Application Requirements for the US EB-5 Visa and How to Check Application Progress

The EB-5 visa is a type of U.S. investment immigration visa designed to attract foreign investors to promote U.S. economic development through job creation. Since its establishment in 1990, the EB-5 visa program has become a vital pathway for many foreign investors seeking to live and work in the United States.

This article will detail the application requirements and process for the EB-5 visa and provide methods to check application progress, helping applicants stay informed of their application status. Using an international remittance platform like BiyaPay can help manage and pay related fees during the preparation and application process. BiyaPay supports local remittances in most regions or countries worldwide, with same-day delivery and transaction fees as low as 0.5%, and supports large remittances. It is also very friendly to digital currency users, supporting real-time exchange of digital currencies for major fiat currencies .

Application Requirements for the US EB-5 Visa

Investment Amount Requirements

Standard Investment: Applicants need to invest at least $1 million in the United States.

Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Investment: If the investment is in a high unemployment or rural area, the investment amount can be reduced to $500,000.

Job Creation

The investment project must create at least 10 full-time jobs within two years. These jobs must be filled by U.S. workers, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other individuals authorized to work in the United States.

Nature of the Investment Project

New Commercial Enterprise: Investments can be made in new commercial enterprises that are established at the time of or after the investment application.

Restructuring or Expanding Existing Businesses: Investments can also be made to restructure or expand existing businesses to increase employment opportunities and promote economic development.

Regional Center Projects: Investments through regional centers allow for indirect job creation, simplifying the process of meeting job creation requirements.

Legitimacy of Funds

Applicants must provide detailed proof of the source of funds to ensure the investment funds are obtained legally. Required documents include tax returns, bank statements, and business documents.

Management Participation

Applicants need to participate in the management of the investment project, either as a board member or senior manager.

Checking the Progress of the EB-5 Visa Application

Understanding the application progress is crucial for EB-5 visa applicants. Here are several common methods and resources:

U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin Website: Every month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which includes priority dates and final action dates for various visa categories. Applicants can visit the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin website to check the latest priority dates.

The Visa Bulletin includes “Priority Date” and “Final Action Date.” The priority date is the date the applicant submits their application, and the final action date is the date before which applications can be processed.

USCIS Website: Applicants can visit the USCIS processing times page and select the appropriate form and service center to view current processing times.

On the processing times page, select the I-526 or I-829 form and enter the service center to get the processing time. This helps applicants understand the progress of each stage.

Updates from Regional Centers: If the investment project is through a regional center, applicants can regularly contact the regional center for the latest progress updates. Regional centers typically provide the latest information on investment projects and visa application status.

Contact Project Sponsors for Detailed Information: Directly contacting project sponsors can also provide the latest information on investment projects to ensure that the project progresses smoothly and meets EB-5 visa requirements.

Professional Immigration Lawyers or Consulting Services: Immigration lawyers can provide the latest visa information and professional guidance, helping applicants better understand and address various issues during the application process.

Conclusion

The EB-5 visa not only provides a legal pathway to immigrate to the United States but also opens up new opportunities for a new life. Wishing you all the best in your new life and achieving all your long-awaited goals.