Argentina Investors for EB-5 VisaArgentina investors for the EB-5 Visa become U.S. Permanent Residents through a minimum investment and job creation. Argentina investors for the EB-5 Visa must invest in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) that leads to sustained full-time employment for at least 10 Americans. Argentine investors who meet the minimum EB5 Program requirements get to live, work, and study indefinitely in the USA as Permanent Residents.

Argentina EB5 Investors who currently reside in the USA are qualified to file their petitions concurrently. There is no backlog in the EB5 Visa applications for investors from Argentina and their dependents. The lack of backlogs in the processing of the EB 5 Visa and the availability of concurrent filings are advantageous for the continued growth of Argentine EB5 investors in the USA. Investors from Argentina and their families are free to travel to any location in the US as well as to several other countries without a visa as US Permanent Residents. Children of Argentine investors qualify for reduced tuition costs and financial aid for their education in the US as EB5 Visa dependents.

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What is EB-5 Visa for Argentina Investors?

The EB-5 Visa for Argentina investors is a direct way to get a USA Green Card (Permanent Residence) by making a minimum investment and creating jobs. The EB-5 Visa for Argentina investors requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for Americans from a new commercial enterprise (NCE). An initial 2-year Conditional Green Card (Permanent Residence) is granted to investors from Argentina and their dependents, enabling them to live, work, and study in the United States without restrictions.

What are the Benefits of EB-5 Visa for Argentine Investors?

Argentine investors and their dependents receive the following benefits from the EB-5 Investor Visa Program.

  • US Green Card. Argentine investors, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21 are able to permanently relocate, work, and travel anywhere in the United States. 
  • Investment and business expansion in the US. Argentine investors have the opportunity to expand their business operations outside of their nation and participate in the United States’ secure and highly competitive global market.
  • Education in the US. Argentines are able to send their children to study in the top educational institutions in the US. Here are the benefits of a Green Card for minor children of Argentine investors as EB5 dependents.
    • Study in some of the best institutions in the world without facing restrictions imposed on foreign students.
    • Pay 150% to 300% lower tuition fees as compared to foreign students.
    • Enjoy more funding and scholarship options as compared to foreign students.
    • Study as a day scholar and avoid long separation from family just to obtain a quality education.
    • Explore job opportunities without worrying about issues like work permits, sponsorship, processing delays, expiry of visa, or restrictions on job mobility. 
  • Argentine investors enjoy greater international mobility through the visa-free travel privileges available to US Green Card holders.

What are the Risks of EB-5 Visa for Argentine Investors?

Below are the risks that Argentine investors should take into account when processing an EB-5 Visa. 

  • At-risk investment. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the EB-5 investment to be “at-risk”. An “at-risk” investment means that the Argentine’s capital is subject to both gains and losses. Getting a U.S. Green Card is EB5’s primary benefit for Argentine investors and their dependents.
  • Risk on immigration. A U.S. Green Card does not readily result from any kind of investment. The Argentine investor must demonstrate that their investment was made to a new commercial enterprise (NCE) and produce the required 10 jobs throughout their Conditional Residency. 
  • Fraud risk. The Argentine investor should perform due diligence and engage qualified professionals to carefully assess an EB-5 Project, its developer, and the related third-party entities to avoid fraud.
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How Long Does it Take to Process an EB 5 Visa for Argentina  Investors?

The average time for processing an initial EB-5 petition for Argentine investors is between 29.5 and 61 months. The Immigration Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) is used to initiate the EB-5 process for immigrant investors.

How Long is an EB5 Visa Valid for Argentina Investors?

Argentina investors and their dependents obtain an initial 2-year Conditional Permanent Residency after getting their EB 5 Visa approval. The Argentina investor and their dependents file a petition to remove the conditions on their EB5 Green Card to become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) of the United States. 

What are the Requirements for an EB-5 Visa for Argentine Investors?

Argentine investors need to meet the following requirements to get an EB-5 Visa.

  • Investment amount. The EB5 investment must be “at risk” and be any of the following. 
    • A minimum investment of $800,000 USD (Arg$156 M Argentine Peso) in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) project. A Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is a region with high unemployment rates or a rural area. 
    • An investment of $1.05 million USD (Arg$205 M Argentine Peso) for a non-TEA project. 
  • Source of funds. Argentine investors must derive their capital from lawful sources and be any of the following.
    • Salaries/wages
    • Inheritance
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Business profits
    • Gifts from an individual
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for Argentine investors requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for US citizens.

