United Kingdom
The EB-5 U.S. immigrant investor visa program for UK investors provides a direct path to obtaining a U.S. Green Card (U.S. permanent residence) after meeting all requirements. Getting permanent residence allows UK investors and their families to enjoy a permanent stay in the U.S. and work permanently in the United States. To get eligible for this visa, UK investors need a minimum investment, legitimate source of funds, and 10 or more full-time job creation for American citizens. The EB-5 visa application for UK investors presently remains on the ‘current’ status. According to the reports of Investment Migration Insider, UK residents belong to the top nations that contribute 80% of EB-5 US Visa applications in April 2020. After getting a permanent US residence, United Kingdom investors and their dependents get the right to relocate and work in the United States independently without any sponsorship restrictions.
Benefits of EB-5 Visa for United Kingdom Residents
The EB-5 immigrant visa offers a wide range of benefits for UK investors and their families including the following :
- The ability to get a legal permanent US residence or a green card for them and their families (spouse and children).
- Benefits to freely working, living, and traveling anywhere in the U.S. with a green card and no restrictions.
- Getting US citizenship provides United Kingdom investors the right to vote and obtain a US passport.
- Minor children (unmarried or under 21 years) of UK investors have the chance to study in the best educational institutes of the world as their dependents without any obstacles faced by international students.
- Minor children of UK investors gain exposure to more scholarship and funding options than international students. They can pursue education as a day scholar without dealing with the pain of long separation from their family.
- Moreover, UK investors’ children become eligible to pay 150-300% less tuition fees than international students.
- In addition to education benefits, children of UK investors can discover more job opportunities without worrying about any problems. For example, the expiry of visas, work permits, limitations on job mobility, processing delays, and sponsorship.
- UK investors also benefit from visa-free travel privileges that provide greater foreign mobility. This benefit is usually granted to US green cardholders.
- UK investors and their dependents can get employment opportunities in government jobs and/or may run multiple businesses in the United States without facing any sponsorship-associated limitations.
EB-5 Visa Risks for UK Investors
When applying for an EB-5 visa, UK investors may have to face the following risks.
- Immigration risk
- An EB-5 investment doesn’t provide a green card automatically. The UK investors need to fulfill the specified criteria to be granted a US green card or permanent residence.
- Investment risk
- Just like a green card, the return on capital can’t be assured automatically. Applying for an EB-5 visa for UK investors will require understanding the possible gains & losses and meeting the criteria to enjoy the returns. Work with us to evaluate EB-5 projects.
- Fraud risk
- EB-5 UK investors should carefully and thoroughly review and research their EB-5 investment projects to ensure the legitimacy of the project and prevent any fraud charges against source of funds or avoid huge financial losses.
EB-5 Visa Requirements for UK Investors
To qualify for an EB-5 immigrant investment visa, UK investors need to satisfy the following requirements :
- Investment Amount
- The “at risk” investment of at least 700,464.08 UK Pounds sterling ($800,000) for a TEA or 919,359.10 UK Pounds sterling ($1,050,000) for a non-TEA.
- Source Of Funds
- UK investors can use wages or salaries, any business profits, inheritance, gifts received from any person, or loans from a specific person or a recognized financial institution, as a legitimate source of fund for capital investment.
- Job Creation
- The UK investors need to create 10 or more full-time jobs for American employees to obtain an EB-5 visa.
Income Requirements for UK Investors
The financial criteria for United Kingdom investors are listed below :
- The net worth of 919,359.10 UK Pounds sterling or $1,050,000 for a single person or a married couple.
- At least 175,116.02 UK Pounds sterling or $200,000 in individual income or a minimum of 262,674.03 UK Pounds sterling or $300,000 in joint income in each of the past two years.
- A comparable level of potential income and assets.
EB-5 Visa Process for UK Investors
UK investors need to follow the step-by-step process given below for an EB-5 visa application.
- Pick a legal investment advisor and immigration lawyer.
- Work with us to select the right EB-5 project according to the EB-5 program.
- Capital investment and filing of I-526 petition.
- Applying for status adjustment application or register permanent residence (Form I-485) and DS 260 Form.
- A conditional green card with two years of validity.
- Removing conditions on permanent resident status (Form I-829) through permanent residency & petition by UK investors.
EB-5 Visa Costs for UK Citizens
- The capital contribution, administrative fee set by the project and fees for immigration counsel with vary.
- 3,217.76 UK Pounds sterling or $3,675 of filing Form I-526.
- 998.16 UK Pounds sterling or $1,140 for the application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status (Form I-485).
- 3,282.43 UK Pounds sterling or $3,750 for filing Form I-829.
EB-5 Visa Can Lead to a Green Card!
Obtaining an EB-5 Visa benefits UK investors and their dependents with permanent US residency or a green card. EB-5 Investor Portal, can assist you navigate the EB-5 visa program in conjunction with our U.S. legal partners. Contact our team to get customized recommendations on starting immigration for you and your family.