Green Card in One Year

With the long delay in the processing of family-based and 3rd preference employment-based visas, a viable option for investors who want to immigrate to the U.S. fast is the EB-5 category.

Under this category, the investor can invest $500,000 and he and his family may obtain their conditional green cards in less than a year. The money must have been obtained through lawful means such as gift, loan, investment, sale of property or inheritance.

The EB-5 category was created in 1990 for those who could invest $1 million (or $500,000 under certain circumstances) in a new commercial enterprise that create at least 10 full-time jobs. 10,000 visas are allotted annually. Initially, only a few availed of the benefit because of the restrictive requirements. In 1993, a pilot program was established which allowed more flexibility in complying with the requirements. This attracted more applicants.

The pilot program designated “regional centersâ€