The financial criteria for the EB-5 Visa for Argentine investors are the following.

  • Net worth of $1,050,000 (Arg$205 M Argentine Peso) for an individual or married couple; or
  • Minimum of $200,000 (Arg$39 M Argentine Peso) in individual income in each of the 2 previous years; or
  • Minimum of $300,000 (Arg$58 M Argentine Peso) in joint income in each of the 2 previous years; and
  • Comparable level of future income and assets.

What is the Age Requirement for Argentina Investors to Get EB-5 Visa?

There’s no age limit for the EB-5 Visa. Any Argentina investor qualifies to be an EB-5 investor. However, since a minor probably does not have the assets or income to be eligible as an EB-5 investor on his/her own, the parents or some other guardian giving him/her the investment amount requires showing the necessary documents to prove the source of funds. Occasionally, an Argentine investor pursuing an EB-5 Visa will be unable to get specific documentation. In such instances, the applicant should file a declaration giving an explanation as to why they are unable to supply the needed documentation.

The only time age matters is if the parent is applying and children are also part of the application as derivatives. The children must be under the age of 21 to be included in a parent’s application.

How Much Does an EB-5 Visa Cost for Argentina Investors?

These are the costs involved in an EB 5 Visa application for Argentina investors.

  • EB-5 investment
    • $800,000 (Arg$156 M Argentine Peso) for a TEA investment
    • $1,050,000 (Arg$205 M Argentine Peso) for a non-TEA investment
  • Form I-526- $3,675 (Arg$720 K Argentine Peso)
  • Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)- $1,140 (Arg$223 K Argentine Peso)
  • Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829)- $3,750 (Arg$734 K Argentine Peso)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues 10,000 EB-5 Visas a year.

The Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) is the regulatory body that has framework and monetary policy for moving assets and money outside of Argentina.

How can I Transfer EB-5 Funds from Argentina?

Argentine investors must show that they have made the necessary minimum capital investment or are in the process of doing so while submitting an EB-5 petition. The EB-5 investment must be shown to have been legally acquired and transferred in the I-526 petition. Argentine investors must deposit the EB 5 investment fund into the EB 5 Project’s escrow account before submitting the I-526 petition. An EB5 Project escrow account is an interest-bearing bank account used to hold sizable sums of money for businesses until all transactions are completed. The EB 5 escrow agreement must document that the Argentine investor’s capital will be allocated entirely to the EB-5 Project. Both the Argentine investor and the EB-5 Project must be unrelated to the bank holding the escrow account.

What is the Priority Date for EB5 Visa for Argentine Investors?

The priority date is the date when the Argentine investor’s I-526 is submitted and received by the USCIS. The Argentine investor’s place in the “waiting line” for an immigrant visa is indicated by the EB5 priority date. The final action dates for an EB5 Visa are updated monthly in the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin. The priority date is “current” if the Argentine investor’s final action date matches their I-526 priority date. The EB5 Visa for Argentine investors is in “current” status, meaning there has been no retrogression (backlog) for applicants from Argentina.

How Long Does it Take to Acquire an I-526 Approval for the Argentine Investor under EB 5?

I-526 petitions filed by Argentine investors take between 29.5 and 61 months for approval. All I-526 petitions are adjudicated by the USCIS, and the exact processing time depends on the complexity of the case and the service center handling the application.

How can an Argentina Citizen Immigrate to the United States Using the EB-5 Program?

Argentina investors for the EB-5 Visa must complete 6 steps to obtain U.S. Permanent Residency.

  1. Petitioning for an EB-5 Visa. Filing of the I-526 petition with the USCIS.
  2. Applying for an EB5 Visa. USCIS must approve the I-526 form prior to applying for the EB5 Visa.
    1. Applying from overseas. Filing the Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (Form DS-260) with the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
    2. Applying within the US. Filing for an adjustment of status using Form I-485 with USCIS. Argentine investors present in the USA holding valid nonimmigrant visas such as H-1B, F-1, and L-1 are eligible for concurrent filing of their I-526 and I-485 petitions.
  3. Issuing of EB-5 Visa. 
  4. Obtaining conditional permanent residence. A Conditional EB5 Green Card grants Argentine investors and their dependents the same rights as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) for 2 years.
  5. Removing conditions on permanent residence. The I-829 petition is submitted to USCIS within the 90-day period prior to the second anniversary as an Argentine EB5 investor in the US.
  6. Gaining lawful permanent residence. An Unconditional Green Card is valid for 10 years and renewable unlimitedly. 

