The EB-5 Visa for United Arab Emirates (UAE) investors is an immigrant visa that allows qualified United Arab Emirates and Dubai investors to have a U.S. green card (permanent residence). A green card (permanent residence) allows for an indefinite stay in the U.S. for UAE investors and their dependents. The EB5 Visa for UAE investors requires a minimum investment that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. The processing of EB-5 Visa for UAE investors is on “current” status.
UAE investors apply for the EB-5 Visa to enjoy the benefits of staying and traveling anywhere in the US with a green card. A successful EB5 Visa application grants a 2-year conditional green card to UAE investors and their dependents. A green card allows the children of UAE investors to study in the US and obtain employment without having to go back to their home country.
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What is EB-5 Visa for UAE Investors?
The EB-5 Visa for United Arab Emirates (UAE) investors is an investor visa that allows immigration to the US with a green card (permanent residence). A green card (permanent residence) enables United Arab Emirates (UAE) investors to work and reside in the U.S. permanently with their dependents. The EB5 Visa requires UAE investors to make a minimum investment that generates at least 10 full-time jobs for American citizens.
What are the Benefits of EB-5 Visa for UAE and Dubai Investors?
These are the benefits of the EB-5 Visa for UAE investors and their dependent spouses and minor children.
- U.S. green card and citizenship. UAE investors, their spouses, and their children under 21 can travel anywhere in the United States with a green card. An American citizenship grants a US passport that allows visa-free travel to 186 countries.
- U.S. education. Children of UAE investors with EB-5 Visa can study and remain in the US after graduation, unlike international students. Here are the benefits that minor children of UAE investors can enjoy with a green card.
- 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.
- U.S. investments. The U.S. has a stable economy for UAE investors looking to expand their investments and set up businesses in the US.
- UAE 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 UAE Investors?
UAE investors are faced with these risks during an EB-5 Visa application.
- Financial risk. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires an “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa. The UAE investor should be prepared for gains and losses in an EB5 investment.
- Immigration risk. An EB-5 project investment does not automatically grant a US green card to a UAE investor. All the requirements of the EB5 Visa must be met to be granted a US green card.
- Documentation risk. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported a decline in EB-5 Visa approvals in the third quarter of 2019. The approval rate fell to 58%, the lowest in 14 years. One of the most common reasons for denial is the inadequate documentation of the source and path of EB5 funds.
How Long Does it Take to Process an EB 5 Visa for Dubai and UAE Investors?
The EB5 Visa for UAE investors is initiated 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.
Below is the step-by-step process for the EB5 Visa application for UAE investors.
- Choose an investment advisor and immigration attorney.
- Find an EB-5 Project that meets the EB-5 program requirements.
- Invest capital and file Form I-526. Form I-526 should first be approved by the USCIS. You can then file for an EB-5 Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States,
- Apply for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) and DS 260 form.
- Get your 2-Year conditional green card.
- Submit the Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829) for an unconditional green card.
How Long is an EB5 Visa Valid for UAE Investors?
An EB-5 Visa for UAE investors grants a conditional permanent residence for 2 years. Filing the Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (Form I-829) grants unconditional permanent residence for 10 years.
The EB-5 U.S. Immigrant Investor Visa Program is available to residents of United Arab Emirates.
What are the Requirements for an EB-5 Visa for UAE Investors?
These are the requirements of the EB5 Visa for UAE investors.
- Investment amount. The “at risk” investment for the EB5 Visa for UAE investors can be any of the following.
- The minimum investment is $800,000 (2,938,432 AED) for a Targeted Employment Area (region with high unemployment rates and rural areas).
- The investment is $1,050,000 (3,856,602 AED) for a non-Targeted Employment Area.
- Source of funds. UAE investors can use any of the following to invest.
- Loans from a financial institution or from an individual
- Salaries/wages
- Business profits
- Inheritance
- Gifts from an individual
- Job creation. The EB5 Visa for UAE investors requires the creation of 10 full-time jobs for American citizens.
The financial criteria for the EB-5 Visa for UAE investors are the following.
- Net worth of $1,050,000 (3,856,602 AED) for an individual or married couple; or
- Minimum of $200,000 (734,608 AED) in individual income in each of the 2 previous years; or
- Minimum of $300,000 (1,101,912 AED) in joint income in each of the 2 previous years; and
- Comparable level of future income and assets
Our page on EB-5 Visa Requirements has everything you need to know to file your EB-5 Visa.
What is the Age Requirement for UAE Investors to Get EB-5 Visa?
There’s no age limit. The meaning of this simply is any UAE 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 UAE 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.
United Arab Emirates and Dubai EB5 Visa
The EB-5 U.S. The Immigrant Investor Visa Program is available to Emirati citizens. There is a growing demand for the EB-5 Visa category among Emirati nationals. If you (or your child) were born in United Arab Emirates, then you can apply for the fast-track Green Card category for the United States through the EB 5 USA Investor Visa Program. See Processing Times for United Arab Emirates
How Much Does an EB-5 Visa Cost for UAE Investors?
