EB5 U.S. Investment Program

What is an EB5 Visa?

EB-5 Visas are visas created for entrepreneurs that want to come to the United States and bring their family. This is attractive to entrepreneurs because it allows them to continue to do what they have been doing, which is create jobs.

This visa was created to promote economic growth and to reduce unemployment. There is a reason why the capital investment is reduced from $1 million to $500,000 when investing in rural or areas of high unemployment. The government wants these areas to improve, and investments brings jobs and improvement.

For an area to meet the requirement for a targeted employment area, the location must have a disproportionate unemployment rate which is much greater than the national average. The unemployment rate must be at least 150% higher than the national average at the time of the investment. A rural area is any area that is not located within a large city with a population of at least 20,000, or in the suburbs that surrounds the city. The population must have been taken from the last decennial census of the United States. The visa applicant must prove that their investment will be located within the targeted employment area. They must prove that either the project will be located in a high unemployment area (150% above the national average) or be located in a rural area.

Why does the United States allow Immigrant Investors?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows qualified immigrant investors—who will contribute to the economic growth of the United States by investing in U.S. businesses and creating jobs for U.S. workers—to obtain U.S. visas.

Understanding the potential benefits (economic and cultural) of accepting immigrants under a special classification, Congress created this employment-based fifth preference immigrant visa category (EB-5). These visas are designed to incentive foreign capital investment that creates or preserves U.S. jobs—something that ultimately helps the United States as a whole.

What do I need to become an Immigrant Investor?

There are essentially three main elements for immigrant investor category: (1) an investment of capital, (2) new commercial enterprise, (3) job creation. Every EB-5 investor is expected to satisfy all three of these elements.

Moreover, interested applicants will have to go through the standard procedure for obtaining a visa. This may include subsequent security waivers, embassy, interviews, etc. It is highly advised to keep these factors in mind when applying through this visa category.

For US immigration matters, what counts as assets or capital?

For immigration purposes, capital is used with a broader definition that considers a variety of ways a person can make contributions (of financial value) to a business. For instance, cash, equipment, inventory, cash equivalents, and other assets owned by an immigrant investor is considered capital. When evaluating the tangible assets into capital, the goods will be valued at a fair market in U.S. dollars.

How many jobs do I have to create in order to qualify?

To obtain a US visa through the immigrant investor program, the invested amount of capital and new commercial enterprise must create at least 10 new jobs for U.S. workers. Though there are exceptions to this general rule, most interested applicants should reevaluate and make sure that the enterprise can meet this requirement.

The immigrant investor program is ultimately a mutually beneficial relationship for successful, well-connected immigrant investors and the United States government. The investor visa facilitates the creation of new jobs while the investor has a chance to come to the United States and expand their businesses overseas.

The investor visa typically is given in two-year terms; however, there are many options in order to adjust for a more permanent U.S. residence that will be easier to accomplish once in the United States. If you are an interested applicant, it is highly advised that you seek an immigration lawyer that is experienced with investor visas.

Seek legal advice from an experienced attorney that can guide you with your specific case and decision regarding whether or not you qualify for TEA within the EB-5 employment visa. Contact Ramona Kennedy today via

What is an EB5 Visa?

EB-5 Visas are visas created for entrepreneurs that want to come to the United States and bring their family. This is attractive to entrepreneurs because it allows them to continue to do what they have been doing, which is create jobs.

This visa was created to promote economic growth and to reduce unemployment. There is a reason why the capital investment is reduced from $1 million to $500,000 when investing in rural or areas of high unemployment. The government wants these areas to improve, and investments brings jobs and improvement.

For an area to meet the requirement for a targeted employment area, the location must have a disproportionate unemployment rate which is much greater than the national average. The unemployment rate must be at least 150% higher than the national average at the time of the investment. A rural area is any area that is not located within a large city with a population of at least 20,000, or in the suburbs that surrounds the city. The population must have been taken from the last decennial census of the United States. The visa applicant must prove that their investment will be located within the targeted employment area. They must prove that either the project will be located in a high unemployment area (150% above the national average) or be located in a rural area.

Why does the United States allow Immigrant Investors?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows qualified immigrant investors—who will contribute to the economic growth of the United States by investing in U.S. businesses and creating jobs for U.S. workers—to obtain U.S. visas.

Understanding the potential benefits (economic and cultural) of accepting immigrants under a special classification, Congress created this employment-based fifth preference immigrant visa category (EB-5). These visas are designed to incentive foreign capital investment that creates or preserves U.S. jobs—something that ultimately helps the United States as a whole.

What do I need to become an Immigrant Investor?

There are essentially three main elements for immigrant investor category: (1) an investment of capital, (2) new commercial enterprise, (3) job creation. Every EB-5 investor is expected to satisfy all three of these elements.

Moreover, interested applicants will have to go through the standard procedure for obtaining a visa. This may include subsequent security waivers, embassy, interviews, etc. It is highly advised to keep these factors in mind when applying through this visa category.

For US immigration matters, what counts as assets or capital?

For immigration purposes, capital is used with a broader definition that considers a variety of ways a person can make contributions (of financial value) to a business. For instance, cash, equipment, inventory, cash equivalents, and other assets owned by an immigrant investor is considered capital. When evaluating the tangible assets into capital, the goods will be valued at a fair market in U.S. dollars.

How many jobs do I have to create in order to qualify?

To obtain a US visa through the immigrant investor program, the invested amount of capital and new commercial enterprise must create at least 10 new jobs for U.S. workers. Though there are exceptions to this general rule, most interested applicants should reevaluate and make sure that the enterprise can meet this requirement.

The immigrant investor program is ultimately a mutually beneficial relationship for successful, well-connected immigrant investors and the United States government. The investor visa facilitates the creation of new jobs while the investor has a chance to come to the United States and expand their businesses overseas.

The investor visa typically is given in two-year terms; however, there are many options in order to adjust for a more permanent U.S. residence that will be easier to accomplish once in the United States. If you are an interested applicant, it is highly advised that you seek an immigration lawyer that is experienced with investor visas.

Seek legal advice from attorney Ramona Kennedy today, our goal is to guide you with your specific case and decision regarding whether or not you qualify for TEA within the EB-5 employment visa.

Attorney Ramona Kennedy cares about your case and will fight for you.
You can contact attorney Ramona Kennedy Law Offices (Kennedy Law LC) for an initial consultation and case evaluation. The first consultation is free of charge. 
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