The cost of USA citizenship by investment, also known as the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, varies depending on several factors, including the minimum investment amount, administrative fees, legal fees, and other associated expenses. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with obtaining USA citizenship by investment:
Investment amount:
The minimum investment amount required for the EB-5 program is $1.8 million, although it may be reduced to $900,000 if the investment is made in a targeted employment area (TEA), which is an area with high unemployment or rural designation. The investment must be made in a new commercial enterprise that creates or preserves a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Administrative fees:
Along with the investment amount, investors are required to pay administrative fees associated with the EB-5 program. This includes filing fees for the various immigration petitions and applications required throughout the application process. For example, the filing fee for the I-526 petition.
Legal fees:
Investors often hire immigration attorneys to assist with the EB-5 application process, review legal documents, provide guidance, and represent them before USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Legal fees for EB-5 representation can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the attorney’s experience, and other factors. Legal fees can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Regional center fees:
If investors choose to invest in a USCIS-approved regional center project, they may be required to pay additional fees to the regional center. These fees may cover administrative costs, management fees, and other expenses associated with the regional center’s operation and oversight of the EB-5 project.
Miscellaneous expenses:
There may be other miscellaneous expenses associated with obtaining USA citizenship through investment, such as travel costs for visiting the United States, translation and document authentication fees, and fees for obtaining medical examinations or background checks. These expenses can vary depending on the investor’s individual circumstances and preferences.
Overall, the total cost of obtaining USA citizenship by investment can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the investment amount, administrative fees, legal fees, and other associated expenses. It’s important for prospective EB-5 investors to carefully consider and budget for these costs before pursuing USA citizenship through investment. Additionally, investors should conduct thorough due diligence on investment opportunities and seek guidance from immigration attorneys and financial advisors familiar with the EB-5 program to steer the application process successfully.