Turkey Investors for EB-5 VisaThe EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors is an immigrant investor visa that grants permanent residence (green card) in the United States to eligible applicants. Permanent residence (green card) allows Turkey investors and their dependents to permanently stay in the United States. The EB5 Visa for Turkey investors requires a minimum investment that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. 

Turkey investors do not face backlogs in the application process for EB-5 Visa. The “current” status of the EB 5 Visa for Turkey investors is an advantage in the growth of the EB-5 market for Turkey investors. Turkey investors seek to immigrate to the US because of the uncertain political climate and economy in Turkey. Turkey investors with EB5 Visa are not limited in terms of work and business opportunities as permanent residents. Children of Turkey investors can study in the top educational institutions in the US as EB 5 Visa dependents.

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What is EB-5 Visa for Turkey Investors?

The EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors is an immigrant visa that grants permanent residence (green card) in the United States to eligible applicants. Permanent residence (green card) allows Turkey investors and their dependents to live and work permanently in the United States. The EB5 Visa for Turkey investors requires a minimum capital investment in a U.S. business. The investment has to generate at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens.

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

Turkey investors and their dependents enjoy the following benefits with an EB-5 Visa.

  • Permanent residence in the US. Turkey investors apply for the EB5 Visa because of the uncertain political climate in their country. Turkey investors can stay indefinitely in the U.S. with their spouses and children with a green card.
  • Investment in the US. Turkey investors are looking to invest in the U.S. because of the devaluation of the Turkish Lira and the slowdown in their country’s economy. The U.S. has a stable EB-5 market for Turkish investors who want to expand their businesses out of Turkey.
  • Education in the US. Turkey investors want to expose their children to more secular educational institutions in the US. These are the benefits enjoyed by minor children of Turkey investors as dependents of the EB-5 Visa.
    • 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. 
  • Turkey investors enjoy greater international mobility through the visa-free travel privileges available to US green cardholders.

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

These are the risks in applying for an EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors.

  • Risk on investment. An EB5 investment does not guarantee a return on capital. The primary benefit of the EB-5 for Turkey investors is the ability to obtain a U.S. green card.
  • Risk on immigration. An EB-5 investment does not automatically result in a U.S. green card. The Turkey investor needs to meet all the requirements of the EB5 Visa to be granted permanent residence in the US.
  • Risk of fraud. Firms or individuals can claim to be migration brokers or immigration consultants. The Turkey investor should conduct due diligence and research an EB-5 project to ensure its legitimacy and avoid huge losses.
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How Long Does it Take to Process an EB 5 Visa for Turkey Investors?

The petition for an EB 5 Visa for Turkey investors begins with the filing of the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526). The processing time of the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (Form I-526) is between 29.5 to 61 months. 

How Long is an EB5 Visa Valid for Turkey Investors?

An EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors grants conditional permanent residence in the U.S. for 2 years. An approved Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829) grants an unconditional permanent residence in the U.S. for 10 years. 

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

These are the EB 5 Visa requirements for Turkey investors.

  • Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for Turkey investors can be any of the following. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (₺14,732,560 Turkish Lira) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas). 
    • The investment is $1,050,000 (₺19,336,485 Turkish Lira) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. Turkey investors can use any of the following as EB5 funds.
    • Salaries/wages
    • Inheritance
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Business profits
    • Gifts from an individual
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for Turkey investors requires the creation of 10 full-time jobs for American citizens.

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

  • Net worth of $1,050,000 (₺19,336,485 Turkish Lira) for an individual or married couple; or
  • Minimum of $200,000 (₺3,683,140 Turkish Lira) in individual income in each of the 2 previous years; or
  • Minimum of $300,000 (₺5,524,710 Turkish Lira) in joint income in each of the 2 previous years; and
  • Comparable level of future income and assets

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

There’s no age limit. The meaning of this simply is any Turkey 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 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, a Turkey investor pursuing an EB-5 visa will be unable to get specific documentation. In such instances, the applicant may 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. They must be under the age of 21 to be included in a parent’s application.

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

These are the costs of an EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors.

