The comparatively recently introduced EB5 immigrant investor (pilot programme) requires a minimum investment of $500,000 in a 'Regional Centre'. The $500,000 investment must create full-time employment for at least 10 US workers.

A significant number of visas are specifically set-aside for those wanting to invest in an EB-5 'Regional Centre' .These centres have been approved for immigrant investor capital by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service as a targeted employment area of high unemployment or qualifying rural area.

In the fiscal year 2007, which ended in September, 779 people applied for the visa program, double the 389 who applied in 2006. The greatest number of investors came from South Korea, China, and Britain.

The EB-5 investor visa Pilot Program expires on September 30, 2008 so if this visa is of interest it is necessary to act sooner rather than later.

History

The first EB5 applicants for US visas, (under new rules) were approved over three years ago. Importantly there is now a track record of immigrants who were processed through this specific programme, have subsequently lived in America for two years and are coming up to the time when they can determine how their investment can be recouped.

Since the end of 2003 an increasing number of immigrants have been emigrating via the EB5 investor visa (pilot programme), attracted by the following features.

• A direct route to a green card
• Permanent residency via the green card for the family including children under 21
• Freedom to live and work where you want in the USA, or indeed to retire.