I’m a student who currently runs an online family-owned business. I plan to officially register as the owner next year when I turn 18. I’ve been looking into the EB-5 visa as a way for me to immigrate to the US. My goal is to establish an LLC in the US next year and set up a warehouse. However, one of the challenges is meeting the requirement of having 10 employees to be eligible for the EB-5 Visa. I’ve heard that there’s an option to invest a minimum of $800k into a regional center, which is a cheaper and easier route, but it may have a lower return on investment or potential loss. Despite the risks, I’m considering this route due to personal reasons, including the political crisis in my home country. I understand that the paperwork and visa application process take a significant amount of time, and I need to be proactive in preparing for it. My plan is to start preparing about 1 year in advance, considering my age and the legal requirements. It’s crucial for me to understand the timeline for registering, receiving, and obtaining a valid visa to initiate the immigration process and leave my home country.
Answers
Bernard P Wolfsdorf
Immigration Attorneys DirectoryIf you seeking to process a green card while waiting in your home country, anticipate at least about 2 years from the time you file. There might be other viable options based on your plan, so you want to explore all options with your immigration lawyer.
Belma Demirovic Chinchoy
Immigration Attorneys DirectoryThe best advice I can give you on a public forum is to hire an EB-5 attorney who will guide you through the process and act to protect your interests.
Benjamin Hu
Immigration Attorneys DirectoryAn investor who is lawfully inside the US on a nonimmigrant status is also allowed to file EB-5 petition I-526/E alongside the I-485 Adjustment of Status petition (formally requesting immigrant status). The I-485 is not finalized until the underlying I-526/E is approved first. Form I-526/E can be approved on average around 6-8 months as of this writing, if the investment is made into a qualifying "Rural" designated Targeted Employment Area. Form I-485 usually takes longer, about 10 months on average, but this also depends on the applicant's personal biographic history.
A petitioner who has a clean history and who invests into a Rural area, with a smooth EB-5 petition, could generally expect to get their conditional two-year green card within a year or less.
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