Starting a business in the USA can be a bumpy ride, especially if you are a foreigner. Living in the United States of America is a dream not only for skilled workers, but also for wealthy investors and entrepreneurs who wish to expand their company and give it a global touch. For many years, foreign nationals are grabbing Investor Visa US to set up their businesses or invest in major projects in the US. Getting an access to the US market is a key to success for many investors due to its business-friendly environment and a high-quality life backed by strong technology, infrastructure, and workforce factors.
The nation diverse nature and openness are what actually encourages investors across all countries to find their place in the US and prosper. So, if you are a business investor with a zeal to thrive in the US market, this is the blog for you. Here, I am going to discuss some proven and quickest ways to immigrate to US as an investor. Sounds interesting? Let’s dig into these ways!
1. EB-5 Regional Center Investment
This is a very popular visa category for investors who are willing to invest in the US. The visa allows the prospective investors to make an investment worth $500,000 in any government approved regional center for a period of 5-years. This regional center utilizes the invested amount on your behalf. In a period of 18 months, the program lets you obtain a conditional green card for you and your family. Once you have the green card, you can live, study, and work in any part of the US without any restrictions.
The nature of EB-5 investment is passive, which means your funds will be invested in someone else’s commercial project. This could be a residential complex, a shopping mall, a hotel, or an office tower. The center will use your money to generate employment for at least 10 or more American workers for two years. Once this condition is met, you may go ahead to apply for a permanent residency.
The best part of EB-5 investor visa is at the end of this five-year period, you are entitled to receive a full refund of your money.
2. EB-5 Direct Investment
This type of investor visa is designed for individuals or investors who want to own their business and be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. The nature of this visa is quite different than EB-5 Regional Center Investment in the sense that you own this business. To get this visa, one needs to invest $1 million in business in US and hire at least 10 American workers for the duration of two years.
The EB-5 Direct Investment visa gets a Green Card for you and your family, and it takes a period of 18 months to be processed completely. However, upon combining this visa with E-2 visa, you might be able to migrate to the US within six months.
Investors who successfully demonstrate their competency for this visa for two years, and establish themselves well in the US, can apply for a permanent residency status.
It’s worth noting that individuals who invest in the low employment areas of the US, the invested amount would only be $500,000 U.S. This is definitely, a great option where you may invest in a restaurant, a popular franchisee, or a chain of hotel.
3. E-2 Work Visa
Looking for a faster way to migrate to US as an investor? Then E-2 visa is probably you should opt for. Known as ‘Treaty Investor’ visa, E-2 is a visa category available for citizens of countries with which the USA government has signed an investment treaty. The E-2 visa permits the individual as well as their family members to live, work, and study in the United States.
Under E-2 visa you are the sponsor as well as an employee of the company. The investment amount varies from type of industry you intend to invest in. In general, the amount of investment starts from $75,000 U.S. that might go up to $200,000 and sometimes even more.
Candidates who apply for E-2, are initially granted visas for a period of five years, which can be renewed multiple times. Spouses of E-2 visa holders are eligible to apply for blanket work authorizations which enable them to work anywhere in the US.
The E-2 visa is the quickest way to immigrate to US while providing you the perfect pathway to obtain a green card.
4. Inter-corporate Transferee
This visa is suitable for those individuals who are transferred from their company to an affiliated company in the U.S. Candidates with this visa must hold designations such as managers, executives, or person with specialized knowledge.
However, there are a number of conditions which must be satisfied before you can procure this visa:
- The candidate must be employed with the affiliated company for at least one year in the last three years.
- Your job to the U.S must be similar to the job you perform in your home country.
It takes around 18 months for the applications of inter-corporate green card transferees to be reviewed and processed completely.
5. EB-1 Extraordinary Immigrants
For anyone with extraordinary abilities in fields such as, arts, science, literature, business, education, or sports, may apply for this visa. The federal law recognizes these people as recipients of national and international awards and acclaims, including Nobel Prize or the Academy Award. The EB-1 Extraordinary Immigrant visa allows an individual to apply for a Green Card. However, you need to demonstrate your competency or exceptional ability in a specific area after satisfying other eligibility criteria.
You are required to showcase awards and honors you received in the past, along with any notable publication written on you and your works as part of the investor visa USA requirements.
That’s all about the investor visa US pathways for foreign investors and their families. You may consider these ways to realize your American dream. However, as many of these ways are bit complicated to go through, we advise you to take some professional help to avoid the risk of your application getting rejected or delayed.