Brazil
The EB-5 immigrant visa for Brazilian investors provides a U.S. Green Card (permanent residence) to eligible applicants. Obtaining a green card allows Brazil investors, their spouses, and their children under 21 an indefinite stay in the U.S. They can work and move freely anywhere in the United States. For an EB-5 visa, Brazilian investors require an ‘at risk’ minimum investment that can create 10 or more full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. According to the Congressional Research Service, Brazil was among the top ten nations for an EB-5 visa in 2019 with a total of 496 EB-5 visas issued. Brazil residents apply for EB-5 visas for relocation to the U.S. because of the political and economic issues and crime rates in their nation. The visa benefits Brazilian investors through faster US immigration. The EB-5 visa application for Brazilian investors remains on the ‘current’ status so they don’t face any backlog.
Benefits of EB-5 Visa for Brazil Investors
The EB-5 US immigrant visa benefits Brazilian investors and their families in the following ways :
- Eligible to get a lawful permanent residence and citizenship in the United States or a green card for them and their families. Getting US citizenship grants Brazilian investors the right to vote. They also become eligible to get a US passport.
- Allow Brazilian investors and their dependents to relocate to the US and work permanently in the United States without any restrictions.
- Brazilian investors can get employment in the United States including government jobs or start their businesses. They can also live a retired life without any job or sponsorship-related restrictions.
- The unmarried children of Brazilian investors can study in the best US schools and universities as their dependents without any problems faced by foreign students.
- The children can get access to more scholarship and funding options as compared to international students. They can get quality education as a day scholar and have the additional benefit of paying almost 150-300% less tuition fees compared to international students.
- Alongside educational benefits, children of Brazilian investors can discover more job opportunities without thinking about the expiry of visas, sponsorship, limitations on job mobility, work permits and processing delays.
- Brazilian investors can also enjoy foreign mobility through visa-free travel privileges that are usually available to green cardholders.
EB-5 Visa Risks for Brazilian Investors
- Transferring capital out of their nation is difficult for Brazilian citizens. They also find sending money out of Brazil inefficient and expensive process. They can send just R$10,000 ($1,934.98) out of Brazil in a month.
- Compared to the United States, Brazilian residents have lower taxes in Brazil.
- The awareness of the EB-5 program for Brazilian investors is constantly spread within and outside the United States.
EB-5 Visa Requirements for Brazilian Investors
The following are some requirements for an EB-5 immigrant visa for Brazil investors –
- The investment must be “at risk” according to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).
- The minimum investment of R$4,131,360 ($800,000) for a TEA (Targeted Employment Area) or R$5,422,410 ($1,050,000) for a non-TEA. A TEA is an area with higher unemployment rates and rural regions.
- Brazilian investors can invest capital using funds obtained from loans from an individual or a financial institution, any business profit, wages/salaries, inheritance, or gifts from any person.
- The US business investment by Brazilian investors must create 10 or more full-time jobs for American citizens.
Income Requirements for Brazil Investors
The financial criteria for an EB-5 visa for Brazil investors are listed below :
- The net worth of R$5,422,410 or $1,050,000 for an individual or a married couple, or
- At least R$1,032,840 or $200,000 in individual income or a minimum of R$1,549,260 or $300,000 in joint income in each of the previous two years.
- A comparable level of future income as well as assets.
EB-5 Visa Process for Brazil Investors
Getting an EB-5 immigrant visa would require Brazil investors to follow the step-by-step process as given below :
- Pick an investment advisor and immigration lawyer or attorney.
- Select an EB-5 project according to the EB-5 program requirements.
- Investment of the required capital and filing of I-526 petition.
- Applying for status adjustment (application I-485) and DS 260 Form.
- A conditional green card of two years.
- Removing conditions on permanent residency (Form I-829) by submitting the petition for an unconditional permanent residency
EB-5 Visa Costs for Brazil Investors
- ‘At risk’ investments for TEA and non-TEA.
- R$18,979.17 or $3,675 to file Form I-526.
- Application cost of R$5,887.42 or $1,140 to Register Permanent Residence or Status Adjustment (Form I-485).
- R$19,366.50 or $3,750 for filing Form I-829.
EB-5 Visa Can Lead to a Green Card!
An EB-5 immigrant visa can grant Brazil investors and their families permanent US residency or a green card to reside, work, and study anywhere in the United States. We at EB-5 Investor Portal, can help you navigate EB-5 green card program through our presence in Brazil and conjunction with our U.S. legal partners. Contact our team to get customized recommendations on starting immigration for you and your family. We have multilingual experts in our team so you will not have to deal with communication barriers.