La intención del Programa de Inversionistas Inmigrantes EB-5 es estimular el crecimiento económico y la creación de empleo en los Estados Unidos mediante la atracción de inversiones extranjeras a varias regiones de los Estados Unidos que necesitan estímulos económicos y creación de empleo.
Ser elegible para la residencia permanente a través del Programa EB-5, un inversor extranjero debe invertir un mínimo de 1.050.000 dólares. Esta inversión mínima puede reducirse a 800 000 dólares si el inversor extranjero invierte en un área específica de empleo (TEA).
En este artículo haremos lo siguiente:
Una TEA es una designación creada por el Congreso de los Estados Unidos y aplicada por el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) para atraer inversiones en áreas que tienen altas tasas de desempleo o en áreas rurales. Por lo tanto, hay dos tipos de TEA: áreas rurales y áreas de alto desempleo. Las TEA deben tener al menos una tasa de desempleo del 150% del promedio nacional.
La Ley de Reforma e Integridad EB-5 de 2022 (RIA) introdujo las categorías de reserva de visas o también conocidas como visas reservadas. Hay una reserva del 32% de todas las visas EB-5. Creó una reserva anual del 10% de todas las visas EB-5 para inversiones realizadas en TEAs con altas tasas de desempleo y una reserva anual del 20% de todas las visas EB-5 para inversiones realizadas en TEAs rurales. Estas retiradas de tierras ofrecen a los inversores posteriores a la RIA un visado que podría estar disponible de forma inmediata tras la aprobación del I-526E, incluso si provienen de un país atrasado y ofrecen una inversión mínima de 800 000 dólares.
Para que un área califique como TEA con alto índice de desempleo, debe tener una tasa de desempleo de al menos el 150% de la tasa de desempleo promedio nacional de EE. UU.
Las TEA con alto nivel de desempleo ahora solo pueden incluir el distrito censal del proyecto de inversión y los distritos censales directamente adyacentes. Esta nueva definición fue establecida por la Ley de Reforma e Integridad del EB-5 de 2022 (RIA). Las designaciones TEA son otorgadas por los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos. La designación de alto nivel de desempleo es válida durante dos años y se puede renovar en incrementos de dos años.
Las retiradas de tierras ofrecen a los inversores posteriores a la RIA un visado que podría estar disponible de inmediato tras la aprobación de la I-526E o la I-526, incluso si provienen de un país atrasado.
Una TEA rural es un área que se encuentra fuera de un área estadística metropolitana y más allá del límite exterior de una ciudad o pueblo con una población de 20 000 habitantes o más. Las TEA rurales fomentan la inversión rural EB5 en áreas rurales que necesitan desarrollo económico y creación de empleo.
Los peticionarios EB-5 rurales son elegibles para un procesamiento prioritario, aunque el USCIS aún no ha definido el cronograma exacto para el procesamiento. La Ley de Reforma e Integridad de la EB-5 de 2022 estableció una reserva anual del 20% de todas las visas EB-5 para inversiones realizadas en las TEA rurales. Esta reserva de tierras ofrece a los inversores posteriores a la RIA una visa que podría estar disponible de inmediato tras la aprobación del I-526E, incluso si provienen de un país atrasado. Además, las peticiones EB-5 de las zonas rurales pueden recibir un procesamiento prioritario, lo que supone un tiempo medio de tramitación de 12 meses.
Puede encontrar una lista de áreas de empleo específicas utilizando una herramienta de mapeo TEA. Invest in the USA (IIUSA), la organización comercial de la industria EB-5, ofrece una herramienta interactiva de mapeo de TEA que se encuentra aquí: https://iiusa.org/resources-data/targeted-employment-areas/. Se puede acceder al mapa de la TEA y revisar los datos detallados sobre cada ruta censal. El mapa se actualiza anualmente con los datos laborales publicados por la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales de los Estados Unidos por condado.
El monto de la inversión del EB-5 en un proyecto de TEA o infraestructura en áreas rurales o de alto desempleo se reduce de 1 050.000 dólares a 800 000 dólares, según los datos geográficos y de desempleo publicados por la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales de los Estados Unidos.
