EB5 / Visa Green Card

What is an EB5 Investor Visa?

The U.S. Immigrant Investor Program - known as "EB-5" - is one of the most efficient ways for people from around the world to obtain a green card and live in the United States of America. After the successful completion of the program, investors and their family members (spouse and children under the age of 21) are given a conditional resident status in the United States, which can be converted into a permanent residency with a path to citizenship.

How it Works

Since its introduction in 1990 by the U.S. Immigration Act, the EB-5 program provides a special category of immigration visa for the high-net-worth international investor. To qualify for the program, the applicant must invest $500,000 in a business or project located in an area of the United States with a high unemployment rate. The applicant's investment must create 10 full-time jobs within a two-year period.

After the approval of the initial application, which is focused primarily on establishing the legal source of the investment of $500,000 (known as an I-526 Petition), the applicant and his or her immediate family are eligible for a conditional resident status in the United States. Once the applicant establishes that the investment of $500,000 was made in the selected project and the 10 full-time jobs were created within the required period (or will be created within a reasonable time period), the condition attached to the visa is removed and the applicant and family receive permanent resident status in the United States.

Basic Requirements

  • Investment of $500,000
  • Proof of legal source of said investment via the I-526 Petition
  • Each investment must create 10 full-time jobs for U.S. qualified workers

Program Benefits (Regional Center)

  • Unlike other U.S. visa programs, there are no requirements for age, education level or prior business experience
  • The applicant and his or her family (spouse and children under the age of 21 at the time of visa appointment) will be awarded green cards and will be able to settle anywhere in the United States
  • The Applicant is not required to speak English
  • The Applicant can apply for citizenship 5 years after becoming a temporary resident

Program Benefits (Regional Center)

  • Unlike other U.S. visa programs, there are no requirements for age, education level or prior business experience
  • The applicant and his or her family (spouse and children under the age of 21 at the time of visa appointment) will be awarded green cards and will be able to settle anywhere in the United States
  • The Applicant is not required to speak English
  • The Applicant can apply for citizenship 5 years after becoming a temporary resident

The Project: Paramount Miami Worldcenter

Paramount Miami Worldcenter (MWC) is an ultra-luxury 60-story tower featuring 513 residential units. Paramount MWC will be the signature luxury building in Miami Worldcenter, a large master planned mixed-use complex in Downtown Miami. The building architecture is by award-winning Elkus Manfredi Architects and is paired with spectacular interiors by world-renowned ID & Design to create a truly one-of-a-kind urban living experience.

Designed for the sophisticated and upwardly mobile, Paramount is a new destination lifestyle that not only creates the ultimate residential experience, but also provides a progressive residential and hospitality concept as part of the Paramount network of properties. Residents will also enjoy access to local amenities such as Bayfront Park, American Airlines Arena (Miami Heat), the cruise port, South Beach and the numerous museums, restaurants, cafes, and retail offerings of Downtown Miami. Project Location

Map Showing Districts of Miami

The map shows the location of the Project Site in relation to downtown Miami. The Project Site is to be situated on the border of the Arts & Entertainment District and the Downtown Core Area. Further to the South is Miami's Brickell Business District.

Map Showing Location of Project Site

The Project Site will be built within the development space of the Miami Worldcenter, an approximately 30-acre area in Downtown Miami. The Miami Worldcenter will extend from 2nd Avenue to Miami Ave and from 5th Street to 11th Street. With many transportation options, the project is easily accessible from Interstates 95 and 395 as well as Miami's Metrorail and Metro-mover. EB-5 Visa Flow Chart

  • Complete application
  • Attorney document review Investment and admin fee collected
  • Determine lawful sources of funds
  • Submit I-526 application Funds invested
  • Obtain I-526 Approval (up to 16 months )
  • Transfer file to National Visa Center (NVC) for Visa issuance
  • Consulate interview
  • Receive conditional permanent resident status (6-8 months)
  • Submit I-829 application (after 21 months of residency)
  • Removal of conditional residence and issuance of permanent residency (Usually within 9 months)
  • Return of investment principal

Fee Schedule for the EB5 Visa

Capital Commitment $500,000
Regional Center Fee $50,000
Legal Fees* $20,000

USCIS Fees **
I-526 Conditional Green Card $1,500
Form I-485 Petition Filing Fee*** $900
I-829 Permanent Green Card*** $3,750
Total $576,150

*Estimate. The legal fees include all of the legal work for the two EB-5 petitions or conditional and permanent green card) as well as client support during consular processing. If the client chooses to adjust status while living in the U.S., that will require additional legal fees and USCIS fees based on the number of individuals in the family.

