June 28th, 2011 |
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa provides permanent residence (Green card) status in the USA for the applicant, their spouse and their unmarried children under 21.
Green Card status provides flexibility to study, retire, work or run a business and live anywhere in the USA. There are no educational or language requirements.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration service (USCIS) has approved approximately 135 entities called Regional Centers to offer projects that qualify for this visa.
These Regional Center projects are required to create at least ten jobs per investor and to qualify for the $500,000 investment need to be in specific rural or Targeted Employment Areas (TEA).
The minimum investment is $500,000 and associated administration, legal and filing fees will amount to approximately $60,000.
Several thousand immigrants have successfully relocated to the USA through the EB-5 visa program. However, there have been a small but important minority who has experienced problems, including loss of some or all of their investment. In addition some face potential deportation from the USA.
Regional Centers generally offer three types of project:-
- Loan based investments, generally for a specific number of years.
- Equity based investments in property, generally with a less clear exit strategy (when you get your investment back) i.e. dependant on the market at the time.
- Equity based trading businesses which may be affected by trading conditions; again their exit strategy is generally dependent on market forces.
Many previous EB-5 visa immigrants have placed an importance on a centers previous record of success and a clear exit strategy.
Unfortunately exaggerated sales claims can be a potential issue with a number of the programs and whilst the majority of participants have been successful and earlier clients, in specific programs have had their $500,000 investment returned in full, a few have had real problems.
To find out the advantages and disadvantages of the EB-5 Regional Center Program it’s well worth reading Green Card via the Red Carpet.
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Tags: deportation, EB-5 Visa, facts, green card, immigrant investor, permanent residence, problems, regional center, TEA, USA, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 23rd, 2011 |
 The United States dollar has continued to depreciate against many of the currencies of Asia.
This currency weakness in the US, along with a sovereign debt crisis in Europe and deflation in Japan has raised the question in Thailand; how will the baht cope with the turmoil in the world’s currency markets?
Currently the Thai Baht continues an upward trend which looks likely to continue, particularly with the massive capital outflows from the US into emerging Asian markets.
For many Thai Nationals the relative appreciation of the Baht represents a mixed blessing. There are some who feel that a strong Baht is not in their interests and depending upon various circumstances they may be correct. However, the recent currency fluctuations have proved to be a benefit to those Thai nationals interested in seeking American Immigrant Investor visa benefits.
The United States (Immigrant Investor EB-5 category) was designed to provide permanent residence status to otherwise qualified foreign nationals who wish to make a ($500,000) investment in legally eligible investment programs in the USA.
As the Thai baht has appreciated against the United States dollar it has become relatively “cheaper’ (in Baht terms) to meet this investment criteria in the United States. Therefore, as the dollar becomes weaker versus the Thai Baht it becomes less and less expensive, from a Baht standpoint, to invest in the USA.
For those wishing to immigrate to the USA, the current Baht/Dollar exchange rate combined with ever declining US housing prices is something of a windfall. Thai immigrants to the US also are attracted by US Schools and Universities for their children and excellent business opportunities.
For more information contact Which EB5 for an independent view of the important EB-5 program choices you face.
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Tags: Asia, EB-5 Visa, immigrant investor, permanent residence, Thai Baht, Thailand, USA, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 15th, 2011 |
 Every now and then we hear from one of our readers who feel some of our postings on the blog are pessimistic or negative and wonder if the EB-5 visa really is a safe route for them to take to achieve permanent residency in the USA.
We take the view that it is very important to know the disadvantages as well as the advantages of the issues involved with this visa. It sometimes seems to us that many of the businesses involved with the EB-5 always focus on the positives, but ignore or gloss over the negatives.
As first generation immigrants ourselves we know from personal experience how difficult it can be to know the right questions to ask, and having assisted over 250 immigrants from all over the world to obtain their EB-5 visa in a variety of Regional Centers, to date our record has been 100% success.
Many who have transferred from other visas such as the E2, L1, H1B, and F visas have commented to us how positive their EB-5 experience has been compared to the difficulties they faced on their previous visas. Previously they felt they were in danger of eventually having to leave the USA after living here for many years, whereas the EB-5 has given them the security of permanent residency.
The records of the various Regional Centers that offer EB-5 qualifying programs can be one indicator of the safety of the visa. A few have a 100% success record at both the I-526 and I-829 stage and fewer still have been operating long enough to have returned the full $500,000 investment to their clients.
Importantly so far only one Regional Center has had its status withdrawn by USCIS and there have been a few incidents where investors in a particular center are in dispute about the alleged loss of their investment.
Making the right choice is therefore all important and to do this it is important to receive as much independent information as possible. We can arrange for a free consultation with one of our Senior Partners who have visited many of the Regional Center options, please contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5.
