By Sam Silverman
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign investors who meet a specific set of requirements to obtain permanent U.S. residency. In effect since 1990, it has gained particular traction in recent years among business owners and project developers, who have come to regard the EB-5 investment industry as a secure and reliable source of capital. The program has poured billions of dollars into U.S. businesses and created thousands of full-time jobs. It also encourages investment in targeted employment areas (TEAs), which are either rural or are experiencing high unemployment. EB-5 investors who choose projects located in TEAs are granted a lower investment requirement of only $500,000, as opposed to the at-least $1,000,000 required for non-TEA projects.U.S. business leaders can often access EB-5 investment funding at below-market rates, but they must keep in mind that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) closely regulates the industry. If an EB-5 investor does not follow USCIS guidelines, he or she will be ineligible for a U.S. Green Card. As a result, project developers must take care to ensure compliance with such policies.
