Questions on the EB5

[TBone]

Hey all.
Can anyone please explain the Eb5 Visa in laymans terms and a little more detail. With an idots guide example.

I've checked the various immigration law websites but it doesn't really go into too much detail, unless of course you go for a consultation.... funny that!

Am I right in thinking I gotta invest in a poor decrepid area?

Thx.

[peter gold]

1. 500 k in a poor decrepid area, which is why we have many group investments springing up
or
2.a million in a business anywhere that employs more than 10 people

The green crad is conditional for 2 years then if investment meets the criteria you apply for an unconditional green card. Have to demonstrate that investment will benefit the United States economy and create the requisite number of full-time jobs for qualified persons within the United States.

10, 00 visas available and 5000 for each type of investment

Govt is talking of scrapping whole scheme in the next year or so

[kirtida8]

Hi Tbone,

The EB5 is a little complicated - but once you understand the basics, it seems to make sense.
There are 2 ways of getting an EB5:

1 - invest $500000 in a [B]designated[B] regional center or agricultural area or area of high unemployment and create minimum 10 jobs for USC. This can be a passive investment - ie someone else can manage it and you can "retire" or work elsewhere. You also do not have to live in the state that you have your investment.
2 - invest $1000000 in a new or existing business and create 10 new jobs for USC. This is hands on investment but does not have to be in a high unemployment area.

I have posted another thread that gives the current regional centers as recognised by USCIS.

Does this answer your questions to a degree? or are you more confused then ever??

[TBone]

Hi Tbone,

The EB5 is a little complicated - but once you understand the basics, it seems to make sense.
There are 2 ways of getting an EB5:

1 - invest $500000 in a [B]designated[B] regional center or agricultural area or area of high unemployment and create minimum 10 jobs for USC. This can be a passive investment - ie someone else can manage it and you can "retire" or work elsewhere. You also do not have to live in the state that you have your investment.
2 - invest $1000000 in a new or existing business and create 10 new jobs for USC. This is hands on investment but does not have to be in a high unemployment area.

I have posted another thread that gives the current regional centers as recognised by USCIS.

Does this answer your questions to a degree? or are you more confused then ever??

Thanks Kirtida,
I'll look into your other thread. Re: the $500,000 investment. Is it an investment as such? i.e. will it actually made me any money, such as a passive income. And alternately can it all go up in smoke?
Can I take this out if I wanted to leave?:confused:

[kirtida8]

Hi Tbone,

Yes it is an investment and you do get a %yield p/a. You do need to have it invested for a certain amount of time to qualify for the green card - but each one has different time lines so check them out, but after that you are free to withdraw the investment.

[McSporran]

Thanks Kirtida,
I'll look into your other thread. Re: the $500,000 investment. Is it an investment as such? i.e. will it actually made me any money, such as a passive income. And alternately can it all go up in smoke?
Can I take this out if I wanted to leave?:confused:

But yes to answer your significant question...it can all go "up in smoke". Please remember that there are no guarantees on your investment - whether in the $500k or $1m bracket. Also there are significantly more details about both these schemes than posted here, so you really should speak to an expert.

[InnVic]

Thanks Kirtida,
I'll look into your other thread. Re: the $500,000 investment. Is it an investment as such? i.e. will it actually made me any money, such as a passive income. And alternately can it all go up in smoke?
Can I take this out if I wanted to leave?:confused:

if you place the investment with one of the companies that are for multi investors you are effectivly providing "enterprise capital". Your money is therefore at risk. You can always buy your own 500/1000K business and direct and develop yourself - at leat that way you're in control.

[kirtida8]

But yes to answer your significant question...it can all go "up in smoke". Please remember that there are no guarantees on your investment - whether in the $500k or $1m bracket. Also there are significantly more details about both these schemes than posted here, so you really should speak to an expert.

Thanks Mcsporran, yes all investments or businesses can go up in smoke and I did mention in the other thread that you should speak to a legal expert - member of AILA, who specialises in these sorts of visas as not all attorneys are aware of the requirements. Some of the attorneys are affiliated with specific regional centers and so will not charge a fee to the investor as they are compensated by the center instead. As with any visa or business - it is up to you to do the due diligence and make sure you are happy with the scenario before parting with your hard earned cash.

[JulieC]

Withdraw your investment isnt quite accurate. There are exit strategies after the money has been in for so long, time limits vary, but in the case of Jay Peak for example you are given a part of the condotel which can be sold as a separate unit, in the case of American Life will need to find someone to buy your investment from you without any green card attached as it can only be used once, so really they must be seen as long term income producers, and the capital may be locked up for a good while.

While buying a business instead may put you in control there are employment and job creating criteria to be met as well as investment. It also means you living in an area of economic hardship unless you have 1,000,000 to play with, for $500,000 you can invest in a regional center such as New Orleans but can live in Florida.

[Ron]

You will also need quite a sum of money cos you will need to buy a home, car's furntiure and unemployed till you get a job. Worth bearing in mind the salaries here are not as high as the uk

[Ray10]

The availability of immigrant numbers during August 07 in the employment section is ZERO ..includes EB-5
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3269.html