Además de las áreas de empleo específicas, los proyectos de infraestructura también tienen una reserva de visas del 2% del total de visas EB-5, y reciben un trato similar a los proyectos EB5 de TEA en términos del monto de inversión requerido.
La Ley de Reforma e Integridad EB-5 de 2022 define entre «áreas de empleo específicas» y proyectos de «infraestructura»; sin embargo, los proyectos de infraestructura reciben un trato similar a los proyectos de TEA, ya que tienen el mismo monto de inversión de 800,000 dólares y también tienen una reserva de visas del 2% del total de visas EB-5.
Los proyectos del Grupo Peachtree se encuentran en áreas de empleo específicas. Los proyectos actuales incluyen:
Así es como puede comenzar su viaje hacia la residencia en los EE. UU. con una inversión EB-5, guiada en cada paso por la experiencia y la dedicación de Peachtree Group a la simplicidad, la transparencia y el éxito. Obtenga más información sobre La ventaja de Peachtree.
Empezar por visitando nuestro sitio web donde puede obtener más información sobre nuestras oportunidades de inversión específicas para EB-5.
Diseñamos nuestro sitio para que sea fácil de usar y sencillo.
Tómate un momento para rellena el formulario de contacto en nuestro sitio web.
Cuando tengamos su información, uno de nuestros gerentes de relaciones con los inversores se pondrá en contacto con usted.
If you're working in the United States on an H-1B visa and seeking permanent residency, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a promising path forward. This comprehensive guide walks you through the process of transitioning from an H-1B to an EB-5 visa, helping you understand your options to make an informed decision about your immigration journey.
The H-1B visa is a temporary, employer-sponsored visa that ties you to a specific company. You need to win a lottery to get one, and you'll face regular renewal requirements. Plus, your stay in the U.S. is always dependent on your employment status.
The EB-5 visa, on the other hand, offers a direct path to permanent residency. No employer sponsorship needed! With an EB-5 visa, you can:
Yes, while it's not exactly a "conversion," you can apply for an EB-5 visa while maintaining your H-1B status. Here are the key requirements for an EB-5 visa:
Acceptable funding sources for H-1B holders include:
The transition from H-1B to EB-5 status typically requires between 4 to 18 months, depending on USCIS processing times. Your immigration journey begins with selecting and investing in a qualified EB-5 project. Once you've made your investment, you'll submit your petition to USCIS. During this waiting period, maintaining your current H-1B status provides important immigration security.
The concurrent filing option presents an interesting opportunity for H-1B holders pursuing EB-5 visas. This process allows you to receive an Employment Authorization Document and advance parole privileges (travel authorization) immediately after filing your EB-5 petition. These benefits enable work authorization independent of your H-1B employer and facilitate international travel. However, immigration attorneys often advise maintainingH-1B status throughout the EB-5 process, as switching to concurrent filing status may prevent you from returning to H-1B status if needed.
The journey from H-1B to permanent residency through the EB-5 program represents a significant opportunity for foreign workers in the United States. While the $800,000 investment requirement is substantial, the benefits of permanent residency and workplace freedom make it an attractive option form any H-1B professionals. Consulting with qualified immigration attorneys helps ensure you understand all aspects of the process and make the visa choice aligned with your long-term immigration goals.
Converting from an H-1B to an EB-5 visa offers a clear path to permanent residency in the United States. By understanding the requirements, timeline, and potential challenges, you can make informed decisions about your immigration future. Remember that professional legal guidance proves invaluable throughout this complex but rewarding process.
Peachtree Group has more than 40 years’ experience in EB-5 investing. Have questions about EB-5, visit our website or fill out our contact form.
Conventional wisdom states that the EB5 visa country cap is calculated within each preference category, not across all preference categories. That would mean that no one country could have more than 7% of just EB-5 visas in any reserved visa category.
Conventional EB-5 wisdom on country caps is wrong.
