How Much Do You Need to Invest in U.S. to Get a Green Card?

If you or a loved one are thinking of moving to the United States, you have undoubtedly thought about the cost and logistics of getting a Green Card. A Green Card is not only essential to work in America, but you must also have one for five years if you are thinking of becoming a citizen. It also gives you certain rights and protections under the law.  

Getting a Green Card the Traditional Way

The most common way to get a Green Card is through family. If you are the minor child or spouse of an American citizen, you may apply for a Green Card. Some people get married just to obtain the right to work, but doing this can result in deportation and criminal charges.

You may also get a card if you have been offered employment in the US. Special preference is given to people who have extraordinary ability in a certain field or who have advanced degrees.  Religious workers who have come to America to work for a non-profit organization may also apply. People seeking political asylum, or those who have been the victim of a crime may be granted a Green Card. A Green Card application will cost about $535 for the I-130 petition. There is also an $85 biometrics services fee.

Making Investments in US Bsinesses

One way to obtain the right to work in the United States is to invest in real estate. There is a visa called the Immigrant Investor Program or EB-5. This program allows foreigners who invest in American real estate to obtain a Green Card. It also cuts the time it takes to receive a Green Card in half.

How Much Money You Will Need

You will need to invest at least $500,000 in order to qualify for this program. The program was created under the Bush Administration in 1990 in order to stimulate the economy.

How Many Jobs to Create

If you want to participate in the EB 5 program, your Real Estate Project must create at least ten jobs for every foreign investor. The program is limited to 10,000 visa applicants a year and, in spite of the high cost, these visas are gone quite quickly. Not only the investor, but all of the investors dependent children can get a Green Card through the program.

Getting a Lawyer

You should never invest in any business without consulting an attorney first. If you decide to invest in real estate to obtain citizenship, you will want to talk to a counselor about the potential pitfalls and benefits of participating in the Immigrant Investor Program. If you are going about getting a card in the traditional way, an attorney can save you a lot of time and money.

A lot of people make a beeline for the Sunshine State when they come to America for the first time. When seeking Florida immigration law counsel, it is important to find someone who has a great reputation and knows how to advocate for their clients. There are many ways to get a Green Card, a good lawyer can find the perfect path to residency for you.

Authoritative Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/realestate/want-a-green-card-invest-in-real-estate.html

https://www.immi-usa.com/immigration/marriage-based-greencard/

https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2017-06-28/what-it-costs-to-get-a-green-card