Obtaining a residence permit in the USA in 2021

ADVANTAGES OF A RESIDENCE PERMIT IN THE USA:

• no educational requirements;
• no managerial or business experience required;
• the source of investment capital can be a gift, inheritance, business or any other legal activity;
• there is no need to live in the region of investment;
• investors can live, work and get education in any US state;
• it is possible to include children under 21 years of age;
• no need to learn the language;
• After 5 years it is possible to obtain citizenship.

Basic methods and documents for obtaining a residence permit in America

A US residence permit for a foreigner can be obtained in various ways. It must be selected at the very first step to obtaining a residence permit. After all, the package of necessary documents depends on the method. The price and ease of methods also differ.

Sometimes foreigners use non-immigrant visas, but in this case there are many nuances. If things don't go according to plan, the immigrant will be deported and possibly even banned from entering the States. The methods presented below are effective and most common among emigrants.

Participation in lotteries and Green Card drawings

The fastest and easiest way is to participate and win in a diversification program. You can win a Green Card in this lottery. A foreigner can only fill out the electronic application form EDV and go through a simple and completely free registration.

The form must be filled out in English. Registration is possible every fall.

A spouse can participate in the program at the same time. The winning applicant will be able to take with him his relatives who belong to the first group of kinship: a child under 21 years old, a husband/wife.

To use this method, you just need to win (the winning statistics are 1 in 80, but every year America gives out more than 50,000 Green Cards) and have money to move to America. Funds are also required for the first time until the foreigner finds a job.

Every year in Russia there are more than 4,000 winners. But only fewer than 2,000 immigrants will be able to obtain citizenship in America.

OPTIONS FOR OBTAINING A RESIDENCE PERMIT IN THE USA:

1. Create a business

The applicant must invest $1.5 million in the new company or $900 thousand if the company is located in the target commercial region, including rural areas or areas where the unemployment rate is at least 150% of the national average. With the involvement of 10 qualified employees with US citizenship on a full-time basis. The investor must participate in the work of the company.

2. Contribution to the regional center

Regional Centers are investment destinations pre-approved by USCIS. To qualify for this type of investment, the applicant must meet the following:

• investment volume from $900 thousand;
• hire 10 qualified part-time employees with US citizenship;
• possible indirect participation in the work of the company.

COST OF OBTAINING A RESIDENCE PERMIT IN THE USA:

• $15 thousand consultations and legal expenses;
• $50 thousand fee to the regional center;
• $1.5 thousand I-526;
• $405 DS-230;
• $3.75k I-829;
• $2.5 thousand I-829 performance fee;
• $85 biometrics;

The cost of support is individual.

Return on investment:

• from $900 thousand

In March 2021, US President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Budget Act, which, among other things, provides for the extension of the EB-5 program for the next six months. It is this program that allows investors to obtain a residence permit and then citizenship of the United States of America.

The annual quota of visas for obtaining citizenship by investment is 10 thousand. The US Congress is constantly discussing proposals to distribute them between projects of Regional Centers, so that each disadvantaged region, by US standards, receives the necessary financial injections. The debate this year also ended in nothing; the program was extended unchanged. This was facilitated by the lobby of representatives of the real estate market. It is here that infusions flock, investors buy housing for huge sums. This is especially different for the Chinese diaspora, which annually purchases several billion dollars worth of housing in the regions.

The main question is what to invest in

According to the program, the investor must invest in a new enterprise. A commercial company is considered new if it was founded after November 29, 1990, and during this time has undergone changes, for example, increasing the number of employees. Investments can be made in businesses such as:

• business trust;
• private enterprise;
• joint-stock company;
• partnership on shares, etc.

Investments in real estate during the construction phase are considered very profitable. In addition to building shops, hotels or offices from scratch, a businessman applying for a green card can buy an apartment or hotel room for himself.

It is worthwhile to approach the issue of choosing commercial real estate in which you plan to invest as responsibly as possible.

Experienced investors advise paying attention to the following:

• the economy of the state in which you are going to invest;
• taxes in the USA and in the state of your choice;
• the possibility of obtaining tax benefits;
• forecast for the profitability of the enterprise in which you are investing.

All these points can be resolved with the help of various companies that operate in this market segment. Consultations on the above issues will help make your investments more effective.

Where to invest is equally important

The future development and profit that will follow from the investment depends on the place where the investments will be made. In the United States, real estate and commercial prices vary depending on states, proximity to metropolitan areas, and regional development.