**Unites States Citizenship & Immigration Services

***Biometric fee is $85, where applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Under the EB-5 Investor Immigration Program, if the investor has more than one child, are theall eligible for green cards?

The investor can include all unmarried children under the age of 21. If one of your children under the age of 21 is already studying in the U.S. at the time the application is approved, he or she will also be considered an immigrant by adjusting his or her status from student visa holder to resident visa holder.

How do I certify the legal source of my $500,000 investment?
There are many sources that are accepted as legal: capital earned from a legitimate business, appreciation of real estate investments, inheritance, lottery winnings, and so on. For more details, enquire with your immigration consultant company and U.S. lawyers to evaluate your case and design a suitable solution.

Can a family member give me the required funds so that I qualify?
Yes. Gifts from a family member or other person can be used for investment immigration after a gift tax. However, you still must provide verifiable proof of a legitimate source for the gifted funds.

I would like to visit the project and persons involved in the U.S. Is this possible?
You are welcome to visit the projects that are already completed and the projects in construction. Our team in Florida will be happy to introduce you to the key partners of the project. Should you wish to visit us, give us your tentative visit date and we will arrange your visit.

What kind of job creation is recognized by the USCIS?
Under the individual direct investment, the program requires the creation of 10 full-time jobs created directly by the project (excluding the indirect jobs calculated by economic modeling). Full- time means working 35 hours or more per week. The workers must be identified as U.S. qualified workers.

However, if the project is from a regional center, the calculation of indirect and induced jobs based on an approved economic methodology is accepted, making the criteria much easier to meet.

EB5 Projects mandate an independent analyst to estimate the job creation required to remove the condition attached to the Green Card. Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need to invest the $500,000?
Once the Regional Center establishes that the investor fulfilled the basic admissibility requirements, they are invited to wire their investment of $500,000 into the project. The amount will be kept in escrow until the I-526 application has been submitted to the USCIS.

When I apply for the removal of my green card's conditional status, what must be established?
USCIS will base their decision on a comparison between the investor's job creation forecast indicated in the I-526 petition and the actual job creation at the time of submission of the petition for the removal of the condition (I-829 petition).

The immigration officer will assess whether the investment of $500,000 has indeed been invested in the manner indicated in the I-526 and has led to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs and whether it is realistic to expect that the jobs created will be sustained for a reasonable period. If the answers to those questions are positive, the I-829 petition should be approved and the condition removed.

What kind of benefits and conveniences does a U.S. green card provide?
Everyone has their own motivations for resettling in the United States. Having a green card will greatly facilitate this plan and it will also bring many conveniences. People who have the permanent right to settle in the United States through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program are granted most of the rights of U.S. citizens. The green card also gives you, your spouse and children under 21 the right to settle anywhere in the United States and come and go as you please.

Green card holders can also freely start businesses and engage in sole proprietorship or corporate enterprises in the United States. Permanent residents no longer need a work visa to engage in work or business in the country.

The United States is home to many of the world's best international institutions for basic education and postgraduate study. As a U.S. resident, investors can pay relatively lower tuition fees at these elite schools. The cost of living in the United States is less than many other large, advanced countries. Consumer goods, services, and housing are also much cheaper than many countries. Frequently Asked Questions

American citizens are entitled to many social rights and goods, such as public schooling, health and medical assistance, social security for retirement and more. As a permanent green card holder, you will be granted these same basic entitlements.

When is my $500,000 investment repaid?
The investment continues separately to the immigration application and will be repaid per its own terms. Typically work with an approximately five-year term but each project is different. The investment must be at-risk per USCIS requirements, and no guarantee can be made as to its return of or return on investment.

I-526 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Required documentation for I-526 Application

This is a list of necessary documents and declarations that you have to prepare in order to have a successful I-526 application. Please provide every item listed under part 1 of this letter, and select a category that fits you best under part 2 and 3, and provide all items listed under that category.

