International tech entrepreneurs, are you looking for a way to expand your business portfolio into the U.S. market? We’ll show you how to invest in the U.S. tech industry and receive a U.S. immigrant visa in return. Keep reading to learn more!
What is an EB-5 Visa, and Who is Eligible?
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program was designed specifically to facilitate economic growth in the U.S. through business partnerships with foreign investors. This is the ideal opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs to tap into the U.S. tech market—the largest in the entire world.
To be eligible for EB-5 visa issuance, you must be a noncitizen of the United States, and:
- Make a significant, at-risk capital investment into a U.S. business.
- Invest in a “new” commercial enterprise or “save” an existing business that needs financial help.
- Create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
It’s important to note that EB-5 visa holders may also bring their immediate family members with them into the United States as dependents. However, dependent EB-5 family members do not count towards the 10-job requirement if hired at the EB-5 investor’s company.
How to Obtain an EB-5 Visa
You must submit Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you’d like to be considered for an EB-5 visa. All dependent family members must be included on the petition form.
Does the EB-5 Visa Grant Lawful Permanent Residency in the U.S.?
If Form I-526 is approved, the immigrant tech industry investor and any dependent family members will be able to legally live and work in the United States. It is important to note that EB-5 visas are initially issued as a conditional Green Card. Conditional Green Cards maintain validity for a period of two years, then the EB-5 investor must apply to remove the conditions on their Green Card to obtain lawful permanent residency—in other words, a Green Card with validity for 10 years before renewal is required.
File Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, within 90 days of the expiration of your conditional Green Card to request that USCIS remove the conditions.
