How To Navigate The Increasing Cost of a U.S. Investor Visa
The price of an investor visa for the United States is going up following the recent reauthorization of the EB-5 regional center program by the U.S. Senate.
The required investment cost will now be $800,000, up from the previous price tag of $500,000, or $1.05 million instead of $1 million, depending on where the project is located.[1]
Despite the increased cost, the March 11 vote cleared the way for the program to resume through the year 2027 after it had lapsed on June 30, 2021.
The higher costs are also unlikely to deter foreign investors, who have enjoyed many benefits from the program in the past while stimulating the American economy with jobs and capital.
About the EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 visa program has been around since the late 1990s but increased in popularity following the 2008 financial crisis. The program awards roughly 10,000 visas each year to foreign investors and their dependents in exchange for an investment in local businesses that create at least ten jobs. [1]
The regional center program has proven particularly popular because it does not require the investor to start a business from scratch. Instead, these entrepreneurs can invest in a public or private entity approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to create jobs without worrying about the enterprise's day-to-day management.
The direct EB-5 visa category does not expire, but the regional program does. Therefore, the pause between June 2021 and the recent renewal of the program was a significant setback since nearly all EB-5 investment goes through the regional center route, and no new visas could be issued.[1]
Why Choose an EB-5 Visa?
The EB-5 visa program is an attractive option for investors for several reasons.
As previously mentioned, it allows investors to secure their visas without worrying about the daily management of starting a business from scratch in the U.S.
Traditional green card options can be very time-consuming as backlogs develop when country caps are reached. EB-5 visas, on the other hand, are not limited by such restrictions. As a result, many professionals turned to the faster EB-5 route when the Trump administration cracked down on the H-1B visa.
The EB-5 visa program also provides an avenue for foreign investors to ensure U.S. citizenship for their children, allowing them to have more affordable access to the American education system.
Is the EB-5 Visa Program Right for You?
While the EB-5 visa program offers many benefits, it still requires a significant investment that has also just increased even more. Therefore, there are many factors that a foreign investor must weigh to determine whether this route is the best way to go.
Here at Visa Business Plans, our experienced team has helped thousands of investors and entrepreneurs achieve their business immigration goals. In fact, many of our team members are immigrants themselves.
Based on our experience and expertise, we provide our clients with peace of mind to know their investment decisions are carefully planned. Give us a call today to see how we can help you determine if the EB-5 visa program is right for you.
Visa Business Plans is led by Marco Scanu, a certified coach from the University of Miami with a globally-based practice coaching Fortune 1000 company executives, entrepreneurs, as well as professionals in 4 different continents. Mr. Scanu advises clients on turnaround strategies and crisis management.
Mr. Scanu received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the University of Florida and an MBA in Management from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Mr. Scanu was also a Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University under the prestigious H. Humphrey Fellowship (Fulbright program) with a focus on Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and high-growth enterprises.
At present, Mr. Scanu is the managing partner and CEO at Visa Business Plans, a Miami-based boutique consulting firm providing attorneys and investors with business planning services in the areas of U.S. and Canadian immigration, SBA loans, and others.
[1] https://qz.com/india/2141400/the-eb-5-visa-is-getting-more-expensive/
