Egypt Investors for EB-5 VisaThe EB-5 Visa for Egypt investors is an immigrant investor visa that allows U.S. permanent residence (green card) for qualified applicants. Permanent residence (green card) grants an indefinite stay in the U.S. for Egypt investors, their dependent spouses, and children. The EB5 Visa for Egypt investors requires a minimum investment that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. The application for EB-5 Visa for Egyptian investors has not faced any backlog and remains on “current” status. 

The EB-5 Visa benefits Egyptian investors through faster US immigration. The children of Egyptian investors can study in the US with a green card. Egyptian investors can expand their investments and create businesses in the US with the EB5 Visa.

Table of Contents

What is EB-5 Visa for Egypt Investors?

The EB-5 Visa for Egypt investors is an immigrant visa that allows for permanent residence (green card) in the United States. Permanent residence (green card) permits an indefinite stay in the United States for Egypt investors. The EB5 Visa for Egyptian investors requires a minimum amount invested in a U.S. business. The investment should create at least 10 full-time jobs for American citizens.

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

The Egyptian investor can enjoy the following with an EB-5 Visa.

  • US immigration. The EB5 Visa allows for a secured relocation to the US for the Egyptian investor and his/her dependents. Egyptian investors, their spouses, and children can get a green card with the EB-5 Visa to permanently stay in the US.
  • US investment. Egyptian investors can access the EB5 market and set up their businesses in the US.
  • US education. The children of Egyptian investors can study in the best schools and universities in the US with a green card. These are the benefits enjoyed by children of Egyptian 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. 
  • Egyptian 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 Egypt Investors?

Egypt investors are faced with these risks during an EB-5 Visa application.

  • No guaranteed profits. An EB5 investment is subject to both gains and losses. The foremost benefit of the EB-5 for Egypt investors is the ability to obtain US permanent residence.
  • No guarantee for a green card. An EB-5 project investment does not automatically guarantee a US permanent residence. The Egypt investor should meet all the requirements of the EB5 Visa to be granted permanent residence in the US.
  • Fraudulence. Firms or individuals can claim to be migration brokers or immigration consultants. The Egypt investor should thoroughly research an EB-5 project to ensure its legitimacy and avoid being victims of fraud.
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How Long Does it Take to Process an EB 5 Visa for Egyptian Investors?

The first step in processing the EB5 Visa for Egyptian investors is the submission 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.

Below is the step-by-step process for the EB5 Visa application for Egyptian investors.

  1. Choose an investment advisor and immigration attorney.
  2. Find an EB-5 Project that meets the EB-5 program requirements.
  3. Invest capital and file Form I-526. Form I-526 should first be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You can then file for an EB-5 Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States, 
  4. Apply for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) and DS 260 form.
  5. Get your 2-Year conditional green card.
  6. Submit the Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829) for an unconditional green card.

Read: Wait times and Investment & Immigration timelines for Egypt

How Long is an EB5 Visa Valid for Egypt Investors?

An EB-5 Visa for Egypt investors grants a conditional green card valid for 2 years. Filing the Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829) grants an unconditional green card valid for 10 years. 

The EB-5 U.S. Immigrant Investor Visa Program is available to residents of Egypt.

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

These are the requirements of the EB5 Visa for Egyptian investors.

  • Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for Egyptian investors can be any of the following. 
    • The minimum investment is $800,000 (15,536,560 Egyptian Pounds) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas). 
    • The investment is $1,050,000 (20,391,735 Egyptian Pounds) for a non-Targeted Employment Area. 
  • Source of funds. Egyptian investors can use any of the following to invest.
    • Salaries/wages
    • Business profits
    • Inheritance 
    • Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
    • Gifts from an individual
  • Job creation. The EB5 Visa for Egyptian investors requires the creation of 10 full-time jobs for US citizens.

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

  • Net worth of $1,050,000 (20,391,735 Egyptian Pounds) for an individual or married couple; or
  • Minimum of $200,000 (3,884,180 Egyptian Pounds) in individual income in each of the 2 previous years; or
  • Minimum of $300,000 (5,826,270 Egyptian Pounds) in joint income in each of the 2 previous years; and
  • Comparable level of future income and assets

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

There’s no age limit. The meaning of this simply is any Egypt 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, an Egypt 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 Egyptian Investors?

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

  • EB-5 investment
    • $800,000 (15,536,560 Egyptian Pounds) for a Targeted Employment Area 
    • $1,050,000 (20,391,735 Egyptian Pounds) for a non-Targeted Employment Area
  • Form I-526- $3,675 (71,371.81 Egyptian Pounds)
  • Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)- $1,140 (22,139.83 Egyptian Pounds)
  • Form I-829- $3,750 (72,828.38 Egyptian Pounds)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Egyptians were issued 6 EB-5 Visas in FY 2024 according to the U.S. Department of State (DOS)-Bureau of Consular Affairs Report of the Visa Office 2024.  