By participating in the EB-5 program, a future investor can choose an area with a high unemployment rate that is one and a half times the US average. Or invest money in the development of rural areas near megacities, or in a town with a population of less than 20 thousand people. And also to other areas not related to the above. But then the investment increases to $1 million.

Approximate prices of commercial real estate in the USA

If you decide to invest in a mini-store with a gas station, the investment will reach up to a million dollars. In case of acquisition of this object, 2 million in full.

A supermarket or department store will require an investment of one and a half million. Its total cost is 2.5-3.0 million dollars.

A sports club or shopping center requires an investment of 5 million.

A small 2-star hotel in the states of Washington or Oregon will cost 800 thousand - a million dollars. In California, the same hotel would cost up to 10 million (or half that amount as an investment).

An office center typically costs from one to three million, depending on the size.

EB-5: benefits of the US investment program for Russian clients

EB-5, as a US government program to attract foreign investment, has been in effect since 1990, while simultaneously developing the US economy at the expense of foreign investors and providing them with the opportunity to obtain a residence permit (Green Card) and subsequent US citizenship.

Its main requirements:

• Registration of a new enterprise
• Investment package from 900,000 US dollars (you can invest either in your own project or in the Regional Center project, and the investment is repayable)
• Creation of at least 10 jobs.

Requirements for the investor:

• Demonstrate no criminal record
• Confirm the legality of the origin of funds.

Moreover, by operating under the EB-5 program, an investor can receive a Green Card not only for himself, but also for his family - his spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. Green Card gives foreign citizens significant advantages:

• You and your family can stay in the United States freely, without time or visa restrictions
• Increases the likelihood of admission to top American universities
• There is an opportunity to study for free in US public schools (general education)
• When enrolling in a US public university/college, the cost may be reduced (the difference sometimes reaches 200% of the original total price!)
• Preferential review of resumes when applying for a job: Today, international students and graduates have very low chances of getting a stable job in the United States.

By participating in the EB-5 program, you can choose how you submit your documents:

• For yourself and your family
• For one of the parents and children (the second parent can be registered later if desired - this helps reduce the tax burden)
• Only for their own children: then they will be able to study and work in the United States while living on the territory (since the age of the main applicant-investor is not limited by the program).

PROCESS OF REGISTRATION OF US RESIDENCE PERMIT:

Without knowing the intricacies of American legislation, you should not purchase real estate or businesses on your own. There is a high risk of falling for scammers. Therefore, you need to choose intermediaries, fortunately, today there is the Internet where you can find any company and reviews about it.

Having chosen a broker, it is worth meeting him in person. Any specialist in this matter has lucrative offers that he will open only face to face. Not everything that is advertised and displayed on various notice boards in newspapers, the Internet and on television is worth paying attention to.

You need to conclude an agency agreement with the intermediary, agree on an introductory tour, draw up a binding contract for the purchase of real estate with the payment of 10 thousand dollars as a deposit. In this case, the property will be removed from sale. And then act in accordance with US law.

OBTAINING A GREEN CARD BY INVESTMENT - STEPS:

First, the investor submits a foreign entrepreneur application to the Immigration Service. It should contain the following information:

• confirmation of the fact of sending funds to the selected company;
• amount of investment;
• confirmation of the legality of money (income certificates from the tax office);
• a business plan that complies with the job creation law;
• a project for the future development of an enterprise in which the investor has invested.

After the documents are accepted, it can take from a year to a year and a half. Once the application is approved, the investor and family members are interviewed at the United States Embassy located in the country of residence. The result of the interview is a conditional residence permit for 2 years. This residence permit has the following conditions: the funds contribute to the development of the enterprise in these two years, and the investor himself lives in the USA 180 days a year, no less.

When a year and nine months have passed, the investor submits a request to have the conditionality removed from his residence permit. This is done to obtain a permanent residence permit, a green card valid for 10 years.

This request must include information on the following issues:

• on the direction of investment in the enterprise chosen by the investor;
• documents confirming that 10 jobs have been created there;
• accounting reports on the activities of the enterprise for the year and 9 months.

After which you must wait another 15 months for the application to be considered. If everything that the program requires is completed, the businessman and his family receive a permanent residence permit, which opens up the possibility of obtaining US citizenship in 5-7 years.

Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

What are the advantages of a residence permit in the United States?
Foreigners living in the United States are blessed with such benefits as a friendly cultural environment, high quality education, medicine and services, high wages, and low food prices. This country has developed its own unique culture that has spread throughout the world and a leading currency system. Based on this, there are many people who want to purchase a residence permit in the United States of America. Currently there is an EB-5 designed for investors who plan to obtain US citizenship to continue their activities.