  • EB-5 investment
    • $800,000 (₺14,732,560 Turkish Lira) for a Targeted Employment Area 
    • $1,050,000 (₺19,336,485 Turkish Lira) for a non-Targeted Employment Area
  • Form I-526- $3,675 (₺67,677.70 Turkish Lira)
  • Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)- $1,140 (₺20,993.90 Turkish Lira)
  • Form I-829- $3,750 (₺69,058.88 Turkish Lira)

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

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey is the regulatory body that has the framework and monetary policy for moving assets and money outside of Turkey.

How can I Transfer EB-5 Funds from Turkey?

Turkey has no currency restrictions. Turkey investors for EB 5 Visa can transfer unlimited sums of dollars out of Turkey. Some Turkish investors prefer to send a wire transfer from their local banks so as not to alert the Turkish government that they are leaving the country. Most Turkish investors wire funds to escrow banks in the U.S. as direct wire transfers. Another option for Turkey investors is to use cryptocurrencies or fund transfer agents for discrete and anonymous EB 5 Visa applications.

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

The EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors remains on “current” status according to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) October 2022 visa bulletin. “Current” status means that there is no backlog in the application for EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors. 

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

The USCIS approves all I-526 applications for an EB5 Visa. The processing of I-526 depends on the nature of the case and the service center processing the application. The approval of an I-526 for Turkey investors can take between 29.5 to 61 months. 

How can a Turkey Citizen Immigrate to the United States Using the EB-5 Program?

The process of immigration for Turkey investors using the EB-5 Program involves 6 steps.

  1. Petitioning for an EB-5 Visa. Filing of Form I-526 to the USCIS.
  2. Applying for an EB5 Visa. Form I-526 must be approved by USCIS prior to applying for the EB5 Visa.
    1. Applying from overseas. Filing of the Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (Form DS-260).
    2. Applying within the US. Filing of Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485).
  3. Granting of EB-5 Visa.
  4. Obtaining conditional permanent residence. The conditional green card is valid for 2 years for the Turkey investor and his/her dependents. 
  5. Removing conditions on permanent residence. Form I-829 is submitted to USCIS within the 90-day period prior to the second anniversary as an EB5 investor in the US.
  6. Gaining lawful permanent residence. A lawful permanent residence (unconditional green card) is valid for 10 years. 

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

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

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

Turkey investors face specific challenges when applying for the EB-5 Visa. The first is the ability to meet the minimum investment capital. The Turkey investor should be prepared to supply the minimum investment and prove a legal source of EB5 funds. The second is the risk of losses in the EB5 investment project. There is no guarantee of capital repayment in the EB 5 project. The main benefit of the EB-5 Visa for Turkey investors is getting permanent residence in the US. The third is the occurrence of fraud schemes that target EB-5 investors. Hiring an EB-5 attorney, consulting the right experts, and working with reputable EB-5 partners help solve these challenges of the EB-5 Program. 

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

EB-5 Projects are the US businesses created for the EB-5 Visa application of Turkey investors. 

The top EB-5 projects for Turkey investors include real estate and restaurant industries. An EB-5 project in real estate has a readily understandable exit strategy for Turkey investors.  An EB-5 project for the restaurant industry generates a sizeable cash flow for repayment and return on capital. 

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

There is potential for the EB 5 market for Turkey investors to grow. Turkey investors do not face backlogs in the application for EB-5 Visa. Transferring EB 5 funds from Turkey is easier compared to countries with currency restrictions such as Bangladesh and Iran.

What are the Other US Visa Available for Turkey Nationals?

Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are available to Turkey nationals to grant entry to the United States. Immigrant petitions are approved by the USCIS prior to applying for visa approval. The petition is filed by a qualified relative or a potential employer. Nonimmigrant visas are available to foreign citizens who wish to enter the United States temporarily. Nonimmigrant visas are granted to tourists, business people, students, or specialty workers for a particular period of time to accomplish specific purposes. 

The following are the US Visas available to Turkey 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.
  • Employment-Based Immigration. For qualified applicants under the provisions of US immigration law. The EB-5 Visa falls under the Employment Fifth Preference (E5). 
  • Diversity Visa. For countries with low rates of immigration to the US in the previous 5 years.
  • Returning Resident Visa. For permanent residents who have remained outside of the US for more than 1 year, or beyond the validity period of their Re-entry Permit.