What is the EB-5 Visa Statistics for Argentina Investors?

There are 0 EB 5 Visas released to Argentinian investors in FY 2024 according to the Report of the Visa Office from 2024 of the U.S. Department of State (DOS).

What are the Challenges for Argentina Investors for EB-5?

Argentina investors must address certain challenges when applying for an EB 5 Visa. First, investors from Argentina must present sufficient funds to invest in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) and pay for the application costs for an EB 5 Visa. Only capital that comes from lawful sources and is transferred through legal means is eligible to invest in the EB5 Project. Second, Argentine investors must be prepared for the related financial risks. The EB5 Project cannot ensure full repayment or high returns. Permanent Residence in the US is the key benefit of the EB-5 Visa for Argentine investors. The third is the history of fraud in the EB-5 industry. The Argentine investor is able to mitigate these risks by engaging an experienced EB-5 Visa Attorney, an economist, a financial securities specialist, and other EB-5 experts.

What is the Best Project to Invest in with an EB-5 Visa for Argentina  Investors?

EB5 Projects are commercial enterprises in the United States that stemmed from the funding of immigrant investors. EB5 Projects stimulate economic growth by creating jobs in America. Restaurants, real estate, and hotel construction industries are among the best EB-5 Projects for Argentine investors. These EB-5 Projects are highly in demand and generate numerous jobs for each investor to meet the EB5 requirements for Permanent Residency.

What Does the Future Hold for EB-5 Investors from Argentina?

The EB-5 Program holds a favorable future for Argentina investors based on the country’s “current” Visa Bulletin status. Argentina investors are not subject to retrogression (backlog) in their EB-5 Visa applications and are qualified for priority processing and visa set-asides if they invest in TEA projects. 

What are the Other US Visa Available for Argentina Nationals?

A U.S. Visa is the stamp on the passports of foreign citizens who are seeking to enter the United States. Argentine citizens must secure a US Visa that is specific to the purpose of their visit at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Argentine nationals who are qualified to enter the United States as Permanent Residents are given an Immigrant Visa. Argentine nationals who are granted temporary entry and stay in the US are given Nonimmigrant Visas.

The following are the US Visas available to Argentine nationals.

 Immigrant Visas

  • Family-Based Immigration. For foreign citizens sponsored by an immediate relative who is a U.S. citizen or a U.S. Green Card holder and is at least 21 years old.
  • Fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa. For a foreign fiancé(e) of a US citizen. The foreign fiancé(e) is allowed to stay in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency after marriage.
  • K-3 Visa. For the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to reside in the U.S. while awaiting final completion of their immigration. The spouse’s children can enter the U.S. with a K-4 Visa.
  • Intercountry Adoption. For adopting children outside of the US.
  • Employment-Based Immigration. For qualified applicants under the provisions of US immigration law. The EB-5 Visa falls under the Employment Fifth Preference (E5). 

Nonimmigrant Visas

  • B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa. For people traveling to the US for business or pleasure, or for medical treatment. 
  • Temporary Worker/Employment or Trainees (H, L, O, P, Q, R). For temporary, nonimmigrant workers petitioned by US employers or agents.
  • Student Visa. For foreign citizens who wish to study in the US.
  • Exchange Visitor Visa. For foreign citizens participating in exchange programs.
  • Treaty Trader (E-1) and Investor (E-2) Visa. For citizens of countries with treaties of commerce and navigation with the US. Argentina is a treaty country of the USA.
  • Journalist and Media Visa. For representatives of the foreign media traveling to the US to engage in their profession while having their home office in a foreign country.
  • A Visas. For Argentine government officials entering the U.S. for temporary or permanent assignment.
  • Transit/Ship Crew Visa. For foreign citizens traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the US en route to a foreign destination.

What is the Most Popular State in the United States for Argentina Investors to Migrate to?

The U.S. states of Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, and Texas have the largest populations of Argentina immigrants according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

What is the Current Retrogression Situation for Argentine Investors?

There is no backlog for the EB-5 process for Argentina investors. Argentine investors are able to obtain their EB5 Visas without additional wait times compared to applicants from countries with retrogression such as India and China.