What are the benefits of the EB-5 program for investors in the US?

To obtain a US residence permit through investment, neither special education nor experience in conducting business is required. You can use any legal sources of funds for deposits. This could be a gift, profit from your own business, or inherited capital. It is not necessary to learn English to live in America. An investor can live in any state of his choice without being tied to the regional location of the companies in which he invests. Anyone who has received a US residence permit can count on US citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence in the States. Children under 21 years of age can be included in the document.

What are the ways to obtain EB-5?

To obtain future US citizenship, an investor must invest at least $1.5 million in opening a new company in the state. The minimum amount is reduced to $900,000 if the business is located in a rural area, small town with low population density, or in a region with high unemployment. The investor must hire at least 10 full-time employees with a high level of qualifications.

To contribute to the country’s economy, an investor can donate funds not only to the development of private business, but also invest in the Regional Center project. This type of investment greatly simplifies the task of obtaining a residence permit for investors, since the RC takes full responsibility for preparing the necessary documents and independently contacts the migration services. The minimum amount for a deposit is $900 thousand. The investor is required to hire at least 10 part-time workers.

To obtain a US residence permit by investing, you should contact an intermediary and enter into an agency agreement with him. Otherwise, the risk of running into scammers increases. Then you need to apply to the Immigration Service for a green card.

How to choose the direction of investment needed to obtain a residence permit in the USA?

Income from investments directly depends on the development potential of the company, which you need to be able to predict. The cost of commercial real estate depends on proximity to big cities, the development of the area and the scale of the enterprise. It is enough to invest a million dollars in a small roadside store, a supermarket will require 2.5 million dollars, the amount of investment in a large shopping center reaches 5 million dollars. The cost of investing in a hotel depends on the specific state in which it is located. In California, the amount of investment in a hotel will reach 10 million; in Washington, 1 million will be enough.

America, Australia and other continents

Despite the existing differences between European countries, both in terms of living standards and conditions for obtaining a residence permit, the same principle of document preparation prevails in this part of the world. A similar system operates in Latin America. You can apply for a residence permit if you meet one of the above grounds. After a certain period of time, the documents are replaced with permanent residence and, if desired, citizenship.

Countries in the rest of the world that are promising for relocation can be divided into those that have an active migration policy and those that do not welcome new people into their society. The latter, as a rule, include stable and economically developed states.

Although they are extremely popular among emigrants, getting into them for permanent residence seems to be very difficult.

USA

Moving to the USA is the dream and goal of many people from all over the world, not only Russians. However, this country is precisely one of those who pursue a passive migration policy. The government is in no hurry to increase the population at the expense of visitors, so it creates very difficult conditions for obtaining a Green Card, that is, an American residence permit.

Nevertheless, every year the United States organizes a lottery in which 50 thousand visas are drawn, giving the right to live and work in the country. Since a huge number of people take part in this action, the chance of winning the desired document in this way is quite small, but it always exists. Therefore, potential emigrants should definitely try their luck, because there is no easier way to obtain a residence permit in this country.

Canada, Australia, New Zealand

Countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada have active migration policies. They are interested in the influx of educated and experienced professionals, so they create various programs for facilitated immigration, both for employees and for businessmen.

The government websites of these countries contain lists of professions that are especially in demand at the moment. Anyone who meets the requirements can apply. In case of successful selection, the residence permit status will be issued not only to this candidate, but also to all members of his family.

In addition to programs at the state level, some provinces of the countries represented create their own conditions, attracting active people to their region, thus developing it. For example, the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia have special business immigration programs. When mutual interest arises between an entrepreneur and the regional government, the person and his family members receive the right to live and work in a developed state, and the state receives the economic development of the province.

Belize

The cheapest residence permit in the world can currently be obtained in Belize, a country on the Caribbean Sea. This country has developed several immigration programs, one of which is designed specifically for investors. When registering a domestic company (not offshore), thus creating a job for an investor and purchasing a plot of land worth at least 35,000 US dollars in Belize, a person receives a residence permit.

A residence permit for the investor and his family members is issued immediately after receiving a work permit from the Department of Labor. After 12 months, it is possible to upgrade the status of all family members to permanent residence, and after 5 years - to obtain citizenship. The total amount that will have to be invested to complete all documents will average 45-50,000 US dollars.