March 4th, 2010 |
 When investing at least $500,000 in an EB5 visa it is absolutely critical that you receive the latest information and have immigration advice from an experienced EB5 lawyer.
We remain concerned that a number of investors are consulting us after they have already invested in a particular center and have only then discovered issues which are of concern to them.
We recently had a number of requests for advice following articles in newspapers about ongoing investigations by the FBI and Immigration authorities into a company that it is reported has potentially defrauded millions of dollars from a number of its clients.
It has also been reported that a number of the families requesting information had emigrated to the USA using this company and were concerned that their visas had possibly been obtained using incorrect information – the results of this could be very serious particularly for E2 and L1 visa holders coming up for renewal time.
We were particularly concerned that some of the blog sites reporting this case of fraud, including a couple from Attorneys, appear to have obtained the information from newspaper articles only and their information carried items that was factually incorrect.
It is absolutely critical that you are kept informed of the latest information when considering your EB-5 visa options. If you would like to be updated on the latest information or would like details of our free consultation and briefing sessions please contact us at Which EB5 visa.
|
| |
Tags: attorney, E2, eb-5 visa options, eb5, eb5 lawyer, Immigration, investor visa, L1, USA
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
February 24th, 2010 |
|
Each year we work with several hundred applicants keen to use the EB5 route to permanent residence in the USA. Their reasons vary – however the majority fall into three main groups.
1. Those seeking to retire and live permanently in the States, often in the warmer climate of Florida or California, who had not realized that a suitable visa option is now available.
2. Overseas students about to be educated at Universities and Colleges in the States who want to be able to work while they study, or those who have just graduated and want to remain and work in the States. The EB5 has been particularly attractive for students from India following complications with the few other options.
3. Those relocating to the States with their families who have found that the complications of the E2 visa and the L1 visa can make these options risky, particularly if their children have to leave the USA at 21.
Read Green Card via the Red Carpet for extensive information on the EB-5 Visa program
|
| |
Tags: california, E2, eb-5, eb5, florida, India, investment visa, L1, permanent residence, USA
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
December 9th, 2009 |
|
We were recently approached by a journalist writing an article for the British newspaper The Daily Mail and apparently this is a question many are currently asking. The question seems simple enough, but from our long experience we know it is a question that can so often lead to misleading information and trouble down the road.
The reason is simple, by asking how do I emigrate to the USA the questioner is already starting off by missing a key point.
By way of explanation let’s examine who may answer the question –
If a consultant or business broker is asked the question, many may flag up the E2 or L1 visa options. These visas are often tied in with an opportunity for commission for that consultant or business broker. However, that motivation may not be clear to the potential emigrant, and it may not be explained that these visas do not necessarily provide permanent residency rights. Without permanent residency a whole trail of difficult issues can crop up at a later date, this may lead to possible deportation. For this reason, certain emigrants looking at the E2 or L1 routes and buying a business of a certain size, may have been better looking at the EB-5 visa which provides for permanent residency.
An immigration attorney may also approach the question from the angle of how you can emigrate, rather than should you? and what are the lifestyle implications for your family. In other words should you even do it, or will your family wish you were back in your original country in a few months or years?
Some asking the question how do I emigrate to the USA seek advice from an emigration blog. However, this again can cause problems. For example, those that reply in a positive tone may not realize that although they were happy with the route they have taken, it may lead to issues later on. Example: Simply because they took an E2 visa and bought a business that has worked out for them does not mean that they will not eventually face problems. They may not realize at this stage that eventuality they may need to leave the States due to non renewal, business failure, or a child having to leave at age 21.
For more information contact Andrew Bartlett at: andrew@whicheb5.com
|
| |
Tags: E2, eb-5, emigrate to the usa, immigration attorney, L1, permanent residency, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
November 19th, 2009 |
 Complaints about Visa's I had a phone call over the weekend from a very nice lady. She was asking whether I knew about a recent conference in Orlando Florida attended by over 400 immigrants who were having problems with the renewal of their E2 and L1 visas.
I had to admit I knew nothing about this conference but was not surprised that there were so many people attending given the number of people we had been working with over the past few years who were turning to the EB-5. This was not because they particularly wanted to invest $500,000 but simply because they recognized, in their specific cases, it was their only way to obtain permanent residence in the USA.
The lady who phoned me told me about the anger and misery at this conference, of course all the stories have a family at the end whose lives have been thrown into disruption. I was surprised that with the E2 and H1-B in particular, the attorneys who had originally advised these families had, according to reports, not always pointed out the potential dangers of these visa types. After all, it’s a major problem if you relocate to the States, live here many years and then find you, or even your children, face deportation because you have not been told about the implications of your visa. It really is a very sad business. It can be avoided with the right information and advice.
|
| |
Tags: alternatives, conference, E2, eb-5, florida, H1-B, immigrants, L1, orlando, permanent residence, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
August 4th, 2009 |
I have just enjoyed another nine hour flight across the Atlantic after undertaking several relocation briefings in Europe. It seems that whatever the troubles are in the world there are still many of you who for a number of reasons want to emigrate to the USA, however sometimes that’s where problems can start.
