The United States is the second most popular destination in the world for Chinese investors applying for residency. The EB-5 visa preference category, created by Congress in 1990, is available to immigrants seeking to enter the U.S in order to invest in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 permanent jobs. It allows accredited foreign investors to gain a fast track to permanent U.S residence (“green card”) and ultimately citizenship. The program is administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

The financial threshold for investments to qualify for the EB-5 visa is $900,000.00 if it is allocated within areas of high unemployment, known as “Targeted Employment Areas” (TEAs). The price has recently been raised from $500,000.00 and we always advise that they next best time to apply for an investment visa in now. Investments made outside of “Targeted Employment Areas” have risen from $1 million to $1.8 million.

The EB-5 visa gives permanent U.S. residency to those investing into government-approved projects across the United States of America. The USA EB-5 investment visa is an attractive and popular avenue as it grants access to the U.S. education system, the right to live, work and retire in the USA. Not only that, it also provides the ability to receive investment back upon the completion of the project and residency for the investor, any children under the age of 21 and their spouse. The main applicant must reside in the USA for 6 months per year.