What are investment visas? There are a number of different types of visas if you are a foreign national seeking to live and work in the United States and the investment visa is just one option, but do you know everything you need to about this visa option?
What Are Investment Visas?
When you ask “what are investment visas?” you are almost always asking because you or a family member or friend is seeking entry to the United States on a visa that requires an investment that will benefit the U.S. economy. Of course, there are multiple visa options available when you are seeking to come into the country as a foreign national, but for many, investment visas are the most feasible option for obtaining residency.
What Are Investment Visas? The Different Types of Investment Visas
There are multiple options available when applying for an investment visa and the best way to determine which type of investment visa is right for you is to consult an immigration attorney. An attorney with experience in investment visas will listen to your specific circumstances and help you to determine which option is best for you and for your budget.
But, what are your choices?
- EB-5 Regional Center Investment
- EB-5 Direct Investment
- E-2 Work Visa
EB-5 Regional Center Investment
The EB-5 regional center investment program is a program that requires a foreign national to make a qualifying investment in an EB-5 government-approved regional center for approximately five years. USCIS publishes the current EB-5 investment amounts, which can change. You can find a list of USCIS approved EB-5 government-approved regional centers listed on the USCIS website. Approved regional centers are listed by state on the USCIS website and updated periodically. It’s important, however, to speak with the main point of contact at each regional center to determine whether the UCIS website listings are up to date.
When making an EB-5 Regional Center Investment, this investment must also provide work for 10 American workers for a span of 2 years. With this type of investment, your money is invested in someone else’s commercial venture which means that it is at risk so it may or may not be the right type of investment for you depending on your circumstances.
EB-5 Direct Investment
The EB-5 direct investment program requires an investment into your own business in the U.S., and USCIS publishes the current EB-5 investment amounts, which can change. This business must employ at least 10 Americans for a period of at least 2 years. Processing times vary, but this type of visa can be combined with the E-2 work visa. Many direct investments are made into restaurants (franchise and non-franchise), hotels, nursing homes, farms, and retail stores. When making this type of investment, your money is being invested directly into the new commercial enterprise and the timing of job creation is controlled by the investor based on the needs of the business. When making a direct investment into a new business, the investment made is not always made in the form of cash, it may also be made in the form of equipment needed by the business, property for the business, or supplies needed by the business. Keep in mind, though, that any investment made in the business must be traceable via official paperwork – for example, customs forms when equipment is brought into the country for the new business by the investor.
E-2 Work Visa
The E-2 work visa program is one way of getting into the U.S. on an employment visa. This visa is only available if your native country has an investment treaty with the U.S. An E-2 work visa requires that you both own and work for the company in question. The amount that you must invest in this business depends on the industry and sector of the business you are forming in the United States. There is no fixed amount: the investment must be substantial and proportional to the cost of the business, as explained on the USCIS E-2 Treaty Investors page. Here is how much you must invest for an E-2 visa. How long an E-2 visa is valid depends on the reciprocity schedule for your country of nationality, and E-2 status may be renewed as long as you continue to qualify.
For the current list of eligible countries, see the U.S. Department of State’s Treaty Countries page.
Have More Questions Than “What are Investment Visas?”
If you are a non-national seeking to live and work in the U.S. and want to know more information about your visa options and which would be the best option for your situation, Nelson and Associates can help! Just pick up the phone and give us a call today at 626-683-3451!
