how to get a visa legally in the usa through investment and hiring lawyer

by Ari Beatty Jr. 4 min read

How do Immigrant Investor visas work?

A qualifying investment must, within two years, create full-time jobs for at least 10 U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or other immigrants authorized to work in the United States, not including the investor and the investor’s spouse, sons, …

Can you buy a visa to enter the United States?

Like many countries, the U.S. provides a means of entry for wealthy people who will pump money into its economy. This is known as the employment fifth preference—or "EB-5"—immigrant visa, which allows people to obtain permanent residence (a green card) immediately upon entry to the United States.. However, applicants for a U.S. green card based on investment must not only …

How to immigrate to the United States as an investor?

Mar 25, 2022 · In your email to us, provide the following information: Your legal name; Your physical address; Telephone number(s) where you can be reached; and; The receipt number of the Form I-829 that is pending with USCIS. USCIS will use this information to contact you and schedule biometrics collection for your Form I-829 at a local Application Support Center.

Do I need a work visa if I live outside the US?

If your country of citizenship has an investment treaty with the United States, you may be eligible to obtain an E-2 visa to work for a company you form in the United States. Basically, you are the...

How much do you need to invest to get a US visa?

The standard minimum investment amount has increased to $1.8 million (from $1 million) to account for inflation. The minimum investment in a TEA has increased to $900,000 (from $500,000) to account for inflation.Mar 25, 2022

How much does it typically cost to come to America legally hiring a lawyer applying & Filing for different documents etc?

Legal Fees The standard legal fee for an immigration lawyer ranges from $3,000 to $4,000 for an H-1B visa. Fees may easily go up to $10,000 if you have issues like deportation etc. Family-Based Petitions can usually cost you anywhere between $800 and $1,500.May 28, 2021

How do I get US citizenship through investment?

US Citizenship by investment EB-5 and E2 are not a citizenship by investment program, However; after getting a Green Card via the EB-5 visa route, investors can apply for USA citizenship after five years of Permanent Residency. This process is known as Naturalization.

What is an investment visa?

An EB-5 investment visa is a type of immigration visa available to foreign investors that wish to immigrate to the United States. Different countries have different types of immigrant investor programs that function to encourage foreign investment in exchange for conditional or permanent residency.

How can I live in America legally?

To immigrate to the United States means to relocate permanently by obtaining a green card (officially known as an “immigrant visa” or “lawful permanent residence”). A green card allows unrestricted employment and can be renewed indefinitely. It also provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

Can you move to the US without a job?

no, you can't move to the USA without a job waiting. The only ways to move to the USA are family-based, employment-based, investment-based, or student-based, all of which require a visa in hand prior to moving to the USA. How about doing a higher degree in the USA, you could get an F-1 visa.Apr 10, 2016

Can I get green card if I buy house in USA?

“Will I qualify to receive a green card because I bought a house in the United States?” No. You can't get a green card simply by buying a house in the U.S. In fact, owning real estate doesn't ordinarily give you any visa or other immigration benefits.Sep 26, 2013

What is the fastest way to get U.S. citizenship?

Expedited Naturalization by MarriageHold a green card for three years;Be married to and living with your US citizen spouse for three years;Live within the state that you're applying in for three months; and.Meet all other requirements for US citizenship.

What is Golden Visa USA?

A “golden visa” refers to a type of immigration program that many countries offer that can offer permanent residency to a high-net-worth (wealthy) individual, provided they can show that they are going to bring significant investment into the country.

How do I get an investor visa?

To receive this visa, you must invest at least $900,000 in a US enterprise and create at least 10 American jobs. If you are eligible for the EB-5 Visa, you receive a Green Card and you are allowed to live in the US. You can include your dependent family members in the application.

How long does it take to get an investor visa?

The average processing time for the EB-5 visa is six months, and the initial application and petition are usually approved within 60 days from the date of filing. You will, however, have to also wait for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and Department of State to schedule an interview.

How can a foreigner invest in USA?

You can open an online trading account with some US brokers, even as a foreigner, but more documentation will be required. Some of the extra paperwork will include proof of identity and visa information, and there will likely be other requirements as well.

How many jobs do you need to create to get a green card?

