Immigrant Investor Visa (EB-5) in Atlanta, GA

How to Get a Green Card by Investing in the U.S.

If you’re looking for a way to gain permanent residency in the United States, employment-based immigration options might appeal to you. In particular, if you have the funds to make a substantial investment in this country, you may be eligible for the immigrant investor visa. Also known as the EB-5 visa, this immigration option allows foreign investors and their immediate family members to become permanent residents by investing in a U.S. business.

Like other visa programs, the EB-5 application process can be complicated, with several requirements that foreign nationals must meet to be eligible. This is why you should hire an experienced attorney who has helped countless clients complete the EB-5 visa process. Sessoms Law Group, LLC, can guide you through the entire process from start to finish, so call our Atlanta immigration law firm to discuss your immigration case.

What Is the EB-5 Program?

The EB-5 visa is an employment-based immigration program that lets eligible applicants immigrate to the U.S. if they agree to invest a specific amount of money into new or existing American businesses. Congress created this visa program in 1990 to help with job creation, which is why the main requirement is that investors must create or preserve ten or more jobs for American citizens.

If your EB-5 visa application is approved, you’ll get conditional permanent residence for two years. Once you’ve met the requirements of the program, the conditions will be removed, and you and your immediate family members will gain lawful permanent residence in the U.S.

There are several advantages to obtaining an EB-5 visa. First, it doesn’t require an employer or family member to sponsor you, meaning you have more control over when you can come to the U.S. Additionally, there are no strict language or education requirements to meet. As long as you can afford to invest in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S., you can gain permanent residence for yourself, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21. If you want to find out if an EB5 visa is right for you, call our immigration lawyers for guidance with your immigration journey.

What Are the EB-5 Investment Requirements?

Your ability to invest a significant amount of money in a U.S. business is the most important consideration to make before initiating the EB5 immigration process. The specific amount you must pay depends on the location of the business you want to invest in.

Generally, you can invest in an existing or new business anywhere in the U.S. if you can spend at least $1,050,000. The required investment is lowered to $800,000 if you invest in a business in a Targeted Employment Area, which includes areas that are rural or have high unemployment rates.

Regardless of where the commercial enterprise is located, your investment must create or save at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other authorized workers. This must be done within two years of getting conditional permanent residency.

As you decide where to invest your money for the EB5 visa program, you can choose to create a brand new business or restructure or expand an existing one. After you make this choice, be prepared to prove that you obtained your funds legally and that you’re willing to place them at risk in the hopes of making a profit on your investment enterprise. Knowledgeable immigration lawyers can assist with these details, so call our Atlanta, GA immigration law firm for legal guidance before submitting your EB-5 visa application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

What’s the Difference Between Regional Centers and Direct Investments?

As you consider the legal requirements of the EB-5 visa program, you should speak with an immigration attorney about how much control you want over the business you’re investing in. This is because you can choose between two investment options: regional center investments and direct investments.

If you want to be actively involved in managing the business you invest in, you should consider the direct investment option. This allows you to directly create ten jobs while being involved in the daily operations. You should be prepared to write a business plan and demonstrate the direct creation of the required jobs if you want to obtain a green card through direct investment in a new commercial enterprise.

On the other hand, if you want to get a green card without actively managing a U.S. business, investing in a regional center may be the better choice. Regional centers invest in larger projects that have already been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you choose a regional center, you will send your funds to be pooled and invested in approved projects that you won’t have to help manage. This will result in indirect job creation, allowing you to meet the requirements of the EB-5 program without actively being involved with or even living near the business you’ve invested in.

How Can an Atlanta EB-5 Visa Lawyer Help You Meet Your Immigration Goals?

If you need help choosing between a regional center program and direct investment or want to know more about investing in Targeted Employment Areas, please contact Sessoms Law Group, LLC. Our trusted immigration attorneys have extensive experience with immigration law and can help you start your new life in the U.S. through the EB-5 program.

Depending on your immigration goals, it might turn out that family-based immigration or other options may be more ideal for you than the EB-5 visa. In that case, we’ll guide you through the application process and answer any questions you have about immigration law. If you’re ready to learn more about the EB-5 program and other ways to get a green card, call our Atlanta immigration law firm at 678-853-7402 to speak to a trusted immigration attorney.