1. Applicant's Personal Information and General Financial Situation. 

Please Provide All of the Following Documents

Personal Information

  • Resume of applicant and all dependents (describing job position, duty, length of employment, income)
  • Licenses and diplomas of applicant and all dependents
  • Passport of applicant and all dependents (including the photo page and all visa pages)
  • Other foreign ID of applicant and all dependents
  • Birth certificate of applicant and all dependents
  • Marriage certificate
  • Spousal joint asset declaration (if the income of the applicant is insufficient)
  • Records of civil and criminal litigation against applicant in the past 15 years.

AND

Applicant's Personal Wealth and Tax Returns in the Most Recent Five Years

  • Individual tax returns for the most recent five years. If applicant has no tax returns, explain why they cannot be provided, and then provide other evidence of applicant's income and economic well-being. If the income as shown on the tax returns is too low, then provide evidence of bank savings, investment, long term salary income, dividend and local living expense report to establish the personal wealth of applicant.

AND

Information about Companies that are owned by Applicant

  • Company's registration
  • Company's business license
  • Articles of incorporation or other founding documents
  • Shareholder chart News or awards about the company
  • Photos of products or services of the company (the company name should appear in the photo).
  • Marketing material Website screenshot
  • Photos of the company's office or facility
  • Name change certificate (if applicable)
  • Company's balance sheet and profit and loss statement in the last fiscal year.
  • Tax returns of the company for the past five years.
  • If the company was in tax-exempt or tax-reduction status, provide the corporate tax counsel's declaration, and provide five years of financial report of the company.

2. Proof of Path of Funds

Please Provide All of the Following Documents

  • Applicant bank account showing receipt of and subsequent disbursement of funds to escrow account, or wire receipt.
  • Escrow account record showing receipt of the funds to the escrow account
  • Any receipts or statements showing currency conversions

3. Source of Funds 

Please choose one of the following categories that fits your situation best, and provide all documents requested under that category.

Distributions or Dividends from self-owned company

  • Company letter, certifying shares owned by applicant, position assumed in the company, length of such employment, income and its component (salary, bonus, or dividend).
  • Tax returns of applicant for last 5 years
  • Company bank account showing that the compensation was disbursed.
  • Applicant bank account showing that the compensation was received.
  • If the compensation consists of dividend, provide the board resolution approving such distribution, and documents establishing its legality.
  • Financial reports showing the company's net asset and retained profit in recent years.

OR

Earned income (wages)

  • Letter from each company the applicant has worked for, describing the period of employment, position, compensation and its composition (salary, bonus or dividend).
  • Applicant bank account showing compensation was received, or pay check or slip.
  • Bank savings and investment records over the years.
  • Local living expense report, or individual living expense proof (if needed)
  • Tax returns of applicant for last 5 years
  • Employment related license, diploma or other certificate.
  • If applicant is a sole proprietor, provide declarations from people who knows applicant's business, describing applicant's business operation condition.

OR

Income from sale of assets/real estate

  • Sale contract
  • Certificate of ownership of the asset
  • Transaction tax document
  • Applicant bank account showing receipt of the sale price.
  • Asset value appraisal report, and/or photos of the asset
  • Qualification of the evaluating institute.
  • Documents related to the initial acquisition of the assets and the source of money used to acquire it. (If the asset was acquired more than seven years before, the investor needs only to provide declarations).
  • If the asset sold is a company, provide the shareholder chart of the company, and the financial reports, photos and websites of the company.

OR

Secured Loan from bank

  • Applicant declaration about the circumstances around the loan (time, bank, value of collateral, time of fund receipt, purpose of loan).
  • Certificate of ownership of the collateral
  • Value appraisal report of the collateral.
  • Qualification of the evaluating institute.
  • Documents related to the initial acquisition of the assets and the source of money used to acquire it. (If the asset was acquired more than seven years before, the investor needs only to provide declarations).
  • Loan agreement
  • Promissory note evidencing the receipt of the funds
  • Applicant bank account showing receipt of the funds
  • Documentary proof or declaration that applicant could use lawful money to repay the loan.

