Considering Immigration Through the EB-5 Visa? Now is the Time to Make an EB-5 Investment.

By: Kyle Barella

Have you and your family been considering immigration to the United States by way of the EB-5 Visa Program?  EB-5 immigration is a complex area of U.S. law, and you should seek the advice of an experienced EB-5 attorney if you are exploring the possibility of investing in United States.

The EB-5 Visa Program is a path to a U.S. green card through investing $1,000,000 into a U.S. business, in turn creating ten full-time jobs for qualified citizens and permanent residents.  Alternatively, an EB-5 investor can choose to invest $500,000 in a Regional Center project or a direct TEA project.  Both scenarios lead to a green card.

Why now is the time to make your investment.

In just a few short months, in September 2015, the EB-5 Regional Center Program, which allows for the reduced investment of $500,000, is due to sunset.  While it’s more than likely Congress will renew the program, there are serious talks the investment amount will be increased.

As it stands, both a Direct EB-5 investment and a Regional Center investment can be reduced to $500,000 if the EB-5 project is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). 

Washington politicians have discussed plans to increase the TEA investment amount to $800,000.  This nearly doubles the current TEA investment amount of only a half-a-million.

Some politicians, including Republican presidential-nominee hopeful, Jeb Bush, have called for the entire Regional Center / TEA EB-5 option to be eliminated.  As a result, all investors would be required to make a direct $1,000,000 EB-5 investment.

While increasing the investment amount to $800,000 is only speculation at this point, there is strong support among certain members of congress to raise the EB-5 investment threshold.

Potential immigrant investors are encouraged seek out a qualified EB-5 attorney and get started on their investment today.  Though the EB-5 visa is here to stay, the reduced investment has an uncertain future. 

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