US Visas and Permanent Residency
How your investment in US real estate can lead you, your spouse and your unmarried children under age 21 to either become US permanent residents or to obtain less permanent, but still multi-year US visas.
EB-5 Visa: The EB-5 immigrant investor visa program allows non-US nationals and their immediate family to obtain permanent residence status in the United States (commonly known as a Green Card). The non-US national must make a minimum investment of $1.8 million (or half that, $900,000, if the investment is in a high unemployment or rural area), and the investment must lead to the creation of at least ten new jobs within two years of the date of the investment.
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The non-US investor submits an application which, if approved, entitles the investor and the investor’s family to live in the US for two years. The two-year visa converts to permanent residence status after two years if the investor can show that ten jobs were in fact created during that time.
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Real estate investments can result in job creation through construction work and in the service industry, such as hotels, restaurants, resorts and other facilities open to the public.
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In addition to direct investment in US real estate, investments through banks or non-bank lenders, such as mortgage bankers and private, non-institutional commercial lenders, are also used as a means to qualify under the EB-5 program.
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E-2 Visa: This program allows an individual to work in the United States if they invest in a controlling interest in a US business. The initial E-2 visa is valid for up to five years, but that time can be extended. While the investment must be "substantial," the definition of “substantial” is determined by the type of investment rather than as a stated threshold minimum amount. The E-2 visa program is only available only to citizens of certain countries.
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The investment required by the E-2 visa program can be in either an existing company or a start-up. In all events, the investment must be large enough to get the business up and running.
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An E-2 visa allows the holder to leave and reenter the United States.
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EB-5 and E-2 US Visas: Both the EB-5 program and the E-2 program contemplate visas being issued to both the person making the qualifying investment and to his or her spouse and unmarried children under age 21.
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If you, your spouse and your children are interested in pursuing either of these opportunities, Inbound USA Realty will take the lead in locating and concluding the investment, and will also engage a leading expert in the United States to process visa applications for you and your family.
In a hurry for a visa? Consider Greece
We are now assisting investors in obtaining a European Union visa through the visa program operated by the government of Greece. This program is well suited for investors anxious to obtain a right to live in Greece (and with that, the right also to live elsewhere in the European Union)