As the US immigration process with a H1-B or a student visa becomes more and more competitive, immigrating to the United States is not set to get easier any time soon. In such times, the EB-5 visa is an extremely fruitful and quick option for students looking to live, study and work in the United States. It does not require any sponsors or supporters like other visas, and one can do it independently while also being more foolproof and reliable.

Often called as the ‘Land of dreams’, the United States of America offers a quick and convenient way for foreign investors to become lawful permanent residents of the country. It facilitates investors as well as their immediate family to obtain a ‘Green card’, as the permanent residency in the US is popularly called, in as less as 4 to 6 months. This one is however a conditional green card, while the full residency is achieved only after two years when the goals designated are met.

Latest Update – As declared by United States Citizenship & Immigration Services on July 24, 2019, the anticipated final rule has taken effect on Thursday, November 21, 2019. The minimum EB-5 investment amount has increased from US$500,000 to US$900,000 plus the processing overhead cost, legal and filing fees for the project which is located in a TEA. For the project not located in a TEA, the amount has increased from US$1 million to US$1.8 million plus the processing overhead cost, legal and filing fees.

The EB-5 visa program has been around for about 25 years now, but, for the past six months, the EB-5 visa program is a widely debated program, with legislators proposing significant changes in it.

EB-5 which is better known as Immigrant Investor Program was created in the Year 1990. Through this plan job creation and capital investment is encourage by foreign national to boost the U.S economy. The EB-5 Visa plan permits foreign nationals to obtain green card by making a substantial investment and creating 10 full time jobs for the U.S. workers. Foreign investors worldwide are participating in this program and the major investors are reported from China. To qualify for this plan, investors should at least invest $1,800,000 or $900,000 in a “Targeted Employment Area” – TEA i.e. a high unemployment or rural area.