Investors must complete four main steps to become permanent residents of the United States through the EB-5 visa program. After the completion of these four steps, EB-5 applicants and their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 become permanent residents of the United States. They will even have the option to become a full US citizen after five years of obtaining permanent residence.
The first step for an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program applicant is to find suitable businesses to receive their investment. EB-5 business ventures generally take the form of new business ventures or regional center projects. Overseas immigration agents often help EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program investors to select the project that best suits their needs. Applicants must also confirm that they meet the approved investor income requirements to proceed with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program process.
The second step of the EB-5 visa process is for an applicant to put the required investment capital into their chosen project. This usually implies the help of an accountant to ensure that $500,000 or $1 million is either invested or is in the process of being invested in his EB-5 project. These investments are often made in an escrow account. An immigration attorney then provides evidence of this investment by filing an I-526 application with USCIS. USCIS usually informs applicants 12 to 18 months later whether their I-526 application has been accepted. Here you can find an immigration attorney from your country who specializes in EB- visa applicants 5.
The third step of the EB-5 application procedure is for the applicant to become a conditional resident of the United States for two years to put their EB-5 project investments into action. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program investors qualify to become US residents once USCIS approves an I-526 application. Residency can be obtained in one of two ways.
The final step is for applicants to become absolute permanent residents by removing their two-year conditional status. The I-829 application is submitted to USCIS 90 days before the expiration of one year from the date the applicant began obtaining conditional residence. This application proves that the investor has met all the mandatory requirements of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program. USCIS usually issues a permanent green card 6 to 8 months after an I-829 application is submitted. At that time, the investor, her spouse, and their unmarried children under the age of 21 can permanently live and work in the United States and have the option to become a US citizen after five years from the date they received their first conditional residence.
