Shahzad Q Qadri
RC CreatorYou can certainly purchase a franchise, but keep in mind that you will have to create an additional 10 jobs.
I am an investor looking to immigrate to the United States. If I purchase, for example, a fast food franchise that already employs 14 full-time and 20 part-time employees, would this investment qualify for an EB-5 visa? What are the EB-5 visa requirements when purchasing a franchise?
You can certainly purchase a franchise, but keep in mind that you will have to create an additional 10 jobs.
New commercial enterprises must create at least 10 full-time (35 hours or more a week) jobs. It is possible to maintain pre-existing jobs if you invest in a troubled business; otherwise, you must still create 10 full-time jobs. You will also need to determine if you may purchase a franchise as non-U.S. person.
With the understanding that the U.S. franchise allows non-U.S. persons to purchase a location (some require franchisees to be U.S. citizens), this particular investment may be considered an existing business, and you would have different job creation/retention requirements. Generally, franchises are becoming popular EB-5 investment vehicles.
You may have trouble, as the program was set up for new employment.
According to EB-5 regulations and policies, the personal investment in the existing business either has to maintain the jobs or create new jobs.
The important thing about your investment is that it creates 10 new jobs. Pre-existing jobs usually will not satisfy the job creation condition of the EB-5 green card. Have you considered investing in a regional center?