UAE
The EB-5 visa for United Arab Emirates or UAE residents is an immigrant visa that allows Dubai and UAE residents to obtain permanent residence (U.S. Green Card). Acquiring this visa requires investors to generate at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. residents. The processing of this visa for UAE investors is on current status. After obtaining a green card, UAE investors can work and live in the United States permanently with their spouses and children. The visa application provides a 2-year conditional green card to investors and their dependents.
Benefits of EB-5 Visa for UAE Residents
- Stay, work, and travel anywhere in the United States via a green card.
- UAE investors and their dependents can travel anywhere in the U.S. with their green cards.
- Obtaining American citizenship provides a U.S. passport to travel to 186 nations without requiring a visa.
- UAE investors’ minor children under 21 years can study and stay in the United States after pursuing graduation, which foreign students are not allowed. They can study in world’s some of the best educational institutions without dealing with problems faced by international students. Moreover, they can enjoy more scholarship & funding options, and pay 150-300% less tuition fees than international students. They can study as a day scholar without long separation from their family to get an excellent education. After completing graduation, they can also get more job opportunities without facing challenges like processing delays, visa expiration, work permits, restrictions on job mobility, and sponsorship.
- Obtaining a green card provides visa-free travel privileges to enjoy great foreign mobility.
- The United States has a stable economy for UAE investors to increase their investments and start a business in the United States.
Risks of EB-5 Visa for UAE Investors
USCIS requires an ‘at risk’ EB-5 Visa investment. A U.S. green card cannot be obtained automatically, an investor has to meet all requirements for a green card. UAE investors also have to deal with documentation risk. Incorrect documentation of the source and path of investment funds can result in the denial of the EB-5 investment visa.
EB-5 Visa Requirements for United Arab Emirates
- The “at risk” investment in an EB-5 Visa for UAE citizens include the minimum investment of $800,000 (2,938,432 AED) for a TEA (Targeted Employment Area) and an investment of $1,050,000 (3,856,602 AED) for a non-TEA.
- UAE investors must create 10 full-time jobs for American residents through their investment.
- UAE investors can use business profits, gifts from any person, loans from a person or a recognized financial institution, inheritance, or wages/salaries as a source of funds for EB-5 investment.
Income Requirements for United Arab Emirates Investors
Alongside the above-mentioned source of funds requirement, there are some financial criteria for EB-5 visa for UAE citizens :
- The net worth of 3,856,602 AED or $1,050,000 for a person or a married couple, or
- At least 734,608 AED or $200,000 in the income of a single person in each of the past two years, or At least 1,101,912 AED or $300,000 in joint income in each of the last two years, or Comparable scale of future income and assets
EB-5 Visa Process for United Arab Emirates Investors
An EB-5 visa application for UAE investors consists of the following steps:
- Find and hire an investment advisor and immigration lawyer.
- Work with us to select an EB-5 project ensuring it meets all EB-5 visa program needs.
- Capital investment of minimum amount and Form I-526 petition filing. The form needs to be first approved by USCIS and then you can proceed for filing an EB-5 visa at Consulate outside the U.S. or a U.S. Embassy.
- Apply for Adjust Status (Form I-485) or Application to Register Permanent Residence and DS 260 form.
- Acquire a conditional green card of 2 years.
- Submit the petition to exclude conditions on Permanent Resident Status or Form I-829 and obtain an unconditional green card.
EB-5 Visa Costs for United Arab Emirates Citizens
Alongside EB-5 visa minimum investment for TEA and for non-TEA, a UAE investor needs to pay the administrative fee set by each project, fees for immigration counsel, $3,675 (13,498.42 AED) for filing Form I-526 and $3,750 (13,773.90 AED) for filing Form I-829. The fees of $1,140 (4,187.27 AED) to Adjust Status (Form I-485) and application to Register Permanent Residence are also included in the process of getting an EB-5 visa.
EB-5 Visa Can Lead to a Green Card!
Obtaining an EB-5 Immigrant Investment Visa can grant UAE investors a Green Card. We at EB-5 Investor Portal can guide you throughout the application process in conjunction with our U.S. legal partners. Our qualified and well-trained staff has multilingual experts who can communicate with you in multiple languages.