According to section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. l 153(b) 5) 10,000 immigrant visas per year are available to qualified individuals seeking permanent resident status based upon investment. Of the 10,000 investment visas, 5,000 visas are allocated towards those applying under a pilot program involving CIS-designated “Regional Center.”

ln exchange for the foreign national s investment of $1 million (or in a targeted employment area $500,000) in a new business that creates ten American jobs, or if the foreign national invests in a trouble business that saves ten American jobs, he or she is eligible to obtain an immigrant visa for themselves and their entire family. The purpose of the U.S. immigrant investor program is to encourage investment in America and create more full-time employment.

There are two categories of investment. The first category is a direct investment into a new or troubled business. If it is a new business enterprise then an investment of $1 million (or in a targeted employment area $500,000) must be made in a commercial enterprise which will create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. The EB-5 investor will be required to either be involved in the day to day management of the enterprise or directly manage the enterprise through formulating business policy. A targeted employment area is defined as “a rural area or an area that has experienced high unemployment of at least 150 percent of the national average.”

The investment visa process is lengthy and complicated. Christophe Law Group P.C. can walk you through the process to ensure that all required steps are completed properly.

The attorneys of Christophe Law Group, P.C. assist clients throughout the greater New York and New Jersey area including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, Secaucus, North Bergen, Bayonne, Newark, Cliffside Park, Harrison, Edgewood, North Arlington and Rutherford.