Some E-2 visa applicants make their investments with the intention of eventually transitioning to an EB-5 visa. This article will explore the reasons for converting from E-2 to EB-5 and the important factors that petitioners must contemplate when doing so. Let us first consider the difference...
Developers have increasingly looked to the EB-5 program as a less expensive, more easily obtainable source of capital compared to traditional financing. However, one drawback of the EB-5 program is the lengthy processing time of I-526 applications. As a result of the ballooned number of...
Brazilian nationals seeking admission to the United States are not eligible to apply for the E-2 Treaty investor visa[1]. Brazil is not a Treaty Country,[2] so potential Brazilian investors must find alternate options for coming to the U.S. to invest in and manage a business. Fortunately,...
Historically, film studios and producers have used many different types of financing to cover the costs of film production, including government grants, pre-sales, debt financing, and private equity. In recent years, the film industry has sought funding through the EB-5 program. Since 2009, international media conglomerates...
The classic EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program scenario involves a U.S. company seeking a loan from a pooled EB-5 investment as part of its capital stack. However, a new trend in the EB-5 space is the growing number of international developers using EB-5 funds to finance...
In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program in order to stimulate the U.S. economy. In 1993, Congress created the EB-5 pilot program to increase interest in the program by creating the option of Regional Centers. The number of visas granted has significantly increased...
Developers have increasingly looked to the EB-5 program as a less expensive, easier to obtain source of capital over traditional financing. However, lengthy I-526 processing times present a challenge to developers with shovel-ready projects. In many EB-5 deals, investors’ funds are placed in escrow until...
The EB-5 program was designed to reward foreign investors who invest $1 million into a new commercial enterprise that creates ten full-time jobs as a result of their investment. However, most EB-5 petitioners lawfully invest $500,000 for the same benefit. This lower investment threshold is...
By Alexandra Clough - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Lauren Cohen is founder of e-Council Inc., a Boca Raton-based firm that helps businesses obtain financing through the federal EB-5 visa program. Through the program, foreign nationals that invest in U.S. businesses and create jobs can receive...
There are three basic components that must be proven in a successful EB-5 investor petition: (1) investment of the requisite amount of capital[1]; (2) in a new commercial enterprise; which (3) results in the creation of at least 10 new, full-time jobs.[2] USCIS is very...