United States Immigration Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I get residency by investment in the United States?
Investors can get permanent residency in the Unites States via the EB-5 program, which grants green cards to foreigners who invest $1,050,000 or $800,000 in a project and create jobs for American workers. The investment threshold depends on the location of the project that receives an investor’s EB-5 capital.

How much do I have to invest to get residency in the United States?
The minimum investment required in a project located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is set at $800,000 to qualify for the EB-5 program, while investments in projects outside TEAs must be at least $1,050,000 to qualify.

How much do I have to invest to get citizenship in the United States?
The United States does not offer an investment immigration program that grants foreigners citizenship right away. However, it is possible for EB-5 investors to apply for U.S. citizenship after maintaining permanent residency for five years.

What are the requirements for citizenship by investment in United States?
The United States does not offer a citizenship-by-investment program. Investors who obtain permanent residency of the country must maintain their residency and keep continuous presence in the country for five years before they are eligible for naturalization.

What are the requirements for residency by investment in the United States?
The EB-5 program is the most popular residency-by-investment program of the United States. Investors are required to make an investment of $1,050,000 or $800,000, depending on the location of the investment target, in a project and create 10 jobs for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. An approved petition grants its investor conditional permanent residency for two years, during which the investor’s capital is used to create and maintain jobs. If the job creation requirements are fulfilled, the investor can apply to remove conditions on the green card.

How long does it take to get residency by investment in the U.S.?
The USCIS provides regular updates on the estimated processing time of petitions.

How many countries can I visit with a United States passport? 
A U.S. passport holder can enjoy visa-free access to 185 destinations.

Do I have to be present in the United States before getting the residency by investment application approved?
Investors do not have to be present in the United States before getting their residency-by investment applications approved. In fact, until their applications are approved and there are visas available, investors without other valid statuses or visas cannot stay in the United States.

Can I add my spouse and children to my application?
Investors participating in the EB-5 program of the United States can add their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 to their applications as dependents.

What are the criteria for my children to qualify for residency or citizenship in the United States? 
To qualify for the EB-5 program of the United States, dependent children must be unmarried and under the age of 21 years old by the time the I-526 petition is filed.

Do I have the right to work in the United States after I obtain the residency through this program?
Investors who obtain green cards through the EB-5 program are eligible to work freely in the United States without sponsorship from employers.

Do I have to live in the United States to qualify for citizenship by investment?
EB-5 investors who obtain green cards must maintain continuous and physical presence in the United States for five years before they are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. Absence from the U.S. for more than six months may abrupt investors’ continuous residency.

What is the tax situation after obtaining U.S. residency or citizenship? Will the investor be required to pay taxes on income obtained from sources abroad?
EB-5 investors become U.S. tax residents after obtaining green cards and are thus subject to the U.S. tax system. The U.S. requires green card holders to report and pay taxes on their global income.

What can I invest in to gain residency by investment in the United States?
Investors can invest in a commercial enterprise in almost any industry for the purpose of EB-5, as long as the investment amount meets the criteria, and the required jobs are created. Popular industries include real estate, hospitality, restaurants, entertainment, and infrastructure.

How long do I have to wait before I can sell my investment in the United States?
It is advisable that investors keep their investment capital in the EB-5 projects of their choice until they successfully remove the conditions on their green cards. The length of this process varies.

Will my U.S. citizenship expire?
An EB-5 investor’s U.S. citizenship does not expire, unless he or she chooses to renounce it. There are several grounds on which one’s U.S. citizenship may be revoked, including refusal to testify before the U.S. Congress and falsification of relevant facts. However, these grounds apply to all U.S. citizens, not just investment immigrants.

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