In a US Federal Register announcement dated March 28, 2023, the US Government acknowledged they were calculating country caps incorrectly and outlined how country caps were to be calculated moving forward.
Since April 2023, country caps are calculated based on the total number of visas available in ALL preference categories including family-based and employment-based. Immigrants from a particular county are not subject to a country cap until applications for ALL preference categories for that country reach 7%.
Once both family-based and employment-based visa applications for a particular country reach 7%, the Department of State imposes backlogs for that particular country in each preference category based on priority dates across all categories.
Investors born outside of China and India can confidently choose between either a rural or high unemployment project.
The Visa Bulletin shows China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have all reached the 7% cap across the family-based and employment-based visas. Since Mexico and the Philippines are not big users of the EB-5 preference, China and India are currently the only countries subject to a country cap on EB-5 unreserved visas. What this means: If you were born outside of China or India, you don't need to worry about backlogs or waiting lines whether you invest in a rural or high unemployment TEA. Unless and until another country reaches the 7% quota across all preference categories, we should not expect there to be a backlog for those countries in EB-5. If you were born in China or India, you should speak with knowledgeable EB-5 professionals to understand the potential waiting periods. However, remember that your EB-5 investment decision should be based on all of the factors that are important to you, not just the potential visa quotas.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures, with a specialty in hospitality. We’ve executed hundreds of investments since inception with a focus on real estate acquisition, development, and lending. Today, we manage billions in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support, and grow your investment.
Peachtree Group has an EB-5 visa by investment program which allows foreign nationals the opportunity to attain permanent residency in the United States. The EB-5 visa program allows you to invest in job creating projects in the U.S. creating a path to a green card for you and your family. The minimum investment is $1,050,000. However, investment in Targeted Employment Areas reduces the minimum cost to $800,000. Learn more about the EB-5 visa by investment program.
.png)
.png)
Form I-485, or the "Application to Register Permanent Residence" allows an EB-5 investor to adjust their investor's status from a non-immigrant to a conditional permanent resident (CPR). To take advantage of this, the EB-5 investor must already be in the United States lawfully on a non-immigrant visa such as a F-1 or H-1B. The form is generally filed after the I-526E Petition which is the first step in the EB-5 visa process. This blog post explains how the Form I485 fits into the overall EB-5 process, the essential documents needed, and how to avoid potential delays in the adjustment of status journey.
The passing of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) allowed EB-5 investors to file Form I-485 concurrently with Form I-526E if visas are available. This is called concurrent filing and allows investors to remain in the US while their application is processed. In short, if you are in the U.S. you can stay in the U.S. while you wait for the adjudication of your Form I-526E Petition.
Once the I-485 is approved, the investor becomes a conditional permanent resident which is good for two years. During this time, they need to fulfil the promise they made with the I-526 form to invest in a project that creates US jobs. In order to remove the conditional and become a permanent resident, the investor must file Form I-829 or the "Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status". Once this is granted, the investor and their eligible family members receive permanent green cards.
Investor Benefits During I-485 processing:
While the I-485 is processing, EB-5 investors may also file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization" and Form I-131, "Application for Travel Document" to receive an employment authorization and travel permit, which allows them to work in the US and travel while their applications are pending.
Peachtree Group encourages ourEB-5 investors to consult with their immigration attorney and to read through the Form I-485 form instructions as the specific evidence required with theForm I-485 application may vary depending on the immigrant category you are filing under.
Documents required to be submitted with your Form I-485 include:
As November 2024, the filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,440. The EB-5 investor pays additional filing fees if they are also filing Form I-765 and Form I-131. Be sure to check the USCIS website for the most up to date fee information. In addition, this site has information on what to do while you wait for your green card application.
By following the I 485 form instructions and submitting all the required evidence and supporting documentation at the time of the Form I-485 filing, EB-5 investors may avoid receiving a Request for Evidence (“RFE”) from USCIS.
Tips to prevent receiving an RFE include:
For more information about the I-526E Form and the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, consider consulting the following resources:
