Questions and Answers > EB-5 Investments

Can I buy a home to get a green card?

I have heard that foreigners can obtain permanent residency in the United States by buying a home or property worth not less than 500 thousand dollars, for example, in New York State. How is this different from the EB-5 program? I want to know how I can get a green card for United States.

Answers

• Reza Rahbaran

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on January 20, 2014

  The purchase of property will not get you a green card through the EB-5 program. A requirement for EB-5 is the creation of 10 full time jobs.

• Mahsa Aliaskari

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on July 9, 2013

  Purchasing a home in the U.S. is considered passive investment and would not qualify for the EB-5. There are proposals in the immigration reform legislation, but currently there is no visa that results in a green card based on the purchase of a home.

• Julia Roussinova

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 26, 2013

  Unfortunately, this is not true. A home purchase is a passive investment and does not qualify for EB-5 green card.

• Gregory Romanovsky

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 26, 2013

  It is a common misperception. No, this wouldn''t help you get a green card. The money has to be invested into a business and must lead to the creation of at least 10 jobs.

• Ying Lu

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 26, 2013

  Simply buying a real property in the U.S. won''t get you a U.S. green card. There are many different immigration options, such as family-based, employment based, etc. Every person has a unique case. I would suggest you consult an experienced immigration attorney to find out the best way for you.

• Philip H Teplen

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  The realty investment is a proposal but not law as of this date. I will be happy to discuss in detail with you.

• Robert Baizer

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No, purchase of a home will not work. The USCIS regulations require that the investment be in a commercial enterprise, engaged in for-profit activity, and specifically exclude a noncommercial activity such as owning and operating a personal residence. There is a proposed category for retirees to get visas to live in such homes in the U.S. in the legislation now pending in the U.S. Senate, but it is not yet known if that proposal will become law.

• BoBi Ahn

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  At present, the regulations do not allow for EB-5 Immigrant Visa processing through investment/purchase in residential property for personal use, since this would not meet the requisite job creation requirement.

• Jennifer Parser

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  A home or property is considered a passive investment and does not qualify. Also, you must provide jobs for 10 US workers. The 500k sum of money can work in an rural area or targeted employment area where there is at least 150% unemployment compared to the national average of unemployment, but it must be placed at financial risk.

• Jinhee Wilde

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No. EB-5 immigrant visa option is only available to investors who invest in business entities that will create 10+ full-time, permanent jobs. Thus, buying you own home will not qualify.

• Margo Chernysheva

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  Unfortunately, there is no program currently available to allow investors to purchase property of any amount to qualify for Legal Permanent Residency.

• Rachel Lew

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No because the investment in residential realty does not create the required 10 jobs under the EB-5 program.

• Karen Weinstock

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  Unfortunately that is a rumor that is not true. The EB-5 cannot be used with a passive investment such as a home, it has to be an active business that creates 10 full time jobs.

• Fredrick W Voigtmann

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No. There is no U.S. immigration benefit for buying property in the United States. EB-5 requires an active, not passive, investment and it requires job creation.

• Rohit Kapuria

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No, a simple purchase of property does not result in permanent residency. The only way to qualify for a green card through an investment would be if the investment creates 10 jobs per investment of at least $500,000 (if located in an area that qualifies as having high unemployment) or $1,000,000. There are some countries such as Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius and a few others that provide automatic residency following qualifying property purchases. I believe Spain and Cyprus are pursuing similar bills.

• Robert West

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No, this is not possible. This is a rumor that is completely false at this time.

• Bill Travis Klein

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  Generally, buying a home will not get you a green card. There are several ways to invest in business to get a green card or stay indefinitely in the U.S. other than EB-5 which depend on your education, training and experience and the type of business you are involved in. It is worth your while to talk with an Immigration Attorney to find out what options are available and a good match for you.

• Ali Farahmand

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  No, you can not. In order to get a green card through the EB-5 program you would have to invest your money with a government approved Regional Center or your own stand alone business. With an approved Regional Center you can invest $500,000 however with your own business idea, you may have to invest at least $1,000,000.00. Good luck.

• Jeffrey E Campion

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 25, 2013

  You can not obtain a Green Card by purchasing a house.