Mexico
The EB-5 U.S. immigrant investor visa program for Mexican residents provides an easier and more direct path to obtaining permanent residence or a U.S. Green Card after meeting the important EB-5 requirements. Acquiring this visa requires Mexican investors to invest specified capital or more, source of funds, and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens. After obtaining a permanent residence, Mexican investors get the right to live, work, and travel in the United States along with their spouses and children. At present, the EB-5 visa application for Mexican citizens is on ‘current’ status. Every year, overall 700 EB-5 visas are granted to Mexican citizens.
Benefits of EB-5 Visa for Mexican Residents
The EB-5 immigrant visa is an excellent choice for Mexican investors because of the following benefits-
- Grant the ability to obtain a lawful permanent residence in the United States or a green card for them and their families.
- Complete freedom to work, reside, and travel anywhere in the US.
- After acquiring citizenship in the United States, Mexican investors get the right to vote and have their valid US passports to travel anywhere in the US.
- Get access to multiple potential investments and opportunities to expand their existing business to the United States.
- Enjoy visa-free travel privileges and greater foreign mobility, which is otherwise available to US green cardholders.
- Unmarried and minor children of Mexican investors get the eligibility to study in some of the most recognized institutions of the world and get a quality education without having any restrictions applied to international students. Compared to foreign students, they pay less tuition fees that can range from 150-300 percent and have more scholarship and funding options. Moreover, they are eligible to study as a day scholar and discover more employment opportunities without wondering about the expiry of visas, limitations on job mobility, work permits, processing delays, and sponsorship.
EB-5 Visa Risks for Mexican Investors
During the journey of obtaining an EB-5 visa, Mexican investors must be ready to deal with the following immigration, financial, and fraud risks.
- Mexican citizen’s investments must be ‘at risk’ according to the USCIS (United States of Citizenship and Immigration Services). .
- EB-5 Mexican investors should carefully review and research available EB-5 projects with us and also, review source of funds.
- Note that applying for an EB-5 visa doesn’t guarantee a green card automatically. You need to meet all the essential requirements to get eligible for US green card.
EB-5 Visa Requirements for Mexican Investors
To qualify for an EB-5 visa, Mexican investors need to meet the following requirements –
- Investment amount
- The minimum investment of Mex$15,841,632 or $800,000 for a TEA (Targeted Employment Area) and Mex$20,792,142 or $1,050,000 for a non-TEA.
- Source of funds
- To valid source of funds, the investment can be done in the form of inheritance, wages or salaries, gifts from an individual, business profits, and loans from a specific individual or a financial institution.
- Job creation
- The investment by Mexican investors must result in the creation of a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for American citizens.
Income Requirements for Mexican Investors
The following financial criteria are set for Mexican investors to support a successful business –
- The net worth of Mex$20,792,142 or $1,050,000 for a person or a married couple.
- At least Mex$3,993,940 or $200,000 in individual income or a minimum of Mex$5,990,910 or $300,000 in joint income in each of the past 2 years.
- A comparable amount of future income and assets.
EB-5 Visa Process for Mexican Investors
On average, the Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor for an EB-5 visa for Mexican citizens may take between 29.5-61 months; it can be under one year for rural projects. Let’s discover the steps involved in the processing of an EB-5 visa application.
- Selecting a legal investment advisor and immigration lawyer/attorney.
- Evaluate an EB-5 project with us to ensure it meets the standard requirements.
- Capital investment and filing of the immigrant petition of Form I-526.
- Apply for status adjustment by filing the I-485 application and DS 260 Form.
- Obtaining a conditional green card of 2 years.
- Obtaining a permanent US residency and I-829 petition.
EB-5 Visa Costs for Mexican Citizens
The standard cost of an EB-5 visa for Mexican residents includes ‘at risk’ investment (as mentioned above) fees for immigration counsel which will vary and the following costs –
- Mex$72,792.75 or $3,675 of filing I-526.
- Mex$22,580.61 or $1,140 application fees to Adjust Status (Form I-485) and Register Permanent Residence.
- Mex$274,278.31 or $3,750 for filing a Petition by a Mexican investor to eliminate conditions on permanent resident status (Form I-829).
EB-5 Visa Can Lead to a Green Card!
Obtaining an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program can grant Mexican investors permanent
residency or a green card in the United States for them and their dependents. They can assure a quality education for their children and expanded financial opportunities.
We at EB-5 Investor Portal can guide and support you throughout the EB-5 visa investment and immigration program including documentation and other processes through our presence in Mexico and in conjunction with our U.S. legal partners.