Immigrant Investor Visas for USA

Immigrant Investor Visas for USA

If you want to enter and live in the United States to explore local investment opportunities, you can benefit from the U.S. government’s immigrant investor visa programs.

The investor visa program is a part of U.S. immigration’s employment based visas. The program is designed to accommodate different types of investors, and allows you to apply for visas that cater to your investment portfolio.

Two of the most popular immigrant investor visas come in the form of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the E2 visa for investors and employees. To understand how you can apply for a residency by investment via EB5 and E2, here’s an overview of both of these programs.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 program is meant for those investors who are seeking permanent residency in the U.S. through a green card.

As one of five employment-based immigration programs by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the fifth preference EB-5 Investor Visa USA allows you as well as your spouse and children to apply for permanent residence in the U.S.

In order to qualify for EB-5, you need to make a minimum investment of $1.8 million in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. If you make your investment in a targeted employment area (TEA), the minimum amount reduces to $900,000.

Your investment should also comprise a plan to employ 10 permanent, full-time, and qualified U.S. workers.

After the filing process, you can receive a conditional green card to enter the U.S. You can then proceed with an I-526 Immigrant Petition to complete your immigration process. 

E2 Visa for Investors and Employees

The E-2 Visa for investors and employees has different conditions for both segments. But both investors and employees have to be citizens of a country that has commerce and navigation treaties in place with the U.S. 

For Investors

The visa is offered to those individuals who have either invested or plan to invest a substantial capital in a U.S. enterprise. Unlike the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, E-2 doesn’t define a minimum threshold for an investment.

In order to qualify for the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, you should maintain at least 50 percent control of the business in question. The E-2 investor visa also requires that your reason for entry to the U.S. is to develop and manage your investment. 

For Employees

The E-2 classification is also available to employees of an enterprise held by an E-2 investor. In this capacity, you need to meet the full criteria of being an employee under U.S. laws in order to apply for an E-2 visa.

You should also have the same original citizenship as your employer who holds the E-2 classification. In addition to this, you should either have a supervisory role in the enterprise or have special skills or qualifications in place.

While E-2 classification provides you, your spouse, and your children with a visa, it does not offer a green card. In order to qualify for a permanent residence after the expiration of your E2 visa for investors and employees, you need to choose from one of five employment-based immigration programs such as EB-5. 

Residency by Investment via EB5 and E2

It is popular for investors to gain entry and residence in the U.S. through EB5 and E2. However, it is important that you know which program is more suitable for you.

Having proper research and answers in place ensures that you steer clear of any unnecessary issues in your pursuit to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis.