The United States federal government created the EB-5 Program (also known as the Employment Creation Immigrant Visa or Immigrant Investor Program) in 1990 as a tool to promote foreign funding and economic growth in the U.S.
The program helps create jobs for American workers while affording eligible foreigners the opportunity to become permanent U.S. residents. The program is one of the most flexible immigration programs in the world. March 2022, the Immigrant Investor Program was legislatively authorized through September 30, 2027. At that time, it may be further extended or potentially expire.
The EB-5 program is a sterling example of America’s progressive approach for inviting foreign citizens to live and work in the United States. It gives smart, driven individuals such as you an opportunity to focus efforts on projects that enhance U.S. communities while also enriching your own life. By investing in an approved EB-5 project through a designated regional center such as Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, you and your immediate family are eligible to apply for U.S. resident status.
As defined by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a regional center is any public or private economic unit involved in the promotion of economic growth, improved regional productivity, job creation, and increased domestic capital investment. A regional center is an entity approved by the USCIS to seek and accept foreign funding for a specific geographical area under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
The program allows a foreign person and his or her immediate family members to obtain permanent residency by investing in a project in which 10 U.S. jobs are either created or saved. A benefit for applying through a regional center, as opposed to an individual Employment Creation Immigrant Visa, is that the program does not require the entity funded by the individual to itself employ 10 U.S. workers. Instead, it is adequate if 10 or more jobs are created directly or indirectly as a result of the funding.
The EB-5 program allots 10,000 Visas per year for foreign nationals and family members whose qualifying funding result in the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Ten percent (10%) of the EB-5 visas available annually are reserved for those funding regional centers located within a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
Finally, by pursuing permanent residency status through a regional center, individuals are not required to manage a business on a daily basis and are permitted to pursue other professional and personal ventures.
Fill out the Verify Your Eligibility Questionnaire to get started with the EB-5 Program.