The Different EB-5 Visa Options
There are two main EB-5 programs - the Basic EB-5 Visa Program and the EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program.
Option 1 - Basic EB-5 Visa Program
This involves a passive investment of atleast $1,000,000
In order for an applicant to qualify under the Basic EB-5 Visa program, they must meet the following requirements:
- Make an investment in a new commercial enterprise.
- Make an investment of at least $1 million into that enterprise.
- Lead to the creation of employment for at least 10 full-time U.S. workers.
Direct job creation only
The investment may consist of the contribution of various forms of capital, including cash, equipment, inventory, property, and other tangible equivalents. An investment amount of $1 million is generally the minimum.
Option 2 - EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program
This involves a passive investment of $500,000 made in a ‘Targeted Employment Area’ (TEA) within a Designated Regional Center.
The EB-5 policy management requirement is minimal in that the investor can be a limited partner and still qualify as long as the limited partners have a policy-making role. Thus, for those who are not interested in day-to-day management or running an active business, Regional Center programs offer a more acceptable inactive form of investment.
The investor is not required to live in the place of investment; rather, he or she can live wherever he/she wishes in the United States.
The EB-5 Regional Center program is ideal for the retiree or inactive investor due in large part to the "indirect employment" feature of this program. The Regional Center Program removes the employee requirement of the Regular program and replaces it with a less restrictive "indirect employment creation," which allows the investor to qualify by proving a combination of 10 direct and/or indirect employees.
Direct or Indirect jobs may be counted