Questions and Answers > EB-5 Investments

What are the financial requirements for an EB-5 green card?

I am from the United Kingdom. I do not have the investment amount right now or a net worth of $1 million, but if I was able to save up $500,000, would I be eligible for an EB-5 green card?

Answers

• Ed Beshara

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on September 6, 2016

  Before the filing of an I-526 petition, the required investment amount has to have already been invested for it be in the process of being invested. That is, the investment amount may initially be put into an escrow account. In certain circumstances you may not have to be an accredited investor having a net worth of $1 million. As a British national, you may start a YS business with a small investment, and obtain an E-2 visa to enter the United States and direct the business. Later, you may invest additional amounts to equal the minimum investment requirement and then file the I-526 petition in your own business.

• Xiaosheng Huang

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on August 12, 2016

  Yes, you are still able to do the EB-5 application in United States. You need to prove the legal source of your $500,000.

• Salvatore Picataggio

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on July 21, 2016

  Probably yes, depending on the requirements of the project to have an accredited investor (with the net worth requirements) or not.

• Richard A Gump, Jr

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 23, 2016

  A very simplified way to look at the EB-5 program is that there are two levels of investment - $500,000 or $1 million. The level of the investment depends upon the location of the commercial enterprise. If the business is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is specifically defined by being a rural area or an area that meets a certain level of unemployment (both defined by regulations), then the required investment is $500,000.

• A Olusanjo Omoniyi

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 21, 2016

  The financial requirement for EB-5 investment is actually jurisdictional-based (i.e. it is based on the location of investment) and the type of investment. On the one hand, if the investment is going to be through a regional center that will invest the fund in any area designated as rural or economically depressed area (Targeted Employment Area - TEA), the investor only needs at least $500,000. On the other hand, if the investment is in an urban or city area, the minimum investment amount is $1 million. However, if an investor wants to start and operate his/her own business (otherwise known as direct investment), the minimum investment amount is $500,000. Looking at your information, consult an EB-5 attorney; you should be able to successfully procure an EB-5 visa.

• Lauren Cohen

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 20, 2016

  Yes. Your investment would need to be in a project or opportunity in a Targeted Employment Area, meaning that the unemployment rate is 150 percent of the national average or it is in a rural area. Most EB-5 opportunities are in TEA locations, particularly those affiliated with regional centers.

• John J Downey

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 20, 2016

  You will probably need to fulfill the requirements of an "accredited investor" as described under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) involving your new worth.

• Lynne Feldman

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 20, 2016

  Potentially the amount is likely to increase after Sept. 30.

• Bernard P Wolfsdorf

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 20, 2016

  You can also qualify as an accredited investor if you have income of at least $200,000 for each of the past two years, or $300,000 if married.

• Raymond Lahoud

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on June 20, 2016

  The $500,000 is if the project is in a Target Employment Area or a rural zone.