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Green Card Program for Foreign Investors

The EB5 visa program that grants foreign investors a coveted US Green Card in exchange for a substantial investment is slated to run out in September 2008.

There are three options that constitute a substantial investment:

1. An investment of 1 million dollars anywhere in the US and the creation of 10 jobs.

2. An investment of $500,000 at a location where the unemployment rate is 50% above the national average, and the creation of 10 jobs.

3. An investment of $500,000 in a "Regional Center" recognized by the US Center for Immigration Services.

This third option is perfect for investors who are not interested in managing their investment and creating jobs. The Regional Centers provide the employment indirectly and manage the investments. The individual investors receive a minority share in the enterprise. The invested capital may come from any legal foreign or domestic source and may include gifts or loans.

With the dollar at an all-time low against the Euro, reaching the $500,000 level is achievable with a mere 370,000 Euros. This money is not idle, but is placed into yield producing investments that aim to provide pay outs.

The investor and his/her spouse and children (under 21) will receive the US Green Card, which may lead to eventual citizenship and subsequently allows the investor to sponsor other family members who want to emigrate to the US.

For more information about this program contact:

Sandy Nelson
Realtor
(360)789-7505
sandy.nelson@comcast.net
http://www.sandynelsonrealestate.com/

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/investment.htm

Posted by Sandy Nelson Realtor® Olympia Real Estate on 01/21/2008 10:27 PM

Comments (7)

foreign investor, green card, eb5

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7 Comments on Green Card Program for Foreign Investors

JAN

2008

That is a very interesting program. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks for the information on the program. I read last summer in the Seattle Times about an investor who has bought up a lot of buildings in Seattle's SODO area to develop into other uses (housing, tall office buildings?) with foreign investors' money who then also benefit with a green card. That is a very interesting development idea. Seems like a good idea to extend the program beyond 2008.

JAN

2008

Jeff, It's a good program to get foreign capital to help our economy.

Deborah, Seattle has one of the CIS approved regional centers, which invests heavily into the SODO district, helping to rejuvenate this neglected part of Seattle, which has a lot of potential similar to the London Docklands area, or Denver's Coors Field.

Sandy

Thanks Sandy for the additional info! I thought it was very interesting when I read about in the Seattle Times. I have a friend who owns a business (the buildings) in SODO and discussed this with him and how it might impact him. Do you know if there might be an extension to the 2008 withdrawal?

Deborah,

I sure hope the government extends this program. They would be foolish not to, since it brings welcome capital. On the one hand the doors are wide open for illegal immigrants and on the other side people wanting to bring their wealth into this country are restricted by the possible termination of this program.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

Given the value of the US dollar compared to foreign dollars, and add the incentive of obtaining a green card would make this program very attractive. Hopefully the program will be extended.

JAN

2008

Deborah,

I hope it will be extended, too.

Sandy

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