On the flight over I was talking to the passenger next to me, who hearing what I do relayed his experiences of the immigration process, some of his problems seemed more turbulent than the bumpy patches we kept hitting during the flight!
He had embarked on the treadmill of immigration to the States several years before beginning with an investment of over $300,000 in a business to obtain an L1 visa which had been granted for one year. However he had found it difficult to maintain his business in his home country while developing his new business in America; he had been advised by his Attorney to then apply for an E2 visa. This was successful and he was granted a visa for three years however the full implications of the E2 visa not providing permanent residence had not registered with him.
As we were talking he mentioned that his eldest child was just finishing High School and about to enter University in the States, he had found out that she would not qualify for lower fees that residence status would have provided and additionally she may well have to return to her country of birth after graduation, as after 21 she would no longer be covered by his E2 status.
Apparently he had never been advised about the EB-5 program or the financial implications of not having permanent residence status – when adding up all his costs to date comprising several sets of attorney fees, the business investment in the USA, higher property taxes, higher College fees for his children and after all that the children having to return to their country of birth, it seemed an expensive oversight.
Which EB5 research all regional centers, you make the same $500,000 investment and get independent experts at no cost to you. Our impartial advise has helped more than a hundred families obtain Green cards. Contact the experts at Which EB5 by clicking here now.
|
| |
Tags: attorney, E2, eb-5, emigrate, green cards, Immigration, L1, permanent residence, regional centers, USA, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 14th, 2009 |
We have already examined the families looking to retire to the States via the EB5 and families face problems with existing visas such as H-1B, E2 and L1, today we are looking briefly at those for planning to study or are about to graduate in the USA.
Each year many students plan to go to the USA to study and a number would like to stay and work during their course of study and following their graduation, this is not an option on student visas but the EB-5 visa provides permanent residency status.
A number of students have been financed by relatives for the EB-5 visa which not only enables them to work as they wish during their course of study but also to remain permanently in the USA to develop their career and life as permanent residents and if they wish after five years apply for US citizenship. For more personal information or a chat with the partners at Which EB5 please click here.
|
| |
Tags: E2, eb-5, eb5, foreign students, H-1B, L1, permanent residence, student visa, US Citizenship, USA, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 13th, 2009 |
Each year we deal with several hundred applicants who are looking at the EB5 route to obtain permanent residence in the USA. Their reasons vary – however, the majority fall into a small number of key groups and we continue to look at these groups in more detail.
We have already examined the families looking to retire to the States via the EB-5 and those having problems with remaining in the USA on the H-1B. Today we are looking at those that already have the E2 or L1 visa, but are experiencing problems and are planning to apply for the EB-5.
There are many individuals and families in the United States on non immigrant visas such as the E2 or L1 that only allow the recipient to stay for a limited period.
Among the problems these visa holders can face are:
• The business they bought is not delivering sufficient turnover or employing sufficient staff for visa renewal.
• The owner of the business is not well enough to continue operating the business.
• The owner of the business wants to retire but cannot remain in the USA if they no longer maintain the business.
• The owners’ children turn 21 and face having to leave the country as they are no longer covered by the visa.
• The owner did not really want to have to run a business but was not advised of other options.
The E2 in particular has proved a problematical visa for the reasons above.
Comments from a Consular Office
“I would also like to point out that a non immigrant (E2) visa is not a good option for someone who intends to reside permanently in the United States. If the investor retires or sells their investment, his or her visa status lapses and he or she must leave the US. Only single dependent children under 21 are eligible for visas to accompany their investor parent, and when these children turn 21 they lose their status as a dependent and their visa. The more secure option for those that have the necessary capital is the permanent resident (green card EB-5) investor visa. In this case the required investment is one million dollars, or under certain circumstances $500,000.” John Caulfield, Consul General, US Embassy London.
In this blog series on who should be interested in the EB-5 we will look into some cases studies of those who used the EB5 instead of or due to renewal issues with the E2 or L1. To stay up to date don’t forget to subscribe to our blog (you can do that at the top of this page) or for more personal attention contact the partners at Which EB5 using this link.
|
| |
Tags: E2, eb-5, eb5, green card, H-1B, L1, problems, united states, USA, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 8th, 2009 |
The EB-5 regional center pilot program has significantly increased in popularity during the last couple of years with a widening number of immigrants identifying this visa program as their only hope of immigration to the USA. Perhaps this is partially as a direct result of restrictive interpretations and quota delays for other immigration visa options?
