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How does an investor visa work?

On Behalf of | Aug 26, 2022 | Immigration Law

The United States welcomes individuals who wish to invest or do business and create jobs for Americans. The government facilitates such investors through an EB-5 immigrant visa, otherwise known as an investor visa.

An investor visa allows you to obtain permanent residence immediately once you enter the United States. However, there are strict requirements for this kind of visa, given that the available slots are limited. Here is what you need to know.

Eligibility for an investor visa

To be considered for an investor visa, you must meet job creation and capital requirements for your investment in the country. First, your business must be for profit, but it can take any legal structure, from a sole proprietorship to a corporation. Non-commercial activities are not recognized.

You must have investment capital of at least $1,050,000 or a minimum of $800,000 if you are investing in a targeted employment area. Importantly, your capital must meet some conditions. A potential investor cannot have acquired their capital through fraud or other illegal means, nor can it be in exchange for a bond, note or any debt between the investor and their new enterprise.

Your investment must also create at least ten full-time jobs for qualifying employees (American citizens, lawful permanent residents or authorized immigrants).

Why you may need assistance

Getting an investment-based visa is not as simple as it sounds. Establishing eligibility and dealing with the mountain of paperwork can be daunting. Any slip-ups or mistakes when applying for the visa can derail your efforts, pushing you back in the queue.

As such, it is worthwhile to have the legal guidance necessary to go through the entire process. It could determine the success or failure of your application while saving you time and money.