View All Practice AreasSign Up to Receive e-News Print PDF

Related Practices

• Immigration
• EB-5 Green Cards for Investors
• I-9 Compliance and Enforcement Response Plans

Events

Practice Team

Click to View

In 1990 Congress created an additional investor visa category for obtaining permanent resident status in the United States to individuals in this category.  To qualify, the investor must:

• Invest $1,000,000 (or $500,000 if the investment is made in a “targeted employment area”) in a commercial enterprise
• Benefit the U.S. economy by providing goods or services to U.S. markets
• Job creation for at least ten full-time lawful U.S. workers (excluding the principal alien, his/her spouse, sons and/or daughters)
• Be engaged in the management of the enterprise, either through day-to-day managerial control or through formulating business policy

Of the 10,000 visas available annually in this employment-based immigrant visa category, 3,000 are reserved for those who invest in a “targeted employment area”.  An additional 3,000 visas are set aside for those immigrant entrepreneurs who invest through a regional center pilot program.

Two Programs to Choose From:

Entrepreneurial Program – This model is for the active investor who invests $1,000,000 and meets the four criteria mentioned above.  Most often, this is accomplished through either the acquisition and reorganization or expansion of an existing business in the U.S.   You should consider this program if you already have a successful business outside the U.S. and have the desire to expand in the U.S. market. This option is also utilized by foreign nationals in the U.S. on a temporary visa.

Regional Center Program – This program is designed for passive investors and the job creation requirement is more relaxed.   The United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) has approved and designated 75 Regional Centers throughout the U.S. and the three primary benefits to investing capital in one of these centers includes:

• Lower investment requirement
• No active management responsibilities
• Total freedom to live and work anywhere in the U.S.

Fowler White Boggs has a team of professionals available to answer your questions, formulate a plan and assist with the filing of your case.  We want to make the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa a viable option for you!

News

Events

Publications

From Our Video Library