EB-5 Investor's Green Card

EB5 - Green Card for Investors

With a waning economy and an increase in unemployment, the U.S. more than ever is in need of foreign investors who are willing to invest $1 million (or $500,000 in certain cases) in a new commercial enterprise and to create full-time jobs for at least 10 U.S. workers. In return for their investment, the U.S. has made it possible for these investors to qualify for an EB5 green card to reside in the U.S.

An investor can create his own company as noted above, however, in cases where ab investor prefers not to be involved in the day to day decision and running of a company, he or she can invest in a Regional Center. Regional Centers are less stringent in that it allows for 10 indirect or direct employees who are new to the regional center. It also allows for an investment of $500,000 and the freedom of the EB5 investor to live anywhere in the U.S.

Some may claim that the U.S. will allow individuals with shady or unlawfully gained money to buy their way to the U.S. It should be noted here that USCIS has a strict enforcement in tracing the source of money used for these investment. Whether a loan, gift or money earned by an investor, USCIS will need to know the source of every penny in the investment.

If EB5s the road for you in obtaining a green card, please feel free to contact my office for an office consultation.

Dream Act

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced yesterday that he would attach the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act to the Department of Defense authorization bill expected to come before the Senate as early as next week.

The Dream Act is intended to help those students who graduated from US high schools, who are of good moral character, arrived in the U.S. as minors, and who plan to attend college the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. If you fall into this category, then it may help you if it ever passes.

Who Can File a Fiance Visa?

Petitioning for a Fiance K Visa

In order to qualify to file for a fiance (K) visa, you must be a U.S. citizen, able to marry, have personally met your fiance within two years before filing of Form I-129F, and intend to marry within 90 days of your fiance entering the U.S.

Your foreign fiance also needs to be able to marry, have personally met you within two years before your filing and intend to marry within 90 days of entering the U.S.

The only exception to the requirement of meeting in person is if meeting would violate strict and long-established customs of you or your fiance's foreign culture or social practice or meeting your fiance would result in extreme hardship to you, the citizen.

Who Can Enter on a Fiance K Visa?

Your foreign fiance and her unmarried children who are under 21 years listed on Form I-29 will be eligible to apply to accompany your fiance.

Documents Needed to Prove U.S. Citizenship

The following documents may be submitted to prove U.S. citizenship:

Documents include U.S. birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, your Form FS-240 or copy of a valid, unexpired U.S. passport issued with a validity period of at least five years.