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.
  • 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.
  • Treaty Trader (E-1) and Investor (E-2) Visa. For citizens of countries with treaties of commerce and navigation with the U.S. 
  • A Visas. For Turkish government officials entering the U.S. for temporary or permanent assignment.

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

Most Turkey immigrants are concentrated in the U.S. states of New York, New Jersey, and California according to the Turkish Coalition of America.

What is the Current Retrogression Situation for Turkey Investors?

There is no backlog (retrogression) in the EB 5 application for Turkey investors. Qualified Turkey investors are able to obtain their EB-5 Visas faster compared to applicants from India and China.

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

The first issue for Turkey investors for EB 5 Visa is using the sale of a long-held property as the EB5 fund. Irregular practices in Turkey during the last decade resulted in title deed documents and tax records mismatching with the actual sale amount. The second issue for Turkey investors for EB5 Visa is taxes. The U.S. and Turkey had an agreement in 1996 to prevent double taxation but wealthy Turks continue to shelter their assets from the U.S. tax system. These issues are addressed by consulting with qualified tax advisors, wealth managers, or law firms that are well-versed in the US-Turkey tax and financial practice. 

What is a Targeted Employment Area?

A targeted employment area (TEA) is a region in the United States where the threshold for investment is $800,000 (₺14,732,560 Turkish Lira) for Turkey investors to qualify for the EB-5 Visa. The two kinds of targeted employment areas are high unemployment areas and rural areas.

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

There were nearly 100,000 foreign investors who obtained permanent residence in the United States via the EB-5 Program from 2012 to 2022 according to “The United States EB-5 Program” by Investment Migration Insider. About 80% of EB5 investors come from Taiwan, China, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Below are the top countries that apply for the EB-5 Visa. 

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

Yes, the foreign direct investment (FDI) from Turkey to the U.S. increased by 7.6% from 2018 to 2019 according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The total foreign direct investment (FDI) from Turkey to the U.S. in 2019 was $2.3 billion.

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

Yes, an EB-5 Visa attorney helps Turkey investors in speeding up the EB5 Visa processing. Delays from processing errors and documentation issues can be prevented by consulting an EB5 Visa Attorney.

Is Obtaining an EB-5 Easy for Turkey Investors?

Turkey investors are able to obtain their EB-5 Visas faster because of the “current” visa bulletin status of the application for Turkey. 

Can a Turkey National Apply for EB 5 while on H1B?

Yes, a Turkey national with a valid H-1B Visa can apply for an EB5 Visa. The H1B Visa is a temporary nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign workers to be employed in the US. A Turkey national on H-1B Visa can submit multiple petitions including the EB5 Visa without canceling their H1B status. 

Can a Turkey Investor Borrow Money for EB-5 Visa?

Yes, Turkey investors can use loans for their EB-5 Visa application. The loan has to be secured by assets and the collateral cannot be the same EB-5 project. 

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

Yes, a Turkey student on F-1 Visa can apply for the EB-5 Visa. The F1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for foreign students to be granted US entry for the duration of their studies. The Turkey student on F1 Visa should invest a minimum capital in a US business. This investment should create a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for Americans.

Can a Turkey Citizen Invest in the United States?

The EB5 Visa and the E-2 Visa are the two investment visas in the United States. The E2 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows nationals of treaty countries to invest in a US business. A treaty country maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation with the US. Turkey has an existing treaty with the U.S. and is eligible for the E2 Visa.

The E-2 Visa does not have a direct path to a green card, unlike the EB-5 Visa. A substantial investment of at least $150,000 (₺2,762,355 Turkish Lira) is required for an E-2 Visa investment. There is no requirement for minimum job creation for E2 Visa. 

Does a Turkey Citizen Need a Visa for USA?

Yes, Turkey citizens need to have a visa to enter the United States. Turkey does not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program that allows citizens from 38 countries to travel visa-free to the US. Countries that qualify for the Visa Waiver Program include Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.