E-2 Visa to EB-5 Visa?
The EB-5 immigrant investor program is probably one of the better known paths to permanent residence (i.e. a green card) under U.S. immigration law. Under that program, any foreign person can make a capital investment (cash, equipment, inventory, etc.) of $1 million (or $500,000 in some cases) in a commercial enterprise in the U.S. As long as the investor creates or maintains 10 jobs for U.S. workers and meet a few other requirements, they can be granted permanent residence.
Of course, that $1,000,000 or $500,000 threshold is financially out of reach to the vast majority of people. However, there is a frequently overlooked alternative that can still lead to the EB-5 green card.
E-2 Investor Visa
The E-2 investor visa allows nationals of certain designated countries to come to the U.S. to develop and direct an enterprise in which he or she has invested a “substantial” amount of capital. What constitutes a “substantial” amount of capital varies depending on the nature of the enterprise.
Many foreign entrepreneurs have successfully procured E-2 visas with investments well below $100,000.
E-2 as a Stepping Stone to the EB-5 Visa
E-2 status can be renewed every two years indefinitely. With no limits on E-2 renewals, the foreign entrepreneur can reinvest earnings from the E-2 venture into the enterprise, and thereby slowly build up to the requisite $1 million or $500,000 EB-5 investment over time. Once the EB-5 investment threshold is met, the E-2 holder can seek permanent residence through the EB-5 process.
Successfully navigating this pathway to the EB-5 green card requires strong bookkeeping and accounting practices during the E-2 phase.
It must be clear to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service that the E-2 holder had control of the E-2 enterprises’ profits, and reinvested them back into the company.
Consultation with both immigration and tax/accounting counsel is recommended. Ultimately, the E-2 to EB-5 strategy has the potential to make EB-5 permanent residence a viable option for people who could not otherwise afford it.
E2 Visa or Immigration Questions? Please Contact VERDIN
Isaul Verdin has extensive experience advising multinational companies and entrepreneurs on complex US immigration matters involving investments.
Mr. Verdin focuses on advising companies on structuring entities, acquisitions, and strategic expansion to satisfy US immigration E-1, E2, L1A, L1B, or EB-1 objectives in a variety of fields. These business opportunities include real estate, aviation, technology, manufacturing, retail, luxury goods, and professional services. Additionally, he litigates deportation defense matters throughout the US.
VERDIN boasts a combined 70 years of experience in immigration law. Since its inception, VERDIN has gained a reputation for prevailing in even the most complicated immigration matters.
“As a Board Certified, Immigration Lawyer (Texas Board of Legal Specialization) with over 17 years of experience, my passion is immigration law. We will listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and expertly guide you through your immigration process.” ~ Isaul Verdin, Founder and Managing Attorney
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7 de diciembre del 2015
Usando la Visa de Inversionista E-2 como un escalón para residencia permanente EB-5
El programa de inversionistas inmigrantes EB-5 es probablemente uno de los caminos más conocidos para residencia permanente (es decir, “green card”) bajo la ley de inmigración estadounidense. Bajo ese programa, cualquier persona extranjera puede hacer una inversión de capital (dinero, equipo, inventario, etc.) de $ 1 millón (o $500,000 en algunos casos) en una empresa comercial en los Estados Unidos. Mientras que crean o mantienen 10 empleos para trabajadores estadounidenses y cumplen con unos otros requisitos, les pueden conceder la residencia permanente.
Por supuesto, de que $1,000,000 o $500,000 dólares umbral esta económicamente fuera del alcance para la gran mayoría de las personas. Sin embargo, hay una alternativa que con frecuencia se pasa por alto que todavía puede llevar a la EB-5 “green card.” La visa de Inversionista E-2 permite a nacionales de ciertos países designados venir a los Estados Unidos para desarrollar y dirigir una empresa en la que él o ella han invertido una cantidad “considerable” del capital. Lo que constituye una cantidad “considerable” del capital varía dependiendo de la naturaleza de la empresa, pero muchos empresarios extranjeros han procurado con éxito E-2 visas con inversiones muy por debajo de $100,000.
El estado de E-2 puede ser renovado indefinidamente cada dos años. Sin límite de renovaciones E-2, el empresario extranjero puede reinvertir las ganancias de la empresa E-2 en la empresa y así poco a poco construir a la inversión requerida de EB-5 de $1 millón o $500,000 con el tiempo. Una vez que el EB-5 umbral de inversión se cumpla, el poseedor E-2 puede solicitar residencia permanente a través del proceso de EB-5.
Con éxito la navegación de este camino hacia la “green card” EB-5 requiere contabilidad fuerte y prácticas contables durante la fase E-2, tal que estará claro para el Servicio de Inmigración y Ciudadanía estadounidense que el poseedor E-2 tenía el control de las ganancias de las empresas E-2 y los invirtió de nuevo en la compañía. Se recomienda consultar con la asesoría de un abogado de inmigración, con un abogado fiscal y con un contador. Ultimadamente, la estrategia de E-2 a EB-5 tiene el potencial para hacer la residencia permanente EB-5 una opción viable para la gente que no se lo podía permitir por otra parte.
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