However, among investors, the American market is the most sought after. Every year, the United States issues 10,000 immigration visas to those willing to invest their funds in the country’s economy and wishing to relocate their entire families. Thus, investments effectively grant an individual the legal right to immigrate to America for establishing a new business or purchasing an existing one.
Nevertheless, without the requisite experience and knowledge, navigating the entire process and receiving a positive response from the authorities can be quite challenging. So, how does one apply for an immigration visa? And what difficulties might one encounter?
Businessman and founder of "OIL Resource Group," Sergey Tereshkin, is ready to assist in understanding the intricacies of investing for immigration purposes. More about his activities can be found at the link: www.sergeytereshkin.ru.
Investor Requirements
Certain requirements exist for investors wishing to obtain an immigration visa:
- A businessman can acquire or register any company, regardless of its legal form. The key is that the enterprise must operate legally. This may include joint ventures, holdings, trusts, LLCs, and others.
- One of the main requirements is the active participation of the investor in the company's operations. Thus, simply buying a business and immediately obtaining the opportunity for immigration is not feasible. Moreover, the investor must inject capital into the business.
- The minimum investment amount is $500,000. However, investments can also be in the form of equipment, patents, etc. The critical aspect is that the total amount is either equivalent to or exceeds the minimum allowable threshold.
- Investment of $500,000 can be made in rural areas or regions where the official unemployment rate is 1.5 times higher than the average figures for the United States overall.
- The investor must create at least 10 jobs. Employees can only be American citizens residing in the country or immigrants holding valid work permits in the U.S. Staff must be employed full-time, meaning they must work at least 35 hours per week.
- Hiring spouses or children, even if they are American citizens, is not permitted. However, this rule does not apply to other relatives.
Investments can only be made in legal sectors. When establishing a holding company, all its subsidiaries must actively conduct business and partake in the corporation's activities.
Investment visas do not cover the purchase of real estate or conducting any other non-commercial activities and do not confer citizenship rights.
Required Documents
To acquire immigrant status, it is necessary to submit a package of documents to the Citizenship and Immigration Services, including:
- Documents confirming the opening or acquisition of a company. This may include relevant certificates, licenses, etc.
- Proof of investment in the required amount. This could be a payment receipt indicating the invested sum, a tax statement, etc.
- Tax documents and other papers that validate the hiring of 10 employees at the business.
Additionally, it is necessary to complete an application and pay the governmental fees.
The documents are reviewed within the legal timeframes. Upon a favorable decision, the investor will first receive a Green Card. After two years, they may officially apply to the authorities for American citizenship. This will also require a new government fee, double the amount of the previous one.
This must be done while the temporary status is valid. Failure to comply will result in the loss of status and subsequent deportation. It is unlikely that one would be able to obtain a Green Card again, as the government is reluctant to accommodate violators.
Moreover, the potential applicant will have to study the country’s constitution and its history, starting from the first president. All candidates must pass a corresponding examination. Ignorance of history may lead to denial of citizenship. The exam is conducted in English, and the investor must have proficiency in the language, meaning they need to be capable of reading fluently, comprehending spoken information, and responding to questions or engaging in conversation.
Secrets to Obtaining Citizenship
Besides official information, Sergey Tereshkin is ready to share some insider tips on investing in the U.S. economy:
- The minimum investment can be made not only independently but also jointly with other individuals.
- A company can be organized together with an American citizen or a representative from any other country who is not seeking citizenship and the corresponding investment visa.
- The $500,000 threshold applies specifically to certain regions with adverse economic conditions. In developing states, the amount is often much higher, frequently exceeding one million dollars.
Foreign investments in the American economy represent a genuine opportunity to become a full-fledged citizen of the state. The main thing is to adhere to all regulations and engage solely in legal activities.