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

Egypt investors face certain challenges when applying for the EB-5 Visa. The first is the ability to meet the minimum investment capital. The Egypt investor should be ready to supply the minimum capital and all other costs for the EB5 Visa. The second is the risk of losses in the EB5 investment project. There is no guarantee of return on investment in the EB5 project. The primary benefit of the EB-5 Visa for Egypt investors is obtaining 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 the right 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 Egypt Investors?

The best EB5 projects for Egypt investors include hotel construction and real estate. A hotel construction EB5 project generates numerous jobs to meet the minimum job creation requirement of an EB-5 Visa. A real estate EB-5 project has a readily understandable exit strategy for Egypt investors. EB5 Projects are the businesses invested in by Egypt investors to apply for EB5 Visa.

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

Egyptian investors have not faced any backlogs in the application for EB-5 Visa. The “current” status of EB5 Visa for Egyptian investors is an advantage in the growth potential of the EB5 market for Egypt investors.

What are the Other US Visa Available for Egyptian Nationals?

Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are available to Egyptian 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 Egyptian nationals.

Immigrant Visas

  • Family-Based Immigration. For spouses, children, parents, and siblings sponsored by US green card holders who are at least 21 years old.
  • Fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa. For a foreign fiancé(e) of a US citizen.
  • Employment-Based Immigration. For qualified applicants under the provisions of US immigration law.
  • 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.
  • Work Visa. For temporary workers petitioned to work in the US.
  • Student Visa. For foreign citizens who wish to study in the US.
  • Exchange Visitor Visa. For foreign citizens participating in exchange programs.
  • Transit/Ship Crew Visa. For foreign citizens traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the US en route to a foreign destination.
  • Religious Worker Visa. For individuals seeking US entry to work in a religious capacity on a temporary basis.
  • Domestic Employee Visa. For personal or domestic servants who are accompanying an employer to the US.
  • 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.

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

Egyptian immigrants are dispersed throughout the U.S. with most residing in the cities of New York and Los Angeles. The state of California has the most number of Egyptian immigrants according to the May 2015 report of the Migration Policy Institute. 

What is the Current Retrogression Situation for Egypt Investors?

There is no retrogression in the EB5 application for Egypt investors. Egypt investors do not face EB-5 Visa backlogs, unlike China and India.

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 (15,536,560 Egyptian Pounds) for Egyptian 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 78, 278 foreign investors who applied for the EB-5 Visa in April 2020 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 Egypt Citizens?

Yes, the United States and Egypt have a Bilateral Investment Treaty since 1986. This treaty promotes trade and investment between the two countries. 

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

Yes, an EB-5 Visa attorney helps Egypt investors in their application to speed up its processing. Delays from processing errors and documentation issues can be prevented by working with an EB5 Visa Attorney.

Is Obtaining an EB-5 Easy for Egypt Investors?

Egyptian investors have not suffered retrogression for the EB-5 Visa. Egyptian investors can receive their EB5 Visas faster because of the “current” status in the visa bulletin. 

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

Yes, Egyptian investors can use loans for their EB-5 Visa application. The borrowed money has to be secured by assets and the collateral cannot be the same EB-5 business. 

Can an Egyptian 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. Egypt has an existing treaty with the United States and qualifies for the E2 Visa.

The E-2 Visa does not have a direct path to a green card, unlike the E-B5 Visa. A substantial investment of at least $150,000 (2,912,805 Egyptian Pounds) is required for an E-2 Visa investment. There is no requirement for minimum job creation for E2 Visa. 

EB-5 News for Egypt

As per United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Visa Bulletin from May 2023, there is no backlog and no extra wait-time in the timeline for EB-5 applications from Egypt.

Egypt, EB 5 Visa Consultant

EB5 BRICS can help you navigate the U.S. Immigrant Investor Green Card Program through our presence in Egypt and the Middle East in conjunction with our U.S. Legal Partner.

Schedule an Appointment to speak to Vivek Tandon about your specific situation.

See more facts and information on other countries in the Middle East: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

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Egypt Investors for EB-5 Visa Program FAQ

How many EB 5 visas does the US government issue for Egypt each year?

Currently, there is an annual limit of 10,000 such visas with a per country limit of about 700 visas; thus, there is a limit of 700 EB5 visas per year issued to Egyptians. These types of visas are increasingly becoming popular with wealthy foreign citizens who want to move to the US.

Can an international student from Egypt with an F-1 visa apply for EB5 visa?

An EB-5 is certainly available for F-1 visa students from Egypt who are in the US. In fact, EB 5 is the preferred path for students and professionals in the US to gain permanent residency allowing them to work and live anywhere in the US without requiring any employer sponsorship.

Can someone from Egypt still apply for EB 5 in 2021?

Yes, Egyptians can apply for an eb 5 visa this year. EB 5 continues to be available despite attempts to limit immigration into the US. EB 5 has been specifically excluded from any immigration bans and changes.

Can an Egyptian citizen apply for EB 5 while on H1b?

Yes, H1-B visa is a dual intent visa which means Egyptians can apply for permanent immigration to the US through EB-5 while they are in the USA on a non immigrant visa such as H-1B.