Minimum Requirements
Your decision to apply for an EB-5 visa requires careful preparation irrespective of whether you choose to invest in a Regional Center or opt for the Direct route instead.
Minimum investment and job-creation requirements are the same irrespective of whether you invest directly or choose the RC route.
An EB-5 investment in a TEA (targeted employment area) has a lower minimum investment requirement of $800,000 as opposed to $1.05 million in a non TEA.
Job-creation requirements are the same for all EB-5 projects—Generate a minimum of 10 full time jobs for US workers for a period of 2 years.
Learn More About: Effects of a failed EB-5 Project
Risk Assessment
The structure of a direct EB-5 project is an important decision that requires careful assessment of implications on the investment as well as immigration aspects. A company structure or any other limited liability structure will minimize the investment risks involved in setting up a venture in a foreign country.
A direct investor can explore the partnership route for ease of management and fewer compliances. Such a structure can also help the investor exercise greater and more effective management control.
Irrespective of how the direct EB-5 project is structured, some requirements and regulations apply unchanged.
- Every investor seeking permanent residence through the EB-5 route must individually fulfill the minimum investment and job-creation requirements. Two investors partnering in a project must invest $800,000 or $1.05M, as applicable individually, and create ten jobs each to qualify for permanent residence.
- The EB-5 investor can partner with other investors who don’t intend to apply for the EB-5 visa. The former can be a major or minor partner in such a partnership. Of course, the basic requirements must be met for the investor to qualify for the green card.