subject: Clarifying Misconceptions of the Eb5 Immigrant Investor Visa [print this page] Clarifying Misconceptions of the Eb5 Immigrant Investor Visa
The EB-5 immigrant investor visa has quickly become one of the most positive and popular visa programs the United States has ever conceived. Since its creation as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, the visa has risen from obscurity to become a darling of pro-immigration discourse. Responsible for the creation of thousands of full-time jobs for American workers and the influx of well over a billion dollars into the United States economy, the reasons for its popularity are quite clear. However, despite this popularity, there exists some confusion about the details of the Eb5 Green Card. In this article we will examine another common misconception people have about the 5th preference employment based visa, the notion that its requirements are too demanding to satisfy.
MISCONCEPTION: The EB-5 visa is difficult to obtain and remain compliant with Much of the speculation surrounding the EB-5 investor visa program involves discourse that suggests the visa is very difficult to obtain, and the requirements too difficult to satisfy. A large percentage of these concerns include questions over the process of financial background checks. While these checks have always been in place, after the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, background checks became more stringent across all aspects of immigration and foreign investment. While cash used for EB-5 investments is subject to an in-depth check, this is mainly to determine whether it was earned legitimately, and through legal means. Certainly, few would be in favor of an investment being made in American business with funds that were earned illegally or unethically. The source of funds component involved in obtaining the visa is in no way an obtrusive or excessive component of that process.
As far as remaining compliant with the visa's guidelines, the challenge is no greater than most other visa programs. Another central point of concern among potential investors is whether or not they will be able to satisfy the job creation portion of the visa. As detailed in the visa's documentation, investments in the Eb5 Investor Visa must result in the creation of at least ten new full-time jobs for American workers. While this can be a challenging component of the visa program, it can be made much easier when the immigrants in question take advantage of Regional Center investments. They can remove much of the stress and legwork that is often involved in satisfying the job creation requirements of the EB-5 investor visa program. Regional Centers should assist with monitoring the investment and helping to ensure that it remains productive. In addition, Regional Centers should rely on well researched and thoroughly constructed business plans, and they should have proven track records in helping immigrants achieve their EB-5 related goals.
Based on this evidence we can determine that while the EB-5 visa program's path to a Green Card Visa does require some hard work, due diligence and patience on the part of the investor, permanent residency remains very attainable and by no means do the requirements present an insurmountable obstacle to interested applicants.
