What is an EB-5 visa? How can I obtain one?
As a lawyer, an EB-5 visa is an immigrant visa category that allows foreign investors to gain permanent residence in the United States. To obtain an EB-5 visa, an individual must invest at least $1.8 million, or $900,000 in a targeted employment area, in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
To apply for an EB-5 visa, the investor must file a Form I-526 petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and provide documentation that shows the investment meets the requirements of the program. Once the petition is approved, the investor may either adjust their status to become a lawful permanent resident if they are already in the United States, or apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.
It is important to note that there may be limitations to obtaining an EB-5 visa, such as not meeting the investment and job creation requirements or having a criminal history or health issues that make the individual inadmissible to the United States. In such cases, it is important to seek the advice of a licensed attorney to explore alternative visa options or legal remedies.