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Tags: E2, eb-5, H-1B, I-526, I-829, L1, permanent residence, regional center, USA, uscis, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 14th, 2011 |
There is an awful lot of information available from different sources on the EB-5 visa, much of it may not be answering the specific points that are important to you as an individual or a family.
Every person has different priorities when making a permanent move to the USA, these may cover many issues such as:-
- What is the standard and cost of health care / insurance?
- How good, in reality, is the education system?
- Why do some families settle happily in the USA and others find they cannot settle and return to their home country?
Why do people from different countries actually want to obtain permanent residence in the USA?
Families from some countries have, for very good reasons, concerns about violent crimes in their home country including kidnap and murder in some cases; they view the USA as a much more secure home.
- Families from other countries yearn for the political freedom and job / business and educational opportunities that there are in the USA compared to their home country.
- For others, relocation to the USA maybe about the quality of life, cost of living, weather and other factors.
The key point is every family has their own individual reasons and this can impact on their choices and information they require about the EB-5.
The EB-5 regional center (pilot program) requires an investment of $500,000 in a government approved regional center program. With over 130 Regional centers, each with different projects, your choice will depend upon your own priorities and circumstances.
It is important to receive independent guidance on these options, guidance that gives you information on both the good and bad aspects of the programs. Unfortunately, sometimes you are told what sales agents believe you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear.
Some clients have told us they have been given incorrect or partial information by agents and centers they were previously speaking to rather than the simple straightforward facts. This seems to be a particular problem for people who do not speak English as a first language and are relying on obtaining information from agents outside the USA.
As a first step to gaining the impartial facts on the EB-5 it is worth reading Green Card via the Red Carpet. If you would like to speak to one of our Senior Partners for impartial guidance please contact Chase Brodsky at Which EB5
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Tags: eb-5, Green Card via the Red Carpet, permanent residence, pilot program, regional center, USA, violent crimes, visa, Which EB-5
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 10th, 2011 |
 While the USA easily remains the world’s largest economy the latest unemployment figures climbed 0.1pc to 9.1 pc in May. At the same time the number of jobs showed its smallest rise in eight months. A disappointing 54,000 were added to payrolls for non-agricultural work – some 100,000 fewer than forecast.
Analysts have blamed the softness in the US economy on continuing problems in the important US housing market linked with poor consumer confidence, high energy prices, and supply chain disruptions following the Japanese earthquake plus tornadoes and flooding in some states.
In these circumstances, job creation opportunities such as the EB5 immigrant investor program, are increasingly viewed by many economists and politicians as important measures in turning the US economy back to a satisfactory level of growth.
The current weakness in the US economy also provides a number of advantages for those of you planning to move to the USA. The low dollar makes purchases relatively inexpensive, particularly housing which continues to be at very low prices throughout much of USA.
For information on how the current high unemployment trend can make the EB-5 visa an attractive option for you and your family to gain permanent residence in the USA please contact the independent EB5 experts at Which EB5.
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Tags: eb-5, eb5, eb5 experts, immigrant investor, jobs, permanent residence, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
June 9th, 2011 |
 This is one of the first questions asked by many families considering whether the risk of the EB-5 visa, i.e. losing some or all of their $500,000 capital, is greater than the advantages such as obtaining permanent residency in the USA for themselves and their family.
Certainly for many families who invested a few years ago in a fixed term program, and have seen the return of all their funds, the experience has been positive and feedback has been encouraging. However, there have also been a very small number of families who invested in programs that did not have the same track record and who have lost all their $500,000. To date this problem has been limited and is currently being pursued through the Courts.
There are also a significant number of families who invested in longer term programs where their investment has often been in commercial property and where the return of their $500,000 seems a long way in the future. In many ways they find themselves in limbo.
We recently heard from one of our clients who had attended a presentation by the agents of one of these property based Regional Centers. The Center had been operating for many years and is viewed by many as having a strong reputation.
At the presentation, in answer to the question “when can I expect my money back”, the agent emphasized that it was a long term investment and should be considered more in terms of a retirement fund. (Our client is in her mid 30′s and retirement seems a long way off for her). At least this was a realistic answer. However, as there a number of alternative and proven Regional Centers which offer fixed term programs for five or six years it is worth exploring the implication of the agents answer i.e. a long term investment.
So for those who invested in property a few years ago the likelihood is a wait of many years until the property they invested in starts to recover value. For those considering a property based regional center project now an important question is – “is the value of that property realistic, given current market conditions”?
We are aware of a number of property based EB-5 regional center programs where the true market value maybe far less than the value the center is stating to potential clients. This has to be of concern particularly for investors who wish to see the return of their money in five or six years.