What are the Issues Experienced by the Argentina Citizen with the EB-5 Visa?

Two of the biggest challenges for Argentina investors applying for an EB5 visa are creating the required number of jobs and meeting the minimum investment sum for the EB 5 Project. The business plan of the Argentine investor must show that the EB-5 Project will create at least 10 new full-time jobs in the US. The American jobs must be maintained for at least 2 years, or until the Argentine investor submits their I-829. The Argentina investor should have evidence that the EB-5 investment was obtained legally and would only be used for the EB-5 Project. Argentina investors must show proof of ownership and registration, tax returns, bank account records, and pay stubs to prove the legitimacy of their EB5 investment.

What is a Targeted Employment Area?

A targeted employment area (TEA) is a location in the United States where the minimum investment is $800,000 (Arg$156 M Argentine Peso) to qualify for EB 5. A TEA Project is located in a high-unemployment area or a rural area. Argentine investors gain unique advantages aside from lower capital requirements by investing in a TEA Project. TEA investors are given priority processing for their petitions and allotment of reserved visas as per the 2022 EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA). The availability of priority processing and reserved visas quicken the EB5 Green Card process for Argentine investors 

What Other Countries can Invest in the EB-5 Visa Program?

Approximately 100,000 foreign investors became Permanent Residents of the United States through the EB5 Immigrant Investor Visa according to “The United States EB-5 Program” by Investment Migration Insider, from 2012 to 2022. The United Kingdom, South Korea, Taiwan, and China account for almost 80% of these EB5 investors.

Is USA a Good Foreign Market to Invest in for Argentina Citizens?

Yes, the United States offers access to one of the biggest consumer marketplaces in the world, a strong judicial system, beneficial tax policies, and a solid infrastructure. The EB-5 Visa is a viable path to gaining Permanent Residency in the US for investors from Argentina.

Can EB-5 Visa Attorney Speed Up the Process of EB-5 Visa?

No, an EB-5 Visa Attorney is unable to expedite an application for an EB 5 Visa for Argentine investors. The USCIS and the DOS handle the evaluation and processing of EB 5 petitions. An EB5 Visa Attorney assists Argentine investors in preventing delays from application errors, structuring their documentation for success, and assuring compliance with U.S. immigration rules and regulations.

Is Obtaining an EB-5 Easy for Argentine Investors?

Argentina investors are able to obtain their EB-5 Visas easier because of the “current” Visa Bulletin status and lack of retrogression in the application for Argentina. Argentine investors are not subject to extra wait times, unlike investors from countries with visa retrogression.

Can an Argentine National Apply for EB 5 while on H1B?

Yes, Argentine H-1B Visa holders are eligible to apply for an EB5 Visa. The H1 B Visa is granted to foreign workers hired by US employers in a specialty occupation. The Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) permits Argentine nationals with H-1B visas in the US to submit their I-526 and I-485 applications simultaneously for quicker processing without leaving the United States.

Can an Argentina Investor Borrow Money for EB-5 Visa?

Yes, investors from Argentina are able to use loans as EB-5 Visa investments. The personal assets and collateral of the Argentine investor must serve as security for the EB5 Loan.

Can an International Student from Argentina with an F-1 Visa Apply for EB5 Visa?

Yes, a student from Argentina on F-1 Visa is eligible for the EB-5 Visa. The F1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows entry into the US for foreign students enrolled in academic programs. The Argentine student on a valid F1 status can file the I-526 and I-485 petitions concurrently for faster EB 5 Visa processing in the USA. 

Can an Argentina Citizen Invest in the United States?

Yes, a citizen from Argentina is able to invest in the United States through the EB5 Visa and through the E-2 Visa. The E2 Treaty Investor Visa is a nonimmigrant classification for treaty country investors who are making a substantial investment in a US business. Treaty countries are those that have a treaty of navigation and commerce with the United States. Argentina is a qualified treaty country and Argentines are able to directly apply for E-2 status.

The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is not a U.S. Permanent Residence program, unlike the EB-5 Visa. A substantial investment of at least $150,000 (Arg$29 M Argentine Peso) is required for an E-2 Visa investment without the need for minimum job creation. 

Does an Argentine Citizen Need a Visa for USA?

Nationals from Argentina must secure a valid US Visa prior to entering the United States. Argentines have to apply for a visa that is specific to their purpose including studying, working, or immigrating to the United States.