EB-5 Investor Visa Myths: Everything You Need To Know!

When it comes to real estate investment projects, the EB-5 investor program has been a significant source of funding to stimulate the U.S. economy. 

An EB-5 visa is an employment-based fifth preference category, created in 1990. The aim is to provide an opportunity for eligible Immigrant Investors to obtain permanent residency (green card holders) by investing at least $500,000 to create full-time jobs for 10 American workers.  

The EB-5 employment-based visa program is a well-known program that has brought so many foreign nationals from different countries to live and work in the U.S.  

While it entitles so many benefits, has also created some myths regarding investor’s eligibility, requirements, and more. Unfortunately, this information is often created by inexperienced immigration lawyer, unlicensed migration agent or other sources. 

Here are four myths debunked:

1. Investors Only From Asian Countries Can Invest

A study shows that most of the investors coming through EB-5 visa are from Asian countries like China, Vietnam, and South Korea. However, it does not mean that no other countries are allowed. Also, there is no restriction that only specific treaty countries can invest; anyone can lawfully invest regardless of the nationality he belongs to. 

Over recent years, Canadians and Indians have also shown much interest and obtained prominence to live and work in the U.S. and to provide high-quality education to their children. 

2. The Minimum Investment Is $1,000,000

The majority of people have misconceptions that the U.S. economy is too big to invest less than $1,000,000. There is no requirement in terms of this specific amount, although. According to USCIS standards, you are allowed to invest a minimum amount of $500,000 in the low employment or rural areas. 

3. EB-5 Offers Direct Us Citizenship

No, it does not offer investors direct US citizenship; it offers conditional green card, instead. This provides two years of residency to the investors eligible for the program, their spouse, and family members.  

In order to receive a permanent green card, you have to file form I-829 ninety days before conditional green card expires. Once your I-829 petition is approved, you are eligible to acquire a permanent green card. After five years of receiving it, you can further apply for permanent US citizenship. 

4. Creating Jobs through Direct Investments Is Tougher than Regional Center Investments

Both direct investors and regional center investors should be given credit for creating ten full-time jobs for qualified Americans. 

Direct Investments require the new commercial enterprise to create only direct jobs that provide employment opportunities for US workers.  

On the other side, the regional center investments offer jobs by not only direct jobs, but also creating jobs indirectly, which are projected by an economist with reasonable methodology. 

This one may buzz more benefits because regional center projects are more massive in scale as compare to direct projects. However, whether or not direct investment is more beneficial, it is still significant for the specific business’ plan and job creation approach. 

Moreover, even if the regional center investments create enough jobs to fulfill EB-5 requirements, an investor still needs to make a minimum capital investment into the project. Direct investments can also raise funds through other sources besides EB-5.

These are some of the common EB-5 visa myths we have debunked to tell you that as long as you meet the needs of EB-5 visa, you are good to go. Avoid any myth that comes your way!

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