For more details on the various options available to you please request a free consultation with the independent EB5 experts at Which EB5.
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Tags: commercial property, EB-5 Visa, permanent residence, risk, USA
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
May 20th, 2011 |
 The EB-5 visa requires an investment of $500,000 but provides the security of green cards and permanent residence for the applicant and their immediate family in the USA.
The E2 visa may well require a significantly smaller investment but does not provide permanent residence in the USA. Therefore it requires regular re-application and as circumstances change, for example business failure or children turning 21, it may be necessary to leave the USA.
A number of emigrants have experienced problems with the E2 visa which does not provide permanent residency and in a number of cases can and indeed will require you to return to your country of origin.
This extract is from a a TV site in connection with a documentary that covered the E2 visa, it may be of interest:
STATEMENT FROM US EMBASSY:
A Non-Immigrant E visa is not a good option for someone who intends to reside indefinitely in the United States. The treaty investor visa program was designed to enhance commercial interaction between the US and other countries. It is not intended as a means of self-employment or immigration. Should an E-2 visa holder retire or sell his or her investment, the visa status lapses and he or she must leave the US. The more secure option for those who wish to reside indefinitely in the US is a permanent resident visa or “green card”.
Explore your alternatives and have your case assessed by a leading immigration attorney with a free initial consultation. Send email request to Which EB5 at info@whicheb5.com
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Tags: children turning 21, E2, eb5, family, green card, permanent residence, security, US Embassy
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
May 17th, 2011 |
 You may come across a number of websites that seem to indicate there is an easy way to obtain the EB5 visa.
Having researched this visa for many years, written a book about the EB5 visa and assisted well over 200 families successfully obtain their EB-5 visa, we believe it can be straight forward, but it can also be dangerous if you go about it the wrong way.
Looking at the EB5 visa in simple terms, as long as you can provide satisfactory evidence of how you obtained your $500,000 and do not have a communicable disease or a criminal record the likelihood is that you could, with the right professional guidance, be successful in your application. However, it is critical that you obtain expert advice to enable you to chose a regional center that best matches to your specific requirements, and use an immigration attorney with extensive experience of successfully processing EB5 petitions. Without careful consideration on these two points you could fall short in your desire to obtain, and retain, your permanent residence in the USA.
Over the next few weeks we will cover questions previous successful EB-5 applicants have asked us over the years and lay out the steps necessary to make a well researched decision on which EB-5 Regional Center programs you might wish to consider.
If you would like a free consultation with one of our Senior advisers please contact Chase Brodsky via email info@whicheb5.com or via telephone at +1-561-771-1330
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Tags: book, dangerous, easy, eb5, EB5 petition, EB5 visa, free consultation, permanent residence, researched, simple terms, USA
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
May 10th, 2011 |
 This question is often asked by those considering the EB5 visa as the best means to gain permanent residence in the USA.
We have heard a number of responses to the question which hint that such an affiliation is a good thing as an added level of credibility exists.
However, this answer fails to address all the important issues.
Currently there are only two established Regional Centers which have such an arrangement however, in both cases the affiliation is at the level of State Government not federal.
The affiliation falls short of offering financial protection for investors in the event of problems occurring. If the programs being invested in failed it would appears unlikely that the State Government would step in and offer funds to repay unfortunate investors.
There are many other issues which need to be considered before deciding on which is the best EB5 program to select for your EB5 visa application
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Tags: application, eb5, permanent residence, regional center, USA, visa
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
May 3rd, 2011 |
 We recently received a question from a gentleman who had been looking at the EB5 visa for some time. He felt it was the most appropriate visa to relocate him, his wife and children to the USA and provide them with permanent residence.
The question was straightforward – I have been told by my Attorney that Center X will guarantee the return of my funds as well as a 4% annual rate of return, is this right?
We have been advising people considering the EB5 visa for many years, have 100% success with over 200 applications and talk to an average of 20 people a day about the EB-5 but this question really worried us.
You may ask why, I will explain the reasons.
Regional Centers are not allowed to guarantee the return of the funds. USCIS require the investment to be at risk. Guaranteeing the return would contravene USCIS requirements and lead to eventual refusal.
No one can guarantee a 4% return per year on investment without adding some severe conditions to the claim; this is subject to market forces and circumstances.
This information was given by an Attorney. Potential immigrant investors have to trust someone and usually it is their Attorney. Yet the information given by the attorney is completely wrong!
It really is important to check, check and check again when looking at information on the EB5 Visa as we point out in our book Green Card via the Red Carpet
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Tags: attorney, eb-5, EB5 visa, guaranteed, immigrant investor, investment, permanent residence, regional center, USA, uscis
Posted in Immigration | No Comments » |
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