These are the costs of an EB-5 Visa for UAE investors.
- EB-5 investment
- $800,000 (2,938,432 AED) for a Targeted Employment Area
- $1,050,000 (3,856,602 AED) for a non-Targeted Employment Area
- Form I-526- $3,675 (13,498.42 AED)
- Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)- $1,140 (4,187.27 AED)
- Form I-829- $3,750 (13,773.90 AED)
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows 10,000 EB-5 visas a year.
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates is the regulatory body that has the framework and monetary policy for moving assets and money outside of UAE and Dubai.
Check our page on EB-5 Visa Cost for complete information on the costs of an EB-5 Visa for UAE investors.
What is the Priority Date for EB5 Visa for UAE Investors?
The EB-5 Visa for UAE investors is on “current” status as per the Visa Bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). “Current” status means that there is no backlog (retrogression) of EB-5 Visa for UAE investors.
What is the EB-5 Visa Statistics for UAE Investors?
There were 6 EB-5 Visas for UAE investors issued in FY 2021 according to the U.S. Department of State (DOS)-Bureau of Consular Affairs Report of the Visa Office 2021.
What are the Challenges for UAE Investors for EB-5?
UAE investors face three primary challenges in an EB-5 Visa application. The first is the capacity to meet the minimum investment capital. The UAE investor should be ready to supply the minimum capital and pay 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 an EB5 project. The main benefit of the EB-5 Visa for UAE investors is obtaining US permanent residence. 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 UAE Investors?
The top EB-5 projects for UAE investors include the restaurant industry and real estate. An EB-5 project for the restaurant industry produces a sizeable cash flow for repayment. An EB-5 project in real estate has a readily understandable exit strategy for UAE investors. EB-5 Projects are the resulting US businesses from the investment of UAE investors.
What Does the Future Hold for EB-5 Investors from UAE?
The EB-5 Visa application for UAE investors is “current”. UAE investors do not face application backlog (retrogression) and can get their EB-5 Visas faster compared to China and India.
What is the Current Retrogression Situation for UAE Investors?
UAE investors for EB5 Visa do not face retrogression in applications. The Visa Bulletin from the U.S. DOS reflects a “current” status for EB-5 Visa for UAE investors.
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 (2,938,432 AED) for UAE 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.
- Mexico EB5 Visa
- India EB5 Visa
- Taiwan EB5 Visa
- Brazil EB5 Visa
- Vietnam EB5 Visa
- South Korea EB5 Visa
- The United Kingdom EB5 Visa
- China EB5 Visa
Is USA a Good Foreign Market to Invest in for UAE Citizens?
Yes, the United States is among the top investment destinations for UAE investors.
The foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UAE to the U.S. was $45 billion in 2020.
Can EB-5 Visa Attorney Speed Up the Process of EB-5 Visa?
Yes, an EB-5 Visa attorney assists in the UAE investor’s application to speed up its processing. Delays from processing errors and incomplete documentation can be prevented by working with an EB5 Visa Attorney.
Is Obtaining an EB-5 Easy for UAE Investors?
UAE investors are not faced with retrogression in EB-5 Visa applications. The EB5 Visa for UAE investors can be obtained faster compared to applicants from India and China.
Can a UAE Investor Borrow Money for EB-5 Visa?
Yes, UAE 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 business. Check our page on Loan for EB5 Visa for more information.
Can UAE Investors Invest in the USA?
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. UAE does not have an existing treaty with the United States. UAE investors can apply for the E2 Visa by obtaining a passport from a treaty country of the US. Treaty countries include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Egypt, and Germany.
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 (550,956 AED) is required for an E-2 Visa investment. There is no requirement for minimum job creation for E2 Visa.
Can Investors from UAE Invest 800k to Start a Business for the EB5 Visa?
Yes, an EB-5 investment in a targeted employment area (TEA) allows UAE investors to set up a business in the US. This minimum investment should generate 10 full-time jobs for American citizens to qualify for the EB-5 Visa for UAE investors.
EB-5 News for United Arab Emirates
As per United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Visa Bulletin, there is no backlog and no extra wait-time in the timeline for EB-5 applications from United Arab Emirates.
United Arab Emirates, EB 5 Visa Consultant
EB5 BRICS can help you navigate EB-5 U.S. Immigrant Investor Green Card Program through our presence in Dubai and the Middle East in conjunction with our U.S. Legal Partner. Our team speaks Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.
Meet Vivek Tandon, our CEO to go over your situation.
See more facts and information about countries in South East Asia: India | Oman
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UAE Investors for EB-5 Visa Program FAQ
How many EB 5 visas does the US government issue for United Arab Emirates 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 Emiratis. These types of visas are increasingly becoming popular with wealthy foreign citizens who want to move to the US.
Can an international student from United Arab Emirates with an F-1 visa apply for EB5 visa?
An EB-5 is certainly available for F-1 visa students from United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates still apply for EB 5 in 2023?
Yes, Emiratis 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 a Emirati apply for EB 5 while on H1b?
Yes, H1-B visa is a dual intent visa which means Emiratis 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.