The EB-5 visa is a United States immigration visa for foreign investors who are willing to invest in EB-5 projects. It is an excellent option for investors who want to become citizens and live permanently in the United States. One of the biggest challenges for many EB-5 investors is financing their investment.
The minimum investment amount for the EB-5 visa program is $1,050,000 or $800,000 if invested in a targeted employment area (TEA). This can be a significant amount for many investors, but there are multiple ways to finance EB-5 projects, including:
Personal Savings
One of the most straightforward ways to finance your EB-5 project is through investing your personal savings. Most commonly, these savings were earned from employment. If you use money earned from past jobs, you should be ready to provide years of tax returns. You may also need to include pay stubs or other proof of your salary. These documents help prove that your funds are from a legitimate and legal source. If you have the investment amount readily available, consider using it to fund your EB-5 project.
Sale of Assets
You can get the funds you need to invest in an EB-5 project by selling high-value assets. For many investors, this may be a property. If you decide to sell a property, you may need to provide proof that the property legally belonged to you and how much the property sold for. This can be shown using bank statements that show the transfer of funds. You should also be able to show how you earned the money that allowed you to purchase the property initially. If it was using money earned through employment, be prepared with documents such as bank statements or tax returns. Other assets you could sell may include vehicles, art, or other collectibles.
Loans
You can consider getting a loan if you do not have the entire investment amount. You can get a loan from an institutional lender, or you can get a loan from an individual. If you get a loan from a lender, you will likely need to leverage your personal assets, such as real estate. You can then use this loan to fulfill the EB-5 investment requirement. Carefully assess the risks associated with loan collateralization before choosing this method, and be sure that you can meet repayment obligations. If you get a loan from an individual, be prepared to provide documentation on how the individual acquired the funds. As with all loans, make sure that you understand the loan terms before agreeing.
Gifts and Inheritance
You may also receive financial support from friends or family members. As long as the gift giver can meet the source of funds requirements, gifted funds can be used to finance your EB-5 project. The required documentation may include a signed declaration from the person gifting the funds and documentation on how they earned the money. You can also use funds acquired through an inheritance. Expect to provide evidence that shows your relationship with the person from whom you inherited the funds. An immigration attorney can make sure you comply with all of the EB-5 program rules and regulations.
Legal Settlements
You can fund your EB-5 project using funds earned from legal settlements. This can include divorce and all other legal settlements. If you want to use the money earned from a settlement, prepare to provide documentation on the source of funds as well as details on the settlement specifically. Your immigration attorney can make sure you have the necessary documents.
Investing in EB-5 Projects Can Help You Get a United States Green Card
Financing your EB-5 project is one of the first steps towards obtaining U.S. permanent residency. Funds can come from any foreign or U.S. source – as long as they are legal and legitimate. An immigration attorney can help you navigate documentation and other requirements. Whether you are using funds from personal savings, sale of assets, loans, gifts, inheritance, or legal settlements, make sure to do your due diligence when looking at EB-5 projects. Consider strategies such as investing in a regional center to help you find EB-5 projects that have a good chance of success.