The visa allocation has so far been sufficient to satisfy demand and the main concern for those not quite ready to embark on the program had simply been will the program be renewed. However, a bigger problem for those considering this visa could eventually be the visa quota being met due to its increasing popularity as well as it being the only option for an increasing number of groups and nationalities.
For many immigrants, retirees and students graduating with no qualifying jobs, or internees, employees whose employers will not sponsor them, entrepreneurs who want to undertake a commercial business venture in the U.S. and who do not qualify for L-1, E-2 or the regular EB-5, and many others, the EB-5 regional center investment visa is not only the option of choice, but often the only option.
To discuss this on any other EB5 issues please contact Which EB5.
|
| |
Tags: E2, eb-5, eb5, immigrants, investment visa, L1, pilot program, quota, regional center, USA, visa options, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 7th, 2009 |
Today we look at another case study taken from one of our 100 plus EB-5 clients – this one relates to a couple who wanted to relocate permanently to the USA along with their grown up children and their grandchildren.
This family had travelled extensively throughout the USA both for business and holiday reasons over the past twelve years and wanted to relocate permanently – The family consisted of three groups; the grandparents, their two grown up married children and their wives plus their children. Three EB5 investor visa cases in total.
This family had extensive assets following the sale of various business interests and were looking for a visa providing secure permanent residence in the USA that would allow them to establish businesses in the USA and would not be tied to restrictive conditions (such would be the case with the E2 and L1 visa).
Having looked at the range of alternative regional center programs with us their specifications included:
1. A clear and specific exit route after five years.
2. Preferably a program that loaned funds rather than a more speculative investment.
3. A program in collaboration with government agencies.
4. A program likely to be processed quickly given that they wanted the younger children to be relocated in time to start school at the beginning of the new school term.
They decided to invest three amounts of $500,000 in a well established center that had an existing program loaning development funds over five years for the expansion of a major state/city conference center – They were less concerned about the modest return on their investment as their focus was on minimizing risks regarding the return of funds.
The I-526 approvals took two months and the families were then interviewed at the U.S. Consulate and granted immigrant visas.
We continue to keep in touch with the family and check out issues that crop up with them for the benefit of new investors. They have raised a couple of issues which are worth passing on to those of you considering the EB-5 route to permanent residence.
If you are planning to retire permanently to the USA and are interested in the EB5 regional center pilot program you should contact the partners at Which EB-5.
|
| |
Tags: E2, eb-5, eb5, I-526, immigrant visas, investor visa, L1, permanent residence, regional center, USA, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
July 6th, 2009 |
For the past few days we have been looking at the reasons why the EB-5 visa has been of interest to particular groups of immigrants – Today we look at a case study taken from one of our previous 100+ investors that relates to a couple who achieved their life-long dream to retire permanently in the USA.
A British couple who had spent many happy holidays with their children in Orlando Florida over the past twenty years had been looking at ways they might be able to retire permanently but were concerned that their only options apparently related to the E2 and L1 visas which either did not allow, or offer, the security of immediate permanent residence. They were also concerned that the immigration Attorneys they spoke to focused only on the legal aspects but were not really listening to their personal requirements including their wide ranging concerns on living their retirement in America.
After a meeting with Andrew Bartlett they decided to look at the EB-5 pilot program in more detail and with the husbands retirement in sight they decided to invest $500,000 in a limited partnership project in an approved and proven regional center. The program was for the improvement of a commercial warehouse project in a developing area of a major US city, the building has subsequently been renovated and leased generating a rental income of $30,000 a year.
The couple decided on a clean break from the UK, selling their British home and the rental properties they also owned which provided them with total net worth well in excess of the required (by the US government) million dollar figure along with ongoing retirement income from their years of employment.
The I-526 approval took several months and the couple were then interviewed at the U.S. Consulate in London and granted immigrant visas.
Following a further briefing with us covering key issues such as medical insurance, doctors, driving tests, shipping of their possessions and the pros and cons of different locations, they relocated to Venice Florida on the basis of the things to do, the quality of life and very competitive housing costs.
The couple have subsequently had their I-829 removal of conditions granted and have settled into the Florida way of life playing a lot of tennis and golf and making friends (making them more active and busier than they were in the UK) – Their grown up children and families visit them at least twice a year and they return to the UK when their grandchildren are on school holidays.
We have continued to keep in touch and checked out issues that have cropped up with them for the benefit of new investors, a key one being the exit strategy of the program they opted for in the light of the world downturn and subsequent attractive projects coming on the market.
If you are planning to retire permanently to the USA and are interested in the EB5 regional center pilot program you can contact us here.
|
| |
Tags: America, andrew bartlett, E2, eb-5, eb5, florida, I-526, I-829, immigrants, immigration attorneys, investors, L1, orlando, permanent residence, pilot program, regional center, retire, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
|