You must still invest the full required amount, but to get the unconditional green card, you are not required to show that you created ten jobs. Instead, you would need to show that for two years from the date of purchase, you employed at least as many people as were employed at the time of the investment.

How much is the minimum investment required for unemployment?

Then on November 21, 2019, the minimum investment requirements were raised to between $900,000 and $1.8 million.

Why is my green card cancelled?

If it hasn't, or you do not maintain eligibility in any other way, your green card will be cancelled. USCIS rejects some applications in this category. That is partly because the eligibility requirements are narrow, and partly because of the category's history of fraud and misuse.

How many hours of work do you need to hire a business?

The business in which you invest must ultimately employ at least ten full-time workers (not counting independent contractors), produce a service or product, and benefit the U.S. economy. Full-time employment means at least 35 hours of service per week.

How long does an EB-5 green card last?

Here are some of the advantages and limitations to an investment-based green card: EB-5 green cards initially are only conditional—that is, they expire in two years. You can get the conditional green card by showing a likelihood that the business you invest in will be able to hire the necessary amount of workers.

What are the advantages of investing in a regional center?

One advantage of investing in a regional center is that it can count "indirect" jobs created by businesses that service the main business, as shown by economic models. The investor, spouse, and any children may not be counted among the ten employees. Other family members may be counted, however.

How often do the minimum amounts of a stipend have to be adjusted for inflation?

If and when the new rules do take effect, the minimum amounts will be adjusted for inflation every five years. A further change that was part of the 2019 rules said that state governments would no longer be allowed to say where the "targeted economic areas" are, but this would instead by handled by the DHS.

What is the minimum investment amount for EB-5?

While USCIS considers this decision, we will apply the EB-5 regulations that were in effect before the rule was finalized on Nov. 21, 2019, including: The required standard minimum investment amount of $1 million and the minimum investment amount for investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) of $500,000;

Who administers the EB-5 program?

USCIS administers the EB-5 Program. Under this program, investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for a Green Card (permanent residence) if they: Plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

Why is the EB-5 program called the EB-5?

This program is known as EB-5 for the name of the employment-based fifth preference visa that participants receive. Congress created the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors.

What is the class of I-526?

USCIS, No. 15-cv-995, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia certified a class that includes anybody who has a Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, that was or will be denied on the sole basis of investing loan proceeds that were not secured by their own assets.

When will the EB-5 be finalized?

While USCIS considers this decision, we will apply the EB-5 regulations that were in effect before the rule was finalized on Nov. 21, 2019. Under the vacated rule published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, several changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program that went into effect Nov. 21, 2019 are no longer in effect.

When was the EB-5 program created?

In 1992 , Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program, which sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.

When will I-526 be accepted?

In addition, we again will accept the April 15, 2019 , version of Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, because the Nov. 21, 2019, version of the form reflects updates from the now-vacated rule. Alert: Statutory authorization related to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program expired at midnight on June 30, 2021.

How long do you have to work to transfer to another company?

1. You must have worked for the affiliated company abroad for a period of at least one year in the last three years. 2. Your job in the U.S. must be similar to the job you were performing at home.

How long does it take to get a green card with EB-5?

Invest $500,000 U.S. in an EB-5 government-approved regional center for a period of about five years. In around 18 months, you obtain conditional green cards that entitle you and your immediate family to enter the U.S. You can live, work and study anywhere in the country and there are no education, age or English language requirements.

How to Apply Online for a Business or Tourism Visitor Visa to the U.S

Please note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates in March 2020. The process to resume routine visa services began in February 2021.

Waiver Program for Tourists and Business Travelers

International travelers planning to visit the U.S. for business or pleasure can get a visa waiver. To get a visa waiver, you must be a citizen of one of the 39 countries that participate in the U.S.'s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) .

Student and Vocational Training Visas

Please note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates in March 2020. The process to resume routine visa services began in February 2021.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Professional Visa

Please note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates in March 2020. The process to resume routine visa services began in February 2021.

Getting a Job in the U.S. as a Foreign Worker

Based on your skills, circumstances, and the job that you plan to do, you may be able to come to the U.S. as either a:

The K-1 or Fiancé (e) Visa

If you’re engaged to a U.S. citizen and plan to marry and live in the U.S., your fiancé (e) can petition for a K-1 visa for you. The K-1 visa allows you to travel to the United States to marry your fiancé (e) within 90 days of arriving. After you marry, you may apply for an adjustment of status to get a Permanent Resident (Green) Card.