OR

Secured Loan from related company or individual

  • Applicant declaration about the circumstances around the loan (time, bank, value of collateral, time of fund receipt, purpose of loan).
  • Lender's background and its relationship with applicant.
  • Certificate of ownership of the collateral.
  • Value appraisal report of the collateral.
  • Qualification of the evaluating institute.
  • Documents related to the initial acquisition of the assets and the source of money used to acquire it. (If the asset was acquired more than seven years before, the investor needs only to provide declarations).
  • Loan agreement
  • Promissory note evidencing the receipt of the funds
  • Applicant bank account showing receipt of the funds
  • Documentary proof or declaration that applicant could use lawful money to repay the loan.
  • If the lender is an individual, provide the tax returns of the individual and the tax payment record of his company, or explain his source of income.
  • If the lender is a company, provide the financial reports of the company, showing the net assets and retained profit of the company.
  • If the lender is a company, provide the board resolution approving the loan.

OR

Loan from related individual or company without collateral (applicant must have large lawful assets and have a close relationship witthe lender)

  • Applicant declaration about the circumstances around the loan (time, bank, value of collateral, time of fund receipt, purpose of loan).
  • Lender's background and its relationship with applicant
  • Loan agreement (if no written agreement, provide declaration from both parties about the terms of the loan)
  • Declaration from both parties stating the loan is not secured.
  • Promissory note evidencing the receipt of the funds
  • Applicant bank account showing receipt of the funds
  • Lender's bank account showing disbursing of the funds
  • Establishing applicant's lawful assets are large enough to repay the debt (providing bank savings record, investment and other ownership of real estates.)
  • If the lender is an individual, provide the tax returns of the individual and the tax payment record of his company, or explain his source of income.
  • If the lender is a company, provide the financial reports of the company, showing the net assets and retained profit of the company.
  • If the lender is a company, provide the board resolution approving the loan.

OR

Gifts

  • Applicant declaration about the circumstances around the gift
  • Donor's background and its relationship with applicant
  • Donor's tax returns and the tax payment record of his company, or explain the source of the funds.
  • Documents or declaration proving the means the donor obtained the gift initially.
  • Donor declaration that he does not expect repayment.
  • If the gift is money, provide bank account information or wire receipt showing the funds were disbursed and received.
  • If the gift is assets other than money, provide notary certificate about the transfer.
  • Gift tax proof.

OR

Inheritance

  • Proof of the parties' relationship
  • Death certificate
  • Will or court order for distribution (if the documents are missing because a long time has elapsed, provide witness declarations)
  • Donor's background and proof that he acquired the asset through lawful funds. (If the gift was acquired long ago, provide witness declaration)
  • If the inheritance is money, provide bank account information or wire receipt showing the funds were disbursed and received (if the documents are missing because a long time has elapsed, provide witness declarations)
  • If the gift is assets other than money, provide notary certificate about the transfer (if the documents are missing because a long time has elapsed, provide witness declarations)  Inheritance tax record

DISCLAIMER

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS BROCHURE, AS WELL AS ANY ATTACHMENTS AND/OR REFERENCES HEREIN, SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY INTEREST IN ANY SECURITY OR ANY SECURITY DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS OF ANY KIND, OR ANY TYPE OF TRADING OR INVESTMENT ADVICE, RECOMMENDATION OR STRATEGY. NO OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY AN INTEREST IN ANY SECURITY OR OTHER SUCH PRODUCT MAY BE MADE TO A PROSPECTIVE SUBSCRIBER (I) UNTIL A COPY OF THE APPLICABLE SUBSCRIPTION MATERIALS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO AND REVIEWED BY SUCH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS THEREOF, (II) UNLESS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4(A)(2) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND REGULATION D PROMULGATED THEREUNDER, OR EXCLUSIVELY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PROSPECTIVE SUBSCRIBER WHO IS A NON-U.S. CITIZEN OR NON-U.S. PERMANENT RESIDENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S OF THE SECURITIES ACT; AND (III) IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. ANY REPRESENTATIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE UNLAWFUL. WE MAKE NO GUARANTEE OR REPRESENTATION WITH RESPECT TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY INVESTMENT, THE SPECIFIC RATE OF RETURN ON ANY INVESTMENT NOR THE RETURN OF CAPITAL.