The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. The program offers a pathway to permanent residency in the United States for foreign investors who make a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
The minimum investment amount is $800,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is either a rural area or an area with high unemployment. For investments outside of TEAs, the minimum investment amount is $1,050,000.
A Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is either a rural area or an area that has experienced high unemployment (at least 150% of the national average). Investments in projects located in TEAs qualify for the reduced investment amount of $800,000 instead of $1,050,000.
Each EB-5 investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers within two years of the investor's admission to the United States as a Conditional Permanent Resident. When investing through a regional center, both direct and indirect jobs can be counted toward this requirement.
Any foreign national who meets the investment requirements and can demonstrate that the investment funds were obtained through lawful sources may qualify for the EB-5 program. There are no requirements regarding age, business experience, education, or language skills.
In a direct investment, the investor establishes and actively manages their own business, and only direct jobs (employees on the company's payroll) count toward the job creation requirement. In a regional center investment, the investor invests in a project sponsored by a USCIS-designated regional center, and both direct and indirect jobs (created as a result of the project's economic impact) can be counted toward the job creation requirement. Regional center investments typically allow for more passive investor involvement.
When selecting an EB-5 project, you should consider factors such as the project's job creation potential, the developer's track record, the project's financial structure, the exit strategy, and the regional center's experience and success rate. It's advisable to work with experienced immigration attorneys and financial advisors who can help you evaluate potential projects.
The terms regarding the return of investment in case of petition denial vary by project. Most projects include provisions in their offering documents that address this scenario. It's important to review these terms carefully before making an investment. At West Maingate RC, we structure our projects with investor protection in mind and provide clear terms regarding potential refunds in case of petition denial.
The timeline for investment returns varies by project. Typically, EB-5 investments are structured as 5-7 year investments, with returns paid either periodically throughout the investment term or upon exit from the investment. The specific terms of returns are outlined in each project's offering documents.
The security of investment funds depends on the project's structure. At West Maingate RC, we implement various security measures such as escrow accounts for initial deposits, collateral arrangements, and carefully structured loan agreements. We prioritize investor security in all our project structures and provide detailed information about these measures in our offering documents.
The EB-5 immigration process typically involves the following steps:
1. Select and make an investment in a qualifying EB-5 project
2. File Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor)
3. Upon I-526E approval, apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing or adjust status if already in the U.S.
4. Receive conditional permanent residency (green card) valid for 2 years
5. File Form I-829 to remove conditions within 90 days before the conditional green card expires
6. Receive permanent green card upon I-829 approval
The timeline for the EB-5 process varies based on several factors, including USCIS processing times, the investor's country of birth, and individual case circumstances. Currently, I-526E processing times range from 24 to 48 months. After I-526E approval, obtaining conditional permanent residency typically takes an additional 6-12 months. The I-829 petition to remove conditions is typically processed within 18-24 months.
Yes, the EB-5 investor's spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age can obtain green cards as derivative beneficiaries under the same application. They receive the same conditional permanent residency status as the principal investor and can later have the conditions removed when the investor's I-829 petition is approved.
No, EB-5 investors are not required to live in the same location as their investment. Once you receive your green card, you are free to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States, regardless of where your EB-5 investment is located.
Yes, after maintaining permanent residency status for five years, EB-5 investors and their family members may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, provided they meet all other requirements, including physical presence and continuous residence requirements.
West Maingate Regional Centers (WMRC) is a USCIS-designated regional center that sponsors EB-5 investment projects. We identify, develop, and manage investment opportunities that meet the requirements of the EB-5 program while delivering value to our investors. Our mission is to serve as the gateway to the United States for qualified investors seeking permanent residency through the EB-5 program.
West Maingate RC offers a diverse portfolio of investment opportunities across various industries, including commercial real estate, logistics, healthcare, and mixed-use developments. All our projects are located in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), qualifying for the reduced investment amount of $800,000. We focus on projects with strong job creation potential and solid financial fundamentals.
West Maingate RC has a strong track record of success in the EB-5 industry. We have helped over 3,000 investors from more than 100 countries achieve their immigration goals. Our projects have received over 2,500 I-526/I-526E approvals and over 1,200 I-829 approvals, creating more than 75,000 jobs for American workers. Our track record is audited by a third-party nationally recognized accounting firm.
West Maingate RC employs a rigorous selection process to identify and develop investment opportunities. Our process includes extensive market research, comprehensive due diligence, job creation analysis, partnership with experienced developers, and implementation of risk mitigation strategies. We prioritize projects that offer both immigration security and investment potential.
West Maingate RC provides comprehensive support to investors throughout their EB-5 journey. This includes detailed project information, assistance with the investment process, coordination with immigration attorneys, regular project updates, and ongoing communication about the status of both the investment and the immigration process. Our multilingual team is available to assist investors from around the world.
Our team is ready to provide personalized answers to your questions about the EB-5 program and our investment opportunities.