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What is an H1B visa?

There are several types of work visas. Some are for a specific period of time, after which the foreign worker must return to his or her country of origin, or longer-term visas. H1B visas are common in Silicon Valley where there is high demand for engineers and computer science experts. There are many ways to enter the U.S. legally ...

How much has the illegal border crossing decreased since 2000?

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Despite the rhetoric, Homeland Security statistics show that illegal border crossings are down about 90 percent since the year 2000. Many more immigrants are coming into the U.S. legally. Here are some of the most common paths to entering the country legally and possibly obtaining permanent residency ...

Why do people seek asylum?

port of entry and seek asylum if they can prove they have been or could be persecuted in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, participation in a certain social group or because of their political opinions.

How long is a temporary protected status good for?

Temporary protected status, or TPS, doesn’t lead to a green card, and it’s only good for up to 18 months. However, you can receive a work permit and explore other options toward a more permanent status during the time you’re in the U.S.

What is the amnesty for undocumented immigrants?

Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants. Amnesty is the practice of allowing an undocumented immigrant to stay in the United States legally. There are two types of amnesty for undocumented immigrants: asylum and temporary protected status.

Can undocumented immigrants get legal status?

However, there is help for undocumented immigrants in the United States. You may be able to get legal status that keeps you in the U.S. with your family and friends .

Can you cancel removal if you are arrested?

Cancellation of Removal. Some people who are arrested by immigration authorities can qualify for cancellation of removal – but it’s not an option available to everyone. You can only use this option if you’re already in removal proceedings, and you only qualify for cancellation of removal if you:

Can you get a green card if you are a temporary protected status?

if you come from a country that’s recently had an environmental or natural disaster, a civil war, or any other issue that makes it unsafe for you to return. Temporary protected status, or TPS, doesn’t lead to a green card, ...

Can an undocumented person be a permanent resident?

Undocumented immigrants – sometimes called “illegal immigrants” – don’t have many options for lawful permanent residence. U.S. immigration law is very clear about following the proper channels when visiting or moving to the United States.

How long can a U visa be used?

There is no fee to ... “U” visas allow immigrants who are victims of domestic violence or sex crimes to live and work in the United States for up to four years or more. And after three years of living in the U.S., a U visa holder and his/her immediate family members may apply for green cards.

What are the offenses that give rise to eligibility for a U visa?

law or taken place in the U.S. The offenses that give rise to eligibility for a U visa are: Abduction. Abusive sexual contact. Blackmail / extortion.

What is the form I-918?

Have an authorized official of the certifying law enforcement agency sign a Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certification. This form confirms that the immigrant was or is currently being helpful, or will likely be helpful in the future, in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

What is the meaning of "severe"?

The severity of the perpetrator’s conduct; The severity of the harm suffered; The duration of the infliction of the harm; and. The extent to which there is permanent or serious harm to the appearance, health, or physical or mental soundness of the victim, including aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

Is there a fee to apply for a U visa?

There is no fee to apply for a U visa. But to qualify the victim must: Prove that he or she suffered “substantial physical or mental abuse” as a result of the crime, and. Cooperate with U.S. law enforcement to investigate and prosecute the offense (s). 1.

Do I need to file an I-765?

Petitioners do not need to file an application for employment authorization. Family members deriving their immigration status through a U visa petitioner must file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization in order to work legally in the U.S.

What is an EB-3?

They are thus placed in the Employment Based Third Preference Category (EB-3) for unskilled or other workers.

Do nannies have to pass a background check?

He or she must also pass a background check. The nanny will be living with the host family during his or her time in the U.S. The host family must provide adequate accommodations, undergo a background check, show that it has the resources to pay the au pair, and consist of U.S. citizens or green card holders.

Can I hire a nanny for my kids?

In order to do so, you would have to petition the foreign employee for a green card or lawful permanent residence. This process involves three separate steps: PERM (ETA Form 9089), immigrant petition (Form I-140) and adjustment of status (Form I-485) or consular processing, depending where the applicant is residing.